1992 180SX with 2JZ GE-T / R154

[Discombobulator]

Hi all, this is my 1st post here. Im a HD mechanic working in seismic acquisition as a vibroeseis technician (fix 20-80,000 pound vibrators believe it or not). I may disappear from time to time for work.

Bought this 1992 180sx hatch, without an engine, trans, and in many parts on July 20th.

Bought a 2JZ-GE and 2.0mm Greddy head gasket



Engine sitting next to car. Transmission arrives tomorrow.
Need R154 Bellhousing for 2JZ and clutch kit next.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/8333/photoswx.jpg

T4 Flanged stainless manifold

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/5350/t4manifold.jpg

Engine rebuilding

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/6369/geheadnaked.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/466/38685210151310988863084.jpg

Mess on my work tables.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8337/enginepartsontable.jpg

Turbo (67mm 0.84 a/r from driftmotion) and other parts

http://imageshack.us/a/img210/4118/56492510151112265316936.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/210/56492510151112265316936.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img832/7306/57943610151112261216936.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/832/57943610151112261216936.jpg/)

Bought a 5 lug conversion, ordered polyurethane bushing kit for the whole car and will be painting all the suspension arms

http://imageshack.us/a/img211/7668/53052510151544613773084.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/211/53052510151544613773084.jpg/)

Engine re-assembled on stand, waiting for mounts.

http://imageshack.us/a/img542/3280/59913510151494139288084.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/542/59913510151494139288084.jpg/)

Car parts on my living room table

http://imageshack.us/a/img547/7762/p1010891e.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/547/p1010891e.jpg/)

Finally got my new set of mounts... 1st set i ordered scared me they looked too flimsy

http://imageshack.us/a/img651/6273/73007101515446139180841.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/73007101515446139180841.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img545/8324/p1010893u.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/545/p1010893u.jpg/)


Just after i dropped the engine into the car. Test fitting mounts etc

http://imageshack.us/a/img42/4145/30927610151545671563084.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/42/30927610151545671563084.jpg/)

Bought S14 kouki front end, going +50mm over in the rears. Still unsure what colour im painting the whole car

http://imageshack.us/a/img43/3167/44882101515416740480841.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/43/44882101515416740480841.jpg/)

Gold valve covers and fuel rail came out sweet

http://imageshack.us/a/img571/7509/60810178626532283111310.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/571/60810178626532283111310.jpg/)

Painted most of the engine and its attached parts

http://imageshack.us/a/img268/6960/25031101515663547580842.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/268/25031101515663547580842.jpg/)

[sr20s14zenki]

For the clutch kit, if you are using the r154, you actually need a 7mgte clutch kit, 1jzgte flywheel, and 1jzgte r154 bell housing. Unless maybe you are running a different setup?

Hope everything works out for you. For me, a LHD car was more in my favor, no clearance issues with a clutch master, and the steering knuckle. Could be a bit of a challenge, but nothing you cant overcome im sure. For what its worth, you may as well get the ruckus or ebay engine/tranny mounts. They are so cheap, and they do work well for the most part. For the time it would take you to fab new ones, its almost cheaper in time vs money to buy em.

cool project...im not biased, i swear (=

[TRD_jordan]

Originally posted by sr20s14zenki

cool project...im not biased, i swear (=

uh huh.... almost believed you!
jk jk

sweet another 2jz build! wicked! looks like it's time to sell the sr...

[Discombobulator]

yes im aware of the clutch setup i need. The only place i see the bbellhousing for sale is on driftmotion. anyone else know where i can get a better deal ?

[sr20s14zenki]

Not really they always ballpark 300$. Drift motion is good to deal with tho. Good guys. Talk to Aaron.

Also for your driveshaft standens or bust. Let me know if you want specs. I think they still have mine on file. It's around 500$ with replaceable u joints and everything brand new.

[Discombobulator]

Ya i just picked up the R154 tonight, next on my to do list is going to be cleaning up the engine bay, welding spots and repainting.

[Discombobulator]

Originally posted by sr20s14zenki
For the clutch kit, if you are using the r154, you actually need a 7mgte clutch kit, 1jzgte flywheel, and 1jzgte r154 bell housing. Unless maybe you are running a different setup?

Hope everything works out for you. For me, a LHD car was more in my favor, no clearance issues with a clutch master, and the steering knuckle. Could be a bit of a challenge, but nothing you cant overcome im sure. For what its worth, you may as well get the ruckus or ebay engine/tranny mounts. They are so cheap, and they do work well for the most part. For the time it would take you to fab new ones, its almost cheaper in time vs money to buy em.

cool project...im not biased, i swear (=

I think i'll buy the ruckus mounts, considering the time it would take me to build some and have everything lined up right, paint them and all.

[Discombobulator]

Originally posted by sr20s14zenki
Not really they always ballpark 300$. Drift motion is good to deal with tho. Good guys. Talk to Aaron.

