Hey guys just bought a 2seater na and i was just wondering what i would have to do to make it a TT (should have asked this before i bought it :|)
This is likly the most covered question ever asked. Search will yield much clarity, and twinturbo.net has valuable archived information too. Clicky: http://www.z1motorsports.com/PDFs/NATTconversion.pdf But to offer another fish - My summarised hypothesis would be that you'd need to spend a rediculous amount of money and effort to do a proper conversion. Probably prove easier to trade it in on a TT.
Yes that did cross my mind but I kinda wanted to have it all done by me and my mates and thought it would be fun considering I have 2 years to build it and make it my own Should have searched this before posting sorry about that
Fun??:rofl: satisfying? yes. Painful? Yes expensive? Yes fun? Very little. I was looking into doing it to my na. imo just swapping in a new na engine is painful enough!
lol well not so much fun then, more of a yes i did the conversion and it works :O i was thinking of buying a tt half cut for roughly 2500 and starting from there but i was wondering if there is a difference in the steering or suspension on the na that will give me hell?
Wow, its like a loop. That just keeps on going. haha. To quote numerous others. The costs involved to do a successful swap would deem higher than most wish to spend. Cases have shown, with current zed resale value. That selling the na and buying a factory tt is the best place to start. The money spent converting the na to a tt, would be better spent on 'upgrades' to the already tt zed. Which in the long term, is better bang for your buck. You end up with a good platform, and more power than you would require for a first timer. Now, its been gospelised before, that if the na is a very very very good example. ei, paint, interior, undercarriage, etc. Than spending the money for a conversion would seem acceptable. As resale value for a pristine zed that just so happens to be tt. Is a much more desired vehicle. Being that you already spelled out that you didnt choose wisely when buying the zed. It would be a fair assumption to say that you're not entirely positive on what you wish to gain from the zed experience. If in the long term you wish to own a TT, that is sound, reliable and a pleasure to drive. I highly recommend just leaving the NA as is, drive it for the X years you need before your able to own a TT (from the sounds of it) and learn what it has to offer. You soon learn that things fail, break, fall apart, wear, cost butt loads to fix, fuel ect ect. Once you have these down pat, than owning and driving a TT would be a far greater experience for you, as you would appreciate what its offering. Not just the whim of saying, "oh yeah its a TT and its got boost". On the technical note, suspension is slightly different, sway bars, shocks etc are different between models. Also the breaks are bigger on a TT up front. There is hicas, pending model. And a few other little changes. Also $2500 for a complete front half cut is rather cheap. Very cheap. So i would imagine thousands more would be needed to get it to long term serviceable use. I'd recommend "searching" the topic a lot more before going any further and getting carried away. Its a nice idea to own a TT, but logic has to come into play. Its not just as simple swap over. There are heaps of little bits that need be sorted once the vehicle is even on the road. Sorry to be a bubble popper, but its best to know what you're getting into first. If once you're confident and have a plan of attack. I bid you good luck.
hmmmm hard to hear but is very true... i did originally buy the 2 seater for the na engine for my own but upon further inspection it was very straight and would have been a shame just have it scraped the only ding i had seen was on the rear quater and wont take match to fix . soo i had the great idea to do a tt conversion. plus i thought it would be better then just buying a tt seeing as most are thrashed out and turbo's need to be replaced and in need of the 100k service soo my bright idea was to just buy a half cut and start ripping into to the motor whilst it was out of the car replacing rubber hoses turbo's and doing the 100k change. seeing as what i have been told off here i seem to be very much mistaken tho i had estimated about 8 to 10 thousand including the car seeing as i only spent 500 for it or
over a period of 2 years that dosnt seem to bad seeing as im pretty good at saving when it comes down to my cars
In the long run it's your decision so don't let us be the people to bring down your hope and dreams. I mean we only spell it out this way as we see all too many zeds have good intentions but die out prematurely. So if the 2 seater is in good condition and you feel a cheap half cut with a few k thrown at it is ideally what you want to do long term. It's entirely of your own making. Tracking down a good tt though can be tough. As you said. Cheap ones are generally thrashed and need a bit of loving. So when you can, get a compression test done. Have a good look at it all and indeed when the time comes. Replace the timing components. Reco the turbos. Renew and reroute the rubber lines. All the small things that cost you enough for security and longevity. I mean we have a hand full of people pushing high numbers with an uncracked stock engine. So it's doable. But definitely do your homework. It will save your ass and wallet later down the track. On a less doom and gloom note. Upload a pic or two of the zed. Is it a targa or slicktop? If slick. I can see where your dreams are leading.
There's not much I can add to the answers here except expect to spend a lot, and I mean a lot. I've lost count and my engine isn't even in. Mind you I'm chasing high HP, even so, it will cost plenty and you'll have to have a good crew behind you. Do your research and have a good idea of what your up against before doing anything. For what it's worth, find a good TT here.
This is what I would do Find/wait for some one selling a rooted tt engine, buy it for cheap circa 1000. Then pull it apart, take Bottom End to Someone who knows zeds and does rebuilds, supply them with a new oil pump, crank sprocket, necesary gaskets etc get them to bore, hone, deck then the will source rings, bearings and reassemble. Wrap it in cling wrap and mount it on an engine stand in your garage/shed. Now that u have spent close to 3 grand give it 6 months (so bank acc recovers) then take the heads to get rebuilt. Once rebuilt back to mechanic to put heads on along with pulleys,covers etc. Now u have a long block (estimated cost to date 4.5 to 5 grand) leave it 6 months and send turbos away to get rebuilt/highflowed Cost 1500-2000 grand. Put the turbos on yourself hook up oil and water lines pull your na out of zed use the na ps pump choose best air con pump, clean up engine bay, reroute, delete stuff what ever. It costs more alot of work but u will end up with a clean tt that if maintained properly will around along time you also get knowledge and confidence to fix it in future if something goes.
yeah it is a slick top 2 seater in pearl white most of my mates are mechanics and one is a engine reconditioner (mates rates gotta love it) can you guys clear somthing up for me im under the assumtion that the 2+2 is a better handling car because it is longer and the 2+0's rear end is more snappier around corners
to be honest i dont mind spending big money on my 300zx's they have been my dream car ever since my old man bought a 25th
im 1.5 years through my TT swap. wasnt chasing huge power (280-300rkwk) and reliable somewhat. spent more than i though, by about 30x lol, and was way more involved than first though.seeing as the 300zx was my first car, and me having little to no knowledge about cars, it was a learning experience i tell you that. its proved invaluable to me, the things / friends i made doing the swap. would i do it again? probs not. its cheaper / easier to sell an N/A and buy a TT but i loved my shell too much, i presume its the same with you. good luck anyways! its not that bad once you get stuck into it..
mr zedx its is very much the same i have my daily which is a beaten up zed with front end damage and only 4 gears lol but wouldnt trade it for the world it would be alot cheaper for me to sell it and buy one in good condition but i like it and thats all that really matters to me. 30x what you originally expected i hope you expected to spend thousand lol i'm hoping to spend around 10 or soo on the coupe and 6500 on the 2+2 thats not inculding maintaining them hahahaha
