Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I love you guys.. you’re the best. Excellent feedback.. I love your responses. So let me some up what I’ve learned:

- SR20DET powered roadsters ARE in fact streetable as long as you don’t throw 500hp to the rear wheels. Which I’m sure someone will argue that a 500hp roadster is still drivable but for arguments sake we’ll assume

- You need to have lots of time and money if you want to tackle the swap on your own.

- If you’re going to pay to do the swap, have Michael Spreadbury do it.

- SR20DE swaps are much easier and the NA motor definitely packs a mighty punch.

- To minimize down time (not to mention enjoy the Seattle summer weather which is coming up shortly) I should throw a 5 speed in my current ride to help this beast handle the freeway a little better since it seems to be a fairly easy job. I’m not the best wrench out there but I can definitely be dangerous.

- I’m also learning that the 1600 motor is a decent little motor and with a little love it can squeeze out some more ponies. (I’m assuming new cam and exhaust?)

Thanks again for your help and input… although if Alvin doesn’t stops posting pics and videos of SR20DETs in action, I just might be calling Spriso with a project. Now if I can only find a way to fund such a project. I better go look under the couch cushions to begin with.

Micheal is not the only one that can do great swaps .
I have done a few and most would say I have copied his work .
I have just recently searched out some of his work here on 311s and until now have never seen any of his work but have heard alot about him.
He does great work seems that he has alot more Time ,money ,equipment and willing particpants than I do at this time.

How much does he charge to do a swap or restroation looks expensive.

I would like to chat with him and share some ideas we both may have.

My recent swap took 1st place at solvang this year in it's class 1969 silver Roadster owened by Victor Pinelli.
The frame off resoration and engine swap was done in six months start to finish all work done in house with the exception of a computer remap ,custom Ford 8" rear end and body/paint that was done at MACCO belive it or not !!!
I have been an automotive technician for 18 + years and have restored around 10 cars (All makes and models) so far and many more to come .

We will be putting it on a dyno soon to verify the HP at the wheels should be around 300!! and is very streetable and pulls like a Porsche 911 said some people that I have given road tests to.

Just like every project we do It gets better and better every time we do one and we always find a way to one up the last one.

I'am new here on 311s hope i'm not coming off to strong just trying to get out there and get some more cars back on the road and give the customer what they want a very fun and reliable sports car .

Kevin D.

I'd love to back you up here Kevin but I got jipped out of my ride in Solvang so you're on your own!

Seriously though.... Your car looked great and the work was as clean as it gets. I can't speak for everyone else here but I know my ultimate goal is to have one of each... A super clean 3 seat 1500... An ultra tight cornering 1600.... A fully optioned 67.5 two liter (Okay, maybe 2) and of course a turbo charged tire smoking Porsche eater. (Which is where you come in)

Congrats on the car and Keep up the good work

Jon Frampton
Huntington Beach

... A fully optioned 67.5 two liter (Okay, maybe 2) and of course a turbo charged tire smoking Porsche eater. (Which is where you come in)


Jon Frampton
Huntington Beach

John, all you need is a warm U20 and a set of Kuhmo V710s and you can spank a GT3 all over an AutoX course Top end or in a long straight line,is another story, but you didn't specify that. It will hold its own against a Carrara Turbo as well.

Will

Hi, John
There was alot of people wanting rides, if you really want one I will
get you one. The owner and myself do not live far from Huntington Beach.

I know what you mean about wanting one of each. This weekend I may be picking up a 1500 a project given up on.
Kevin D.

Thanks for the response Kevin and congrats on winning 1st place! I'll have to look for pics of your ride. In fact, do you have some pics of your 1st place winner that you can post?

I just wanted to clarify that my comments on having spreadsbury being the "go to" guy for swaps are half tongue and cheek. He obviously does great work and i'm probably drawn to him more cause he's in oregon and not to far away from me in Seattle. Although, it was the video clip of your latest creation that Alvin posted that got my attention on the DET setup. So I hope I didn't offend anyone else out there... I'm just getting fanatical about these little cars and enjoy this community of fellow datsun enthusiasts.

jfunk here are some pics just click on them for more:

Thanks Alvin For posting the pictures I haven't figured out how to post pictures yet.
Kevin D.

I am in the planning, measuring and head scratching stages of a Rover V8 swap, not easy or happening any time soon. That being said, I have an H20 sitting on the engine stand so when I come to my senses, I'll have the parts ready.

I've owned all three combinations, The 1600 4 speed, great around town, faster off the line than a 2000 5 speed, for the first 50 or 60 ft, then it's a losing battle. It's good for everything except a long highway drive or a long fast road. My 2000 is nice, great on the highway, happy when it's revving, a little less fun in slow traffic, and gets 32 MPG. The 1600 5 speed, IMHO best of both worlds as far as stock engines go.

Mark's 66 Zetec is an amazing swap. ( On Ebay right now!!) No frame mods, very tractable around town and a monster when you get on it. It's like a giant electric motor, constant strong push. If you need it, a belt driven supercharger is available for it too, plus 150HP or something silly like that. Never been in an SR20or other swap, so cant opine. Any of the modern FI engines, Nissan, Ford, etc give you the big forgiving powerband. Wonder of modern electronics. Could you imagine BRE or Smokey Yunick if they were building with the stuff available now?

IMHO Were it me, I would do the 5 speed swap, and while it's out clean up the motor,regasket anything you think might need it. I pulled the freeze plugs and flushed all the junk out while it was out of the car. Paint the motor, make it nice. Clean up the engine compartment do the radiator etc. Put it back in and drive the car. Add a louder muffler, does wonders for the percieved horsepower . While enjoying the car, instead of looking at it in pieces, wait and see what comes along. Might find a stroker,a U20, an L20 an SR20, a KA24 to do a swap. Could be a finished SR20 car goes up for sale for half the cost of a proffessional swap and resto would cost to have done. Might say the hell with it, this is fine for me.

About a month ago, I came across a 67 1600. I'd never seen one aside from photos and didn't know much about them. After some thought and a test drive I bought it...no regrets. It has a 5 speed 2000 swap and is really smooth. Although the knob is a bit crowded towards the front. I'm thinking of putting an "S" bend in the lever. If I can get at the bolt without to much trouble, I think I can muscle a bend below the boot. Has anyone done this? Any pointers?
Thanks, Shaun

Welcome, nice looking car! Give more details! As far as bending the shift lever, it is doable to remove. You just take the shift plate and boot off, and then you can reach inside and use a wrench on the nut. I would think heat would be desired for bending the rod...

I had fixed the choke cable with a bike shifting cable. It could have been an easy job, but I hit an obstruction in the line and had to peel the plastic sheathing off and stretch the housing coil out. There were some old cable strands jammed in it. Anyway, got it together and realized when putting it in first gear it would push the knob back in. With a vise and a pipe I bent and tweaked the rod until it felt right (back and a bit closer to the driver). Took it for a test spin...much better!
Wow SPL310, That is quite the roadster collection. I've got two 60s Skoda Felicia's and I'm on my 4th 80s Toyota van! LOL.

Shoot, I haven't got much. Some of the guys on this forum put my pile to shame...

Post some pics of the Skodas!

The 64 was rough when I found it locally (West Mass). I've worked on it over the years, finally got it painted back to the original and of coarse new tires! The 60 I found on ebay and have used many parts from it.

Now that is a car you won't find others of at car shows - and it's a head turner too!
Nice.