Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I've gone ahead and started the swap on my 1966 spl311. I've found a incredibly clean KA24DE drivetrain from a 1996 240sx with only 54K miles. The owner of the 240sx had a beautiful car which he converted to an SR20DET.

So the adventure has begun. DGR fabrication in Santa Clara is handling the project. The r16 drivetrain was removed this weekend. Next all the ancillary components in the engine bay will be removed and engine bay will be detailed & professionally painted silver (to match the car).

Hoping to get down to DGR this week and take some first photos.

Was the '96 240sx a rwd car? Or do you have to do some conversion?

Should be a fun car when done, are you going to keep it a sleeper with the wide whitewalls?

No conversion needed.

This swap has been completed by quite a few folks over the past 5+ years. This is the same engine that Herb (from modesto) is running in his Roadster. Recently, Ken Pletcher and Riaz have also swapped KA24DE's into there roadsters. I believe Lou is wrapping up his KA24 swap, as well.

This car will remain a sleeper for now. We'll have to see how well the White Walls (they are radials) can handle the new power..

Dan,

Are you going stick or auto?

Sid,

For the roadster...It's gotta be a 5spd. Also, I've heard that the automatic may be a bit wide for the roadster trans tunnel.

Everything should fit very nicely into the engine bay/trans tunnel with little-to-no cross member modification needed.

Dan,

You shouldn't have to modify anything on the front member, all you have to do is remove the bump on the front of the oil pan and you can drop it right in.

Alexi

Alexi, you are correct. I confirmed with DGR that no modification will be needed!

DGR has continued to move the project forward at a nice pace. Now that the engine is out, the roadster has been delivered to Conner's Body Shop in San Jose. The shop will be stripping/prepping the engine bay and properly repainting in silver.

Hoping to have car back to DGR Mid July to continue the swap!

Dan Zubkoff

Here is a photo or two of the car at Conner's body shop receiving the treatment

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/zubkoff@s ... .dir=/6db6&

PS: Sorry but for some reason, I'm not able to insert my photos directly into the post. The html keeps on showing up as text....

Very kewl. Almost makes me want to pull the engine just to repaint the engine bay....almost...

I just may swap the rims/tires. Haven't decided yet....

I may end up putting the pannasports on the 66 (KA24de) and restoring a set of vintage empi's for th 67 2000.

Stopped by the shop this week to check out progress. Really little progress during July due to the shasta shows. But this was scheduled & expected.

The car is currently on the lift being fitted for the KA 5spd transmission & fabrication of the trans mounts.

The engine I purchased is so clean, that I've decided to forego additional powdered coating of the valve cover & other parts. Will be zincing most of the visable components, but all in all the engine really just needs a good power wash and detailing prior to installation in the roadster.My roadster inself looks very stock..The engine bay will look the same...like a very clean, stock KA drivetrain. I'll even try to retain the paper tags (on the wiring) wherever possilel to maintain the stock finsih.

Sorry for the lack of pictures for the update, but I'll soon have photos.

Well, the trans and engine mounts are done. The engine has yet to be steam cleaned, but it looks like it just belongs there from the factory.

I extremely pleased so far with the great progress of the project by DGR.

Here are some photos:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/zubkoff@s ... .dir=/d7dc

Wow! Nice stuff Dan! I love the TIG welded motor mounts... nice work DGR crew!

Michael
Spriso.Motorsports

so those mounts bolt to the stock mounts? very nice

steve

Alvin,

Yes..Please post some pictures. I'd really appreciate it! Also, can you send me the info about the gauge set you used..

Thanks,

Dan