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Is getting a DR30 a dumb idea for a Canadian?

StraightSix

By StraightSix,
in Classics (1953-1988)

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StraightSix Community Regular

StraightSix

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As dumb as I think it is? I kinda want one though . . . but I understand parts are hard to come by even for you guys down under? (edit: just saw "parts dept" thread - looks like I should be able to get anything I need, as long as I wait for it)(oh and some Nissan dealers here are very good about ordering JDM parts as well) And how reliable are these things? And what about technical support - I've noticed there's not much info in English on the web for the FJ and especially the DR30, whether in the form of user forums or just info pages. In particular I'm interested in the '83 RS Turbo as that was the only model with Iron Mask front and the non-intercooled engine, if I am correct. I guess I could go with something other than the FJ, there's lots of L-series support here, but that kind of defeats the purpose as far as I'm concerned. It won't be a daily driver - well it would see pretty regular use in summer, but it for sure wouldn't be driven in winter.

Thinking thinking . . .

Oh and while I'm asking n00b questions how much power can a guy get out of the stock turbo, the earlier, bigger one that is?

And one more thing, where can you get decent suspension upgrades for them?

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someonestolecc Grand Master

someonestolecc

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I don't know much about DR30's in particular but something that old with a turbo and new suspension parts etc is always going to be hard and a bit of an up hill battle.

Custom fabricated this custom that and import the rest all adds up a pretty expensive exercise.

Perhaps consider a SR20 swap (I'm assuming you have silvias up there) but either way that leaves panels, suspension, brakes etc.

Sounds like a project to me :)

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StraightSix Community Regular

StraightSix

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Yeah . . . thought about the swap as well, don't think I'd do SR though, maybe a VG30ET :) (despite my user name) we didn't get the SR here originally but they're super easy to find, it's a popular swap for our S13s and S14s; but, the FJ is a large part of why I want the thing . . .

Does sound a bit of a project!

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Adam_RSX Proficient

Adam_RSX

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There is a LOT of knowledge around for FJ's, its just not really in Skyline circles. Theres a fair bit in Datsun bbs's, and lots of workshops down here have gotten decent power out of them... but that doesnt really help you.

SR20 swap.... why not get a Mack engine... it would sound the same

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StraightSix Community Regular

StraightSix

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Well it does help, I can do all the necessary work myself (aside from bodywork and that any good bodyshop could do), as long as I can get at the information . . . is there a shop manual for these things floating around somewhere? I wouldn't want to do without that. Cheers for the tip on the Datsun guys.

And yeah I'm not a huge fan of the SR.

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rsx84 Veteran

rsx84

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i was going to buy a hr31 till i saw the hr30 2door, to me it was just a "wtf is that" moment, i've only driven it twice since i start the conversion to rb20det and the amout of looks you get are great, also for a performance based car the DR30 has a maximum weight of 1250kg wet or with the HR30 1150kg.....

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Boof Mentor

Boof

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Sr are dirty letters in this here room....

Like adam said, there is alot of info the FJ, you just have to look outside the square really, and its there...Info on FJ20.com is useful

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funkymonkey Grand Master

funkymonkey

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ratdat.com is one of my most favourite sites, its got some good info on engine conversions, brakes etc on the older cars. The Iron Mask is an awesome car for its time, may not have as many features as the newer skylines, but very purposeful and highly tunable. There's a lot of workshops here who used to specialise in datsun's back in the day and can work magic with these cars now, dunno bout canada, but in the US the datsun's had a small cult following. If I wanted to build a Nissan project car on the cheap they'd be my weapon of choice... either that or the Nissan Legrand or whatever its called... Fulltime AWD, light as a feather, SR20DE (easy swap to a DET) R31 like tail lights, made in 1989 so its 15 years old.

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BensDR30 Experienced

BensDR30

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.....The Iron Mask is an awesome car for its time, may not have as many features as the newer skylines....

Hey my DR has more creature comforts than my Stagea; pneumatic seats, convex passenger mirror, cruise control.

But then again, it's not as friendly on passenger comfort when it starts to pull at 3500rpm all the way to 7500!

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N I B Grand Master

N I B

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A DR30 could never be a dumb idea, Cool looks and one of the best 4s you will ever find.

Parts are not to bad and engine parts are cheap in the USA like Arias pistons etc.

Australia has an S14 thats on the verge of running its first 7 sec pass using an FJ20.

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