New Member RX-7 Technical Post your first technical questions here, in an easy flame free environment, before jumping into the main technical sections.

Mabey I'm CRAZY to try this conversion

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 01:53 PM
  #1  
Buttwete's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Ozark NOT AR
Talking Mabey I'm CRAZY to try this conversion

I am wondering about a lhd to rhd conversion, as I need to upgrade my n/a motor and am going turbo in my 87. I can find jdm complete frnt clips for a good price, considering all the electrical parts I need for my car. IE: control board for warning lights and buzzers, heater controls and the like. I would have all the extra parts I need, providing they are good along with engine, tranny, front hubs and more. Where my big question is, would the rhd parts be a bolt on or are the frnt subframes different in the drive side application. As I am one that likes to be different, and building a driver/show car I am considering the rhd conversion to have a different breed of animal. the frnt clip has all parts from steering wheel forward. So do they fit without major parts changes? Thanks in advance for any help provided.
87 RX7 BASE N/A: THIS ONE SUCKS
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 02:09 PM
  #2  
Aaron Cake's Avatar
Engine, Not Motor
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Why would you go through all the trouble of converting a left hand drive into a right hand drive? You'd destroy what little value the car has left and for absolutely no gain. All you'd really do is make it harder to perform left turns.

Far as I know, all the RHD stuff on the subframe is the same except the steering rack. Once you install the RHD firewall, you would then need to swap steering racks, install the RHD pedal assembly, dash, and then do whatever other things need to be sorted out.

I'm not sure how RHD is different, since half the world drives RHD. They are getting pretty common here as well since importers sell them cheap.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 09:30 PM
  #3  
Buttwete's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Ozark NOT AR
Understand the value issue, And as I said , I was wondering what it would take to do the swap. Living in Tulsa OK. there are only LHD vehicals available, unless it is a special order postal, I do not know of any importers in my area where I could find a RHD RX. I am more so trying to put the puzzle pieces togeather as to which way I want to go with a show car that is also a driver. Thanks for the imput
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 09:30 PM
  #4  
misterstyx69's Avatar
Retired Moderator, RIP
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (142)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 25,581
Likes: 136
From: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
haha..I just looked at Aaron's avatar!..it looks like it is Sayin "ya wanna do WHAT?"
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 09:40 PM
  #5  
prrex4ever's Avatar
Now What?
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Texas
There is an FD with this same conversion in Dallas. Looks great, could tell it's not RHD from the factory. The guy that did the conversion even switched out the console for a JDM model.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 10:46 PM
  #6  
Buttwete's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Ozark NOT AR
Are there any other threads on this conversion in the archives. As i have said it is just an idea for now but I would rather research it and make an informed decision than just start it and find out it is more than I can handle. The work is not the issue as I twisted wrenches for years, and the body work of switching the firewall doesnt bother me, but I drive for a living now, and climbing out of my big truck into a little car with RSD might be a excessive change LMFAO
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2011 | 08:46 AM
  #7  
Sgtblue's Avatar
Urban Combat Vet
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,160
Likes: 983
From: Mid-west
Originally Posted by Buttwete
Mabey I'm CRAZY to try this conversion
IMO...yes, you are.
It's your car, whatever you REALLY want...go for it. But a crap load of trouble just to have the steering wheel on the wierd side for North America. A few people will think it's cool. But after finding out what you've done the majority will silently walk away shaking their heads, rolling eyes, and wondering how crazy you really are.

Don't forget to look into differences in electrical harnesses too.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2011 | 09:59 AM
  #8  
Aaron Cake's Avatar
Engine, Not Motor
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted by misterstyx69
haha..I just looked at Aaron's avatar!..it looks like it is Sayin "ya wanna do WHAT?"
She's saying "It's a brides maid dress", but yeah, I think Marla would have the same concerns I do.

Originally Posted by Buttwete
Are there any other threads on this conversion in the archives. As i have said it is just an idea for now but I would rather research it and make an informed decision than just start it and find out it is more than I can handle. The work is not the issue as I twisted wrenches for years, and the body work of switching the firewall doesnt bother me, but I drive for a living now, and climbing out of my big truck into a little car with RSD might be a excessive change LMFAO
If you search the 2nd gen forum for "RHD conversion" or "right hand drive", there are plenty of threads. Some of them have some detailed pictures of others who have performed this conversion.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2011 | 01:07 PM
  #9  
Buttwete's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Ozark NOT AR
Thanks Aaron. That is the best answer so far and where I go next. And in answer to some of the other comments, I am very crazy and always look for a different way to go as I dont follow the other guy I make my own path.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2011 | 01:18 PM
  #10  
superbee717's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: high point, nc
are you going to deliver mail with your rhd mazda ??? lol
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2011 | 03:48 PM
  #11  
Buttwete's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Ozark NOT AR
FASTEST mail man in town lol
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:57 PM.