Also for your driveshaft standens or bust. Let me know if you want specs. I think they still have mine on file. It's around 500$ with replaceable u joints and everything brand new.

Im going to have an aluminium one built. was yours for 500$ aluminium ? And are you running a 2JZ also ?

[sr20s14zenki]

Yes i am running a 2jz, its in an s14 but its all pretty much the same thing.

Mine was 500$ steel. I dont really think there is enough gains in the weight to make it worth paying so much extra for. Check and see if standens does aluminum, i cant remember if he said they did or not.

Even if you want to get these. They work well apparently.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/240SX-S13-S14-SWAP-SUPRA-1JZ-GTE-2JZ-GTE-ENGINE-MOTOR-MOUNTS-BRACKETS-/261045719630?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cc789924e&vxp=mtr#ht_1941wt_1397

Also, you will need to have your shifter lengthened. You can do it yourself if you are good with aluminum, or have tech2 do it for you. Its a 300$ touch, so if you can do it, great. I can tell you how much longer mine is. I was thinking of hacking up a spare shifter i have to see if i can do a better job than them.

Any questions let me know.

[Discombobulator]

Originally posted by sr20s14zenki
Yes i am running a 2jz, its in an s14 but its all pretty much the same thing.

Mine was 500$ steel. I dont really think there is enough gains in the weight to make it worth paying so much extra for. Check and see if standens does aluminum, i cant remember if he said they did or not.

Even if you want to get these. They work well apparently.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/240SX-S13-S14-SWAP-SUPRA-1JZ-GTE-2JZ-GTE-ENGINE-MOTOR-MOUNTS-BRACKETS-/261045719630?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cc789924e&vxp=mtr#ht_1941wt_1397

Also, you will need to have your shifter lengthened. You can do it yourself if you are good with aluminum, or have tech2 do it for you. Its a 300$ touch, so if you can do it, great. I can tell you how much longer mine is. I was thinking of hacking up a spare shifter i have to see if i can do a better job than them.

Any questions let me know.

Im aware of the shifter being too short, i was going to wait until my engine and tranny are sitting in the car and measure for myself because we may not have the exact same mounts. I'll take some measurements, remove it and bring it to work where i have the shielding gas and spool gun for aluminium. As for the driveshaft its not only for weight reduction but reduction in rotational mass. Its not that much more expensive for an aluminium shaft. I guess id have to see what the weight differences are before making a decision about that.

I just finished tearing down my block yesterday, now im waiting till tuesday to get the block and head hot tanked. Then i can start putting the engine back together.

[Discombobulator]

What rubber insulator are you supposed to put with those Ebay mounts? 2JZ ones or the nissan ones ?

[sr20s14zenki]

Originally posted by Discombobulator


Im aware of the shifter being too short, i was going to wait until my engine and tranny are sitting in the car and measure for myself because we may not have the exact same mounts. I'll take some measurements, remove it and bring it to work where i have the shielding gas and spool gun for aluminium. As for the driveshaft its not only for weight reduction but reduction in rotational mass. Its not that much more expensive for an aluminium shaft. I guess id have to see what the weight differences are before making a decision about that.

I just finished tearing down my block yesterday, now im waiting till tuesday to get the block and head hot tanked. Then i can start putting the engine back together.

Yep sounds like a good plan. I would tig that, but you can try with a spoolgun if you like.

Forgot another thing, look at the sikky sway bar, or build spacers for yours. The oil pan and the sway bar fight.

Those mounts usually use the s13/s14 mounts.

We just did an s14 with those, and used the stock mounts.

Also, had the shifter done by tech2 for that car, and it worked perfectly with the ebay/ruccus mounts.

[Discombobulator]

Originally posted by sr20s14zenki


Yep sounds like a good plan. I would tig that, but you can try with a spoolgun if you like.

Forgot another thing, look at the sikky sway bar, or build spacers for yours. The oil pan and the sway bar fight.

Those mounts usually use the s13/s14 mounts.

We just did an s14 with those, and used the stock mounts.

Also, had the shifter done by tech2 for that car, and it worked perfectly with the ebay/ruccus mounts.

I've never had access to a TIG otherwise i would have taught myself to tig weld. I can make something just as strong as TIG welding, the difference is MIG dispereses more heat and could cause stuff to warp. The trick with aluminium (when MIG welding) which has a low specific heat is to heat it before you weld it, to prevent warping or cracking. Ofcourse tack welds are necessary also. I sure do wish i had a TIG welder at home though, i've seen some TIG welds that i would put on display they were so fine haha

[sr20s14zenki]

Yep. I'm a welder by trade. I have tig in my garage. I have a spool gun at work. I find it works great for thicker stuff but not so much for 1/8 and under. However, our spool gun sucks so that could be the issue. A guy brought In a new miller spool gun and autoset 180 and it worked like a charm.

