"Little Miss Sunshine" 1972 Datsun 510 - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

CjZeppy · 08-11-2012, 05:08 PM

This is a 1972 Datsun PL 510 nicknamed "Little Miss Sunshine." My plan is to repaint the car and fix the exterior issues of rust, dents, and faded color. Someday in the near future I would like to swap in a modern day engine, either a KA24 or a SR20DE to transform her into a powerhouse. But for now I would like to get her on the road. Enough talk, here's some pictures.

Thanks for reading!
Chad

CjZeppy · 08-11-2012, 05:10 PM

Only modification I made was the rear suspension. The shocks were blown, and I decided to make some custom coilovers. I bought shocks from a 91 camaro, eBay honda civic coilover sleeves, and some exhaust piping to hold everything together. Little bit of welding and paint, and it looked good!

ambitiousCK · 08-11-2012, 06:03 PM

Always wanted to restore one of these and just make it into a simple cruiser. Good luck with everything!

rocknrace03 · 08-12-2012, 09:09 AM

love these, i always wanted one, but now that transformers dark of the moon came out people want an arm and a leg for them

nice pick up though!! in for progress

zmainiac · 08-12-2012, 09:52 AM

A bunch of guys have stuck a vg30et motor in there and had good results. You can make 270 whp with the stock turbo and with an upgraded turbo make close to 500 whp without touching the internals. Let me know if you want help or advise on that setup or dynotuning either when you are done.

CjZeppy · 08-12-2012, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zmainiac

A bunch of guys have stuck a vg30et motor in there and had good results. You can make 270 whp with the stock turbo and with an upgraded turbo make close to 500 whp without touching the internals. Let me know if you want help or advise on that setup or dynotuning either when you are done.

I forgot about the VG motors. I was leaning towards a SR20DET because I have a lot of friends that can help me build a motor. I'm not sure when this will all occurred, but until then I will stick with the 80hp L20B. lol

Erik@R/TTuning · 08-13-2012, 10:21 AM

Fully restored and tastefully modded these things can be so awesome. Good luck with the project.

Mishimoto · 08-13-2012, 11:18 AM

Awesome Awesome project! Looks to be in great shape for one of those. Subscribed!

11secdsm · 08-13-2012, 11:48 AM

Great project! Definitely on my list of cars to get in my lifetime.

CjZeppy · 08-18-2012, 07:56 PM

Made some huge progress this week. Attached the hardware for the rear driver drum brake, and bled the brakes. The pedal feels very firm and it stops the car which is always a plus. Also found a local radiator shop that had a OEM Radiator for my 510. $125 later and it was in my back seat of my car. Installed the new Radiator and found no leaks so far (although I did bend a few fins when I got caught on a bolt head from the crank pully). Also had an electrical issue with the headlights not working, but I think the high beams were turned on, so now they work.Hopefully this week I will get the rest of the electrical issues figured out, and then have some brave soul inspect the car without looking at the rust, and I'll be in business.

08-11-2012, 05:08 PM	#1
CjZeppy Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hanover, PA (In Williamsport for College) Member #21793 My Ride: '95 subie lego iTrader: (0)	"Little Miss Sunshine" 1972 Datsun 510 This is a 1972 Datsun PL 510 nicknamed "Little Miss Sunshine." My plan is to repaint the car and fix the exterior issues of rust, dents, and faded color. Someday in the near future I would like to swap in a modern day engine, either a KA24 or a SR20DE to transform her into a powerhouse. But for now I would like to get her on the road. Enough talk, here's some pictures. Thanks for reading! Chad __________________ Chad To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-11-2012, 05:10 PM	#2
CjZeppy Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hanover, PA (In Williamsport for College) Member #21793 My Ride: '95 subie lego iTrader: (0)	Only modification I made was the rear suspension. The shocks were blown, and I decided to make some custom coilovers. I bought shocks from a 91 camaro, eBay honda civic coilover sleeves, and some exhaust piping to hold everything together. Little bit of welding and paint, and it looked good! __________________ Chad To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

08-11-2012, 06:03 PM	#3
ambitiousCK Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Reading PA Member #14943 My Ride: 2018 Pacifica Limited, 1995 F150, 2015 Hyundai Accent Sport, 06 Corvette Z06 iTrader: (12)	Always wanted to restore one of these and just make it into a simple cruiser. Good luck with everything! __________________ Pain is necessary, suffering is optional. *CK*

08-13-2012, 11:18 AM	#8
Mishimoto Vendor Join Date: Apr 2009 Member #12742 My Ride: 2008 EVO X, 1991 RHD J-Spec S13 (566RWHP) iTrader: (0)	Awesome Awesome project! Looks to be in great shape for one of those. Subscribed! __________________ MISHIMOTO AUTOMOTIVE --Push the Limits-- [ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. \| To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. ] The Leader in Aftermarket Performance Cooling Technology Offering Aluminum Radiators, Intercoolers, Silicone Hoses & Cooling Accessories

08-13-2012, 11:48 AM	#9
11secdsm Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: May 2007 Location: Warrington, PA Member #4914 My Ride: '15 F150, '11 535xi, '95 M3, '04 Wrangler iTrader: (2)	Great project! Definitely on my list of cars to get in my lifetime. __________________ -Chris 1995 M3 LS6 swapped 1991 Eclipse auto- 725whp - 5.93@122 1/8 \|\| 9.14 @ 151 2006 Evo IX- 609whp-> (2.3L) \|\| 11.19 @ 128 ->(stock 2.0) SOLD 1997 Supra- 670whp- 10.91 @ 139 SOLD

08-12-2012, 09:09 AM	#4
rocknrace03 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Schnecksville Pa Member #17593 My Ride: WRX iTrader: (2)	love these, i always wanted one, but now that transformers dark of the moon came out people want an arm and a leg for them nice pick up though!! in for progress

08-12-2012, 09:52 AM	#5
zmainiac Tri-State Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: philly Member #13881 My Ride: 1988 nissan 300zx turbo, 1984 300zx Turbo, 2000 bmw 323ci iTrader: (0)	A bunch of guys have stuck a vg30et motor in there and had good results. You can make 270 whp with the stock turbo and with an upgraded turbo make close to 500 whp without touching the internals. Let me know if you want help or advise on that setup or dynotuning either when you are done.

08-13-2012, 10:21 AM	#7
Erik@R/TTuning Former Vendor Join Date: Aug 2010 Member #17281 My Ride: 2000 MR2 Spyder iTrader: (1)	Fully restored and tastefully modded these things can be so awesome. Good luck with the project.

08-18-2012, 07:56 PM	#10
CjZeppy Tri-State Aficionado Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hanover, PA (In Williamsport for College) Member #21793 My Ride: '95 subie lego iTrader: (0)	Made some huge progress this week. Attached the hardware for the rear driver drum brake, and bled the brakes. The pedal feels very firm and it stops the car which is always a plus. Also found a local radiator shop that had a OEM Radiator for my 510. $125 later and it was in my back seat of my car. Installed the new Radiator and found no leaks so far (although I did bend a few fins when I got caught on a bolt head from the crank pully). Also had an electrical issue with the headlights not working, but I think the high beams were turned on, so now they work.Hopefully this week I will get the rest of the electrical issues figured out, and then have some brave soul inspect the car without looking at the rust, and I'll be in business. __________________ Chad To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

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