E30 with SR20DET

[winx]

I'm tempted by the August trackday, a mate is having his stag do out there in early September though...

If that's the stag I'm hoping to go to (oops forgot to send my deposit!!) Can I please have a ride? (in the car )

[Theo]

Yeah of course!

I just got sent this photo - I don't think the slogan on the gantry could be more apt!

[gareth]

that's awesome, and now my new desktop background!

[benzz280]

Dear Theo325,

I am looking to do the same swap. Would you recommend going with halfcut or just engine, tranny, ecu & wiring only? Back here in Indonesia there is a huge price difference between halfcut & engine tranny only and looking at your conversion, seems like you didn't use any other components besides the engine, tranny, ecu & wiring, so it wouldnt justify buying a halfcut is what I am thinking as I am not doing 200SX to 200SX swap anyway. Highly appreciate your input. Thanks a lot!

[Theo]

I wouldn't bother getting a halfcut - alot of it isn't going to be any use to you.

Like you said, the only parts you need are the complete engine with wiring loom and ancillaries, gearbox and the propshaft.

[benzz280]

Thanks for the quick reply Appreciate it. Didnt you have your propshaft custome made? And what do you mean by the ancillaries? Thanks again!

[Theo]

The prop was custom made but it was done using the front section of the original Nissan propshaft.

Ancillaries are just things attached to the engine (alternator, steering pump etc)

[benzz280]

Fantastic! I'll be sure to look out for the propshaft then. Thanks a bunch! Your car is definitely my inspiration

[Theo]

Thanks!

Let me know if you have any other questions and i'll try and help.

[n1tr0_9]

I still have all the wiring info written in my notebook

[benzz280]

I still have all the wiring info written in my notebook

will you be so kind enough to share that...

Theo325, another that comes to my mind, are you using stock steering rack? I didn't think I read anything about it here...I plan to swap e36 or z3 rack and wonder if I will have clearance problem with the sr20...thanks!

[Theo]

The car has an E46 M3 steering rack fitted, no clearance issues whatsoever thanks to the exhaust being on the opposite side.

[benzz280]

SUPERB thanks mate!

[aluntirlan]

Hi Theo,

Thanks for you reply - I just saw it. I've been off here for a while cause my wife had a baby and things have been frantic.

Car looks awesome. I still have my S14 sitting on in my mate's yard waiting for the E30 transplant to begin. Did you manage to get hold of some engine mount templates/measurements?

ta - alun

[Theo]

Thanks alun, congrats on the baby.

I've not got the info you're after BUT, I'm planning on taking the engine out and making some new engine mounts. At present my mounts are sandwiched between the poly e30 engine mount and the original nissan engine mount bracket which isn't ideal - although they have been fine on three trackdays. I want to make a single metal mounting arm which will be stronger, neater and lighter. I'll gladly take measurements then.

[aluntirlan]

Cheers - I'd really appreciate your help on this.

Regards - Alun

[Theo]

I've began the list of jobs I mentioned on the previous page. Rollcage, passenger seat and dashboard are out so I can see better what needs to be done with the wiring. I started by removing all the central locking wiring and solenoids and also the electric mirror wiring - the car is now a couple of kgs lighter.

I've also pulled out the uber heavy dury battery and cable from the boot and plan to replace it with a nice lightweight battery located behind the passenger seat. I was thinking of a Varley 25 of Odyssey 25 but then I noticed that Rally Design sell their own brand battery for only £50+ vat which only weights 5.4kg. Anyone got any experience with any of these batteries?

I'm replacing the recling Cobra passenger seat with a much lighter Motordrive seat which matches my drivers seat. I'm also getting replacing the drivers harness with something a bit nicer. My old Sabelt 2" 6 pointer was made in 1991!

I've fitted 5 plus flush aerocatches to the bonnet but haven't yet mounted the pins to the car body, this is going to require a bit of fiddling.

I'm hoping to get everything done by the end of the month. I do have a history of missing these targets though!

[Theo]

My cat decided to check out why I was sat in my car swearing loudly, he looked at me disapprovingly, sat on my passenger seat, licked his arsehole for a short while and then buggered off.

He returned 10 minutes later and presented my with a dead rabbit (probably thinking it would take my mind off the wiring I was battling with). He's now taking great delight in chewing the bunnys head off.

[gareth]

Subtle! I have yet to find a bit of pussy that approves of spending sunday tinkering with an old car!

[GeoffBob]

Great work Theo. Next time, stroke that pussy while its on the passenger seat and then it won't need to make do with a rabbit while you work on the car

[keri-WMS]

...ere, did the guys mind you not having door cards when you were at the 'ring? I thought you now needed to retain them to prevent leg injury if you bin it?

[gareth]

...ere, did the guys mind you not having door cards when you were at the 'ring? I thought you now needed to retain them to prevent leg injury if you bin it?

Good point, however the rules are a lot different on closed track days and touristenfahrten.

[Theo]

I can't comment on how strictly the marshalls enforce the rules regarding doorcards as I only drove during a trackday. Not touristfarting. You are also meant to have rollcage padding fitted but I saw people driving around without it. I also saw people with conventional bonnet pins covered in tape when the scare mongerers has said that this will no longer be tolerated and that flush fitting bonnet pins must be fitted instead.

Furthermore, I saw some total sheds lapping during TF which was something they were supposedly clamping down on.

[keri-WMS]

My shed has been condemned!

[gareth]

Furthermore, I saw some total sheds lapping during TF which was something they were supposedly clamping down on.

What no more of this sort of thing?

Shame

[Theo]

I rekon the Rover would be fine, Keri's Civic on the otherhand...

[gareth]

Bwaaahahahaaa!

[keri-WMS]

Bit the dust at the MOT - it needs a new backbox ("too loud"!!!!!)....and that'll cost more than the car's worth. Even as a disc transport shed.

Plus neither brother has a car I can ram at the moment without getting moaned at, bring back the Time Of The Tanks!

[crossie]

are you coming out on the 23th august to the 2nd track day at the Nurburgring??

[Theo]

[aluntirlan]

No worries mate,

The Nissan S14 is still sitting in one piece in my mate's garage and my E30 is still waiting for it's new motor. We have all the bits and pieces we need, but not enough time in our lifes to make a start! Just out of interest, what ratio diff would you recommend to mate up with the nissan box (the car will be only used on tracks/hillclimbs - no road use at all)?

Cheers - Alun

http://e30racecarbuild.blogspot.com/

[Theo]

Looks like a cool project Alun, will keep an eye on your blog.

I rekon a 4.10:1 final drive would do you nicely, would need to be a medium case type to cope with the torque. They're rather hard to get hold of though.

I've got a 3.91:1 in mine and it's just right for a track car which is also driven on the road. 7000rpm in 5th is 150mph.

[aluntirlan]

Thanks Theo,

We really do hope to make a start on the conversion soon.

Alun

[crossie]

What other cars have you got apart from this on Theo?

[Theo]

Pug 406 HDI 110 and E30 M3 with Hartge H36 conversion (3.6 litre M5 engine)

Neither of them work at present.