S13 RHD Conversion Questions

[firefighter81]

Me and a friend of mine have been discussing possibly converting our S13's to right hand drive when we do our motor swaps. Because if we bought the full front clip wouldn't it include EVERYTHING we needed to do it? I mean we know it would be ALOT of work, but nothing real difficult, just time consuming. Has anyone done this? If so what problems have you ran into. Are there any special concerns that we aren't thinking of? If I do decide to do this I will keep everyone on the site updated as to progress, complete with pics and everything.

Thanks,Jason

[rudee023]

I guess the fire wall would be the biggest thing. No problem if you don't mind a lot of cutting and welding.

[firefighter81]

I'm not sure that I fully understand what kind of cutting and weldiong are we talking about here? I can see there may some cutting of the firewall involved, but what would I have to weld? Sorrt I'm just a little confused about what you are saying.

Jason

[wiwalsh]

From what I hear, the firewalls are different.... in otherwords you would have to relocate a bunch of crap to get it to work... and it wouldnt be just using another punchout in the firewall.... your would have to patch one side and cut the other..

just one question....... Why???????? If you want a RHD, just save your time an $$ and import a 180sx or a skyline for that matter.....

[firefighter81]

Well to answer the why question: It wouldn't be that much more money, if I already have a full front clip with all the parts needed to do it, why not? It will take alot of work and alot of time, but really it doesn't seem like it would be too difficult, I know good welders who could patch up the firewall real quick, no biggie there, and I have access to all the right tools and stuff. Also, yeah importing a 180sx would be cool, but I couldn't afford "custom car" insurance, that's how it would have to be insured. I've always wanted RHD, so I just figure, hell why not try it, it would be a fun (granted, tedious) project, and I think I would really enjoy it. I don't make alot of money right now, and I need to do everything on a tight budget, however I DON'T cut corners, I do everything correctly. But I see this as an oppurtunity to be that much more different from all the other cars around here. Right now I know of 4 local people with S13's with SR20DET's, I really don't wanna be the fifth without having something different about mine.

Thanks for the input so far, plz keep your comments coming, every little bit helps.

Thanks,Jason

[wiwalsh]

Well, Im looking at it from my perspective. I dont really want a RHD car. But if you want it!, Seriously, that makes it a cool project. Its all about the love for the car.

Just know that you are doubling the work load..... but if it would be worth it to you, hell yea, go for it.

Im probably just repeating what you already know, but you will have to replace the rack&pinion, move or replace the steering column, dash, ecu, fuse box inside car, clutch master and slave, brake master, custom plumbing (unless you can get what you need from the clip). You need a 180sx FSM to properly place the holes in the firewall (theres one on the web somewhere), all the cooling passages (HVAC)...... probably more that I havent thought of yet.....

If you can pull it off.... properly, it would be very different... and of course to finish it off, you need 180sx tail lights and a front end conversion.....

[nissanrcer240]

make sure you post pics of the progress, i think it would be interesting to see

[firefighter81]

Yeah, I don't know where I'm gonna find a 180sx factory service manual, ESPECIALLY one that I can actually read (and I don't know anyone who can read Japanese) I think I could kinda do it without the FSM, but not sure. But, yeah it should be a fun, cool project, and it is something I really wanna do. The tailight conversion and front end conversion would be coming after a few basic go-fast mods (downpipe,exhaust,FMIC,fuel pump). Most of the things you said I did already know, but still, it always helps to hear it from someone else, thanks for the input? Anyone else?

Jason

[wiwalsh]

Engine bay pic of RHD sr20http://www.users.bigpond.com/w...t.htm

FSM online!@!!!!! YAY I found it.... aussie version

http://www.silvia.hl.com.au/techinfo.asp

[Eklectrick]

also, you may get everything you need to do the swap from a clip, but it isn't all guaranteed (sp?) from what I understand. like you'll prolly get a dash, but maybe not, and it may be damaged. the gauge cluster may have been removed, and you prolly won't get a steering wheel. i suppose it depends on who you buy the clip from too. just something to consider.

[firefighter81]

Well the good thing is, My Mechanic has a near perfect right hand drive dash sitting in his storage shed that he had from a front clip he bought a while back, also many other misc parts, including the gauge cluster. Steering wheel should work from my current car, since I will be using the steering column that I have now. Any missing parts can be easily sourced through My Mechanic.

Jason

[firefighter81]

Ok well I decided I am DEFINETLEY gonna go through with this, as long as I get the legal ok from the WA State Vehicle Equipment lady, who has been on vacation all week and will be back Monday, OF COURSE. So once I get the ok from her I'm gonna start. The selling of my Talon is going well too, already have about 6 good offers on the table just waiting to see who is serious and who isn't. Thanks for all of your input, I'm sure I will be a frequent visitor of this board since I am now a fellow Nissan owner, and soon to be one of the few RHD guys on here :ylsuper

Jason

[Eklectrick]

Cool. Good luck to ya. I for one would love to see pics updating your process. You should know some people may not like your idea, but ignore them. You sound pretty commited tho and shouldn't catch too much flak as the haters usually hate on those who want to do such a thing, not those who actually follow thru on it.

