I've been waiting to post in here as i've been doing research for the past 2-3 weeks on the 20B and performing an installation. I'm still searchin the archives and the net, getting as much info as i can before i start the process. I plan on getting a S5 or 88 FC TII to transplant the 20B into. This whole process probally wont happen till spring time. I'll be shipping off to the military some time next winter ( jan-march....not my choice if a spot opens up sooner i'll go but i gotta wait) so i'm going to try and get the car running atleast before i ship off. anyways enough about my life story, i have quick qeustion. How many of you actually did the swap yourself, and how many sent their car away to a shop? I'd really love to do this myself, but my only concern is this is alot of money to have something go wrong. Alot of it will be a learning experience if i do this myself, which is no problem, i'd perfer this so i know everything inside and out. Like i said my concern is, if i tune something wrong and ruin the engine, so my logic is have a pro do it. I have access to proper equipment a big enough garage, people who have experience with FD's (mostly just FD's) , along with experience fabircaters ( he restores classic cars in his spare time). I realize i just went on a long tangent, but any input would be great.

 

Most of mine was done by various contractors. There are a lot of things I can't do, such as weld aluminum or stainless steel, machine the counterweight, fabricate custom engine mounts, install a race-legal rollcage, etc. I think that most people can't do these things. A lot of work that I can do myself was also contracted out because I was out of town or out of the country, which is something that you will soon understand.

Bad idea. Parts and pieces degrade when sitting around idle. Don't even bother with the project until you have some time to work on it. Just save your money so you can order things when you need them.

Yes, and I guarantee that you will do at least one thing wrong that will end up costing you a lot of time and money. That's reality.

FYI the 20B conversion is over $35,000 if you have a professional shop do all the work.

If you want to save yourself a lot of time and take advantage of somebody else's lost money, this car is for sale:
http://www.efini.net/rx7s4sale.htm

 

I want to second what he said. (Especially the part about saving time and money by buying my car. )

Seriously, it took Peter Farrell, a knowlegable and experienced professional with the resources of a race shop and several talented employees NINE MONTHS to do the conversion.

 

thanks for the input. I geuss i can pick up the FC, and just do minor things before i get shipped off. ie suspension, drivetrain etc stuff i can do in preperation. Or would i be better off waiting to do that? I'll be petty officer after BUD/s so thats 3k+ a month, plus bonuses and what not. So i'm going to take your advice and save as much i can. Maybe if i do get enough i could buy that nice car of yours . I've been searching around for shops just a little bit not to much, i know perter farrell is very reputable and have only heard good things. I've looked at mazadtrix in ausie, and the rx7specialist, i'm not sure if i'm confident in there abilities. One more question, any recomendations of a shop to use?

 

Peter has stated, firmly, that he doesn't want to do any more 20B conversions. Of course, you could wave a bushel basket of hundred-dollar bills under his nose and see if he changes his mind.

The nearest shop for you that I know of would be Mariah Motorsports. When I talked to Jim Hagerty (about 5 years ago), he quoted me a price of $36,500 for a complete conversion. I imagine Pineapple Racing could do it. I've heard nothing but good things about them.

You're still better off to buy mine, since it's built and sorted out.

 

BUD/s, huh, another SEAL in the making. I salute you!

 

Attila, why are you selling it?

 

I have four kids in college. I need cash more than I need a fabulous car.

 

thanks.
were you ever carsalesmen your pretty good at pushing a sale I'd love to buy your car, but if i had a problem getting loan for a 94 FD lol, i think that supercar is out of the question unless i came up with cash. If its still for sale by the time i have a large sum of money, your damn straight i'll snap that baby up!

 

I will echo everything that has been said here. Even though my project is nearing completion and the car is soon to be back on the road, if I would have known what I know now, Attila's car would have been a very serious consideration. This project has taught me one thing: This is the last custom project I will ever involve myself with. That, and I'll be hanging on to this car for a very long time!!

 

so, in short, this swap is probably not good for a college student... (me)

 

I'd tottaly love to get his car, course i geuss if i can't supply the funding to buy that, i supose theres a correlation in me funding the project to.

 

Thank you for your testimony. Evil Aviator and I have been telling people that for a long time.

 

Regarding your most recent comments, above:

Ah, grasshopper! You have acquired much wisdom.

 

Thank you for your kind wisdom, sensei .

I slowly learn much 20b-fu here...

 

No, it's just going to be more junk you need to haul to your next duty station, assuming you can even bring it along to your next duty station. As a military professional, you need to have a contingency plan in case things don't work out as planned. The last time I checked, BUD/s didn't have a very high graduation rate. Also, our country is currently at war, and there is no telling where you will end up if you do graduate BUD/s. I think you are better off with as little baggage as possible at this point. The good thing is that you will save a lot of money during training and deployments because you won't have a chance to spend it. I had about $10,000 extra in my bank account at the end of my initial military training, and I saved a serious amount of money while performing missions in combat zones because of the tax-free status.

 

the key words being "sorted out"

mike

 

Thanks, ya i figure i'll go OS for my source rate. Failure really isn't an option, the only reason i'm joining is for BUD/s...anyways i might just stick with my orginal plan of picking up a lil crotch rocket while in the service since i really wont be travelling much in my own automobile. What did you do in the military? hehe maybe i'll have enough saved up to buy attilas car buy the time i get out assuming its for sale still (doubt it)

 

OS

 

Six months and counting. Once the twins graduate and I have ONLY two kids in college, there will be a lot less pressure to sell.