a12 performance suggestions

kobyn · Post by **kobyn** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:26 am

SSS spec engine a12 best all round engine iv owned

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Post by **Bartman** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 5:31 pm

The SSS cam profile would be a pretty old grind by now. A similar set up with a modern profile would go well.

kobyn · Post by **kobyn** » Tue Oct 07, 2014 7:28 pm

Yeah don't listen to me lol been out of the piston game for a while now,

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chris23 · Post by **chris23** » Wed Oct 08, 2014 12:11 pm

Ok great. Is it possible for one of you great guys to write up a list like kitch did except for the turbo option so i can look at parts and cost. Will be much appreciated.

Naki-Fisher · Post by **Naki-Fisher** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 1:32 am

Hey Chris
Look forward to seeing photos of your project.
This site and 1200.com are amazing for info some of it you have to dig around and talk to a heap of people to get the real good info, be polite be honest and all should be good.
As I said I'd love to do something on this in the tech section and will do one day.
I know nothing on Turboing or supercharging an A series engine, these others have and results are unbelievable especially Skylines A12 so well worth the read.
Try this
http://datsun1200.com/modules/newbb/vie ... =0&start=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I have had a number of good performing A12's
Aside from stock ones:
1st
Exhaust - Extractors 1.5" system shit mufflers
Carbs - Twin 40 dellortos 34mm chokes, poxy aircleaner
Engine - Stock aside from electronic ignition
Nothing to write home about would rev happily to 6.5 - 7 grand

2nd
Exhaust - Extractors 2" system OK mufflers
Carbs - Twin 40 dellortos 36mm chokes, 12" K&N aircleaner
Engine - Stock apart from Ported head, electronic ignition, cam starting around 2-2500RPM, by the time I got it compression was down if not quite low
OK and went quite well and as an understanding to the potential of an A12, would rev happily to 8 grand

3rd
Saloon car engine
Exhaust - Extractors 2" system no mufflers
Carbs - Twin 35 dellortos (chokes no idea), 2x K&N aircleaners
Engine - electronic ignition, little cam and hi compression slight port of head
OK as a A12 that ran on avgas and was thrashed, would rev happily to 8 grand

4th
Exhaust - Extractors 2into1 2" system good mufflers
Carbs - Twin 40 dellortos 36mm chokes, 12" K&N aircleaner
Engine - was 2nd engine rebuilt Stock apart from Ported head that got a slight tickle up, good 3 angle valve job, compression raised, electronic ignition, cam was changed to one starting around 3 - 3500RPM
Went bloody well and great fun to drive would rev happily to 9-9500 grand saw 10 grand a couple of times but not a lot of power after 9 grand

These were all engines that were thrashed and driven daily apart from the saloon car all were very reliable. Note: time was spent in the build itself to make sure that clearances were enough and correct as well as all other good techniques. There are a heap of other mods that can be done that will also help reliability and performance but one must consider what it is they want and the budget they are working to as a miss match of what this guy said and what that guys said will become an expensive disappointment.

chris23 · Post by **chris23** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 9:11 am

Thank you. Im starting to get my head around all the possibilities. Il do some digging. Ur time an knowledge is really appreciated

2 doors · Post by **2 doors** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 12:20 pm

A really good upgrade and inexpensive, is to drop in an A14, I know people will mention ( cert requirement) but most people would never notice, in standard form, it will give all the performance of a modified A12 and if it were coupled with extractors and carbs it would be amazing.

Loganw · Post by **Loganw** » Thu Oct 09, 2014 11:38 pm

Fully agree 2doors there was a couple of things I missed ie. These were only my A12's, Lightened flywheels and of cause the A14 and À15. I will put up some info on theses later but for quick simple power upgrade you can't go passed cc's

Post by **Kitch** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 7:12 am

Agree with Wal; I brought a fully reconditioned a12 short block (20' oversize Pistons) a few years ago, fitted it with mild cam (ie sort of sss spec), lightened flywheel, ported/planed head with double valve springs & 40mm dellorto side drafts flows & exhaust, revved ok, sounded awesome, but with wife & kids in car it would be lucky to do a 17 second 1/4 I would think. It was cool but not fast. When I did same work to an a15 it was a different animal. Far more torque & grunt. And pulled fairly respectively with 4 adults in the wee 1200.

As the saying goes there is no substitute for cubic capacity. Although barts response to that would be 'forced induction'

After much contemplation I have gone a14 for my coupe build. Capacity + ability to rev.
People may beg to differ but a14's seem snappier than a15's due to ratio of stroke v bore.
Of course I have gone oversize Mazda high compression Pistons so have bout same capacity as a stock a15 anyway.

Although a carb'd a12 screamer would have been cool too ala 'TS cup spec'

2 doors · Post by **2 doors** » Fri Oct 10, 2014 7:30 pm

A14 for sure, better stroke than the A15 so it will rev like a 1200 but with an xtra 200cc

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