Datsun Roadster 1600...To build or not to build

speedworks · 12-30-2009, 07:51 PM

That car looks good. Congrats on the purchase. Some day I plan to purchase one of these, and do something similar to what you are doing. I first need to build my additional 4 car garage - no space in the current garage.

ChrisSlicks · 12-31-2009, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motoextreme

Chris, one quick question...

Considering the car is not as rare as some and I'll likely keep it, think I really need to keep the stock motor since its a numbers matching engine? I'm not one to stock pile things and considering the new motor will likely require some alterations to the mounts etc I doubt I'll ever need it... Suppose the right thing is to keep it but I'd really rather not unless I'm just blowing the whole value of this car by doing so.

What do you think?

Depends what you want to do with the car. If you are going for a full showroom restoration then keep the matching engine, it makes a big difference in the value in that case. If you just want to have fun with it then do whatever you want.

I think I would probably fall into the second category, I would store the original engine if I had space for it, although if you are doing heavy modifications then I wouldn't bother.

The best forum by far for information on these cars is 311s.org-Datsun Sport Roadsters

Here's a race ready car that's been heavily modified.
1968 Datsun SPL-311 Roadster "Small Bucks Racing" Ready to Race

motoextreme · 12-31-2009, 05:26 PM

Thanks for the info.

That site looks great, I'll dabble into it this weekend. That race one is a bit much but cool just the same. 2000 Lb car could be interesting with a 300HP motor..

motoextreme · 01-02-2010, 11:46 AM

Thanks again for the hookup on the site...those guys are already proving to be really helpful. Now I have two sites to watch but that's cool as the Nismo is nearly done for a while anyway.

Here's some pics of my first day wrenching on the Roadster, pulled out the interior, carpet, ripped the dash apart and some trim. Now I'm going to pull more chrome off and try and get the motor and trans out when I return from Hong Kong. After that, pulling the body off the frame to prep for the motor swap...going to be a cool little car when she's done.

ChrisSlicks · 01-02-2010, 02:43 PM

Considering its age the body looks to be in really good shape!

motoextreme · 01-02-2010, 05:12 PM

Thankfully it is... Little spots on the floorboards but that's to be expected. Tell you this, pulling it apart for the last couple of days and I think half of the bolts snapped in half. Missing the NISMO right about now...HHAHA

motoextreme · 01-03-2010, 02:55 AM

Spent another 6 hours on her today. stripped it down even further. I'll shoot to get the body off the frame when i return from my trip. Lots of work to go on this one...

Trying to get the motor out tomorrow before I leave. Would like to get the frame off to the shop so they can cut and weld it to fit the new motor in.

Should be a pretty quick car, figure they are weighing in at 2000 lbs or less with the right parts. Throw in a few hundred HP and that's pretty respectable!

schrute · 01-03-2010, 03:21 AM

Wow, lots of progress in a short time. When you start something you get right after it. Looking good.

Thanks for sharing the pics!

ChrisSlicks · 01-03-2010, 12:34 PM

Don't spend too long away or you wont remember how the pieces go back together, LOL. (Been there done that

motoextreme · 01-03-2010, 01:12 PM

I'm not using much of the stock parts anyway. I was thinking about just building a track car but my wife wants us to use it on the street too...pretty basic car, shouldnt be too tough (famous last words)

speedworks · 01-03-2010, 02:34 PM

You move quick. I thought you had kids? I can never find this kind of time with the 3 rugrats I have; it would take me months to do it. I plan to repaint my race car over the off season, and so far I have only taken the decals off and some sanding, and that was over the last 2 months.

You'll be done in a few weeks, with a lot more work.

motoextreme · 01-03-2010, 06:17 PM

My daughter is 14 and a cheerleader, doesnt want to hang with us anymore. son plays so much World of Warcraft that I think he's writing the damn program.

No one wants to hang with good ol dad so I just wrench away. Met the nicest family today, came to my house to pick up some of the Roadster parts I don't want and the son is going to put the Turbo motor in it for me and mod the frame to hold it. He said it takes a while but it appears I'm done with my part for now. His father brought over his, my God is it badass! Thing is a rocket with Nat, Sat Radio, Alpine, power windows and here's the coolest thing, about 350 HP to the wheels and the car is barely 2000 lbs...NUTS.

Fate took a play on this one, met some great people, getting my car built by a Datsun/Nissan expert and I get my garage space back.

