Hello

[datsunmotorsports]

I have been a Datsun Enthusiast for quite some time now. Until rescently Ive owned Zcars exclusively but have always held on to the idea of owning a 510 wagon and a early 2000 Roadster. I got my chance and picked up a early 68 without the side marker lights. Its a little rough, but I have seen much worse. I found several goodies in the car including a Clymer manual, OE rotor and points replacement parts still sealed up, original owers manual, a 1quart can of Castrol oil, and a soft top in good condition. I have serious plans to install a SDS Mega Squirt on the car with a set of 55mm Mikuni TBs in place of the stock SUs. I already have a spare Mega Squirt with the 2 bar Map installed. I am also considering a turbo install, but Im a bit weary of that. I do have almost everything to create the beast including intercooler, T28 Garret, and all the stuff inbetween. I havent come to that conclusion yet, but its an idea. The Engine is the original U20. It either has 105XXX miles or 5XXX miles on it. The owner says its been in a barn in San Diego for the past 25 years. So it did have a chance to roll over. The past 3 or 4 years it was near the coast of Petaluma under a pine tree. Mechanically everything but the engine and brake system is sound. The owner was in denial when I told him there was no oil in the crank case and the timing tensioners, chain, and valve train looked fine. He swears the engine had a timing failure because its just stopped running and would not turn over anymore 25 years ago. I have another U20 bottom end to use parts from as well just in case I can only use and bore the original block. Im pretty set on getting a set of custom Fly Light Wiseco pistons for the engine. New bearings and Ill be sure to magniflux the crank and jack shaft at least. Ill be recording my progress and putting it up on my web site as I have time. I plan on havign the frame and suspension components blasted and powdercoated first thing. I have various parts for Roadster laying around and Im going to see how hard it will be to install the early pre 66 1600 and 1500 dash with Z guages in my 2000. Probably a major undertaking but hey Ive done some interesting things. I think the stock Sora, I think is the color blue is cool and Ill stick with it. As it goes back together Im definately replacing everything with metric allens, bolts, and nuts. This mixed nuts thing has me at a loss.
I threw on a set of Enkie 15" mesh wheels and they look to be a bit wide. Just barely. Does anyone have a good looking flare that looks OE? Maybe to match the front flares?

So that is what is going on with my Roadster. Anyone else have a turbo charged U20? Comments warnings?

Thanks

Ray

[S Allen]

Hello Ray and welcome. I believe I saw that car for sale on craigslist. There is an Aussie whom does not show up much that has a turbo charged U20. I have some pictures some where of his car and motor. Let me see if I can remember where they are.

Steve

[spl310]

[S Allen]

Never mind the one I was thinking of is super charged- you can check it out here--
http://www.311s.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.ph ... =u20+turbo

Steve

[datsunmotorsports]

Here are some pics of the car before, during PU, and after I cleaned it a bit.

http://www.datsunmotorsports.selfip.com ... 0Roadster/

I had a blow out on the trailer on the way home. That was fun. Car came home intact though.

Ray

[datsunmotorsports]

I was wondering if the intercooler I have will work, but that supercharged U20 has the Isuzu NPR intercooler sittin right there. Wicked Cool!

[Alvin]

Sora blue is a cool color for sure!

[ppeters914]

Im going to see how hard it will be to install the early pre 66 1600 and 1500 dash with Z guages in my 2000. Probably a major undertaking but hey Ive done some interesting things.

I used to have a pic of a late model roadster with an early flat dash. Don't know how hard it was, but it obviously can be done.

I think the stock Sora, I think is the color blue is cool and Ill stick with it.

Sora blue is a cool color for sure!

Done right, I agree, but guess which color my wife sez is grounds for divorce?

As it goes back together Im definately replacing everything with metric allens, bolts, and nuts. This mixed nuts thing has me at a loss.

Huh? I thought Nissan switched over to totally metric in the '68 model year.

[Alvin]

High-windshield car with a low-windshield dash, but not sur eif you wanted even earlier like a '64 1500 dash?
Mike Braaten's S15 SR-powered roadster:


If going turbo route be prepared to upgrade chassis, brakes, rear end, etc.!

