Modified Datsun 510 Wagon - One Take

This 1972 Datsun 510 Wagon features a 2.1L Troy Ermish engine making about 130 horsepower, a roll cage and a significantly modified suspension and chassis all done at home by trial and error. The car is now a sorted and fun driver for canyon runs, autocrosses and track days.
Read the complete build sheet here at Wheelwell:
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[@InvictvsNox]

God, I love Datsuns. Beautiful build so far. Much respect for keeping the old engine in it and making it work.

[@anthonyhodgson2934]

Awesome one take, the 510 is my favorite old datsun. The boxy styling had my eye from a young age. Badass car.

[@maxxjettfilms6322]

Refreshing to see the simpleness of the motors back then, nowadays it's a jungle of hoses and a sea of plastic.

[@Jorge-Tamacas]

Sure, you don't have to deal with ECU's and sensors. It's all about old school tuning, carbs, cams

[@ThatCarGuy]

" it's a jungle of hoses" Actually that was more older cars with all the vacuum lines. That was one of the huge problems with hide away head lights, one leak, no lights haha. New cars are all wires and a sea of plastic as you said.

[@MiraclesFSC]

old efi was a cluster fuck too though lol

[@snackinglots]

sure is... *dailies a salvage 280zx*

[@sandyshoremann7524]

My GF had one back in the 80's. Same colour. The engine had a problem where it would run fine in first or second, but die when you were in 3rd or 4th. Guess what it was ... the distributor had a dual point set up where it advanced the timing in 1st and 2nd, but the second set was set to retard the timing in 3rd and Top gear. This is required for most any high comp engines to get the most torque. Found out the second set of points were bad. I replaced them, gapped them and it ran great. There was a mechanical switch on the trans to select the point set. Never seen that before, and never seen that again! Cheers! - Sandy

[@Borneoben]

You need a residual pressure valve in the front brake circuit. 2psi for disks. That will stop the pads from receding too far into the calipers and reduce the need for "priming" or double pumping the brake pedal.

[@RedlightExpressMovie]

Borneoben I too was wondering why he has no valve in it. How is he going to go on autocross events :0

[@mattdock7346]

Borneoben autocrosses are actually the least of the problem. It’s the most annoying on the street under very light brake situations. In autocross since you stay in second for the majority of the time you can left foot brake, or even just use your left foot to prime the pedal before coming into a braking zone. I’m running a 280ZX master cylinder (7/8” 2 reservoir, single chamber) and have always had issues with proportioning and brake feel. There is NO space for a booster, the master is on the same side of the bay as the intake and exhaust. I have a feeling part of my problem is the proximity of the master to the headers, warm fluid is bad fluid. The next steps on this project involve a new rear end (LSD) and a pedal box with individual masters and a proportioning valve. During this process I’ll also be able to switch the rear lines to braided steel and unify the brake lines (right now they’re steel up front and rubber in back).

[@The613MC]

ive ran plenty of manual brakes (drum, discs, drums/discs) and the only times i had to double pump is when they werent properly bleed. Always bench bleed and us a proper brake bleeder tool. No issues since i started doing that. Fluid heats up from hard braking as well. I would recommend using as much hardline as possible and having braided for places that require articulation.

[@snackinglots]

My 280zx has a phat heat shield in between the intake/exhaust and the brake master cylinder. Can you heat wrap the exhaust if a shield isn't practical? Might even have added benefits with lower engine bay temps

[@sayerman]

Fuck yes

[@briansubsist]

"Do a lot of girls like that?" nearly made me choke to death on my morning coffee. Thanks Matt.

[@ValenNitto]

That sounds so good

[@TheBigboi16]

I see datsun I hit like

[@ChaosphereIX]

thanks for narrating

[@tonymunn]

I did also even before watching the video.

[@antonioalegria1412]

I see this comment and I hit like

[@iLupi]

This is the kind of car they should bring back. Great looking wagon, didn't even know the 510 came as a wagon, but it makes me like it that much more!

