Datrat

[bluerat]

Datrat dave, no relation to the mighty Errol of Datrats fame, or just a 1600 owner with taste?

[datrat dave]

Hah i wish mate!
My mates actually came up with the name for me when i was like 13 as ive always loved Datsun's. I remember seeing a 1600 sedan when i was about 10 and absolultey falling in love with it, just the smooth yet boxy lines of the rear. I dearly wanted one for my first car, then i grew up and realised there were many other great often better (no offence to 1600 owners) Datto's out there. I only found out in my later years that theres a company with that name, and i feel kind of embarresed for having that name as im nothing compared to the great name!!!

The utes got datrat parts in it if that counts for anything! Ive talked to Errol a few times on the phone etc. and he seems like a really great helpful bloke.

I thought today that i reckon my next project (was supposed to be the previous project) will finally be a 1600 wagon. im thinking something different than a Ca or Sr... maybe a rare LZ haha i wish!

Cheers
Dave

[bluerat]

yeah a LZ would be very cool, closest i've been to such exotoca is a L series FAI head, which I should of brought. What sort of ute?1200? and what trick bit's?
Whats the go with CA's are they any good?? I've got a Gazelle run around with a big km CA20 and was thinking of buying a CA18 turbo to replace it, so can you get any grunt out of them? Lot's of questions hey. I used to have, many years ago, the very trendy 'go the rat' sticker on my 1600, thus the bluerat
Catch ya

[datrat dave]

Yeah a 1200 ute, should put some pics up but cant be bothered
Fully worked A15 ( i go blabble on for years but wont) with twin 40mm dellortos sucking the gas in. Dialied the cam in yesterday, what a bitch that was...need a fully adjustable sprocket. I advanced the cam about 13 degrees so it should run a bit sweeter!

Yeah id throw away the oil eating bearing breaking CA20 if i were you, ive heard nothing but bad stories bout these engines. Just that they were pigs & if you change anything in them they just spit the dummy and break down!
YEah the CA18 is a great lil donk, it is effectively a Nissan RB block with two less cylinders.. Started production in the early 80's and continued to round bout 1992 when the SR phased it out (non iron block). The CA18 (SOHC) came out in i think R31 & R32 (the shitty Gx ones) skylines. The CA18DE (DOHC) came out in silvias (S13's), 180Sx's and pussars or pulsars haha. Theres also the CA18ET that came out in the 200sx turbos, silivas (s12) etc.
Then the CA18DET makes a cool 175 hp (124 kW) and 169 ft·lbf (228 Nm) in stock trim & plp have pushed these engines to over 600+ hp. Came out in S13 silivas, exa turbos, bluebirds sss (import) and i cant think of anything else!

Now that took some effort !!

Cheers
Dave

[vonster]

go Dave, top info, i now know a bit about c18's

[bluerat]

Thanks Scando, I was only joking about the Cruiser!!! they have a massive box. I was a little upset at that stage with it jamming in gear, as they cost around $2500 to fix, scary!! great tow car but very dear for bit's. I'm collecting bit's to put into my spare 1600 shell which I'm turning into a roadie. Almost there, just a few things to go, just need some time!! I was hoping to spend around $100-$150 for a box. Thanks Chief.

[bluerat]

Hey, that went to the wrong bit, sorry about that!!! I was wondering why that didn't go where I wanted it to! Any way What do you do with the Ute?? Is she a racer or a cruiser?? sound's tough. The poor ol' CA20 has been a trooper!! 380,000 KM what a champ!! look's like I should get a S13 turbo front cut and fit it up? A mate think's a Nissan V8 is the go

[datrat dave]

Cheers, the CA's got a humble place in my heart! Im no genius but thats some info ive gathered over the years and off the net. Theres plenty of info on siliva and nissan forums on jap import motors just a matter of finding them.

At this present time im just rebuilding the old gurl, bought it off a mate for $3000 with brand new metallic ford blue, new panels, custom leather (in places) interior, exhaust and little to no rust. Only place i can find is under the tailgate (little patches) and some pin hole bubbles in the passenger sill.
Ive finished the suspension, detailing the engine bay and just gota finish putting the engine together and tidy up the wiring. Then its off to the tuners/brake place!
The only downfall is that the ute used to be a bush basher (hence the new panels) and the chassis had a fair bit of denting going on, theres new sections welded in but its a rushed job and not pretty or structurally sound! Thats why i gota keep it rego'd otherwise id have to change a few things to get it rego'd again i reckon!!! Ok i just made it sound worse than it is

But it will just be a mildly fast street cruiser, the only fear i have is petrol and me creaming my jeans everytime i hear the twin 40's at WOT hahaha god i love that noise!!

It will be making an appearance at the next meet so pop round and have a gander...

Cheers
Dave

[bluerat]

Trust me matey, fuel is not a problem with your Datto!!! there seem's to be heaps of new panels etc on E-bay for the 1200, lucky buggers, I presume they are still being made somewhere?
Will look into the CA18t ,sounds like a simple swap into the Gazelle.
I'll most likely be at the clubday if you come out for a cruise on the 28th. You might hear some other Webers WFO!!