hello all, i am a newbie to the site but not to datsun 1200. owned a datsun 1200 wagon approx 8 years ago , did not have the knowledege of to day nor the money. just picked up 73 coupe and need adive on which way to head with resto, do i go ca18 or worked a-series?

Plenty of reading in the Wiki to the left.

Should give you a starting point of whats involved in engine, brake upgrades etc

Up to you if you want a true old school cruiser, with su carbies or simular. Or the more modern and awesome to drive CA18DET transplant.

I would seriously consider the CA18 Non Turbo as you can grab one of these for $500 or less and they are great reliable engine which gives the datto resonable herbs when required.

thank you for your input. i put a great emphisis on what people say not the records. i don t want to waste people s time but can you tell me if you need any body work to install a ca18 into a coupe. do you need toi modify trans tunnel etc.

To fit the CA18 you need to do some minor panel beating of the trans tunnel. Or you can cut it out and weld in a new tunnel. If you massage the original tunnel its a tight fit and you cant split the motor / gearbox in the car. This is what I did with mine, also made my own modified engine crossmember and gearbox mount.

However alot of these parts can be brought direct from Mad DAt. So google their website.

Dont forget with the CA you will need to upgrade brakes, master cylinder, diff, tailshaft, wire up ecu etc

thank you again for your input i beleive as it stands power to dollars ratio ca18 is the way to go i have what is to be a long term projet but i can t afford to do things twice. i shall read through as much of the tech forum as i can for information before asking simple questions (as i see there not taken lightly)but we all have to start somewhere.