I wont pretend to know much about cars because I just don't know.
I just got 71 Datsun 1200. I fell in love with style and I wanted to start with Japanese car for a project.
Everything seems to be complete stock even with 12 inch tires.
I am open to all suggestions and I woils like to know what I should really start with.
1. I want more power in my car. If possible complete sleeper.
2. I would like bigger tires without Modding exteriors.
3. I would love to install sound system and AC unit however its not necessary.
Help me start my project.

Welcome!

I was similar to you about a year ago, I didn't know too much about the mechanical side of cars but I knew I wanted to start with a 1200 since I'd always loved them.

I also bought a very stock 1200, mine being a coupe, and made a list of the things I wanted to do based on feedback from the guys on this forum. Here are the things I started with:

- Larger diameter sway bar
- Electronic ignition
- New springs
- 32/36 Weber install (in progress)

Once I got some confidence, I moved on to some more difficult upgrades:

- Coilovers (in progress)
- Brake upgrade (in progress) - I personally went with the 280zx upgrade for a few reasons, although they are very heavy. The more popular choice would be the s13 upgrade

The widest tyre you can go with largely depends on what wheels you can find to fit given the different offsets, but it seems like 7" is as big as you can go on the front without body mods. Although finding a wheel/tyre combo to tuck could be difficult. On the rear you can apparently fit up to 9" wide. More info found here.

Air conditioning is possible, it was a dealer option. Units pop up here ever so often.

As for what to do with the engine, I'm sure one of the other guys could give you a better answer to that than me, however, popular choices are covered in this section of the wiki. The current favorite seems to be the CA swap.

Almost forgot, you could also improve the existing A12 you have.

Thank you for all your input.
I am consider complete engine swap top choices are SR20DET or KA options.
For tires I'm considering 14 by 6

Where abouts are you located?

It might come down to what you're able to get engineered. It's expensive and difficult, but possible to get an SR engineered in Australia for road use, or is this strictly for the track?

14x6 should fit without any issues, although it does depend on what offset and tyres you're running.

14 by 6 with 10 offset.
I'm southern California so I can those engines pretty easily though it does seems I have to somewhere in a ballpark of 1800 for them.
I'm trying to figure ka or SR. Seems to me SR is more popular choice in the states.

Get it braking and handling well then some mild upgrades to teach yourself some skills. Engine swap is way you you in the deep end with no paddle

If in the states I would get an A12a bore it to 77mm and fit A14 crank, Isuzu flat top pistons and A12A rods. This will give you 1400cc which you can then supercharge with the many superchargers available in the states and use a big SU or sidedraft weber. Gearbox you can get the 60 and 63 series 5 speeds there easily enough.

Contact lowtech Im sure he can build you something or help out with info.

Last week I drove my brother in laws old vw golf with 1.4L turbo with 180bhp and its was a handful even with the LSD recently fitted it wheelspins like mad.

An A14 will easily make 180bhp ate if setup correctly with turbo or 1400cc supercharger from a toyota or other.

There is also Bart in NZ who has an A14 supercharged that might chime in with good info.

Yet since you are in the US and able to source a good 5 speed for cheap going away from an A series is not a good ideas unless you attain a complete SR or CA setup

I have thought of doing a KA24de swap in the states. The engines I have been told are more common than both CA or SR. But that is a few years away.


My two cents. Start with replacing bits on your 1200 that are probably worn out or need replacement before you start modifying. Things like ball joints, sway bar bushings, etc.... on the front end. Try to source a sway bar from a B210 they are better than the 1200 one. Look up this mod in the Tech Wiki section.

In the states you can get an entire Weber 32/36 carburetor, adaptor plate, and linkage kit for around 400 bucks. That is a great upgrade or if you know someone who does carbs you could refurb one for 150 bucks.

Also 13 inch rims and tyres are very cheap in the states. For a 1200 you will need 4x114.3. Which means 4 stud by 114.3 pitch circle diameter. Don't get 4x100 they are Ford or Honda wheels. You should be able to fit something like 6 inch wide on front and 8 inch wide on back without modifying your 1200.

I would start there before upgrading your A series and gearbox. Eventually try to source an A15 (1500cc engine) and a 5 speed 60 series or 63 series gearbox from a B210 or other model. You will need slight modifications for both of these upgrades.

Thanks for the input guys. I did forget to mention these changes I will be doing in five years. SR engine will be done approximately 2 years down the road. I am somewhat concerned about the car so I am having it checked out.
How much more can I push my car in current state? I am looking through to Get basics out of the way. However I am preparing myself for future swap.
And please remember this is for the later.
1. My friends are suggesting leaf springs for the rear. Good or bad?
2. Coil for the front?
3. How much of supertuned stock engine would change in power? (I'm not looking make it racer quite yet but I also don't like getting passed by hybrid on highway.)
4. 13 vs 14? Which would be a better choice for the later swap.
I want to make a lasting transformation not having change too much every year.
Thanks again for all the insights you are giving me you guys don't know how helpful this is.