How hard and expensive is converting a N/A to a TT?

[mike_latorrelovesnissan]

I am still in the market for a 300zx and i am probably going to end up buying a N/A 5 speed. I was wondering how hard it is to convert this into a TT version, and more importantly how expensive. All input would be helpful. Thanks.

[Zwicked]

Read the sticky post at the top of the main 300ZX forum page that covers this conversion.

Modified by Zwicked at 3:11 PM 5/16/2007
Modified by Zwicked at 3:12 PM 5/16/2007

[freakonaleash1187]

First word of advice, if you want a TT so bad, buy it in the first place. It will be cheaper and easier to buy a TT in the first place instead of buying a N/A and converting it.

[mike_latorrelovesnissan]

It really would be more expensive? I would have thought that converting it would deffinitely be cheaper. I guess Ill have to shop around a lot more because looking around now the only TTs I see are fairly expensive. Would the conversion be more expensive even if i got a hold of a decently cheap N/A and just put in the whole engine from a TT?

[Zwicked]

When you consider turbos are well over $1000 each, not to mention the million other parts you'd need and the time and perhaps the reliability, a tt isn't that much more to begin with

[freakonaleash1187]

Say you got a cheap N/A for $2k. If you go with a front clip (which is the easiest way), that will be about another $3k, and if you get a Z for $2k, the body will definitely not be in very good condition, so you would have to throw money at the body, and then you will spend a lot of money doing basic maint. items to the front clip. In the end, you will spend the same amount or more but you will have put a ton of your time into it when you could of just bought a TT in the first place. This is all assuming you do the swap yourself, you wouldn't even want to know how much a shop would charge to do the swap.

For example, if you send your Z to Z1 in Georgia, they will do the swap for you for $9k (includes the front clip)

[skitz047]

If you have time to do the swap youreself (and knowledge), it's really about the same amount to swap as it is for a good condition TT. Here's my plan. I bought my car for 4700. For the next summer and junior school year i'm going to work until i make about 6500$. I pour that into parts and do the swap in my uncles garage with him. In the enc, i will end up paying somewhere around 11k for a z with less than 60k miles, new turbos, new clutch, flywheel, spark plugs, injectors, ect. I'm hoping to be pushing well over 400hp. It's really how much time and love you have for the car.

[nsrZ32]

If you want a TT, the only sensible thing to do is to buy a TT. Conveting an NA isn't a good choice financially as it will undoubtedly cost you more. Save your money and buy the real thing to start with.

[tg]

The only advantage to swapping (assuming you do it yourself!) is you get to know your car alot better, and you can take advantage of having your engine out of the car to perform maintenance and any performance upgrades you might want. 90% of the time it will be more expensive to swap than it will be to buy a turbo out-right, but there's an element of fun and pride in doing a swap that appeals to alot of people. Most people that swap NA -> TT have immaculate NA's and want to keep that chassis but add another 200hp to the mix.

If you were to get the conversion done professionally it would cost you more than an entire TT just to convert.

Basically unless you find an NA in amazing shape and you can hook up a front clip for cheap along with the other parts you'll need, its not financially worthwhile.

[Zak427]

i just have to say i recently completed my swap. using a wrecked donar car.converted it from a auto to manual and a tt. after seliing parts back. and i still have some to sell. rear end, rims, a door, t-tops. so far the swap has cost me 1200 out of pocket. if your smart patient and do it yourself. it will be cheaper.and i ended up buying a clutch, motormounts, a/c piping, i later decided to eliminate. and 1 i/c pipe i had to buy. and if i can unload some more stuff the swap would run me even less......good luck

[Morph]

If you want a TT, the only sensible thing to do is to buy a TT. Conveting an NA isn't a good choice financially as it will undoubtedly cost you more. Save your money and buy the real thing to start with.

Agreed. Go with what you want dont settle.

[mike_latorrelovesnissan]

Ok after reading what all you guys have to say and looking all around the forum, I am just gonna try to buy an N/A. Im only 17 so having a N/A will probably be better to start out with. I have plenty of time to have a TT. Hopefully ill be able to find a pretty decent N/A and after i save more money, convert it to TT. OR who knows maybe ill come across a TT that ill just be able to buy straight up. Thanks for all your input.

[phanatikz32]

what about single turbo conversions? is it more affordable to do a single turbo conversion on a z32? what about just buying a greddy turbo upgrade kit? dont those come with all neccessary pieces to install turbos on your car? i know they use stock turbo manifolds but what stops you from just buying the turbo ecu, stock manifolds and radiator and hosing, the kits come with oil cooler, waste gates, turbo's, intake, intercooler and piping, etc. what else other than that do you need?

[Zak427]

what about single turbo conversions? is it more affordable to do a single turbo conversion on a z32? what about just buying a greddy turbo upgrade kit? dont those come with all neccessary pieces to install turbos on your car? i know they use stock turbo manifolds but what stops you from just buying the turbo ecu, stock manifolds and radiator and hosing, the kits come with oil cooler, waste gates, turbo's, intake, intercooler and piping, etc. what else other than that do you need?

MONEY