Which do you think would be the best motor? I've heard the SR20 is alloy, but is it lighter than the CA18? Which engine would be the most reliable? SR20's seem to be
more popular as a conversion...
thanks,
justin

I'm for the SR20DET - mind you I'm biased cos
I've got one in the shed! Of course Andrew may have a different opinion.....!
There is a lot of development work to be done on them yet for racing applications but for a street car you'd be pretty happy. There are no reliability problems as far as I
know - they're both Nissan after all.

Well if the Sr20 was fully legal in the 1200 I would have fitted one of them :) but now ive done some mods to the CA18 im more than happy the SR are all alloy but weigh very simaller to the
Ca18 anyway.One thing is the Sr engine are a bit more expensive to do mods too the head is a pain in the arse to set up as the cam followers have to be shimed ect. I priced a NA SR20 to put
in my coupe that woukld have been legal but $8000 for around 220hp was a bit $$$$ that was puter and all.Ca has cost me lsss with more power and drivability I suppose its upto persoanl choice
If a Had a datto 1600 the Sr would be my choice of engine.
Andrew

I've been for a ride in Andrews 1200 missile, no need for too much more power...but could always take it
out to 2 litre.....
Less weight is cheap HP, and I would think the motor would be easer to put in.

Whats the weight of the different 1200 models? 800lbs is u need to get a 2litre turbo. The station
wagon might be heavier???

Scott
Davo

You'd need more than 900kgs..not lbs for this kind of modification in NSW
Australia.

Have a look at our local Roads and Traffic Dept.

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/manuals/registration/lvm/lvmfrm.htm

The light vehicle modification guidelines tell you what you can/can't do.

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/manuals/reg ... tion/lvm/lvm31p5.htm#bk22

This is a link to engine specific information.

Chris..aka Dattoman.

So according to the guidelines in NSW...you can only put in a 1737cc turbo or a 2085cc natuarally aspirated??......

Based in the weight of the 1200 coupe at 695kg or 2085lbs...from the gregorys handbook, but everyone that I talk to says that they never
were that light.

The 1200 coupe is 730kg according to the RTA the sedan is 740kg and the ute is 680kg so you can legally put a 1825cc turbo in a coupe or 2190cc NA
The Ca18 is 1809cc so I just snuck in. :)
BTW I pulled engine down today for a freshen of bottom end before Qld the bore and pistons are still in great condition one disturbing find was that the copper head gasket had
started to bend out the side!!! Im getting the block O ringed to stod this also opening up combustion chamber to lower comp ratio a bit.
Andrew

My dad weighed his 1971 1200 coupe (A14/5speed), it wasn't cleaned out, and there was luggage and stuff packed in it, it weighed about 1700 lbs. I suppose if you drained all
the fluids, cleaned out the entire car, took out the spare tire and any other unnecessary items, it'd weigh in around 1600, maybe a little less??? I'm curious now to go see how
much mine weighs.

Yes the RTA requirements are based on the heaviest version of sedan, coupe, ute and
station wagon.
I found a freaky 1970's sales brochure which lists them.
eg 1200 coupe manual= 1520 pounds or 680.5kg
and 1200 coupe auto= 1609 pounds or 729.8kg

Something else interesting the sales guy wrote down in pen the prices of the
models-
Coupe auto= $2,976
4 door auto= $2,644

justin