Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I am still waiting on my gauges, so I am not sure what my rpm or speed was. I didn't hook my phone up to the ecu before we left.

Slackline wrote: ↑Sun Jan 09, 2022 7:15 pm Here you go Alvin.

I apologize that the car is so dirty. I spent the morning installing my new dash (Thanks Dean) and didn't have time to clean it before the drive. My dad was the camera man. And the 29 Roadster Pickup was built by my dad. Also a garage build.

Walkaround

Drive

Don't apologize. You are driving your roadster that is all that matters to me.

Love that you spent time with your Dad, please tell him he did a great job as cameraman!

The K-swap sounds really good opened up, and looks like it is running smooth. Congrats on starting from scratch all the way to a fully functioning engine swap. Would love to get it on the dyno or even better do a roll-on with my SR-powered roadster to give folks an idea of the power difference.

Thanks Alvin. We had a great time building it. And, we will both be at Solvang.
It will be going on a local Dynapack in Feb or Mar. Blacktrax would be fine too if I am up there. Happy to do a roll with you as well. It will be fun.

Slackline wrote: ↑Mon Jan 10, 2022 11:15 am Thanks Alvin. We had a great time building it. And, we will both be at Solvang.
It will be going on a local Dynapack in Feb or Mar. Blacktrax would be fine too if I am up there. Happy to do a roll with you as well. It will be fun.

Oh man please give me a heads up I'm a few miles away from Blacktrax and a few blocks from TECH3.

Less than 60 days to Solvang. Still waiting on gauges.

Just read your build thread. Thank you for sharing this build with all of us! I am trying to decide on what swap to do to my 1970 1600. I thought it was going to be a sr20 variant, but my local shop suggested a k24 with a Miata 6spd. My questions to you are:

Would you do this swap again or would you go a different direction?

Besides sourcing issues, what were some of the heavier lifting jobs to this swap?

How much frame/cross member cutting did it require? Approx same as a SR20 would?

Thank you!!!!

Hi. Thanks.

I would do it again. I would also research some other motors to see if there is a better fit with equivalent power. There were some pretty difficult parts. I did not do the timing gear mod as I didn't really want to get into the valvetrain. Because, if I open it up, I am going to start replacing/upgrading everything. The K24 is easy to find. If you are not looking for the most power, you can go with a K24Z3 and it will have the "exhaust manifold" built in and you can run one single exhaust pipe down. Much easier and cleaner. Look at one and you will see what I mean.

The cutting was similar to the SR20 swap. I cut a little more than I actually needed on the front cross member. When I had it open, I welded in some vertical steel pieces as internal reinforcement, then boxed everything and added 1/4 plate to the bottom of the cross member. X member needed a little trim as well for the transmission.

Hard parts (for me): Alternator bracketry, motor mounts, custom header. Trans mount wasn't too bad, but I need to put some miles on it to see how it holds up. I was happy that I didn't have to move the steering shaft, but my clearance is pretty tight. I also need to make sure the alternator setup holds up as well.

I am sure there are other/better ways to do some of the modifications and fitment. Sometimes we would just sit and stare at the part until someone picked up the saw/drill/cutoff wheel and started cutting. Cross member, gas tank, and coolant housing (on the k24) were all scary to cut into. Cutting the snaps/twistie holes in the top cover was also nerve racking.

Also, I did the Miata 6 speed, but would probably do a 5 speed instead. I actually have a 5 speed that I might swap in if I ever have to pull the motor. I bought both but went with the 6 because 6 is greater than 5, plus my rear end gear ratio was almost the same as the 6 speed MIata. Both of those were poor reasons to pick one over the other. Hitting 5th gear can be wonky sometimes. And the low gears are so short that you have to shift a lot. Seems like I have to shift to second when I am barely through the cross walk.

Anyway, feel free to ask questions.

Rob

I am supposed to get it on a dyno locally in the next few weeks.

Thank you for your reply Rob! When you were planning it did you think about using a BMW RF 5/6spd from a e36/e46?

I have just started down the rabbit hole. I found these guys that do this swap a lot in Miata's and wondering how much of these kits would convert to the Datsun??

https://kpower.industries/blogs/news/ga ... p-is-hereq

I am sure I am going to have a ton of questions! Thank you for helping out!

Most of my conversion parts were from kpower.

I believe that the BMW transmissions are too fat to fit in the tunnel, but I have not tried one. I do love the way they shift. "snick"

Special delivery from Jon Frampton!
As expected, they look fantastic.

Updates?

Gauges in. Need to take a pic.
Car is driving now. All gauges work great!
Need to get a couple of little things done for Solvang.

See everyone in Solvang.

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