Walked by a 510???

[tjswarbrick]

So just over a week ago I dropped my wife off at the airport and took the kids on a little vacation up North in the N55 E88. Took a detour to get some 1/2 price Puma driving shoes.
On the way back to the interstate, within a couple miles of Sonoma Raceway, I hear and then see a nondescript little white Datsun 510.
Driver seemed to be having some fun, and I did follow him around a touch of slow-moving vehicles at higher than necessary velocities when it was safe to do so.
Have no idea what has been done to it, but it had a roll cage and an awesome stacatto exhaust note. I figure it was a track car, but cannot know to what extent. I see a race-prepped Datsun 510 weighs right around 1 ton, and it'll put out, what, 170HP? He had plates, so I figure his was street-legal on some level.
I swear he was trying to point me by on some double-yellow lines. I didn't take the bait. He certainly wasn't slowing my progress.
Finally, traffic cleared a bit when we hit a signal on a lonesome country road. Again, I don't know for sure what he was thinking, but he stopped sharply on the yellow as if to make sure he was right in front of me when it switched to green.
Light changed, and he took off roaring. I thought he might, so I was ready.
I gave him a little space, then got into it good. Got into second at 6k and maintained pace with him. I heard him get into third, and thought for sure my turbocharged tower of torque would allow me to reel him in when I did the same, again shifting after the power runs out but long before redline (somewhere around 6300.)
Boy was I wrong!
All through third, he just kept walking away from me.
I didn't start to catch up until he was forced to go to 4th gear, and I let my sixer spin up to the full 7k. Even then, just barely.
I wasn't measuring distance, but we shut it down around the 1/4-mile trap speed point, several hundred yards from the traffic we were rapidly approaching. Waved goodbye, he noted that he took by by just the smallest margin, and he took the next exit as I continued on my (much slower) journey.
I did have the top down, a couple lighweight passengers, and a weekend's worth of luggage for all of us. But his little car impressed the heck out of me.
I enjoyed pretending his exhaust blat was my own - my silky-smooth stock cry was completely drowned out - but our gearing was way different so our shifts were not remotely in sync.

Do I need PE and a chip to keep up with a '70's econobox???

Definitely gained a new appreciation for those old shoeboxes.
Must've been a fun time for 2002 drivers.
Anyone on the 1er boards cut their teeth or cross-train on Giant Killers?

[gap]

Just happened to watch this " Little Beast " video today, could have been him or one of his cars.
www.petrolicious.com/tag/datsun

I was in Japan in the early 70's and rode in a couple Bluebirds and was very impressed.

[tjswarbrick]

Was a coupe, didn't have the fender mirrors, he was on the USA side of the car, and it sounded NOTHING like the SR20DE in my old SE-R - so I'd say it wasn't the Whitebird.
But thanks for the link! A good read.
I haven't been out to the lighthouse in 4 years. Perhaps it's time to go back.

[mike@x-ph.com]

its time to go FBO (tune, charge pipe,downpipe, intercooler)
And please dont race except on a track

[MightyMouseTech]

That 510 could have anything under the hood. Have seen so many different swaps in them.

[Vigilante375]

Anything can be made fast, given enough time and money is thrown at it. So if they guy had done some work to the car and its fast, thats cool. Just remember him next time and try again when you mod up.

I respect all cars and, in this day and age, know that anything could be faster than me. Even if its a stupid, ugly Smartfortwo.

Only thing that has ever amazed me was a old 3rd gen Camaro kinda keeping up with my 04 R1.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

Anything can be made fast, given enough time and money is thrown at it. So if they guy had done some work to the car and its fast, thats cool. Just remember him next time and try again when you mod up.

I respect all cars and, in this day and age, know that anything could be faster than me. Even if its a stupid, ugly Smartfortwo.

Only thing that has ever amazed me was a old 3rd gen Camaro kinda keeping up with my 04 R1.

Exactly. Respect to the guy that built and drives that car. Love seeing a fast underdog!

Love seeing all the 'busa swap smart cars.

[Dilmorecg]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

That 510 could have anything under the hood. Have seen so many different swaps in them.

True, Ive seen ones with small block v8's in them... Power to weight would be significantly faster than our cars...even full bolt on.

[MightyMouseTech]

Something like this would be a LOT of fun. Engine would probably be about 200 lbs lighter than stock.

[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

its time to go FBO (tune, charge pipe,downpipe, intercooler)
And please dont race except on a track

Thanks guys.

Doubt I can get away with a down pipe in CA. Not even supposed to be able to get a JB4.
Not so much racing as giving chase at speed - just a little spirited play. But not something I normally practice.

S2000 motor would be mean in that little car.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Thanks guys.

Doubt I can get away with charge and down pipe in CA. Not even supposed to be able to get a JB4.
Not so much racing as giving chase at speed - just a little spirited play. But not something I normally practice.

S2000 motor would be mean in that little car.

Why would you have a problem with a CP in California?

[tjswarbrick]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Why would you have a problem with a CP in California?

Good point - fixed it.
Thank you.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by tjswarbrick

Good point - fixed it.
Thank you.

CP and intercooler will be a good start

[Suprgnat]

I had a primer and rust 510 lowered, with SCCA flares and a built L16 for 14 years. It wasn't worth a s**t in the straights, but it could keep up with anything on Highway 9. Shaved Yokahama A001Rs that would be bald on the street in >2500 miles, too much bump steer and wicked lift-throttle over steer. I had no money then, but I wish I had a clean example now to do it all over again the RIGHT way.

I've long been impressed with what this guy built, the attention to detail, but it's more of a drag car than anything else. Turbo charged 13B, anyone?
http://www.bryanf.com/510/index.htm

[tjswarbrick]

Looks like a hot little ride.
Ah, highway 9.
I gotta free up some time on the weekends. Too many great roads I haven't driven in years.
9, Stevens Canyon, Skyline, 84, 128...

[iminhell1]

Here is one a local guy to me built years ago --> http://community.ratsun.net/topic/23...red-minnesota/
Made it too Jalopnik too I guess (he's now famous) --> http://jalopnik.com/5796888/for-4500...home-companion

Also have this one local --> http://www.superstreetonline.com/fea...71-datsun-510/
But the #'s listed are very conservative, IIRC that was on ~14psi. On the FU Vette tune it's over 500whp.


With a 510, you never know what you'll get.

[tjswarbrick]

Wow.
Thought never entered my mind that it could've been a 400hp turbo 6.
Doubt it was, anyway, but maybe I can pretend.
Best part was, from several car lengths behind him - my daughter: "Is that us making all that noise?" - "Nope, it's him!"