RE: SOTW: Nissan Bluebird ZX Turbo

[LoudPedal]

I found one, a 91 AWD, called a Camry over here in the US. Picked it up from an older fellow for $700 for my daughter to drive (she paid for it herself). Replaced the exhaust at a fab shop because the replacement parts were VERY, VERY expensive due to the AWD being a rarity. She loves it, but was just complaining today how it's been going through oil. Must be a leak since it doesn't smoke at all.

The same week, my youngest daughter came home with a 91 Toyota Tercel she had purchased for $250. It was fine after an exhaust, head gasket, timing belt, valve seals and cover gasket. Again, she paid for the car & parts, helped me do the repairs. That one gets 29MPG all around!

These old cars have value... in teaching youngsters the value of money & hard work. That, and being a cheap, dependable ride they can afford. Thank goodness!

[urmm]

This had the same engine (CA18ET) as the 1980s s12 silvia (the ugly one).
My uncle had one of those silvias and it did 125 clicks quite easily.
I've heard that these engines are good for up to 300hp.
I remember a guy who put one of the engines into a Datsun 120y and called it the 180y. There was a video of it doing 1/4 mile in about 14.
Don't know if this is the same car

http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?li...

Sorry for going a bit off topic.

Oh bloody hell i found a datsun 120y With a ca18det doing the 1/4 in 11.92

I'll get me coat

[NismoGT]

Hated by its looks through the 90's.

Rare , ageing Japanese boxy cars have a big market and tuning potential.

This old skool cool!

[danrc]

Just checked out the Ad - own up - who bought it?!

[rockystarr]

hmmm.......... sleeper anyone?

[scottiedog]

Love It! Then again, I am an old school Japanese Turbo fan, so I am going to say that. Give it ten years and there will be a handful of these things left, very rare.

Although, 49k miles? I always get worried when they cover the driver seat up and then replace the steering wheel....hmmm

[collateral]

clonmult said:

Furyblade_Lee said:

1.8 litres AND a turbo to produce 135bhp. How times change eh?

But the engine was originally slated to have more power, but they (apparently) pegged it back to 135bhp to reduce stress - the engine should go on for a loooong time.

I'd love one, its light, got a reasonable engine that can take a fair amount of abuse (and tuning).

I was going to say, 1.8t and it's barely quicker than a 205 GTI

[Pablo16v]

A black one of these used to pass me all the time on my commute to work back in 1989 or 1990. I was in a 1.6 Golf GTI at the time and could hold him off through the corners but he'd fly past on the next longish straight. I almost bought one but ended up with a Nissan Silvia instead with the same engine. That Silvia taught me a lot about RWD car control.

[Kieran XJR]

I wonder if the SR20DET is a bolt in swap? That would make an assuming sleeper.

[zero corosion]

how bad is that!

[Txspete]

I used to own one of these about 4 years ago. I thought it was great retro motoring for those who knew what it was. Electric everything inc sunroof and it all worked fine. One of my favourite bits was the bong you get when you leave your lights on, it is actually a bell like that you would get on a kids bike!!

As for the power, not the fastest thing in the world but would do 120 without too much toruble. Also 135bhp from a 1.8T in 1986, VAG getting 150bhp from a 1.8T 12 years later... I dont think they were doing to bad.

[traffman]

Nearly bought one of these but plonked for a mk1 uno turbot.

I reckon the bluebird would have been nailed together far better than the uno as i wandered off into the ditch after snapping the wishbone due to rust.

[Pravin]

Nahh, just wrong. You'll have Renault 18 (or Fuego) Turbo as SOTW next week!!!

[Emeye]

What will this thing weigh?! Looks heavy.

When I was a kid our next door neighbour had a collection of fast "jap crap" - he had one of these in blue, one of those 4x4 Mazda 323s and a fast 626.

I always remembering wanting a Bluebird Turbo when I was 13!

[Bada Bing!]

I drove my dad's Bluebird a few times and I do not remember them liking corners very much. Exiting a roundabout reminded me of trying to put my cat into its basket to go to the vets.

Neither really wanted to go there.

Edited by Bada Bing! on Friday 29th August 18:53

[Balmoral Green]

Bada Bing! said:

I drove my dad's Bluebird a few times and I do not remember them liking corners very much.

Yep, probably on a par with all it's contemporaries of the time. The Montego and R21 et al, 150bhp, simple FWD floorpan from the cooking version, ste handling and torquesteer that makes a an eighties Astra GTE look tame

Fast and crap, but good at the same time.

[NismoGT]

Kieran XJR said:

I wonder if the SR20DET is a bolt in swap? That would make an assuming sleeper.

Possible , but only from the Pulsar GTIR , not a Silvia. need a Piggy back ECU

[Blue Meanie]

Oddly enough a lot of the older Japanese cars are getting cool. The AE-86, the Cedric, etc, were all 'meh' when they were about, yet cool nowadays. Could it be that the boxy style, and slightly Japanese looks are suddenly desirable?

[nivlac]

Furyblade_Lee said:

1.8 litres AND a turbo to produce 135bhp. How times change eh?

yeh, only in around 2002 my friend bought a brand new golf gti that vw managed to give a whopping 150bhp from a 1.8 turbo.

those hooligans eh.

Edited by nivlac on Friday 29th August 19:37

[the_hood]

A friend of mine had one of these many years ago ( it was even the same colour!). It felt pretty fast in a straight line. I can't really coment on the handling as i didn't test it sufficiently! I remember the gimmicky adjustable dampers. Didn't really matter what setting it was on it handled and rode the same. Reliable, quick but looked like a Japanese Cortina. Even then it was boxy. Even at shed prices i wouldn't want to be seen in one today!