Help out the new guy...

[SR20DET240]

Hey guys.

I'm giving my current ride ('93 Cutlass given to me by my parents) to my little brother soon. I was looking for a 300ZX TT, but my friend Rob (Turbo Miata) showed me the May '02 issue of SCC with the Silvia conversion. So now I'm hooked.

Basically I want to know where the best place is to get the front half of a 180SX (a.k.a. "Half Cut") with the body panels and the SR20DET?

I already read the eBay warning. I'm also hooked on eBay, but the only way I would buy one on eBay is if I got it from a guy here in Chicago and I could inspect it and pick it up myself.

I know SCC says you can build a Silvia for $3k and thats not true anymore because the swap is so popular, but I don't want to spend a huge amount of money either. Thats why I'm coming to you guys with experience.

If someone has asked this question and it has been answered already, I apologize. Please just give me a link to the post. Thanks.

[SpeedRacer1]

The problem with half cuts is that they are rare, the easier thing to find is a front clip that comes with the engine and most other mechanical bits and pieces. They dont however come with body panals, if they do then its one of those rare gifts. Its easier to get the body panals seperately from the engine/clip. IMO the hardest parts to find for the body conversion are the hood and fenders. The other parts are a cakewalk since headlights, brackets and an aftermarket front bumper are the easiest parts to get.

[SR20DET240]

Okay thats cool. The guy at my local shop (Motorsport One6) told me to look for a halfcut.

Where is the best place to get a front clip then?

The only company I have found so far is: AfterDark Tuning

I can do the engine first and worry about the body later. Thanks.

[SpeedRacer1]

http://www.sr20store.com/http://www.srs ... otors.com/

Not sure about reputability of some of these. Though none are really close to you except after dark, id suggest going there if you want the complete engine. There is no need for a front clip if you buy the engine and it comes with everything you need. May save some money, may not.

[Daunttless]

It hasn't been possible to get a 3,000 dollar swap in a long, long time. : ) Also, it wasn't possible when SCC did it, they just got special prices. Also, we sell complete motorsets, not front cuts, but our motorsets are front clips without the frame. : ) I just don't waste the space and money to import the whole thing, however I do buy running cars in Japan, so all the engines are in great shape. : ) We sell the Silvia conversion also, its under conversions. Enjoy your day.

[SR20DET240]

Yeah, I'm looking to get the car and do the engine swap. My goal is to get as much done with about $5,000 then slowly go from there. I am a student who works part time so I can't afford everything all at once. I'll probably have to save some more money before I even start this. I'm looking to have everything by around spring break so I have a week to do the swap in case anything goes wrong.

[SR20DET240]

Hey, as far as turbo upgrading goes, do a lot of guys mod their stock turbos?

My friend Rob w/the miata has a modified t-25 that uses the intake turbine off a t-28 cause it moves more air. Is anybody familiar with this? What kind of power difference does it make?

[SrSLeePeR]

if you live in socal, I can get someone to swap it for you for $3000 for a redtop SR20DET.

[SR20DET240]

Location: Chicago, IL

(look left)

[SpeedRacer1]

Hey, as far as turbo upgrading goes, do a lot of guys mod their stock turbos?

My friend Rob w/the miata has a modified t-25 that uses the intake turbine off a t-28 cause it moves more air. Is anybody familiar with this? What kind of power difference does it make?

Some people will take the T28 off of an S15 SR20DET, this should raise the hp up to 50hp max but probably less. It is nearly a full bolt on affair but if you wanna know the technicals of it heres quick run through off of FA. Its a cheap alternative to buying an actual GT turbo.S15 turbo on an S13 redtop

I dont know of anybody that has wasted their time on a T25, since its usually way below what hp figures people are shooting for.

[SR20DET240]

thanks for the link!

Rob said the reason why hes got the T-25 exhaust turbine is because it spools faster so you don't get lag. I would think having a big t-28 intake turbine connected to the other end would make it lag anyway but he says no.

I'll probably just go for the T-28 when I do a FMIC.

I'm planning to do the swap like this:

1. Get 240SX2. Swap in SR20DET, do exhaust3. Do T-28, FMIC, and Silvia conversion4. See how much money I have and get injectors

This I think is a good plan but I have to get the $$$ and the car first. Just trying to do my reasearch now so I'm not jumping into something I know nothing about.

[SpeedRacer1]

just dont forget about the boost controller and fuel pump too.

[I H8 UR DSM]

nice avitar...

[SR20DET240]

yeah I'll pick up a 300zx pump and a boost controller.