New Zealand Datsun Club

E15s to Ga15ds engine swap

On the Ga15ds engine one fan belt runs the power steering and water pump. Another belt the alternator. I won’t be using power steering on this so I need to move the alternator, otherwise there is no drive for the water pump. The mount looks quite sturdy on this so I have cut a section off one side of the mount and moved it to the other as a spacer. Haven’t quite finished this yet as I need a longer belt which I can’t get right now.

E15s to Ga15ds engine swap

From what I gather the Ga15ds uses a carb that is computer controlled, which is not gonna happen in this car. Ideally it will get a Weber or something similar. I wanted to see if the E15s carb would bolt up. Nope. The bolt pattern on the E15s looks the same size as an a15. The Ga15ds carb has a larger base plate and is a much bigger carb. I found a mystery carb I think is off either a later model E series( pretty sure it was a 87 Sentra)

So left to right E15s, mystery carb, Ga15ds


I put the mystery carb on the engine, it ran the engine breifly. It would be good to know if the Ga15ds carb could be modified to run without an ecu if anyone knows.

E15s to Ga15ds engine swap

With regards to the wiring, i plan to use the e15s loom.
The temp sensor will go into the engine. The oil pressure switch needs the terminal on the wire changed. The alternator should be straight forward enough and by changing to a simple carb it will eliminate wires there. The only thing I’ve had to sort out is the distributor. It’s a neat setup on this motor with the coil internal in the distributor and only two wires to connect.
I put word out to figure out what the two wires are for and it came back with one is power in and the other a signal for rpm. With the loom pulled back the wire closest to the vacuum pot is much larger than the other. I powered this up and the engine ran.

E15s to Ga15ds engine swap

The b11 radiator is not going to fit, will update this when I find a suitable replacement

Oh did I mention the seats were a little uncomfortable
Yes those pillows go straight through the seat and onto the floor lol.

Right, rewind back in time a bit and this was staring at me while I pulled the head off the E15.
Hmmm, bright white paint on a plate put over the firewall. Gee I wonder what ever could it be behind it? A priceless artwork perhaps? Maybe a winning lotto ticket?
Oh! Rust, I never would have guessed!
Once I cut that section out I put my phone through a hole in the well behind it and took a photo.
Time for some more cutting and dash removal

Cutting
More cutting
And even more cutting
Rebuilt something resembling the heater intake and patched the hole through to the cabin
Reached through the cut out and rust converter followed by some paint I had lying around
Followed by more paint
Should be the end of any wet feet!
Weld and bodge the cutout back in
And made a new bit for the firewall and window wiper mount

Next up A pillars. They were looking a bit crusty around the hinges on both sides
Someone had had a go at this side before
With it cut open you can see a little chamber under two layers of panel steal that must be where the rust starts. I clean these up and painted them
Made some patches and jammed them in
And done

Awesome work !! One lucky B11 to have your dedication !

Thanks Tim! Hope you are doing well.