1971 Datsun 510 - One Thin Dime
From 'Cuda To Compacts-Gary Savage Loves Them All
Photography by E. John Thawley III
After 10 years of ownership, does Savage still drive the car? Sadly, no. The quest for even bigger horsepower recently led Savage to sell the car to a local Datsun enthusiast. The proceeds from the reluctant sale were reinvested in another 510 project, albeit one with a turbocharged V6 stuffed between the fenderwells. The new Dime has a dyno-tested 340 hp and 400 lbs-ft of torque propelling it down the road.
"I used to think that there was no such thing as too much horsepower in a 510," Savage admitted. "Now, I'm not so sure." Does he miss the old 510? "Yes and no. The horsepower in the new car is awesome. But the old car took me 10 years to get sorted and dialed in. It will take a lot of time to get the new one to that same level of perfection." We're convinced the new car will get the same careful attention and sorting the old one did from this "self-employed racecar driver."
| 1971 DATSUN 510, TWO-DOOR |
| Chassis Code | : | PL510 |
| ENGINE |
| Engine Code | : | LZ22 |
| Type | : | In-line, four cylinder, |
| iron block, aluminum head |
| Internal Modifications | : | L20b block with balanced |
| Z22 crank, rods, and 10.5:1 |
| pistons; 'peanut' cylinder |
| head; DAMB cam; lightened |
| rockers; Norris comp valve |
| springs; modified Z car |
| spraybar |
| External Modifications | : | TWM 48mm throttle bodies, |
| air horns, fuel rails; Lucas 30 |
| lb/hr injectors; custom air |
| plenum w/ K&N conical filter; |
| Oberg remote oil filter/cooler; |
| Dodge Omni radiator |
| with 10-inch electric fan; |
| Nissan Competition header, |
| 2.5-inch exhaust, |
| Sebring stainless muffler; |
| Magnecor 8.5mm plug wires |
| Engine Management Mods | : | Electromotive TEC-I ECU |
| (EFI + Ignition) |
| DRIVETRAIN | | Layout | : | Longitudinal front engine, |
| rear-wheel drive |
| Drivetrain modifications | : | Nissan Comp five-speed with |
| 0.75 OD; Tilton aluminum fly-; |
| wheel; Nissan Roadster clutch; |
| Subaru R160 limited-slip |
| differential with 3.7:1 ratio |
| SUSPENSION | | Front | : | 280ZX front struts w/Carrera |
| coil-overs; 175 lb/in springs; |
| KYB four-way adjustable |
| shocks; Suspension Techniques |
| anti-roll bar; custom front |
| control arms with heim joints; |
| adjustable T/C rods |
| with urethane bushings |
| Rear | : | DAMB Penultimate slotted |
| rear crossmember; custom |
| Carrera coil-overs; 140 lb/in |
| springs; Carrera three-way |
| adjustable shocks; Suspension |
| Techniques anti-roll bar |
| BRAKES | | Front | : | 280ZX vented discs; |
| Porterfield carbon/Kevlar pads |
| Rear | : | 200SX solid discs; Porterfield |
| carbon/Kevlar pads |
| EXTERNAL | | Wheels | : | American Racing Spyder |
| 15x7-inch |
| Tires | : | 195/50-15 Toyo T1 |
| Body | : | Shaved emblems and license |
| plate; Sikkens Isuzu Spark |
| blue paint w/ phantom |
| pearl-based BRE stripes |
| Interior | : | Autopower four-point roll bar; |
| Schroth four-point safety |
| harness; Momo steering wheel |
|
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The Dime, Quarterly c/o The Four Cylinder
P.O. Box 3092
Glendale, CA 91221-0092
www.dimequarterly.com
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