[@GearsandGasoline]

I know how much you love old car brakes, Matt.

[@ChaosphereIX]

So cool. More wagons. I want to see a Volvo 240 or 850R.

[@TheHrant111]

Yeaaah volvos are awesome :D

[@kyda__]

volvo and audi wagons are amazing

[@malcolmjcullen]

I give you the ultra rare Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion - www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1182171

[@jordanswart3413]

ChaosphereIX I completely agree

[@leanlifter1]

This wagon needs a turbo volvo motor.

[@JerryC25]

I wish wagons were more popular in America.

[@ChandlerAI]

Hahahaha, "I have no more tolerance for heavy clutches... FUCK EM"

[@XBullitt16X]

man this thing sounds great, gotta love the sound of these old engines.

[@ducfandan1117]

Man, nothing like the sound of an OHC 4-banger on carbs. I gotta get my GTI project moving again. Totally redone gearbox, Peloquin diff with preload, race steering ratio rack, heim-joint shift linkage, aluminum clutch bushing (no more rubber between pedal and clutch actuator), highest quality flywheel I could buy, stage 2 clutch, and more. It's getting Webers. Gotta love these old "economy" cars. You can build a very mechanically serious car for not a lot of scratch. The downside, at least where I live, is doing everything yourself. Very few people work on cars like these, or at least very few are willing to take the time to do it properly. Kudos to the owner and his dad on a very cool 510 wagon.

[@mikey_gc8]

My god.. 🤤 you can’t beat that classic *carbureted* exhaust note!

[@shotgunrain069]

respect for not following the beaten path and for not over modernizing. classic is where its at!

[@bloodreighn]

I found to get rid of that double pump issue you need to A; Bleed the brakes properly and B; pull the calipers off, put something smaller than the disks inbetween the pads and then pump the brake hard up against that, then pry the pads back open just enough to clear the disk, this usually cures it because the dust boots in most cases are causing the pistons to retract, if its the rears causing this, then you have bad adjusters...

[@mattdock7346]

The problem arose when I went to Wilwoods calipers up front. There’s a combination of problems including a master cylinder chamber to actual brake size mismatch as well as a heat issue because the master is so close to the headers. It’s all on the list, I’ve just learned to deal with the pedal for the meantime until I decide to go to a different pedal box/master scenario.

[@mikey_gc8]

Matt Dock your car is so gnarly, I tip my hat sir 👌

[@jmsantia1]

I'm feeling the build! I always have love for old school Japanese cars. Love the simple engine and the damn thing pulls!

[@m0thaphucka638]

I'm a simple man, I see 510 and I click

[@ChaosphereIX]

so tired

[@hironakamura6766]

I’m a simple man, I see dick and I suck.

[@scoobygms210]

One of my dream vehicles !

[@Bolek989]

I visited Los Angeles the other month and took a day trip to these canyons with a buddy of mine. Let me tell you these videos don't do it justice when it comes to how scary these roads are in real life. The cliffs/lack of barriers are crazy!!

[@TheSmokingTire]

Bolek989 haha eyes up!

[@panchonorthmann6408]

You need to cross the Sierra Nevada on Sherman Pass, Sonora Pass, or take one of the various drives down the Feather River canyons. LA canyons are sketchy, Sierra canyons are arduous. Lol

[@brian5o]

I wish that Nissan still built cars that were this beautiful. The Datsuns from the 70's in my opinion are some of the most beautiful cars ever made.

[@TheDustyaman]

brian5o Nissan has gone down hill bad. Especially putting cvt in there cars

[@brian5o]

TheDustyaman I totally agree. Nissan has committed to cvts seemingly more than any automaker. On the good side, they still do offer some manual transmissions, too but I absolutely hate their styling nowadays. It seems like their styling department has been taken over by a bunch of anime animators. Probably the last Nissan that I liked the styling of was the last 240SX.

