So I'm fairly new to the Datsun scene I just got a 72 Datsun coupe Roller no motor no tranny... I want your guys opinion on what is a better route?
Get a A12 motor and tranny and do mild upgrades for a easy swap
Or
SR20 turbo swap the car for more power out the gate?

The car was an automatic so it has room for the SR20 and has a custom crossmember for the swap... I just read that it will cost a lot of money to get any type of power out of a A12 compared to just buying a stock SR20DEt with everything and just putting it in? I know I will need a lot more for the SR20 swap to convert it as well if someone could shed more light I would appreciate it... Also the SR20 motor is heavier so will it throw off the car a lot since the original motor was lighter? What can I do to fix that of I went that route?

I'd go for a 240SX motor, you can find a cheap non-running 240SX complete with 2.4 liter motor, 5-speed, wiring and ECU. The SR20 crossmember works with the 2.4, it's a bigger motor, less expensive, more reliable, can buy parts anywhere, a lot less work to fit

A12: 58 hp
KA24DE: 156 hp
SR20DET: 205 hp import motor

KA Engine Swap

I'm pretty sure that u wont get an sr20det engineered,ca18det yes.Although I'm talking about the coversion into a ute,might be different for a coupe.Oh you are in the states,thats a different ball game altogether.

ka24de for sure even with bolt ons the ka24de can make 190-200hp
eg. jim wolf cams, headers and piggy back tune.

Yea I wanted to go that route with a KA24DE swap they are super cheap on the east coast... Just worried about the weight throwing off the whole geometry of the car since it will be so heavy in the front ?

Btw that strut bar in the pic looks awesome!!! Where can I get one of those?!

What about A15. With twin webers head work,cam & other little tweaks they rev hard & go really well.

Quote:Not a problem. So bigger engines are a little heavier, they are still 4-cylinders though. Most guys fit heavier springs anyways. It's all about the balance

Heavy? Try this:

Alright I see, I think a stock SR20DET would be my best bet then I will see the list of things I need for the swap then thanks guys

Here's a writeup about Ricardo's Datsun 1200 with SR20DET: Speedhunters

Love those Long Champ XR4 rims too!