ok guys, i'm going to be starting work on my ute in about a year and i would like to have a good idea of what the ca18det conversion will cost. if anyone could take the time to give a *relatively* detailed list of cost this would be greatly appreciated.

cheers
alex

Hey,
First how much are you going to do yourself??

Alex doing it yourself will be 10-13k rock bottom price

Wouldnt be that much would it?? Ive heard doing everything yourself including wiring would be 8 or 9??... Or maybe that was for sr 20

always times your estimate by1.5 to 2 so thats gives you a more realistic cost 12,000 to 16,000

Copied from a previous post........

Modified Engine cross member. $200

New gearbox cross member - Need to cut the old mounts out. $50.

Modify the transmission tunnell - I used a scissor jack then cut & welded to suit the CA18 box. Material.... Say $20.

Disc brake front end conversion - I went for SR20 disc's on 120Y springs. $450.

New battery box mount - Need to cut the existing engine bay battery mount out. Space! Material & welding rods... Approx. $30.

Diff conversion - I went for a R31 Skyline LSD, but just about anything will fit with engineering. $180 from wreckers + $500 to shorten + $500 to rebuild.
Alternatively - You can use the stock diff, but you'll have to nurse it with the CA.

Wiring Harness - Had Kev Rowley make one for me $400.

Tailshaft - Used a R31 Skyline They need shortening, but have the right bolt pattern for the R31 diff. $45 from wreckers + $400 to cut & turn.

Fuel Tank - You will either need a surge tank on the existing datto item which is a bit small, or an integrated fuel tank / surge tank. I used a R31 item..... Fits like it was made for it - You mount this behind the rear axle & the empty space where you remove the stock tank is ideal for a battery mount. $60 from wreckers + $80 for RHS & bolts to mount.

Hydraulic clutch conversion - Use Pintara hyd. clutch ass'y & mount to the firewall. $40.

Extended fuel tank filler & wiring - Roughly $150.

Radiator - I used an SR20 item. $120 from wreckers.

Intercooler - You can just a 65mm item sandwiched in between the radiator & the grill. $600 - $1000.

Intercooler plumbing - Looking at roughly $200 if you weld it up yourself (like I did).

Exhaust - Looking at roughly $1000.

Engine + Gearbox - Depending on availability & condition you can expect to spend between $2000 & $4000 - Make sure you get the computer & pollution gear + all other bits & peices.

Wheels & tyres - I used 14" skyline steelies & got out of it for $450, but you could easy spend $3 - $4K of flashy 15 inchers.

Speedo / Tacho conversion - I'm using a refurbished 1200 dash with Autometer guages $350.

Total = $9805

O.K so that's rough costs for changes you'll NEED to make..... As someone else stated, some of these parts are getting harder to find so more $$$.

There's also other things like oils, wiring, thermo fan, trim, boost controler, BOV, brake pads & rotors, radiator hoses, tyres, mod plates etc, etc that haven't been taken into account.
Trust me.... It adds up QUICK.

Of course this pricing doesn't included labour.... I'm lucky that I can do it all myself. I shudder to think if I had to pay someone.

Also haven't included paint & panel costs.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Coops.

this is all very interesting information. thank you all very much. my mates and myself will be doing all the work except wiring, but as mentioned in the previous post parts are getting harder and harder find i.e more money. anyway i'll let everyone know when it's time to start the project at least now i've got a good idea of what it's going to cost me.

cheers
alex

You can find more interesting info at this discussion: Conversion cost

i just spent 2gs on new suspension

struts
brakes
coilovers
strut inserts
rebuild of brakes n calipers
camber tops
reset leaf springs

thats just suspension i stil gotta do engine rebuild plus mounts and all the other fun stuff that comes along with it.

$ 10k and still an a15