Step by step instructions for sr20 swap. Anyone interested?

[dynaguy]

As a kid, I used to build model cars. They always came with a step by step instructions. Since many of us are doing these conversions, and some have done a lot, I was thinking how nice it would be to have an organized list of the general process. Spriso's DVDs have a wealth of info but finding what you need can be time consuming.

Things like frame and body mods. Throttle control. Wiring. Radiators. Air intake. Exhaust. RX7 rear ends. 300zx brake swaps and the like could be included.

This could maybe be a sub-topic in Engine Swaps category or a Tech Wiki subject.


Whatca think,

Pat Mahoney

finishing my s13sr20 swap this winter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RCMike]

A lot of that will be difficult because people have different ideas of what is required, what are fair prices to pay for these things, some items are not readily for sale, etc..

Also, we don't know where the car is to start, and that can make a huge difference.

Bottom line is everyone's path is different, so it would be an interesting exercise, but could never be complete, and would never fit everyone's situation.

[spriso]

Pat,

That was the purpose of this thread http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5128, still a long way to go to flush all the details out, but Mike brings up a good point, every swap is different...

I'm going to staring another one soon so I can attempt to get some more points documented as the project progresses along.

There is a TON of additional info that has been documented here on 311s.. just need to get it all in one place.

Michael

[Roman]

Well. If it were to be done, you'd be the guy to do it, Michael.

[bobd]

I would be interested in seeing various solutions to the coolant hose routing coming off the thermostat housing.

[S Allen]

Personally, I would like to see this in the tech wiki as that is a living document which can be edited at any time.

Steve

[spriso]

Lots of great info in this build thread:

http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... wap+spriso

Michael

[spriso]

bobd wrote:

I would be interested in seeing various solutions to the coolant hose routing coming off the thermostat housing.

95% of the lower water necks we build look something like this-- the final angle is determined depending on which radiator you decide to use.



In situ:



Hope that helps,

Michael

[dynaguy]

I thought this might start a discussion. As Michael said, there is a wealth of info on this site and his DVDs, just can be time consuming to sort through it all. I have benefited from many members input while working on my project. It would be nice to have some of the basics consolidated in some form.

For instance, Radiators and hoses. I found that some went the way of full custom ie: Ron Davis, while others used a Civic or 2000 unit. I personally chose a CRX racing version Civic with a high output fan. I have the source, part number and price paid for this set-up. Also can provide pics to show the end result.
It would be handy if those that went another way to offer their solutions.

My initial thought for engines wiring harness was to modify the OEM one I already had. I received hands-on instruction from Michael, the schematics and info on his DVDs gave me the info to do the mods. I decided that lacking the time and talent to do it properly ordered a custom one from Wiring Specialties. The harness Yuri made is great. My advise is, if you need something not off the shelf, custom, plan on a wait. His initial 3-4 week turnaround actually was nearly 4 months.

This is some of what I had in mind that might help others in the future.

Pat

[spriso]

There are a lot of talented builders out there who have come up with some great solutions to issues pertaining to the swap, but if you look carefully, no two swaps are alike--

Radiators have been a pain in the ass-- the Civic solution is good for most people, but I am not satisfied with them, and so I hesitate to recommend them to customers. We have a SR20-spec radiator that Ron Davis made for us with our mods, but the last quote I got from them was a staggering $1900 for a radiator, so we are not doing business with them anymore (especially after the last ones we bought were closer to $900). We are working on another solution for a radiator that we can offer our swap customers, but still aways out from being able to offer that yet. Another radiator vendor has burned their bridges with us as they gave away our propriety drawing, so we are done with them too.

Wiring is another tough one-- any swap car that we do that is a pre-68 gets an all new chassis harness as 99.9% of the time, the stock harness is junk. I have posted our wiring schematic that we do for the relay box here-- i'll find a higher res copy and link it later:



But again, there are hundreds of ways to do things! Taking time to stop and document this stuff is very time consuming and time is money. Our DVDs and the stuff documented here and on spriso.com is a great way to give you an idea how we solved a particular problem-- but there are lots of other ways to skin a cat!

Michael

[RCMike]

Somewhere I have the actual part numbers on the hoses, But Michael does the hoses different than Kevin, so my hoses will not go on Michael's cars, and vice versa..

My radiator is from CX Racing radiator for Civic del Sol, with a Spal fan. It was mounted by attaching L channel to the sides and mounting on the stock bars. Others use the same radiator, but add a Civic type mount system.. Again, different solutions for different cars and goals.

[pebbles]

Somewhere I have the actual part numbers on the hoses, But Michael does the hoses different than Kevin, so my hoses will not go on Michael's cars, and vice versa..

Im such a tight a$$, that I modded the in and out on the motor so I could use the same hose upper and lower,
lighten the load, for like, road trips and racing and stuff. No idea if its gonna work....
Obviously copying a Spriso setup, so im gambling on a yes....

[RCMike]

Im such a tight a$$, that I modded the in and out on the motor so I could use the same hose upper and lower,

Nothing wrong with that... Kevin and I went into AutoZone and found stock hoses that they carry, and which held the shapes we needed, so if anything goes wrong, I can get a new one and cut it out anywhere. I generally do not carry spares, even when driving to other states for track days. One of the nice things about the SR cars is they just work. Even crazy oddball ones like mine..

[dbrick]

Personally, I would like to see this in the tech wiki as that is a living document which can be edited at any time.

Steve

Might be useful to have some categories, like coolant hose routing, exhaust, intercooler plumbing etc. People could post brief summary and photos of different options can be next to each other, like Alvin's wheel thread.

[dynaguy]

That's what I had in mind. Helpful hints, here's what I did, what parts sources are available to choose from etc. If I were to start such a list #! would be: Hand your project over to the likes of Spriso or Kevin Desirello and let the magic happen. For the financially and mentally challenged as myself, having a consolidated resource would be very helpful.

Pat