67.5 sr20 swap

[pebbles]

.....a year later. Any progress?

I'm seeing a lot of SR20 conversions started, but none finishing......

Shipwright's Syndrome, and, in its more serious condition Shipwright's Disease, is a highly infections condition that breeds in classic sports cars.

Very few people are immune.

It's symptoms are an ever increasing amount of time spent putzing around on your automobile, and an ever decreasing bank account. The most serious cases are reported when an infected individual goes to replace a burnt out turn signal light, and, then, many hours later, usually early in the morning after forgetting to go to bed, he or she finds the body off the frame, wondering "Whatever have I done ?" or, in even more serious cases "OK, what's next ?".

There are self help groups, where infected individuals gather to discuss their most recent relapse. They disguise themselves as car clubs and the like.

CAUTION : There is no known cure!

[ppeters914]

...and you should know. Sunday you casually said a conversion is a lot of time. Quite the understatement! I spent part of the afternoon reading your threads on your SR20 conversion and Andy.

I had no idea you'd been at this since Oct 2010.

[pebbles]

3 to go, halfway there.

[sfdaugherty]

I've been working on mine since 2009 but am shooting to have mine done for Solvang next year. I enjoy working on it and I'm having fun. I don't want to get in a hurry so that it is no longer enjoyable. I also only spend so much per year on it.

I now have the rx7 differential installed, panels aligned and side trim installed, driveshaft rebuilt, gas tank mods done and inside cleaned and lined, new windshield and restored trim done, dash cover on, and Stewart Warner gauges in, plus a ton of little stuff. My ISIS wiring system and touch screen are on their way to me and distributor cap and wires from Japan have been on order for weeks. Miata leather seat covers will be ordered this month. The last big ticket item is the Vintage Air Gen IV HVAC system which will also be controlled by isis. I can see the end in sight. Hopefully I will be able to get it running in a couple months (punch in my code on Isis and press ignition and start and away I go I hope).

Bottom line is it is a ton of work and takes time (if you have a life and a job). It also takes a lot of money. If you have more money, you can pay others to do the work and be done faster.
Shannon

[Ed Mason]

I have my engine (sr20 det s14 version) installed, radiator, intercooler and all plumbing installed, turbo downpipe installed, body back on with engine compartment painted, all engine wiring to firewall complete. Currently wiring in relay box. No gauges, no body work, no chassis wiring. Bottom of body complete, frame painted, front suspension complete and painted. Fuel lines installed on frame. In tank fuel pump installed, need to paint fuel tank and install. I plan on installing an early 240z ignition switch/lock on my steering column using some spacers I made to make up for the larger diameter 240z ignition lock. Looks a lot like the original 67.5 assembly. A lot easier to find a 240z ignition lock than a 67.5. Still debating which gauges I want to use. So I can't install a fuel level sender until I decide which gauges to use. A long way to go, but getting there.

[ppeters914]

Most of y'all seem to have two roadsters; one to drive whilst you convert the other.

[sfdaugherty]

Pete:

Having a second roadster to drive is part of the reason I can take my time for the conversion. If this were my only roadster, I'd be more motivated to get it done more quickly. On the other hand, keeping my other cars on the road takes time away from working on the swap.

Ed: I mapped your location this morning . . . 177 miles. I wish you were closer. Are you planning to be in Williams in October? Maybe we can meet.

Got an email from RHDJapan this morning. . . my distributor cap and spark plug wires are on their way. Impossible to find these parts in the US (for the S13de). Progress!!!

Shannon

[Alvin]

.....a year later. Any progress?

I'm seeing a lot of SR20 conversions started, but none finishing......

LOL Kevin Desirello did his in 2-weeks

[Gregs672000]

I've been hearing the parts for the SR motors and the motor themselves are becoming scarce, at least in the Northwest? Just thinkin about Pete and his motor choices.

[Alvin]

I've been hearing the parts for the SR motors and the motor themselves are becoming scarce, at least in the Northwest? Just thinkin about Pete and his motor choices.

simple.
Do a KA.

[fj20spl311]

Pete:

Having a second roadster to drive is part of the reason I can take my time

On the other hand, keeping my other cars on the road takes time away from working on the swap.

Shannon

So very true.....

[Alvin]

I've been hearing the parts for the SR motors and the motor themselves are becoming scarce, at least in the Northwest? Just thinkin about Pete and his motor choices.

Speaking of KA's, have you raced Tacomaboy yet Greg?

[sfdaugherty]

LOL Kevin Desirello did his in 2-weeks

If I upgrade to an S15de in a few years, I may just drop it off on Kevin's door and tell him "make it go".

I think SR20det parts are easier to find than SR20de parts. SOME parts are the same but many are not and MOST of the FWD parts won't fit.

I ordered a distributor cap from three places in the US that showed it on their website. All three cancelled the order and said it was NLA. The price for a cap and wires sent from Japan was ridiculous but should last my lifetime. I looked at replacing my distributor with one from a KA24 (which I have) but the wiring plug is different and I really didn't want to go there. The rotor was easy to source (may be the same as the KA24).

Shannon

[ppeters914]

Since we've already hijacked Harrison's thread (that'll teach him not to post updates! )....

Second roadster is grounds for divorce! I've already agreed (kinda/sorta) to get rid of the 411 to focus on the roadster. Still have the 914....er....914 project.

I was hoping to do a quicky/cheapy R16 rebuild (hone, rings, bearings, gaskets, BAM!), but all my rebuild candidates (see "A Tale of Five Motors" posted elsewhere) have required boring.....which means pistons....3-main bearings and R16 pistons in general are stupid expensive.

Attempts to find a running R16 in the PNW have been unsuccessful. I'm also gun-shy of another POS engine.

The last engine I rebuilt was a Ford 302 V8 in the late '90's, and I'm suffering sticker shock on current machine shop costs. Rebuilding a R16 is about the same cost as a complete SR20DE w/ trans. Whilst reinstalling a R16 (stock or stroker) would be easiest, I'm struggling w/ spending the extra time & money and going KA/SR. And I'm just talking functional: start, stop, electrical, heat, wipers. I'll drive it looking like crap, and save my money to make it pretty later.

At the same time, we're trying to refi the mortgage right now to take advantage of lower rates to roll in costs of roof, deck....AND A NEW GARAGE!!! This will halt any major work for 3-6 months.

Been reading and rereading all the related project posts plus emails on the side to try to make a better informed decision that works for me.

Heavy sigh.....

[sfdaugherty]

Since we've already hijacked Harrison's thread (that'll teach him not to post updates! )....

My fault . . . sorry. I need to start a thread on my build even if it is only 10 months from being done (or at least driveable).

Second roadster is grounds for divorce!

When I bought my fourth roadster, my fiance got a fourth dog. I sold one car and looked at her and realized that my logic was flawed (we still have four dogs).

Believe it or not, I will only have about $10K more in my SR20 swap than I have into my red 69 2000 (the one in my avatar). Of course every single bolt in the blue car (my SR swap) has been touched and probably replaced and everything has been painted, powder coated, chrome plated, ceramic coated, or zinc plated. My donor car was nothing but boxes of parts and I took it home INSIDE a uhaul truck. I literally built it from the frame up (althought the previous owner had started the swap and had done a wonderful job modifying the frame following Spriso's recommendations).

Shannon