[@TheDustyaman]

brian5o they make the lower cars look like the upper car market from last gens. Like Altima looks like last gen maxima. Then the Sentra looks like the last gen Altima. They have lazy styling. They need to be fired and have someone that’s a Nissan nut to change their cars

[@vladimirgreene1516]

Matt "These seats weren't made for people my size, but the car certainly sounds the business" Farrah. #prayforjoe #BertIsFat

[@taylormchenry2712]

didn't expect to see this on here lol

[@vladimirgreene1516]

lmaoo

[@RubenLopez-oy7lj]

I'm a simple man I see a modified wagon I click like.

[@ChaosphereIX]

so tired...

[@mk3gtidriver]

Love the look and sound of this little Datsun wagon 😎

[@filmart430]

Datsun made the best looking series of cars in the early 70’s...the Datsun 510, wagon and the little pick up truck. All look sweet.

[@ThaKenMan]

Good Lord that thing sounds amazing!!!

[@rogerj412]

Really digging this guys 510. Love that he doesn't want to put an SR in it.

[@danielhillwick8430]

One of the absolute funnest cars I've ever owned was the 510 wagon. I've owned 15 510s in the past. I have done just about all you can do to them. The funnest ones are always the ones that are near stock. They really go to s*** when you overpower them. Have fun

[@Jonooosvideos]

Nothing like a good 510! My first car and the one that gave me the love for driving the curvy country roads!

[@XenomorphLV426]

w00t Classic Nissan/Datsun guy is always refreshing to see. Good choice on the classic SE-R.

[@DriversSide]

This car is sooo cool! 510s are underrated cars for sure

[@Leo-lr4eq]

Satisfying to see an engine bay with so much room and simplicity

[@mikeydeshon5637]

What an amazing lil ride. Crazy how old cars like this are more interesting then modern exotics.

[@Seudaren]

Very refreshing, kind of like a cool drink on a hot day.

[@detective3728]

Hey matt, I know its christmas soon and do you know what i said to the santa at my local mall? I wish for a ONE TAKE with your V12 Aston Martin Vanquish! :) I do believe in christmas MIRACLES!

[@guthrie1181]

Christian mrclep Well Matt is jewish, so.

[@dmanalang9037]

Yes! Old school wagons...they rock! I would like to see 70s corolla wagon pls.

[@kevineberitzsch1342]

i sold him my SE-r haha what a small world and i drive a 72 Datsun 510!!!

[@benvg]

I really like this thing, it hoofs it!

[@anthonyhodgson2934]

But does she chooch?

[@benvg]

Skookum as frig.

[@phantomflame0658]

Matt the reason why clutches in cars like the Hellcat, C63 AMG, etc. have light clutches, is because they were designed from the ground up to support that power and the diameter is much bigger to allow for a larger clutch, which means more surface area for the clutch to clamp down and hold the power. The SR20DET for example, was only really designed for 200-260 hp. So when you want to push 500hp out of it you would need an aggressive clutch to clamp down harder on it because the surface area is just not there to support the power.

[@phantomflame0658]

And yes I know its the torque not the power that is the problem but you get the point.

[@TheSmokingTire]

That sounds like it makes sense. And I don’t care at all about why it’s heavy. I just want it to be not heavy. Heavy clutches are stupid and suck, they should make them not heavy and then they will be better. And the Carrera GT made 610 Hp with a 6.5” diameter clutch that didn’t require any throttle to take off from a standstill, 15 years ago. So I don’t want to hear anyone’s excuses as to why it can’t be done now.

