RHD conversion (read before u say anything)
RHD conversion (read before u say anything)
ok ok , i did my search, i spent many nites up reading the results,i know that it is not easy, or extremely hard, i know some people don't think its worth it, and its a waste of money and time. this is my project car, and all the labor is going to be done by me, i am going to pick up a whole front clip. i am wondering if anyone have step by step pics of how they did it, all i found was one pic of the firewall welded it to the USDM firewall. it would be great to have more pics of how it was done.so please, i know that is't a waste of time, but all i am asking is some pics of the conversion, if there are some out there, i couldn't find it , if u would be nice enough to direct me , that will be great thanks
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masticatingcow
- Posts: 2338
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2003 8:39 am
- Car: 94 Mazda FD3S
Man, I searched for a while, but like you, I found very little. I would suggest that you ask Taylor_Durdan on the boards about his conversion.
I'm sure you know, but, front clipping is SO DANGEROUS! Even guys who have managed a successful RHD conversion will admit that they did everything to avoid simple front clipping. I would STRONGLY suggest that you get some real professional help on this.
After all, it is your project... and it doesn't matter what everyone else says. But I think that you'd want it done right.
I'm sure you know, but, front clipping is SO DANGEROUS! Even guys who have managed a successful RHD conversion will admit that they did everything to avoid simple front clipping. I would STRONGLY suggest that you get some real professional help on this.
After all, it is your project... and it doesn't matter what everyone else says. But I think that you'd want it done right.
thanks masticatingcow sorry , i guess i didn't explain my self clearlyi meant that i have a front clip , and want to transfer everything ova, i wasn't going to weld the front clip on, i know thats dangerous. thanks tho
Quote »Well at least the cops will have a hard time figuring this one out.[/quote] i was referring to this, whats there for them to figure out, thats what i was aking
Quote »Sweet, tell us when you get the swap done...post pics if you can.[/quote] i will, if i have some source to referr too, which is why i open this thread for, but its becoming like the others
Quote »Well at least the cops will have a hard time figuring this one out.[/quote] i was referring to this, whats there for them to figure out, thats what i was aking
Quote »Sweet, tell us when you get the swap done...post pics if you can.[/quote] i will, if i have some source to referr too, which is why i open this thread for, but its becoming like the others
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masticatingcow
- Posts: 2338
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2003 8:39 am
- Car: 94 Mazda FD3S
As far as what the cops have to figure out... NOT MUCH. They'll take one look at that car and they can cite you for a DOT violation. It's just like aftermarket exhaust... there are rules for how it should be done, and even if you do it so that it is LEGAL, a cop can cite you for the it... and you can't do S#!T about it. (Well, that looks like it's changing, at least in Cali.) Anyway, the firewall is an integral part of the chassis and any evidence of heavy modification can be cited. I mean, the officer doesn't even need to know what the DOT regulations on the firewall are... he can write you a ticket... it's up to you to prove him wrong, and it's usually a lot more of a hassle than you think.
It sounds like you want us to find you a FAQ or DIY guide to a RHD conversion instead of pointing you to where you can find some answers and continue your research. You know, most people see this as a pointless conversion. It's not a popular mod like the s13 Silvia F/E conversion... the only reason there are so many resources for the F/E conversion is because so many people are doing it. I cite the F/E conversion as a similar mod because regardless of what people tell you, most owners did it for the JDM look and nothing more. These is very little mechanical advantage to either this or the RHD conversion. But seriously, if a lot of US owners wanted RHD cars bad enough, there would be more resources for this project. But then again, would you want it if everyone else already had it?
Look, if you are serious about this conversion, if you want something your friends don't have and if you want something you can call unique, then you're going to have to go out on a limb by seeking out and contacting RHD-conversion owners directly. Taylor_Durdan is ONE of them.
Seek and ye shall find. They are out there.
Okay, come on... IS THAT NOT A SOURCE?masticatingcow wrote:I would suggest that you ask Taylor_Durdan on the boards about his conversion.
It sounds like you want us to find you a FAQ or DIY guide to a RHD conversion instead of pointing you to where you can find some answers and continue your research. You know, most people see this as a pointless conversion. It's not a popular mod like the s13 Silvia F/E conversion... the only reason there are so many resources for the F/E conversion is because so many people are doing it. I cite the F/E conversion as a similar mod because regardless of what people tell you, most owners did it for the JDM look and nothing more. These is very little mechanical advantage to either this or the RHD conversion. But seriously, if a lot of US owners wanted RHD cars bad enough, there would be more resources for this project. But then again, would you want it if everyone else already had it?
