What makes them stand out among that class of cars as recipients of SR20s, 13Bs, etc?

3/14/2008 8:58:50 PM

before the e30 came along. there was the 510.

a real bmw

3/14/2008 9:36:16 PM

^ or the 2002

which enjoys a similar cult following

and they're cool, i guess, but i've never quite understood why they're specifically chosen to throw big motors in and make retarded fast

3/15/2008 12:43:49 AM

They had a fairly succesful racing history, and like the 2002 they have a cult following. I personally love the little 510s and 2002s (although I'd take a 240Z over a 510)

3/15/2008 2:29:44 PM

Because they are boxy as hell, and in plain trim, pretty boring looking. Throw some fatties underneath one and put on some fender flares and a "Spook" air dam, and they look fucking TIGHT. Nothing says badass to me like a plain-jane car that is tricked out to wicked status.

Other things that make them so fucking badass:

1. Independent rear suspension. Just like a Z car. Well...just like the ZX. It's a single trailing arm type. The R160 will take a LOT of abuse (same diff used in the rear of the '80s Subaru 4wd cars), and it's not hard to throw in an R180.

2. Overhead cam engine. Original motor was the L16, but you can cram an L20B in there no problem. And you can use the F5S71 five-speed trannies out of the pickups or Z cars in it. Hell, a stock Z24 will bolt in with minor issues. Same for any of the KA24 engines. And I'd bet it would be a song and a dance to stick a VG30 in there.

3. Makes a great no-frills track car that is relatively easy to work on, easy to tune, and handles like mad.

4. Rack and pinion steering.

5. etc. etc. etc.

i would LOVE to own a 510. One day, maybe I will.

3/17/2008 5:20:52 PM

I just ran across one that I would drive the wheels off of. I can post the rest of the pics and the specs if anyone is interested......

3/17/2008 6:42:49 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Datsun-Datsun-510-Datsun-510-Full-tube-chassis-s15-sr20det-W-6speed-tran_W0QQitemZ260223416709QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item260223416709

3/30/2008 7:18:25 PM

Watch out for the danger-prone SR oil pan hanging out the bottom

3/30/2008 9:43:01 PM

^^ i want that car.

3/30/2008 10:56:03 PM