Julian's CA18DET Datsun 1600

Update August 2005

• Custom Brake lines and braded hoses finished - I included a B&M line locker kit in the rear brake line... Good smoke shows ahead!!!
• Stereo in boot covered and installed - 2 x 15" boxes are in white leather - awaiting final trim in the next few weeks
• New Door cards made - no photos but you will be impressed - 3 speakers in each front door
• Engine completed and running - All is standard at this time
• Custom dash face completed and covered in green leather along with new crash pad
• Restored Smiths guages with custom machined aluminium bezzles fitted
• Front Custom made bumperettes made and fitted - made from Jaguar Type 2 front bar
• Rear Custom bar made and fitted - made from 68-69 Cortina front bar
• Central locking fitted
• Front Datsun 720 diff centre modified and fitted to rear end - Is just a play diff for burnouts - 4.875:1 ratio
• Custom centre console made from donor Ford vechile - alot of plastic welding involved but looks awesome fitted
• Stainless exhaust finished and fitted - Complete hand made system including muffler by myself.

Car Profile

Name: Julian

Occupation: Industry and Mining Electrician

Location: Jimboomba, Queensland

Make: Datsun 1600 Sedan

Model: P510

Year: 1971

Engine Hardware: CA18DET Standard Computer

Engine Accessories: Surge pot, HKS Filter, custom intercooler, stainless radiator cover, twin 10'' thermo fans.

Induction System: Standard size turbo, standard induction.

Driveline: Datsun 720 front diff modified for rear IRS. Ratio 4.875:1. Installed for quick launches and strong burnouts, 5 speed transmission.

Brakes: Rear - standard, fitted with in-line electronic line locker valve, Front - 240K 10.75 inch discs with 4X4 Hilux 4 spot calipers.

Suspension: King springs (1.5 inches too high currently), Koni adjustable shock absorbers all round. Front custom sway bar - Rear bar not fitted, required or wanted for reasons of preference. Front extended control arms (by 15mm), Rear IRS fully adjustable camber (as expected). Front struts have also been cut and shortened by 2 inches below the spring hanger.

Wheels: Porche 'Cookie cutters' style, similar to 918 factory mags. Imported from Japan. Mags are made and stamped by Dunlop.

Bodywork and Paint: Body work is home grown. Entire car was stripped bare and sand blasted/acid dipped, according to body and panel requirement. On return to my house I seam welded it fully with 1" strip welds spaced 1" apart, front to back. Then I ground and filed the engine bay and sills which was then filled and smoothed and sanded for a show
finish. With all repairs completed it went to Dave at Jagworld Brisbane who was persuaded to top coat the datto in the company of a few E type Jaguars which is his usual crust. Many of his upperclass customers were very impressed with genuine interest. I hoped also to paint it myself but money was payed to enable an impeccable top coat. The car was painted, fully stripped and assembled at Jagworld for the transport home. It is due to return to Dave at Jagworld for the post build touch-ups once completed.

Interior Gadgetry: Toyota Supra electric seats with console mounted joystick to control side and lumbar support. Restored Smiths guages - full set from Triumph Dolamite and recalibrated to suit my needs. Tacho, speedo, oil press, water temp, volts, amps and a VDO boost guage. The interior is currently being designed and trimmed by A1 Quality Trimming Brisbane. We have 2 hides of leather and a swag of material purchased with Ron the trimmer focussing on the datto as his new feature car for 2003.

Stereo Gear: No head set currently as was sold in last 1600. The rest of the stereo gear however was kept back from sale. The boot is a feature of 2 x amps and 2 x 15" Lanzar subs and a false tiltable amp floor to give access to the spare tyre in the well. The two sub enclosures will be covered in white leather and the amp floor and remaining boot will be same velour as in the cabin. The two front doors each have a tweeter, 5" midrange and a 6" bass speaker with no other speakers in the cabin or rear doors.

Performance: Hopefully, this car will be going through a lot of rear rubber...

More Information:
"The driveline install was done by myself with the tunnel being replaced with a custom larger section at the shifter to allow for a better install for the box. I set the motor very low on the crossmember and a bit further forward than most others I've seen. The issue of seating always has a comment of 'too high' with the use of import seats. To combat this I removed the cross member and strengthened the floor for side impact, so that the seats sit directly on the floor pan, allowing for the nice comfy seats to be used with no complaints. The rear number plate recess has been removed and the body line continued. All under car components and crossmembers are powder coated the same colour in hammertone with a 2.5" stainless steel purge welded and polished system front to back minus the cat with a custom made muffler (not in photos) which was done by me. Future photos as posted will start to show the detail of the build as it progresses."

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