Look, if you are serious about this conversion, if you want something your friends don't have and if you want something you can call unique, then you're going to have to go out on a limb by seeking out and contacting RHD-conversion owners directly. Taylor_Durdan is ONE of them.
Seek and ye shall find. They are out there.
here's some pictures
The inside of the RHD Firewall
shapes are different on each side.
Behind the Dash. That's whats going to be the bestest part of it all.
cleared out engine bay
Cleared firewall from the inside
ditto
notice how 2 holes line up, but the wiper holes don't - ya, thats right, you should change over the wipers as well the difference between the LHD (white) steering column (AND BRAKE MOUNT) and the RHD mount (No extra brake pedal mount) ditto - those extensions on either side of the white one come down and the brake pedal bracket attaches to the studs at the end bad comparisson of the firewalls. just know the shapes are different enough that you cannot just cut new holes and fill in the old ones.
got holes? ditto
its 10,000x easier to remove the firewall from the clip, as you're not worrying about f-ing anything up, and you can just cut other **** out of your way. its a pia to cut on the car you intend on driving sometime in the near future. the pictures of the holes are simply raw cuts, which are going to be shaped soon. I really do not believe the firewall to be the hardest part. Time and interest are becoming the biggest issue. Interest started to waiver not even half way thru and work was haulted for a while as a result. I recommend you contact your state police prior to ever doing any work on the conversion, to see whether it will be road legal when it is done.
i still wish sometimes i never started, or even considered doing this, mostly because even though i can manage having no car, it still sucks, and on top of that, i'm itching to test out my CA18 and see how it runs.
please spare me any negative comments, as I was not the one to post the dreaded question about converting to RHD. I never did post one, infact, and have no intensions of ever doing so. thnx
Chris
shapes are different on each side.
Behind the Dash. That's whats going to be the bestest part of it all.
cleared out engine bay
Cleared firewall from the inside
ditto
notice how 2 holes line up, but the wiper holes don't - ya, thats right, you should change over the wipers as well the difference between the LHD (white) steering column (AND BRAKE MOUNT) and the RHD mount (No extra brake pedal mount) ditto - those extensions on either side of the white one come down and the brake pedal bracket attaches to the studs at the end bad comparisson of the firewalls. just know the shapes are different enough that you cannot just cut new holes and fill in the old ones.
got holes? ditto
its 10,000x easier to remove the firewall from the clip, as you're not worrying about f-ing anything up, and you can just cut other **** out of your way. its a pia to cut on the car you intend on driving sometime in the near future. the pictures of the holes are simply raw cuts, which are going to be shaped soon. I really do not believe the firewall to be the hardest part. Time and interest are becoming the biggest issue. Interest started to waiver not even half way thru and work was haulted for a while as a result. I recommend you contact your state police prior to ever doing any work on the conversion, to see whether it will be road legal when it is done.
i still wish sometimes i never started, or even considered doing this, mostly because even though i can manage having no car, it still sucks, and on top of that, i'm itching to test out my CA18 and see how it runs.
please spare me any negative comments, as I was not the one to post the dreaded question about converting to RHD. I never did post one, infact, and have no intensions of ever doing so. thnx
Chris
takumi604 wrote:dawg you are amazing, thanks man, see now people can search and find these pics, thatnks again, i want to ask u if its ok if i e-mailed you if i have any question? thanks man
p.s. can't wait to see more pics, if you have weld it on yet, thanks
i suppose you can, I don't know that I'll have answers to your questions though. Just make sure they're not off the wall. you can reach me here
masticatingcow wrote:As far as what the cops have to figure out... NOT MUCH. They'll take one look at that car and they can cite you for a DOT violation. It's just like aftermarket exhaust... there are rules for how it should be done, and even if you do it so that it is LEGAL, a cop can cite you for the it... and you can't do S#!T about it. (Well, that looks like it's changing, at least in Cali.) Anyway, the firewall is an integral part of the chassis and any evidence of heavy modification can be cited. I mean, the officer doesn't even need to know what the DOT regulations on the firewall are... he can write you a ticket... it's up to you to prove him wrong, and it's usually a lot more of a hassle than you think.
These is very little mechanical advantage to either this or the RHD conversion. But seriously, if a lot of US owners wanted RHD cars bad enough, there would be more resources for this project. But then again, would you want it if everyone else already had it?
Seek and ye shall find. They are out there.
You can probly register your car with a custom title ( how do you think the hot rodders can chop off the roof then shortin it and weld it back on and still have it street legal)
One mechanic advantage can be clearing both downpipes for the RB26DETT power-plant, if thats what your doing