NZ Performance Car – September 2019

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You see, while the newly acquired ’71 boasted a healthy

factory example of the 1.6-litre L16 that the model is named after,

the ’69 already had a few tricks up its sleeve in the engine bay that

it would soon donate. As common with this era of Datsun, the ‘69s

bottom end was found to have been swapped out for a two-litre

L20B unit sourced from the later 610 Bluebird. This manages to

offer a serious punch more torque over its 1600 counterpart and

with a factory forged crank, is near-on bulletproof. Sitting atop,

you’ll find an SSS-variant of the L16 head, which is favoured in

Datsun circles for the more aggressive camshaft and larger ports

from the factory. Like the block, it’s undergone a full rebuild and now

packs a custom 282-degree reground cam, iSky Racing dual valve

springs and retainers to ensure it revs. Match this with the wild high

INTERIOR

SEATS: Datsun Competition

STEERING WHEEL: Momo

woodgrain

INSTRUMENTATION: Factory

AUDIO: Pioneer head unit,

6.5-inch Rockford Fosgate

three-way components

EXTRA: B310 Sunny centre

console, burgundy carpet,

woodgrain gear knob, black

leather headlining

With twin Weber 45mm side-draughts and a 282-degree cam, the L16/20 hybrid engine

combo makes an estimated 130-plus kilowatts on the butt dyno according to Neel