No more projects for a while!!! Yes Honey, I mean it this time

schrute · 01-03-2010, 07:42 PM

If I was local I'd come hang with ya - looks like a fun build. I've had some great times working on cars with friends. I'll have to settle for pics on this one

Thanks for the great deal on the Nismo wheels man, let me tell you guys if you ever have an opportunity to do business with Motoextreme he is a class act. Thanks again man and I'll post pics in my journal when I get the Nismo wheels powdercoated and mounted on my car in the spring. Can't wait!

motoextreme · 01-03-2010, 08:37 PM

No worries bro, sorry for the wait on the parts but its taking a little longer then I thought to get done. No terrible rush now since I'm gone for a while.

Thanks for the biz man. Look forward to seeing it all done.

speedworks · 02-02-2010, 09:45 PM

Had to bring this back alive. How's it going? I saw this one for sale on ebay - in my mind, one of the best I have seen in a while..

Datsun : eBay Motors (item 220549894578 end time Feb-11-10 09:37:09 PST)

12-31-2009, 05:26 PM	#48 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 368	Thanks for the info. That site looks great, I'll dabble into it this weekend. That race one is a bit much but cool just the same. 2000 Lb car could be interesting with a 300HP motor.. __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports

01-02-2010, 05:12 PM	#51 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 368	Thankfully it is... Little spots on the floorboards but that's to be expected. Tell you this, pulling it apart for the last couple of days and I think half of the bolts snapped in half. Missing the NISMO right about now...HHAHA __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports

01-03-2010, 03:21 AM	#53 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 16	Wow, lots of progress in a short time. When you start something you get right after it. Looking good. Thanks for sharing the pics! __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

01-03-2010, 01:12 PM	#55 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 368	I'm not using much of the stock parts anyway. I was thinking about just building a track car but my wife wants us to use it on the street too...pretty basic car, shouldnt be too tough (famous last words) __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports

01-03-2010, 06:17 PM	#57 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 368	My daughter is 14 and a cheerleader, doesnt want to hang with us anymore. son plays so much World of Warcraft that I think he's writing the damn program. No one wants to hang with good ol dad so I just wrench away. Met the nicest family today, came to my house to pick up some of the Roadster parts I don't want and the son is going to put the Turbo motor in it for me and mod the frame to hold it. He said it takes a while but it appears I'm done with my part for now. His father brought over his, my God is it badass! Thing is a rocket with Nat, Sat Radio, Alpine, power windows and here's the coolest thing, about 350 HP to the wheels and the car is barely 2000 lbs...NUTS. Fate took a play on this one, met some great people, getting my car built by a Datsun/Nissan expert and I get my garage space back. No more projects for a while!!! Yes Honey, I mean it this time __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports

12-30-2009, 07:51 PM	#46 (permalink)
speedworks Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 550 Drives: PW purchased 01/09 Rep Power: 17	That car looks good. Congrats on the purchase. Some day I plan to purchase one of these, and do something similar to what you are doing. I first need to build my additional 4 car garage - no space in the current garage.

01-02-2010, 02:43 PM	#50 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Considering its age the body looks to be in really good shape!

01-03-2010, 12:34 PM	#54 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Don't spend too long away or you wont remember how the pieces go back together, LOL. (Been there done that

01-03-2010, 02:34 PM	#56 (permalink)
speedworks Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 550 Drives: PW purchased 01/09 Rep Power: 17	You move quick. I thought you had kids? I can never find this kind of time with the 3 rugrats I have; it would take me months to do it. I plan to repaint my race car over the off season, and so far I have only taken the decals off and some sanding, and that was over the last 2 months. You'll be done in a few weeks, with a lot more work.

01-03-2010, 07:42 PM	#58 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 16	If I was local I'd come hang with ya - looks like a fun build. I've had some great times working on cars with friends. I'll have to settle for pics on this one Thanks for the great deal on the Nismo wheels man, let me tell you guys if you ever have an opportunity to do business with Motoextreme he is a class act. Thanks again man and I'll post pics in my journal when I get the Nismo wheels powdercoated and mounted on my car in the spring. Can't wait! __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

01-03-2010, 08:37 PM	#59 (permalink)
motoextreme Track Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 971 Drives: Nismo NO MODS! Rep Power: 368	No worries bro, sorry for the wait on the parts but its taking a little longer then I thought to get done. No terrible rush now since I'm gone for a while. Thanks for the biz man. Look forward to seeing it all done. __________________ Fast Intensions / NST / Mishimoto / Alpine / JDM / Volk / Brembo / Rotora / Seibon / Stillen / Password: JDM / KW / MR Works / RAW / Sun Auto / B&M / Amplified Motorsports

02-02-2010, 09:45 PM	#60 (permalink)
speedworks Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 550 Drives: PW purchased 01/09 Rep Power: 17	Had to bring this back alive. How's it going? I saw this one for sale on ebay - in my mind, one of the best I have seen in a while.. Datsun : eBay Motors (item 220549894578 end time Feb-11-10 09:37:09 PST)

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