I have the chance to pick up a 4 dr datsun 510 and was considering swapping it with the current turbo II thats in my fb... seems a relatively simple build.

My question is since i've never even seen a 510 in person which car would handle better? given the assumption that they have a comparable suspension set up. I know a 510 has an independent rear as well.]

I guess i'm looking for advice from someone who has driven/ridden both. I love my fb tons, and couldn't ask for a sweeter car to cruise around but a 510 would be insane with a turbo II and its like 300+ lbs lighter.

I'm having trouble comparing the two and deciding which route i should go so any advice would be much appreciated.

ps... i would just keep my fb but it needs a new front end and also a new rear diff, so if i was gonna ditch the car right now would be ideal.

you can see my fb in the fs section if you have any want to see what i'm currently dealing with.
thx tons!

 

The 510 would handle better.

 

Where would you find suspension parts for a 510 to make it handle better than the FB.

I do know if it would.

 

A lot of the Z parts are interchangeable with the 510. The 510 has suspension in the rear that's a plus over the straight rear of the rx7.

 

ya the one i would buy already has 280 springs and shocks but also comes with another set springs and shocks to go on it.

the thing i like about my 1st gen tho is how low and small it is. i like the fact that the dude in the drive through cant even see me and that it makes my friends honda civic look big. so...

How big is a 510 4dr really? any idea if its comparable to an fb? i'm wondering how tall it is and how long/wheelbase? i would just go look at the car buts about 6 hrs away and i'm only going if i'm buying. thanks for the help so far.

one more thing i heard about them is that they are really solidly built, well put together cars. not like a honda. would this be comparable to a 1st gen? when i first got my fb i was amazed about how solid it felt over bumps around corners (used to driving only hondas before that).
thanks again, hope to make a decision by sunday.

 

the 510 handles good for parts theres a couple places for the diff you could go with a subaru diif. they handle pretty good.i had a 83 fb pretty well built. but know i have a 510 wagon with a 6 port bp motor. and i love the extra room.

 

are they even comparable in handling (despite the fact you have the wagon)
which one do you like more? (datsun has L20B and lsd subi rear)

ok found out the dims on both cars, datsun (2dr) is 10" shorter, 4" more narrow, and 5.5" taller.

damn i still dont know which, anybody else?

 

I love my turbo FB, but if I had the chance to get hold of a 510 (and my FB was partially fucked) I'd be all over it!!!

510/1600's are pretty rare over here as most were used as rally cars. (my brother used to have one) They were great rally cars back in the day.

Plenty of bits available online to do them up real nice if you have the $$$

How much bodywork (rust etc) needs to be done to the 510?

Plus, from what I can tell, you guys have a shitload of cheap FB's over there, so you can always go back...

 

i had the L20 before it went out it was cool but it dosen't compared to my bp rotary. it has way more power. and about the handling they feel the same to me. the suppesion on the wagon, is nice and tight. there very similar

 

from google images.

 

look at it this way, its harder to find a good 510 than it is to find a fb.

 

sweet thanks a ton. i think i'm gonna do it depending on how much rust is on the 510 but hopefully if all goes well i'll be cruisin a 510 rotardy 4 dr.

 

I doubt it is a "clean", rust-free 510 as those go gor a pretty penny. Based on some of your earlier posts, you do not seem to have a lot of extra cash sitting around to properly restore a 510.

I guess it all depends on what you want to do with either car. Just remember, the 510 is rarer which can make the parts more expensive.

For sedan style cars from that era, my two favorites are BMW 2002, and (although a knock-off) the Datsun 510.

 

yeah 2002's are crazy but a little goofy lookin for me. its def not clean and has some rust. (not sure what "some" means but i was waiting for a pic)

anyway the guy is getting a divorce or some ****, and the car is registered in his wife's name lol. better luck next time i guess. here it is (was)

 

Sold my first gen, got a 510 2 door 10 years ago. Started with a NA St. port with Weber 48ida, end up with a 13B Cosmo Turbo, in anyway any rotary you put in the 510 is fun to drive!!! Advantage no more smog check, $$$$. Lots of parts still around for oldschool 510. Checkout dimequarterly.com. Good Luck!