Raymond's CA18DET Datsun 1200 Coupe

Name:  Raymond Bates

Occupation: Chef

Location: Bundaberg  Qld

Make: Datsun

Model: 1200 coupe

Year: 1971

Engine Hardware: Nissan CA18 Turbo Stock

Engine Accessories: Factory set up with pod. Fuel is a custom fitted R31 Skyline tank.  Exhaust is  2 1/2 inch with 3 inch high flow cat converter and 3 inch dump pipe.

Induction System: Standard turbo with 600x300x75 hybrid intercooler and pod.

Driveline:1200 ute diff widened 60mm both sides to take nissan C20 van axles [saves resplining] trx bluebird 3.9 centre. 3.5 inch tube tailshaft, VN V8 Commodore uni into a SR20 auto box. A transmission hump from a TRX Bluebird was welded into the floor to accommodate the huge gearbox.

Suspension: Rear leaf springs standard, front are lowered King springs, Monroe gas struts, spring saddles were raised 2 inches to fit the 17 inch wheels.

Brakes: Front:- Holden Astra vented rotors VL Turbo callipers, Bluebird sliders, Datsun Stanza struts. Rear TRX Bluebird disk brakes Datsun Stanza brake booster with twin master cylinder.

Wheels: All round 205/40ZR17 tyres with ASA chrome mags, these are 7 inches wide. To get them to clear the front struts I had to weld a 5mm steel plate onto hubs.

Bodywork and Paint: A custom mix of metallic bluey purple acrylic laquer with pearl in it. It has a rear wing moulded to the boot from the racing Datsun coupes. Guards bonnet and let sill are all new. The car was virtually rust free and dent free. I replaced the front quarter windows  with the rear quarter windows out of an XY Ford rear door, these are now in a fixed position.

Interior Gadgetry: Front seats are Suzuki, dash was stripped with holes welded up, padded and the instrument cluster out of a 180SX was fitted. Centre console is custom built with T bar and gauges, carpeted rear parcel shelf has two 6 inch Pioneer speakers in it. Sun visors and mirror are out of a Nissan Bluebird, steering column is a Datsun Stanza with TRX bluebird wiper light combo. An Auto Technica 13 inch sports steering wheel was also fitted. Grey cut pile carpet on floor. All paint, body work and conversion was done by myself I am a Chef by trade and learnt my self the hard way with the cars transformation. Common sense and patients are the key factors.

Stereo Gear: Pioneer CD player and four 6 inch speakers.

Performance: Gets up and boogies at 12 psi. I am very happy with the overall handling and performance of the car. Remember this is a stock conversion. I will be putting a t28 turbo, custom computer and bigger injectors later.

Additional Information: I will be fitting flares and a front spoiler and lowering it down even more later. A big thank you to Kevin Rolley for the fitting of the wiring loom. And to Mark Brown for putting the idea into my head. The car is probably worth about 15 to 20 thousand dollars now.  And by the way the speedo reading is spot on with my running gear.

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