My brother and I have just started a restore on a 1200 coupe, And we're wondering where and how to begin. We have pretty much stripped the interior - there is no motor in the bay. All of the brake assembly is still in place, diff and cross member are still there aswell. Our intentions are to make it a hill climber with small outlay. So we need to fix some minor rust issues paint it and hopefully put a fj turb's under the bonnet.

So my question is where would you start?
this will be our first project and we are just looking for some tips for beginners.

if ur gonna put a FJ20 in the best place to start is to move the firewall back 60mm then remove the tunnel out to the rails underneath then start making a new tunnel from scratch i hope u aint in a hurry to go racing

Hey, I'd start by mugging chooch and making away with his FJ and turbo set up! There is no better motivation than to have a FJ on the engine stand next to the car... Ideas of where to begin will start flowing. Believe me!! Cheers. Adam.

Oi adam, What do ya reckon about the firewall mod?
Do you think this is needed? or can you get away with engine bay room with no mods and fitting a smaller box like a supra five speed or something....

two words "tape measure"

but hell go for it

hmmm. That kinda sucks.....
I will have to start looking at smaller motors no
doubt. I'm not quite prepared to start munching away
at the firewall for my first go. I'll just stick to carpet for the time being.

go the good old ca18. they are much lighter than the FJ which means better handeling and you will still have more power than you need

Oi adam, What do ya reckon about the firewall mod?
Do you think this is needed? or can you get away with engine bay room with no mods and fitting a smaller box like a supra five speed or something....

yes it is needed or i wouldnt have said it i have done a couple but by all means try to fit it without

As a first project, I would suggest that you try and keep it as stock as possible. At least this way you will have something to aim for. If you get stuck, help is just a flick of a Gregories manual away.

definately no firewall mods needed, I know a bloke with an FJ20 turbo in his ute and he did not need to modify.
Also no mods needed to modify the tunnel (even when using smaller manual tunnel)when using a R32 GTS-T gearbox wih an FJ bellhousing. its a strong box as well as having the space to fit.
I have an Sr20 in my 1200 with one of these boxes and no mods needed at all.