mcandrewsr

So I've become very bored lately, and I'm looking into getting an FD. Ideally, one that has a blown engine or something. So far the best one that I've found for a project car is one imported from japan. I'm thinking of possibly picking that one up, and doing the major job of swapping the RHD to LHD.

So my question, has anyone done this job before? I've been trying to find used interiors from a USDM car but haven't had any luck yet. Anyone know of a site that would sell the interior pieces? (main console/dash pieces/steering prats etc. )

Thanks

RotorRyan

iTrader: (3)

swapping a RHD to a LHD would not be fun, also i believe you would structurally ruin the car because you would have to cut new holes in the firewall and such. I heard a rumor about 1 company doing it but i never heard anymore about it. If it were me i would just buy a LHD FD, converting it will not be pleasant.

moconnor

iTrader: (14)

Please, please search.

And why would you want to do such a boneheaded thing? Ignoring the hundreds of hours of labour, and the fact that the parts costs alone would make the car far more expensive that a USDM version, when you are finished you would have a car that could not be legally registered in the US.

mcandrewsr

I'm not worried about the hours upon hours of labor, that's kinda what I'm looking for. Also, I live in Canada. Apparently we can legally register an imported car from japan.

moconnor

iTrader: (14)

Oh - I didn't see the Canada thing. However, there are much cooler projects that you could try if you are bored: 20b, LS1 conversions come to mind; custom v-mounts...

RotorRyan

iTrader: (3)

i live in canada and own a FD, and yes it is very easy to insure a FD with the 15 year rule. But converting it to RHD would be quite a project, but to each his own. It can be done, but why is the point.

bnaicker

Agree entirely, if your bored and want a project maybe you should look into buying a roller with a blown motor, there's a ton of self help info out there like websites, books and videos. And if you still get stuck, there's many people out there who know what there doing and could help you, where as with a LHD conversion very few people would know. Also i own a RHD fd, and along the years i have owned many RDH vehicles. Apart from making left turns at some intersections there actually really easy to drive. If you talk to RHD owners i'm sure they'll tell you the same thing. IMHO it's really not worth it to go down this route. Just my opinion though, gl with your choice.

revvvin7

Not knocking our cars at all but any kind of engine swap with a decent build is going to take you a while if you've never done a FD swap before....even then it still takes time. Your best best is to find one with a blow engine or a solid shell. Build from there.

SLOASFK

iTrader: (5)

The thing you have to understand is that LHD FD interior pieces are worth their weight in gold. Because there were less than 14,000 LHD FDs ever produced vs the 45,000+ RHD FDs produced, these little bits and pieces can cost you an arm and a leg.

If you're buying brand new FD interior parts, call Malloy Mazda for the best possible price, and believe me when I say it'd be cheaper to reconstruct an F430.

czwalga00gt

iTrader: (3)

Yep, just the gauge hood plastic cost me 320 from malloy. I shattered mine when removing the dash.


I'd go for a lsx swap.