1973 Datsun 510 - Old School Design on a Dime

In 2002, the 510 underwent its most dramatic makeover. Rob yanked the venerable, but tired, L-series SOHC engine and four-speed and replaced them with an SR20DET (1995 vintage-red top) he imported from Japan and an S13 five-speed transmission. The swap, which relied on a TSR-fabricated engine mount kit, was performed at the Z-car shop after hours, and completed in four months with the help of technician and fellow 510 enthusiast, Dan Gallmeister.

A hybrid T3/T4 turbo and a large Spearco front-mount intercooler help increase the output from this otherwise stock engine, which Rob says makes 335 hp at the wheels at 18 psi. Other engine-related upgrades include a 3-inchdownpipe, a 2 1/4-inch exhaust system, a Jim Wolf Technology custom ECU, 550cc injectors, and a 300Z twin-turbo mass airflow sensor to help govern fuel and spark events. A Subaru (R160) LSD with 4.11 gears also blesses the lightweight car with snappier acceleration.

To help carve corners, the 510's four-wheel independent suspension was aggressively beefed up with some carefully selected parts. Ground Control coil-overs, camber plates, Tokico five-position shocks and 175-pound Eibach springs are used up front. In addition, a custom 1-inch front anti-roll bar helps control body roll.

The rear trailing arms attach to a slotted rear crossmember, and utilize Ground Control coil-overs, Koni four-position shocks, and 175-pound springs. The braking system relies on a proven Turbo Tom's Corvette caliper arrangement on 13-inch Coleman rotors, while the 510's stock rear drums have been replaced by a far more effective 280ZX rear disc arrangement.

The combination provides denture-displacing braking performance in a car weighing in at a hair more than 2,000 pounds. Sixteen-inch Panasport wheels sporting a 22mm offset allow room for 205/45-16 Kumho V700 tires.

The car's retina-scalding shade of green is actually "go-green," a Dodge musclecar-era color painted on Challengers and 'Cudas. Johnny Sanchez and the Domingo of San Jose, Calif., handled the sheet metal-straightening chores and the paint job.

Inside the little two-door, supportive VW seats were reupholstered by Vargas Auto Upholstery of Sunnyvale, Calif., and the rest of the interior maintains its Spartan aura of vinyl-clad functionality. Varas also helped install the custom carpet kit and black stock replacement Datsun headliner. An Autopower roll bar and a fire extinguisher tucked inside the glovebox help add safety, and Short Circuit of San Jose, Calif., installed a Sony head unit with door speakers.

The combination not only wins car shows, it delivers on the track. Rob says his best run at the dragstrip is a 12.4-second quarter mile at 116 mph, and the car's crisp handling makes it the scourge of the local road courses. Plus, he can drive it anywhere.

The way we see it, Rob owes us a big, fat thank you. If it wasn't for SCC, the guy never would've built this killer 510. The car would still be in pieces on the old lady's front yard and Rob would be driving to work at some asbestos removal service in a beige Camry.

Glad to help, buddy.