Hi new member here. Ive been saving for a couple of years now to get a 1200 coupe', cause when i first saw them i was instanly hooked (due mostly to the mad old skool' styling and lightweight body not found in most cars made in that period). Right now im trying to decide wheather i should finish year 12 or go do a mechanic course and apprentaship because i dont care as long as i have the datto i picture in my mind as quick as possible. I was wondering if any of you guys knew of any good workshops in melbourne/sydney, with engineers on sight where they carry out ca18det engine/tranny conversions at a reasonable price, and if so what sorta price range id be looking at. Also because im expecting to find out thats way outta my price range do you'se know if they run any courses where i could at least start to learn how to carry out these modifications. And lastly, how come is it that in every single freakin 4 cylinder mag ive read i havn't seen a single hotted up 1200?, i dont care if some people dont like the styling and think its a "little old ladys" car when standerd because truth be told, there one of the cheapest cars to do up-plus i thought the whole sleeper thing was in fashion.Any help will be highly appreciated.

hay due i luv my datto's 2 hhe i got a ute next week end it will be supplyed more power by tha ca18det motor.. in sydney there are alot of mechanics that would be able 2 do tha conversion its not 2 hard a job but is pritty costly 2 pay a mechanic 2 do tha job u will be looking at around 1500-2000$ if u suply tha motor and wiring loom computer that is! 2 get your motor go 2 JUST JAP KIRRAWWE i got mine for $1250 complete with gear box and standard ecu... its cheap and they are honest 2. get the motor put in i would go 2 riccole liver pool i think i moved up 2 QLd now but they did my mates sr conversion 2 a 1600! very nice JOB!
FVK school if u wanna be a mechanic do it now dont waste u time at school if u going 2 b a mechanic ne ways!

Kao-TZuE welcome to the site
Don't be to hasty about your coupe there are more than enough people on this site that are more than willing to help you.
Be smart and use this site to build your dream Don't waste your money on people that don't give a rats about you or your car and just want your money every thing you need is here at Datsun 1200 .com I'm sure there is article on everything you need to know. Don't be shy to ask anybody anthing knowbody is going to think you are silly for asking we all had to start somewhere.
regards Wally

Get your brakes sorted first. Get the car straight..make it nice to drive..wait till you are 25..then get a CA18DET.

I know it's going to be difficult, but if you are having any cashflow problems..owning a turbo'ed car is the best way to screw up your life..I've been into dattos for 15 years..please at least consider what I say.
Get the car straight..make it "nice" to drive. get nice seats for it. get nice carpets. stop the water leaks..then start spending big, when you can afford it, and when the car is ready for it. If you spend heaps of money on a bomb..your friends won't understand it..and you'll end up agreeing with them, You'll end up selling the car for $1500 and making a huge loss. This is the most common failure story I hear in relation to fixing up Dattos.

As the magazines say, set a REAL budget, work out what you can do with that budget, and "do it!!".Treat it like a corporate project. Stick to the scope!

I'm not one to talk in regards to scope, many of my opinions have been learnt from personal experience...my project continues.
But at least it's looking better.

Wlecome to the site. Good choice of car!

Chris

Good point, get a few more years of experience before getting the supercar-engine.

I don't know how it is in Australia, but in the USA finishing standard school (12 years) opens up a lot more opportunities, even for trades. A lot of employers question whether someone will "stick to the job" if they never finished regular school.

I finished regular school (taking auto mechanics in the last year), then went straight to work fixing auto electric parts. I didn't go to trade school, but that is probably a better idea if general auto mechanics is your career goal.

Take Chris's advice I did the waste money thing early in my Datto purchases first was in 1983 and lost big time by never getting what I really wanted.It wasn't until I had a clear cut goal of what I wanted than the wagon happened I now have the wagon a ute and my wife has a very tidy coupe. We may sound like oldies just trust.........