[JJ240]

You will have alot more problems than you realize I think. Cutting all the holes in the firewall for the clutch cylinder and brake cylinder and steering column will be difficult since you have no clue where they should go beyond pictures maybe. The RHD dash probably doesnt attatch in the same spots as the left. Wiring may have to be extended, Your hardlines for the brakes and clutch will have to come from the RHD car and they may not be complete in the clip. I dont know why you would convert it to RHD when you are in america. I saw an integra that had that done and thought it was the dumbest thing ever. Why make things more difficult for yourself just to have the "JDM" RHD look. Its not even a JDM car anyway. Have fun driving through mcdonalds backwards and getting out of your car to punch in your carwash code.EDIT: call me a hater, but Im trying to keep you from making a stupid mistake. Youve got nothing to gain by converting a car to RHD in a LHD continent. Im confident you will regret the massive pain and trouble afterwards, if not halfway through the process.

[firefighter81]

Thanks for the praise Eklectrick. I really am looking forward to doing this. I know there will be haters out there, probably some saying I am stupid for doing this, but hey it's my car and I'll do whatever the heck I wanna do. So LAY OFF!

But seriously, once I get the ok from WA state I'm gonna start ripping out my dash and cutting out my firewall, don't be suprised if I take about 500 pics during the whole process, I'm gonna make a full website dedicated to things I have done to the car, because I know I feel way better about doing a mod when I have some sort of a guide to follow, or at least knowing someone else who isn't a certified mechanic can actually complete the job. So I'll keep you guys posted every step of the way. Hoping to have everything done (motor/transmission/RHD) by August. I work alot, so that will give me a couple-few days a week to work on it, or else I think I could have it all done with 10-12 6-8 hour days of solid work, maybe less. The car will still be dented up and needing a paint job, but who cares

JJ240: If I was doing this to impress you or anyone else out there besides myself and my close friends I wouldn't do it. I don't care what you think. You wanna know why I'm doing this? BECAUSE I CAN! That's all there is to it. I don't care about little things like drive throughs and I wash my own damn car. What's the big deal about leaning over to other side that rare few times I actually need to. I think this conversion will be cool, well worth it, and alot of fun, it will be a good learning experience. Also I don't have to worry about cutting holes, I'm cutting and rewelding the whole firewall. As far as brake lines go, thats fine, if they aren't complete I have connections who have connections who have connections to any part I may need. You might think I'm some newbie who hasn't thought this through and done real research, well, you are sorely mistaken sir. Have fun being normal. :rolleyes

Jason

[Eklectrick]

YWhy make things more difficult for yourself just to have the "JDM" RHD look. Its not even a JDM car anyway. Have fun driving through mcdonalds backwards and getting out of your car to punch in your carwash code.

For the fun of it! I always wondered what it would be like to drive on the right hand side. sure he's going the long way around to get that experience, but hey, his time his money, and if it works he'll make himself happy just to have accomplished it. and I think it would be awesome going thru the macdonalds drive thru in reverse.

[JJ240]

I see this the same as loud exhausts and stiff suspension and horrible idles. Its badass and sweet as can be for about 3 months, then its more of a pain in the *** and a headache than it is cool. The novelty is great, but its gonna suck as a daily driver.

[Eklectrick]

Bah!

[JJ240]

:rolleyes

[firefighter81]

JJ240: why are you such a downer dude? Seriously, why would it suck as a daily driver. I'm left handed as is, might take a week for me to get used to shifting with my left hand, if even that. The car won't be my daily driver, it will be split between the 240 and a little Nissan Sentra that I have. So say what you will, roll your eyes, whatever. Like was stated before, you are a hater, probably because you wouldn't have the commitment level and the patience to do this. Every downfall you have told me I have countered with why it won't be so bad. I KNOW FOR A FACT that this won't be a simple project, but heck, it's a learning experience and it will be FUN, I LIKE WORKING ON CARS, I guess you don't. I'll bet you are the same type of guy who would say "What you wanna drop in an RB25 into your 240? Your crazy, it will never work, too much work and not worth it" I might be totally wrong about you, but I see you as a guy who thinks the glass is half empty. Pessimist.

*Oh, and to the moderators, I am sorry about this rant, I just can't stand negative people, I'm done arguing with this guy.*

Jason

[JJ240]

Well Im glad youre done arguing since I never started. Too often people do things without thinking them through. You sounded like you were in that situation. Just because Im trying to make you understand why I think you are making a mistake doesnt mean It truly bothers me that you are doing it.