Heys guys currently looking into getting a CA18 in my 1200. does it really cost 8k to get one in and running. i cant do much myself though as i dont have the tools etc.

if u can't do anything urself i would be thinking over 10 to be done properly...

There is a searh button over there

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And i would say it would cost around that for someone who doesnt know what they are doing

I hate to be a dragon, but when i asked on here and searched approximate cost's i was told 10k.Some may have done it for this, but majority will be significantly more .I say allow 20k. Then there will be less dissapointment. Do the basic maths, and it flys past 10k very quickly. My conversion is stock standard by the way, no aftermarket gizmo's.

thats buliding the whole car right, not just getting the engine in

the real clincher is being able to do lots yourself, which really isn't that hard. for example if you mount the intercooler yourself and do the piping yourself you could get away with a few hundred bucks. if someone else does it you may be up for a grand. wiring will cost you your time plus four relays and some fuses or maybe five hundred buck for a pro to do it. i did my conversion for under seven grand, including a hilux LSD and a fully rebuilt CA18 with a $1000 turbo, computer mods bigger injectors.

ten to twelve should be quite achievable, if its not i'm gonna start a business doing conversions!

If this stiff costs that much to do there would be a lot fewer swaps on the road. Its a matter of knowing how to use money wisely and if you can do things yourself you will save thousands. Check out grassroots motorosports magazine and thier $2000 challenge. These guys build incredible cars for less than $2000. Sometimes it seems that the more time you spend on something the less it will cost.

can someone give a breakdown of where the money is spent?
I know in the ford scene there are ppl who just get workshops to do all the work ($$$$$), personally I like to do every thing myself. The only thing I havent been able to do my self is tuning and the exhaust.

the motor isnt the cost, its the custom engine mounts, tailshaft dump pipe etc plus wiring intercooler/ radiator, i understand its expensive, but definatley worth it. just wanted to know if everybody saw it the same way. cheers

If you don't mind it not being the car you have now, look around for an unfinished project. I have just bought a '79 sunny with an SR20 conversion almost done and the body is all prep'd for paint for $4000. It might not be the car that I started with but if you take into consideration that a front cut is about $2500-$3000 and I would have to get a panel shop to do the body work and all the time spent on engine mounts, tail shaft and so on, I am saving about $3000.
But that money has since been spent on an Autometer dash and R31 diff and the list goes on.
Either way the end result is much worth the time and money, seeing the look on some dudes face as his SS or XR8 is being ass wooped by a datsun