Liams 1985 Nissan Gazelle S12 Liftback

[Liam-B]

Hey all, I am a long time Nissan fan, had quite a few over the years but this is only my second S12. The last one I owned was 13 years ago! (JDM RX turbo notch with a CA18ET back in NZ)
 
I have had a few S13's etc but I always liked these earlier cars a lot more.
 
Anyway started looking around here in Australia and realised these things just are not about much but luckily I got a lead on a car that was not even advertised online and found this :


 


 


 





 


 





 


 




 

The main reason I bought this particular one, other than the fact its so clean is because it has a R180 IRS disk brake rear end and they are quite rare it seems


 


It has factory AC that still works, power steer etc. Really original car, factory head unit still fitted and all that stuff! Pretty hard to find in this kind of condition these days, I mean it is 30 years old!


 


When I got it, seat covers and window shades had been fitted its whole life until now, so the interior has survived really well.


 


 





 


 


Only downside to the whole deal is that its a CA20E. Automatic. Yuck I know. But at least it's been cared for and never thrashed.


 


The Automatic can jog on though, I plan a manual conversion very shortly.


 


 


First order of the day was to fix a few minor things wrong with it and get a roadworthy, get it registered asap etc.


 


Vic Club reg FTW!


 


 


 


Bought some wheels on the cheap for it,


 


D hole 15 x 8 steelies, 0 offset rear + 10 front, with 195/50/15 tyres. 


 


 





 


 


Had to roll the rear guard lips, just folded though and not pulled luckily


 


 




 




 


 




 

 

Its sitting on super low Lovells springs at the moment, the fronts need to come down some more obviously. I have more suspension parts coming soon to sort this out. Stay tuned.


 


The eagle eyed will notice I removed the mud flaps and 80's neon side stripe graphic as well.


 


 




 

 



 

 

Started collecting pieces to begin the manual conversion. Do you know how hard it is to find manual parts for these things here?! Luckily I got a manual pedal box from a fellow forum member, it's still in NZ at mums place so will have to grab it or get it sent over soon haha.

 




 

 


I want to keep the CA20e for now as it runs well, plus the AC and power steer are a luxury I don't want to give up just yet, haha.

 

Will head to pick a part and get a CA20 manual box from a R31 pintara, unless someone can hook me up with a S12 one. I know about having to make a custom gearbox cross member 

 

Also kind of looking for a FJ20 for later on, they are about but also very rare in complete condition with all the mounts, bits and pieces to fit a S12 it seems. I also want brackets to mount the AC, PS etc. Probably dreaming as most of that stuff gets binned when they got stuck in Datsun 1600's etc.

 

See how I go on my hunt. I guess that's half the fun building these old cars eh? I don't know if I could go SR20 yet though, even though they are common as and so cheap to get parts for...

 


 

[james]

Welcome!


 


That car looks like an absolute beauty that many of us would envy! You've done well to find and IRS one in such good condition and original form! Take care!


 


Mounting the A/C from a CA20 onto a FJ20 wouldn't be too hard - maybe a custom bracket but it's not like it's impossible.


As for the power steering, as with any swap, use the pump intended for that motor and just connect your existing lines from the rack into the new pump - some may need adapters or the fittings replaced, but the concept of providing fluid pressure is the same. And if you can't find the correct pump and bracket for that motor, making another fit is again as simple as a custom bracket - sometimes just a bit of drilling or a flat piece of steel with some holes is all it takes to line up original mounts.


 


Regarding finding a gearbox, perhaps try posting in the Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/s12silvia/


 


Look forward to seeing this progress!

[Liam-B]

Thanks!

Yeah I was quite lucky to find a good one. Pity its not a JDM car like my last one but its a good starting point.

I felt guilty throwing the old seat covers and window shades in the bin but they were well used and time to go haha

Power steer and ac would be pretty easy to mount like you say i could fab something up no worries.

Im on a couple of the S12 facebook pages, will join up to the link now

[Liam-B]

So I bought one of these (And no, its not the old L series)


 


FJ20!


 





 


I had to drive nearly 4 hours to go get it though...

 

Anyway, its a complete running motor apparently. It was in a Stanza coupe most of its previous life until now. Its obviously from a DR30 originally though judging by the intake manifold length.

 

Has a 280ZX 71B close ratio gearbox attached to the FJ bell housing 

ECU and loom is Microtech MTX-8 (pretty old now I know) with a hand controller to tune it

Bigger injectors of some kind

Spare DR30 Turbo inlet manifold, cam cover and turbo flywheel / clutch setup (bigger diameter)

Headers to suit a 510 1600 (probably won't use them, they are pretty ratty but the exhaust flange is good to make a start on a new set)

Engine mounts to suit a Stanza (Dont really need these but the rubber mounts are pretty trick looking pieces)

 

Just bought a gasket set for it today. I plan on going through it properly and collecting bits along the way.

 

Having trouble finding S12 FJ20 mounts - Obviously. I might have to make some although I have read somewhere the CA20 passengers side is the same as FJ20? Some other threads mention a guy on here by the user name of piston freak who used to make them. I sent a PM but not heard back, I guess its been few years ago last active though so has possibly moved on? 

 


I plan on using this on a daily basis, so I want to get the AC and powersteering brackets sorted. Going to keep this one an NA screamer, some individual throttle bodies would be nice if finances allow!