New Zealand Datsun Club

Well I've succumbed to the pressure (and frustration at not having time to work on it lately), so decided to post up some pics of my second B310 wagon (my RB310).

The reason for the build: I have a B310 daily driver wagon, which had a feeble A12 that I wanted to replace with something more powerful. I decided to go with a worked A15, but the idea of an injected turbo motor was always at the back of my mind. Yet an SR20 or CA18 conversion would be too easy and predictable. I prefer a challenge, and like my cars to be different.

So I eventually scored another standard wagon from an old guy (who thought I was gonna restore it to original condition ), and a donor car from TM, and set to work:


As purchased:


The new motor:


Modifying the crossmember so the motor sits nice and low:




Engine mounts:


Minor Sump modifications:

Engine mocked up in a spare shell:




Engine after a coat of paint, with polished cam covers and custom front facing plenum:


Firewall Modifications:




New gearlever location. With the raceseats fitted, it’s actually more comfortable than the original A-series gearlever.

Engine Installed:


Intercooler and piping installed. I managed to chop up and modify the piping which came with the Skyline, so only needed to buy a few silicon joiners and a reducer.

I was originally gonna keep the leaf springs, but decided to go with a parallel 4-link set-up with adjustable coilovers. Luckily my uncle has an industrial hydraulic tube bender, so I made myself a halfcage which the suspension is attached to.





4-link brackets:


I decided to go with the hydraulic clutch of the RB gearbox (B310 has cable operated clutch), so made some brackets to mount the Skyline master cylinder from the donor car under the dashboard.

I scored some camber plates which I chopped down and restudded to fit the Sunny strut towers:




I bought a cheap strut brace on TM which I shortened to fit, and made some custom brackets to mount it:

I modified the heater box (with lexan) so it clears the new firewall, but I still have a working fan, demister, dashboard vents, and fresh/recirc options.



I made some brackets and had a stainless plate made to mount the Skyline instruments in the Sunny dashboard. (The added bonus of this is that the gauges are already calibrated to the engine. Including the fuel gauge, as I’ve mounted the Skyline sender and pump in the Sunny fuel tank).

This thread is long overdue mate!
I must say, it is even more impressive in the flesh too. You've made some impressive progress since I last saw it too.
Top job!

wow

friggin superb display of engineering mate.

I am extremely impressed.

Good to see someone doing something unique - keep up the good work mate

amazing man good shit