FourtyKid

Figured I'd start a build thread since this is really happening. Going from SR20 to VH45, and I want to document this journey as well as share it with you guys!

I'm a little late to the party, so there's not much to see so far. But, I will start from where I'm at right now. Last night I pulled my SR20 out of the S13 and now it's chassis prep time.




Here's the SR. Pulled it with a friend, decided to take SR and tranny out at the same time because its so much easier.


And the ugly engine bay!


Going to be cleaning up a wiring clusterfuck,



as well as a ton of disgusting grease.

I'll be working on this thing pretty much every day so I'll keep updating this regularly.

I'll post more tonight after my battle with grease and wiring.

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FourtyKid

Alright so quick update, I powerwashed my engine bay, here are some pictures!







Pretty big difference. Still debating on whether or not I should tub my fenders. Also, thinking about solid steering rack bushings to replace those big rubber ones. Have yet to find a serious buyer for the SR, Minnesotans/surrounding states let me know if you're interested!

I think I'm going to start tucking the wiring harness in the next couple of days, will update with progress pictures!

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@s13cole

FourtyKid

BOOM! Check out what I picked up today. 8 hour round trip and it was awesome.

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FourtyKid

OK, so in the little bit of spare time I've had to work on this, all I've been doing for the past two days has been getting the damn Automatic Pilot Bushing out.





Ended up trying the grease trick, cutting it, welding a bolt on it, and finally a combination of hammering, chiseling and drilling got it out.



Unfortunately that's all I have right now. I've been really busy with work, and getting that bushing out took until right now (2:15am) so more tomorrow.

Tomorrow is installing the VHVG Adapter and I'm not sure what else. I'll update after it's on.

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@s13cole

Imarvin240

did you try to buy/rent a puller at all?

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street_sleeper

good luck.....thats going to look beast mode under there

FourtyKid

No, there's no Auto zone anywhere near me
Oh well.

Thanks, yeah I'm super excited about it.
Can't wait to get it put in the car!

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@s13cole

FourtyKid

Changed my timing chain covers yesterday, the old ones were cracked. Cleaned 'em up a bit and slapped them on:



Sorry for the wide picture!

Need a new thermostat, which I've now ordered. Thanks RockAuto!

Think engine mounts are gonna get put on tonight. Also, I need to put the release bearing back on my transmission. Somehow it came off, don't know how to get it back on. Will report back later.

Also, I've packed up my harness which is getting sent out tomorrow for a plug and play VH to S13 harness instead!

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@s13cole

Fuego

Loving this so far, thanks for the updates.

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FourtyKid

Awesome, glad you're enjoying it! If there's anything specific you want to see, let me know.

Alright, engine mounts on. Xcessive was spot on with their machining!





Also, I ordered a clutch and flywheel today! Should be here next week sometime.

Got a buddy doing the custom exhaust, going with custom headers into an X-Pipe, then just dual 3" straights out the back.

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@s13cole

FourtyKid

Alright release bearing is in:



I also cut the notch for my Z32 starter:



Pics of under the valve covers:





Lookin' good!

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Chaluska

not as good as mine...

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FourtyKid

That's true, very nice!

Cleaned up the intake, gonna start on the crankcase ventilation and other excess hoses tonight after work.

Before:



After:


(P.S. I'd like to draw attention to the fact that the url for that image has "LS" and "VQ" in it lol)

I'm going to be picking up all the rubber caps I'll need for the holes today.

Test fit on the engine:

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FourtyKid

UPS guy just came, check out what he brought me





Best part is, I ordered it Wednesday night! Summit Racing is awesome.

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Reece

Another minnesota guy, awesome!

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FourtyKid

Minnesota represent!

Not for long though, moving to Florida next year after I've graduated

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FourtyKid

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, got some new parts though!

This came yesterday:









So I got the shifter on:



and the flywheel on too, but I forgot about pressure plate bolts, so this is how she sits until those come:

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@s13cole

wattupbaii

if thats an xtd clutch do yourself a favor and return it.. they suck. mine burnt out completely before 1k miles.