[@phantomflame0658]

TheSmokingTire I agree with you on the new car part. Its just with modified cars its a whole new story and unless you want to fabricate a whole new bellhousing, etc, then you will have sadly to use a heavy clutch. :/ Thanks for the response btw

[@PANTYEATR1]

that joint sounds good on those fly-bys

[@71dime]

Sweet! Had been waiting for you to review a 510! : )

[@lexburen5932]

oh man does not matter what car it is, if it is a datsun, it is epic anyway. what a cool car!:)

[@jeffsloane8628]

Matt, When you say SR-20 be clear as there is a big difference between an NA SR20 and a turbo SR-20 DET. A normally aspirated and tuned (read ITBs) 2.0 in a 510 is an amazing experience, and as you know, nothing like a big turbo motor. Love these videos! Keep posting and I'll keep liking.

[@mattdock7346]

I love the SR in all forms, I just don’t want one in this car (I have one in my B13 Sentra). If you built a 230hp NA SR you’d be talking about an insane amount of money - both in the motor and the swap. I can get similar power from an over the top L series build and spend less on it and less time swapping the motor in and out of the car.

[@jomgelborn]

Datsun 510 wagon! Best looking car of all time.

[@dwdwalcott6]

I really wish I could find a 510 in Florida. They are so rare to see down here. Maybe one day I could import one from Japan. They look like a blast to drive.

[@Ms.Fowlbwahhh]

Haha looks exactly like the kind of guy who would own a datsun wagon

[@beanburnham01]

What? Cool? As in, not a douche with a vert M3? Then, yes

[@Ms.Fowlbwahhh]

beanburnham01 It's not an insult if this is what you are thinking

[@MichaelRCarlson]

I miss the days when cars were simple and 3x the fun. Really cool ride.

[@theequalizer2007]

My first car. Those were the days!

[@2isceez]

damn this was cool. manual brakes and steering plus that simple engine, it doesn’t get more old school than that! love datsuns

[@regodawoodstudio]

That smile on the beginning disappeared like nothing else :D

[@esaedvik]

Sounds lovely!

[@MumbleVlogs]

Man i love these old datsun’s

[@willthecardude6900]

I love how the $20 3rd gen prelude bucket seats fit right in.

Instant like even before watching... awesome little machine.

[@mkent280]

I met him at the bayline meets a few years ago, very cool.

[@gasoutviper]

Wow haven't seen 1 of these in ages. Very nice!

[@SeriousGomes]

This is an Exotic car to me. Just saying

[@SeriousGomes]

Paul Rodriguez New York , never seen one. See exotic everyday here. Ferraris, Porsche , lamb, etc 🙄

[@paulrodriguez300]

SERIOUS GOMES really you've never seen one? There's alot around NY NJ Virginia area, lived there a bit, although most well kept ones are from Cali. Just look around on Craigslist, they pop up often. As if you're taking on the street, go to the local car scene. Boricuas like old JDMs... Unfortunately I'm in texas.

[@michaelgomez4994]

SERIOUS GOMES then so a four light foxbodys. Mustangs 2s and a pos Ef civics are exotics

[@michaelgomez4994]

SERIOUS GOMES I don't see them therefor are rare & exotic. Hmm not sure it works that way

[@Drgoldthumb]

I'm always a sucker for a 510! Love it!

[@tonyrocks951]

Kolache+one take=good shit

[@JackstandJohnny]

I really like the owner of this car. Im a Subaru owner but Ive had a great past with Nissan with my Brother. He has fantastic taste and I loved my Brothers B13 SE-R that He turbo'd and really built out to an amazing autox car. I had a 1980 Corolla 2 door liftback that started my love for old Yota and Datsun wagons.

[@westsenkovec]

Can you do a one take of Rob Ferretti's 1000 HP (400 to the wheels) student driver Corvette?

[@SforSytosis]

510 wagons are so sick

[@GlenGlenervo]

always been my dream car

[@addictedtothehustle3010]

I just found 1 in a garage fine lol did some work for them and they gave me it we got it to run but needs some TLC and a battery there super light

[@adricars]

Really nice build lots of potential few tips new seats with some racing seat belt's plus some Weber Side Draft 45's with 4 into one..man you would enjoy that...

