Getting there was not without issue, however: despite the similar configurations, the SR20 was not a drop in. Unlike for, say, the 510/Bluebird, there aren't over-the-counter kits to make this work. The result appears trim and uncluttered, but the short answer involves Jason's pal Michael Spreadbury, a plasma cutter, and triple the time and money anyone figured it would take.
It would have been rough enough to get the SR20 working and call it a day, but Jason also decided to keep all of the computer-diagnostic items intact with the electronics; since Nissan's CONSULT system is still in place, the car speaks quite clearly. Any potential issues can be sorted via the plug-n-play method. The Check Engine and Charge lights are mounted in stock dash locations, and a 55-amp alternator from a Subaru Justy was charged, if you'll excuse the pun, with keeping all of that new wiring working. "Have lots of friends who are dedicated to the same cause," Jason advises.
A '99 Civic fuel pump resides inside a custom-built Jack Scoville gas tank that's 16-plus gallons big (stock was just 11.4); for those who don't know, Jack Scoville was one of the first and best road-racing Datsun Roadster pilots, winning the '69 D-Production ARRC championship with his car appearing in Datsun ads touting the racing victories.
Competition front coils and modified front spring perches dump our Fairlady two big inches closer to the ground, while a rebuilt buggy-sprung rear suspension gets the ass down another inch; the result is a subtle, almost imperceptible rake that still sends the right subliminal messages. Add to that a fatter front sway bar and KYB gas shocks on all corners.
The brakes, hiding there behind the 16x7 Panasports and the 195/50 Yokohamas, are deserving of special mention: an 11-inch, 30mm wide Coleman Racing rotor (with a custom-fabbed hat) graces each front spindle, while a custom caliper mount lets the 300ZX Twin Turbo caliper, polished and custom-engraved with "Datsun" lettering on each side, do its work. The rear drum brakes are also polished aluminum, and all four corners wear Porterfield pads and shoes. A 7/8-inch 280Z master cylinder and stainless brake lines are also part of the package.
The body's crisp lines are untouched (no need to mess around when you've grown accustomed to her face), and are brought into sharp relief thanks to a coat of silver Honda S2000 pigment sprayed by Tim Bridges of Springfield, OR. Euro-spec trim bits include the side mirrors and the amber taillights. The Fairlady emblems were added on too, but despite what sounds like a fussy look, the tone-on-tone chrome-on-silver result is quite different, and tasteful. The rollbar-installed by Al Epperle of Salem, OR-was painted by Scott Daniels.
By B.K. Nakadashi
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