[datsunrides]

I'm currently working on a turbocharged, intercooled, EFI, SDS EM4 controlled U20. Motor is currently at Rebello racing getting built up. This is definately NOT cheap though. Mine is going to run $3000 for the bottom end fully built with mods and custom pistons and a rebuilt head with a turbo grind cam and port work. Add in a timing set, oil pump, gasket set, and other items and I'm spending over $4800 just for the motor. Add in an intercooler, T25 turbo (what I'm using), SDS emu, + the time to make custom manifolds and make it all work and I'd say look to spend at least $7500. This is with me doing all the work except for the engine build. I want it to last so I went to an "expert" for him to do his magic to it. Sounds like you are contemplating a similar setup. Hope to compare notes with you if you go this route. BTW, where are you located?

Mark

[Alvin]

Add in an intercooler, T25 turbo (what I'm using), SDS emu, + the time to make custom manifolds and make it all work and I'd say look to spend at least $7500.
Mark

HOLY S&*#! For $7,500 that U20 better put out 400hp to the wheels. Get Rebello to put it in writing

[shifty]

Huh? I thought Nissan switched over to totally metric in the '68 model year.

Nope. Parts that are unique to the high-window cars are likely to be metric. Anything that that carried over from earlier cars is likely to be SAE.

I say likely, as who knows what has happened to the car over the last 30+ years. There is also some BSP (British Standard Pipe) threading on some parts.

So you end up having to check every fastener. Fun!

[albert gast]

you all know the old saying speed cost money , how fast can you go , or something like that . 3000 is not that bad for a good long block assembly .
i know first hand that developing a high output U20 takes a lot of effort . and there are no guarantees . it will be an ongoing effort just to stay even . i am sure fuel injection and a turbo will take a lot of effort also .
still , sounds like a great project ,good luck and keep us posted .
regards ; al gast

[datsunmotorsports]

Im located in Hollister Ca.

Ive spoke with Ben Pilla from Jim Wolf Tech about this and a few other engine builds I have going on. I have many parts left over from all kinds of things. Im using a rebuilt T28 from a VG33ET basically. Im going to go through the engine completely for sure. I like to do as much as possible myself so I wont be contracting Rebello. Although I will likely be dealing with them about the cam issue. I have several Datsun specialized machine shops I know of that have been in the business for a very long time I will likely pay them to do any machine work that I cannot.

From the few, about 10, roadsters Ive worked on the 3 center guage w/4 toggles vs the 2 center guage w/ 3 toggles the switch was in 66? I found 6 roadsters that were dumped from a local Datsun dealership 30+ years ago and now reside in a storage facility rusting away. They are pretty low odometer cars, but time and weather has taken its toll. They appear to be original. 2 66 1600, 68 2000, 65 1500, 2 67 1600. I have the 3 center guage w/4 toggles already aside with enough of the dash mount cut to do whatever.

I cant wait to find the BSP. That sounds great. I have take a few of these cars apart and know what to expect. I have something like 25 gals of bolts, nuts, screws, washers, and stuff from Zcars. Litterly like five full 5 gal buckets o crud. I know I have more in my storage as well. I always keep that stuff. Maybe one day Ill make a fortune in steel. LOL!

I kinda get the idea that its going to cost a lot to build the engine right. IT could easily cost $8K. I already have the Mega Squirt, but no spark yet. $20 GM Flame Thrower on the way. Thatll pep up the ignition. I have the NPR intercooler already. Rebuilt T28. I have one of those $10 ebay T3 flanges and an extra header for now. I have access to a CNC, btu its not operational yet. Later Ill figure out something more perminent. I have the TBs and intercooler piping but no plenum. Radiator is rotten to the core... Long term project as I have money. I have a 71 240z sitting in storage that has been calling me for about a year now. 2.9L turbo stroker in progress for SCCA hopefully. Ive been working on her since I was a sophmore in High School. Ive got about $8K in it and its still a rolling tub w/ parts astrew throughout a 40' C-train container. Im still trying to figure out what would be a good brake upgrade. I saw post of a early Silvia that had a remote brake booster. That was interesting. I would like to stick to Datsun/Nissan/Infiniti parts if possible so Volvo, toyota, etc kinda out the window. Id buy a set of Willwoods and an Airheart master then call it good. Im kinda retarded like that so? In my head it keeps it easy to remember where to get parts from to fix any problems.

[Alvin]

[quote="albert gast"]you all know the old saying speed cost money , how fast can you go , or something like that . 3000 is not that bad for a good long block assembly . quote]

"Speed costs money, how fast do you want to go" I think.
Very true!