[@Jorge-Tamacas]

Beautiful vintage car (wagon in this case), that engine sounds great. Great video!

[@nickb3968]

Kudos to the guy for wanting to keep the same motor.

[@luisv5347]

That L series engine sounds awesome.

[@EatMyAK]

When Matt says "Good little tight.." I had to double take.

[@brandonchism6960]

awesome car

[@vteckid82]

Finally he's not trying to sell us nonsense in the beginning of the video.

[@sickdevs]

Committed to the L series, respect!!! Love this car

[@dtotheatothevtothee]

Sick ride. Love those old 510s. Near impossible to find in northeast...damn you rust!!!!

[@allstar930]

One of my dream cars.

[@rfouR_4]

Sounds like a old school rally car, dig it.

[@bcab7955]

Respect the car, respect the hair gains.

[@ShakaLakaMTB]

Damn, that car sounds good!

[@nickk7769]

Cool Datsun Wagon!

[@tasharae5402]

Great sound!

[@Jake-st2qj]

I love Datsun just amazing cars/trucks and strong great for track.

[@BrennanMcKissick]

Love videos like this. I hope you'll feature more vintage stuff similar to this. I'd love to see a well done FB RX7, MK III Supra, an RX3 and some older Celicas/Corollas.

[@Toycoma]

Man, I really like that car. I wish my tacoma only weighed that much.

[@dougdeboer3907]

It's also great that the car has "break the collarbone" seat belts.

[@MrPizzaman09]

That car looks the business.

[@RealAnthonyJones]

A 510 sedan with a turbo rotary has to be in my future.

[@mostlyirishcarguy8955]

that thing sounds frickin cool

[@OliverPickard]

Totally agree keep it old school bit more compression and some love it will be a weapon

[@cliffordbradford8910]

With a hot cam I'd go with EFI the car sounds like it runs great at WOT and not so much otherwise. You can re-purpose carbs into ITBs with a MegaSquirt and you can have a decent idle and non WOT throttle response. Also there must be a fix for the brakes, all that palaver must cost a few tenths on the autocross track. Nice car though, fact that it is even comparable to a much newer E30 BMW is a testament.

[@SKOMPAS]

A datsun 510 with a 4age with carbs would be amazing!

[@invinciblejets4690]

Matthew Heal why a 4age??? Nissan makes fun high revving 4 cylinders.... I say a nice fj20

[@flacjacket]

Or if you insist on swapping manufacturers an F20C would be perfect for this.

[@Iain240]

The double pump is a symptom of pad knock back. You can cure that with some springs behind the pads or some anti knock back valves in the brake lines.

[@JamesMotorsport]

dude has good taste in cars

[@DropshotJ]

Cool car, pretty unique 😮

[@Kp61dude_]

First motor I ever built a Datsun L series. Good times.

[@Brokeascivic]

A rare masterpiece

[@Sarge0311]

Sounds really good !

[@rpowell138]

Love it. Great look. Great sound.

[@LucasDaRonco]

@TheSmokingTire: I have a quick recommendation: As KZbin's compression algorithm is very aggressive, usually videos that have a lot of movement (even though they might be of great original quality) have a lot of blocking or "pixelation". I have found that quite a good fix is uploading videos at 4K. It won't remove the pixelation, but it will introduce more quality in textuires suchas rock or grass or anything that's moving. Now, if you film at 1080p, the fix for this is upscaling the video to 4k before uploading. Doing that will also fix this issue. Other than that, awesome video!

[@GrussimoGarage]

Cool build. Gotta get those brakes sorted though.

[@kingkamehameha8518]

I Had A 69 And A 72 Wagon And Lost Both Of Them 2 The Police. Now I Drive A G35 And Love It. BUT I STILL Can't Wait 2 Find Another 5/10 Wagon. Way Better Than Any Civic