Hey guys I'm starting my projec of an sr into my little ute. I've been going through and haven't found too much yet, can anyone give me some hints and tips that will make m life easier.

I wouldn't consider myself a mechanic, moreso a mug chanic. I'm planning on getting most of my bits and pieces through maddat hopefully making it easier.

My aim is to have it done prior to march next year.

Anyone who wants to help your more than welcome. I'm sure there'd be a carton around.

Might want to check with your state rules first. Most dont do 2L turbos. Wait are you australian?

Yeah mate I've found an engineer who will do the mod plates for me.

i'd get a consultation done by your said engineer first off more than anything and get him to sign off on the consultation thus advising of everything he wants done for the car for registration then you have a peice of paper that says it will be engineered to these certifications from that date and if rules and regulations change you can still finish it...

It's very ambitious of you to want to get it done by march next year, if you are no mechanic and only doing work on it after hours..

Have you got everything for the swap as of yet??

You need to modify or change the crossmember, the tunnel, gearbox cross member, have the tailshaft shortened, depending on the diff you are using that shortened as well, different brakes and suspension all round, steering setup, exhaust and mounting, different gauges, hydraulic clutch and the list goes on and on.. alot of these thing's you want new cause no engineer is going to pass it unless it meets the requirements

Other costs, welder, gas for the welder specialty tools unless you can borrow this off a friend

Have you priced up what you want to do cause not being very mechanically minded along with fabrication and electrical this swap if buying parts from maddat is easily going to set you back $10-$15k

Hell this swap alone for me in my spare time would take me 6-8 months plus unless you know what your doing with the electrical and researching and understanding the engine most people get stuck just on electrical

thats the hard realization you need to take into your mind if you go ahead with it

I've priced up the bits and pieces from midday, 12,745 for nearly everything. And I've found some half cuts around the 3k mark. All tools and what not If I don't have them I can source them from other mates.

That's a bit of a shame, I thought that was plenty of time. SO a better goal would be Christmas next year.

When I say mug chanic I have some knowledge and can work my way around a car, I just generally do things he hardest way possible and then back track.

Thanks or your advice Loosekid

If I had mine to do over again I would go the half cut or a full Silvia. Electrical is what did my head in. I finally put the Silvia loom in (removed wiring for heater and door controls). It still took time as the ECU needed to go under the passenger seat and i had to lengthen the loom ... a pain to say the least.

good luck anyway... I will watch your build thread

Above all, what you need is creativity. All the other skills are very helpful but you need to be creative with your build. Most people just don't do it because they can visualize it.
I pretty much had my build done in my mind before I even started.
Persistence and patience helps as well.

You need a lot of motivation as well. It'll take so much more time and effort than you think (at least that's what I find). There's so many small things you don't even think of that take a long time to sort out. Goals are good to keep you working.

There's a balance between cost and buying bolt ons. If you try make everything it'll be cheaper but take forever to finish. If you can afford it buy as any pre-made (pre thought out) parts as you can. I also think it's worth paying people to do the bits you don't like (helps with the motivation).

Most of all good luck and enjoy it!

Good going mate, would like to see the pictures when your project gets over.