Say you needed to build a cheap RWD Datsun/Nissan...

What RWD chassis Nissan would you build that will accept a 4.0L VQ40DE engine? The car will be used as an autocross toy, drifter, maybe even Challenger if it comes together right.

I have access to a <100 mile donor vehicle and IF I can make a good case for the advertising it could be a neat shop build.

My initial thought was Datsun SPL311 Fairlady Roadster, but I haven't found any cheap lately.

Other ideas include:

Z31 300Z, S13 200sx, S12 200sx SE, S110 200sx Coupe.

What do YOU suggest and is there something sitting in the corner of the garage that needs to be gone at the turn of the decade for cheap?

Is it a requirement that the car be a Nissan or can it be something else?

how about an early 80's Datsun wagon?

240/260/280Z (and later ZX.) Couldn't be any harder to shoe-horn it into a Zed than it would be a SPL311 Roadster, (nor any more sacrilegious .)

Maxima/810

or

M30/Leopard

That was going to be my answer, a M30
Wow, that 810 is sweet looking but you just dont find those around every corner. Anything from 210 thru 810 would be neat with a V8
I suspect that the most logical answer is a Hardbody.

B210 and mount it mid-engine. Errr, strike that, since for drifting you don't want traction...

I've got a ridiculous suggestion! Use JoeyM's build thread as a guideline and build a replica of a 1931 Datsun just like his, but use the V8.

My serious vote is for a 280Z or ZX. Head over to hybridz.org and look around, there's probably a well documented build there, or basic info at least.

Bob

I love the 280Z, the 240s of the 90s and the 200sx of the late 80s (say '88).

M30 is the logical choice because you can buy them in good shape dirt cheap. S13/Z31 have both been done, but they are a more expensive chassis to start with.

200sx was already v6 in the 80s.

WilberM3 wrote: 200sx was already v6 in the 80s.

He mentioned the SE (which was the V6) in the original post.

Would a VQ fit in place of the VG30? VG30s are narrow for an OHC V6, and I didn't think anything much wider would fit in their place.

Bid on the Datsun 510 that goes on auction Monday, tomorrow, on Copart. Iconic vehicle, already has cage, plumbing, and was a running race car. Probably one of the cheaper ways to get all you want in one shot. See associated thread.

If this is to be used on the street, forget the above.

pres589 wrote: Is it a requirement that the car be a Nissan or can it be something else?

Yes. Datsun, Nissan, Infiniti, preferably Datsun/Nissan though. I will be using it at the dealership as advertising as well.

I believe the VQ will fit in place of the VG without much issue.

Find a 610 with a bad front end, then buy the extra set of complete front sheet metal I have in my barn. Win-win.

Z car - you can find parts everywhere for cheap.

Everything else has parts that cost lots of dollars....Roadster ball joints, early 510 fenders.....

hardbody shop truck with magnetic numbers

510? Outside of the Z car, the most iconic Datsun.

Funny you have the 1600/2000 roadster on the list. I do remember the project we were all going to do together.

210? I measured mine and there are 33" between the strut towers. Not sure if that is enough room. I'd assume a B210 is similar.

Cheap AND plentiful? A hardbody. Suitable advertisement for your shop? A Z car (for us Z car fans, use a 2+2) or 200/240SX. Tho as a fan of the early 810 Maximas, I would love to see/hear a V8 Max.

240sx

ArthurDent wrote: 210? I measured mine and there are 33" between the strut towers. Not sure if that is enough room. I'd assume a B210 is similar.

Noooo, put a FWD verision of that engine in the rear.

Nitroracer wrote: Maxima/810

This is what I was thinking. If you plan on using this as a form of advertising for a shop you plan to open, you should try to show you mean business by using a car that not very many people would have thought about modifying.

Plus, I've always wanted to fix one of these up for that very reason. It would be a bit of a rare find on the street fixed up. Like a 120Y.

At least with a wagon you'll have plenty of space to advertise....