The 510 Realm

Hey everybody thought I'd post up a build thread for my ride as hopefully there will be some substantial updates soon. The starting point is this 1971 2 door that I picked up in atlantic canada that somehow is 99% rust free and was spared from our vehicle killing winters.



My initial plan for the build was to swap in a modified L20b and a Z 5 speed but after looking I've come to the conclusion that L20bs or anything that age are very scarce out here. So instead I'm going to build up the l16 and if a L20 ever pops up I'll just swap the parts over. The entire car is going to be built in a 70s style with as many period parts I can find , no fuel injection, no forced induction, just a fun toy that'll probably never see a track just some spirited driving every now and again.

This is my first older car (it's actually over twice my age) but so far couldn't be happier!

Will you have a winter beater?

Interestingly, it would appear your otherwise-stock 510 has a SSS grill.

Plan sounds very realistic. Check out the "How To Modify" book at The 510 Archives, full of L-16/stock 510 hop-up information.

Your '71 is in way better shape than mine was. Your plans are vey similar to what mine were when I started. With the exception of the rear CV half shafts. The changes on my car are things that would have been done in the '70's.

Good luck with your build. Take lots of pics of everything before and during disassembly they will be invaluable when you put it back together. A written log would be helpful too ( I didn't keep one and I wished I would've)
Taking pics and writing down stuff is a pain during tear down but it will make life easier in the long run

BP

okayfine wrote:Will you have a winter beater?

Interestingly, it would appear your otherwise-stock 510 has a SSS grill.

Plan sounds very realistic. Check out the "How To Modify" book at The 510 Archives, full of L-16/stock 510 hop-up information.

Yes I do have a winter / Daily driver a 1995 Jeep YJ, cars and bikes are kinda my weakness haha. I'm actually just finishing up restoring a 1988 Honda Hurricane 600 that I picked up when I was 16. And the SSS grille is definitely interesting, kinda strange since the rest of the car is stock right down to the automatic transmission. Also thanks for the info I'll definitely look into it!

Bike papa wrote:Your '71 is in way better shape than mine was. Your plans are vey similar to what mine were when I started. With the exception of the rear CV half shafts. The changes on my car are things that would have been done in the '70's.

Good luck with your build. Take lots of pics of everything before and during disassembly they will be invaluable when you put it back together. A written log would be helpful too ( I didn't keep one and I wished I would've)
Taking pics and writing down stuff is a pain during tear down but it will make life easier in the long run

BP

Thanks for the kind words. I'll definitely take lots of pictures and make the log, I didn't get into enough detail when I took the wiring apart on my bike so it lead to a frustrating time rewiring it. I guess I kinda learned that one the hard way haha.

Nice!, I love the color, looks like army green in that pic, have fun and keep us posted

Picked up my first aftermarket part for the build today and I'm pretty happy with it! It's a never used still in the vacuum sealed bag Edelbrock intake. Was pretty cool opening it up for the first time and looking at all the old manuals and everything. I won't be installing it until I pull the motor for the rest of the parts that are soon to come.

Found myself some nice old rims! I posted an add in the local classifieds and got a response from a guy who had a set sitting in his attic for the past 10 years off his 240z.


After a little sanding and buffing they're starting to come along!


Since my last post I fixed the only rot on the car behind the front wheels, replaced both wheel cylinders and all the brake lines. Still on the hunt for a Z 5speed or even a dogleg but hopefully will find one soon!

I have same rims and I'm debating whether I polish or powder coat them black leaving outer ring chrome.... :-/

Rare to find one of those in the east ! Leave it all stock !

These photos were taken by my dad at the West Covina Nissan in 1992. Not sure if they would fall into "'70s style" category, but they're at least '80s. I really like the rectangular halogens mounted under the front bumper. I'd do it if the 510 I have wasn't flared. Either way, I love them.
Your car has a lot of potential. I like it a lot. Good luck in the future!

KoHeartsGPA wrote:I have same rims and I'm debating whether I polish or powder coat them black leaving outer ring chrome.... :-/

I'd definitely recommend the polishing over the powdercoating but that's just me, I like the polished aluminum.

Robb wrote:Rare to find one of those in the east ! Leave it all stock !

I'll be keeping all the parts to put it back to stock in case i ever go that route but I enjoy working on my cars and giving them my own touches, I don't think i've ever owned a car that was 100% stock But that being said i'm not going to hack it all up.

shacks510 wrote:These photos were taken by my dad at the West Covina Nissan in 1992. Not sure if they would fall into "'70s style" category, but they're at least '80s. I really like the rectangular halogens mounted under the front bumper. I'd do it if the 510 I have wasn't flared. Either way, I love them.

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Your car has a lot of potential. I like it a lot. Good luck in the future!

Those are some awesome pictures, thanks for sharing them! And i like the look of the lights too, but for this car i'm planing on keeping the exterior pretty stock besides paint, rims and maybe a slight drop. Also thanks for the kind words!

Just found myself a 5 speed out of a 280zx, who knew wanted adds in the local classifieds helped this much lol. A guy about an hour away from me (basically the other end of the island) took the engine and trans out of his Z over the winter for a V8 and has them sitting in his garage. The best part, he only wants $100 for it! I'll post some pictures up Tuesday when i go grab it.

coool!

when I need parts here in quebec I must always get the stuff shipped ... there is 4 510 fading away behind a barn near my house but the old man there wont let them go or sell any parts .

would be a nice ride to go to the IPE one day , I'll let you know so we could take a couple pictures .