Nissansota240

May have missed it but what was your reasoning for switching to the vh45?

Looks good so far keep up the work.

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niscur29

He doesn't need a reason. Maybe he woke up dropped a turd and decided his SR wasn't what he wanted anymore.

Looking good man. If you need any help with the wiring etc let me know, I have a few spread sheets/files made up that can really help out with doing it yourself and keeping everything contained in the stock fuse box versus adding additional relays etc. Mine was beast mode while it was running.

Some tips I picked up when I did mine:
a. You can also save some money on the headers by ordering them uncoated from mazworx and coating them yourself as they work with the xcessive kit.
b. I also noticed that the balancer is not installed. You are going to need a huge torque wrench to set that thing correctly. The oil pump drive gear is driven by a sprocket that is sandwiched between the timing chain sprocket and balancer. Its not a keyed sprocket so the torque (~270ft lbs I think) is really important to make sure you dont have oil pump issues.
c. Make up a debris shield for the lower half of the tranny and starter hole on the block. The clutch and flywheel will both be exposed to everything splashing up under the car.
d. If you decide to run the MW headers you will need to grind down the steering shaft joint and top bolt head. Its close but it will clearance itself on the runner if you dont.

FourtyKid

Thanks! My reasoning was that after 8 months of pissing around with a pre-built SR that wouldn't run, I was done. Also, I've always loved v8's and the VH specifically. So when I saw this one on craigslist I knew I had to have it. Also, I sold my SR for what I paid for the VH, which is awesome.


I'm having a friend make me custom headers, which goes into the X-Pipe from the previous post, and then dual 3" straights out the back, and he's doing it for just the cost of the piping, which is awesome. Also, I've already had my wiring harness sent out to be wired up, but thanks anyway!

The harmonic balancer is now installed, not completely tightened yet though. 270lb's?! That's crazy.
I need to get a socket for it tomorrow, 1 & 3/16" I believe. Here's a crappy picture of it right now:




What should I make the debris shield out of?

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@s13cole

niscur29

Yep check the FSM, EM page 10: 260-275 Ftlbs
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1994_Q45/em.pdf

I just made my covers out of some sheet metal that I powder coated and then black RTV'd to the bellhousing and block.

Nissansota240

Whoaaaaa there, settle down turbo. I asked because this isn't the most common swap around here and was curious to why.

Was this the one that was for sale along with that coupe? I hope you can get it running. I only knew of a few other guys that had swapped that up hear, one car has been since parted out, and the other one the guy moved on down south.

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FourtyKid

I don't think so, I never had my coupe up for sale anyway. The engine was for sale on Zilvia though.

Yeah, I hadn't heard of anyone else in Minnesota doing this swap. It's pretty rare!

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FourtyKid

Finally got around to ordering some ARP pressure plate bolts. (Disregard the "for use on Hondas", it's the same thread pitch.)



Got a power steering reservoir today, that was needed!



I also pushed the car into the shop today, gonna start working on some wire tucking and other small things.

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FourtyKid

Took my dash off, now for my favorite part!

.....

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Big Zee

a blue coupe ? love it!!

I like where your going with this build!! keep up the solid work!

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Two-Tone owner#011509-Lightly Modded

FourtyKid

Thanks! Here are some pictures of the whole car:








Also, I just got an email from the guy who's doing my wiring harness, he's done and sent a picture. I'm so excited!

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Big Zee

AWW YEA!!!!! that is a beautiful car dude!! if I didn't opt to stay 2 tone I would choose that color

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Two-Tone owner#011509-Lightly Modded

FourtyKid

Thanks! I'm actually thinking of painting it either black or white. Or a teal color. I'm not sure yet.

Update!

Got the clutch and pressure plate on:



Should be ready to slap the tranny on the engine and try out a test fit in the car one of these days.

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@s13cole