Here's a small bad quality video of the car running. I had to use temporary intercooler as I couldn't get anyone to make a custom one for such a short notice. There's still no exhaust and I hope I can find someone to do that at least.

Link to video

Test drive

...on our garage floor. First few meters with the new engine and I have to say I'm quite excited. There's still no exhaust or intercooler, but now I suppose I could drive the car out from the garage to get them done.

Stance is just about right to my eye.

I also weighted the car and this is what scales say. Hood, exhaust, intercooler and some other bits and pieces are missing, but looks like the weight will be around 1000kg when ready. Not exactly a weight weenie but not knowing the original weight I still think it's in leagal limits. Weight distribution is 53/47 and with me on the driver's seat it's 50.3/49.7 so not bad at all.

Getting closer. Engine idles well and even starts easy with E85 when cold, much easier than my previous E85 cars. Brakes are allright, lights are working, etc. I'm still having some strange electric problems, none of the gauges, heater fan and radiator fan are working, but I suppose they are minor things. I'm thinking about getting a dash display for the ecu anyway, but it would still be nice if the original gauges are working.

I found original Nissan mirrors from Japan and they found their places on fenders. Much better looking than door mirrors.

Got the electrics done and ECU now communicates with the engine. Timing is now set and I also have a base map for RB26 so it should start easily. I ditched the Walbro fuel pump as it wouldn't have been big enough for E85 and ordered Aeromotive A1000 instead. So, now I'm eagerly waiting for the pump to get the engine running. It now looks like the car might get finished during spring/summer.

Aluminium pipes will be anonized black but otherwise the engine will look like this when finished. Shouldn't take too long anymore.

I got the electric diagram and now all the lights, blinkers, etc. are working. Starter motor also turns but I still have to do some tricks to get the alternator working. Engine electrics are also all done so I hope soon I'll be able to try if it fires up.

And I have no idea what have I been thinking all this time I've had the RB26. Thankfully I realized early enough that it just cannot be run with original turbos and swapped them with HKS GT-SS ones which I hope to create at least some kind of scare factor. 2kg / 1hp definitely is not a bad thing.

Big enough?

HKS kit was completely bolt-on and no additional modifications were needed.

I started the electric work and now all the sensors, injectors and coils have their own harnesses. Still waiting for the main harness for Tatech to connect these to. Quite a lot of work and it took me two nights to do all this. I still have no idea what to do with the cars original wiring, I just hope I can find a good electric diagram.

New vinyl for the transmission tunnel. All the other upholstery is original.

The dash has a new cover which still needs to be glued on. It's not perfect but a lot better than the original cracked dash top.

On all fours

I got the rear tyres and of course immediately wanted to see how the car looks with them.

There is still 20mm downward adjustment but this looks just about right to me. I don't like it too low.

Rear tyres are 245/45 16 and fronts 205/55. Rear wheel sticks out a bit too much but that's an easy fix with narrower spacer.

I got the fuel tank from Lake Steel who also added a sump with outlet and return to it. Somehwere under the car is also fuel filter and pump.

Injectors are Bosch EV14 790cc ones which I'm sure will be enough for 400hp with E85.

OK, it's been three months since last update and something has actually happened during that time. I got the weather strip, body rubber and windows installed and slowly been making progress on the interior. Drivetrain is complete, front hubs have been modified and the car itself starts to look like a car. Engine has no electrics and fuel supply needs to be build so there is still lot to do, but it's getting there.

Time to start again

As the season with VW is over it's time to start assembling Datsun again. I got the dash in with ease and also the engine is in it's place. I'm still waiting for weather seals and other rubber parts, so next it's time for ECU and electrics.

There were some setbacks also, like the drive shaft was 10mm too long and front suspension is too high at the lowest position. No big deals but they still take time to get fixed.

Not much has happend, seems like gardening, vw and other stuff is taking all my time. However I got the car back to bigger garage and started to assemble it little by little. I have ordered all the missing rubber and seals but haven't got them yet. I hope they get here before my summer holiday is over so I can get them installed.

Feel free to disagree but I like Fuchs on this car. I might try a different colour on them like bronze or dark gold but not before the car is running.