Basically the metal rod on the inside needs to be extended which is cake. The housing however also needs it as well. And since it's an odd size you can't just use an hss like I wanted. Looked like they used angle and flat bar to do the job.

When you get to that point mabe we can put our heads together

[Discombobulator]

Originally posted by sr20s14zenki
Yep. I'm a welder by trade. I have tig in my garage. I have a spool gun at work. I find it works great for thicker stuff but not so much for 1/8 and under. However, our spool gun sucks so that could be the issue. A guy brought In a new miller spool gun and autoset 180 and it worked like a charm.

Basically the metal rod on the inside needs to be extended which is cake. The housing however also needs it as well. And since it's an odd size you can't just use an hss like I wanted. Looked like they used angle and flat bar to do the job.

When you get to that point mabe we can put our heads together

I dont have access to any metal shaping tools, however i have done business with several fabrication companies through my employer to get unique parts build for our machines. I think what i may do is have them build me the extension as a straight tube, and cut the angles myself. It would simply be a sheet of aluminium with 4 bends in it and seam welded where they meet, and i would finish the job with the cutting and fitting, then welding. What do you think of that ? What thickness is the shifter housing? The price of this piece bent into shape would be fairly cheap... probably well under 100$ as i see it will take no more than 1hr labour and like a few ounces of aluminium.

[sr20s14zenki]

Yep you are probably right. That's a good idea.

What ecu are you planning on running this with?

[Discombobulator]

I haven't looked into Ecus yet really, thats months ahead of me. What have you learned through your swap?

[sr20s14zenki]

I've learned that the haltech rocks. My build thread is in the garage section if you wanna look. Very happy with my platinum sport 2000. Good harness setup, easy to wire, lots of features. And you can run the haltech iq3 dash instead of building a a gauge set or using Dakota digital adaptors to make the stock dash work. It works thru the can bus port on the haltech and only needs 4 wires to run. You can program any 0-5 sensor/transducer to work with the setup making your gauges pretty much infinite. Check it out for sure.

[Discombobulator]

Great thanks, i'll look into haltech.

[Discombobulator]

Ordered those Ebay mounts today, waiting on my seals and timing stuff from driftmotion to put the engine back together.

[Discombobulator]

Updates...
http://imageshack.us/a/img542/3280/59913510151494139288084.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/542/59913510151494139288084.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img210/4118/56492510151112265316936.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/210/56492510151112265316936.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img832/7306/57943610151112261216936.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/832/57943610151112261216936.jpg/)

slowly putting her back together.

Ordered some mounts off ebay, they looked like they couldnt support the weight of a balloon filled with helium, that was 300$ down the drain... Ordered the Getnuts drift mounts from driftmotion
Ordered a 67mm turbo t04z compressor wheel
50mm hks wastegate
act extreme clutch kit


waiting on injectors, fuel rail

contemplating ordering a front facing intake manifold.

Going to throw this whole package into the car within a week if the parts arrive

[sr20s14zenki]

Wierd. i have used a few of those including the current build im doing and never had an issue. Thats too bad. looking like good progress there.

[Discombobulator]

Yeah theyre made of 1/8 steel plate and are supposedly tig welded together... although it seems they were welded by a 6 year old with an acetylene torch. I'm buying a 5bolt conversion tomorrow and am also activeley looking for an S13 silvia front end

[sr20s14zenki]

oh the ones i got are atleast 3/16 or 1/4 and they are just fine.1/8 is a bit small

[silviaformulaD]

sent you a pm about the silvia front end. check it out and let me know.

[Discombobulator]

5 lug conversion
http://imageshack.us/a/img211/7668/53052510151544613773084.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/211/53052510151544613773084.jpg/)
engine in car
http://imageshack.us/a/img42/4145/30927610151545671563084.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/42/30927610151545671563084.jpg/)
new engine mounts and other stuff
http://imageshack.us/a/img651/6273/73007101515446139180841.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/651/73007101515446139180841.jpg/)
disassembling the tranny for some upgrades
http://imageshack.us/a/img15/1026/65177101515523113580841.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/15/65177101515523113580841.jpg/)
S14 kouki front end
http://imageshack.us/a/img685/3167/44882101515416740480841.th.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/44882101515416740480841.jpg/)

[Discombobulator]

Originally posted by silviaformulaD
sent you a pm about the silvia front end. check it out and let me know.

bought s14 kouki sorry

[Discombobulator]

Removed lower intake manifold, cleaned and painted

http://imageshack.us/a/img824/5949/14490178562978956133633.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/14490178562978956133633.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img528/7800/p1010896i.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/528/p1010896i.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img542/8500/p1010895p.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/542/p1010895p.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img841/8949/p1010894bf.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/841/p1010894bf.jpg/)

Re-building my R154. New seals, check clearances, cleaned, marlin crawler thrust washer upgrade

http://imageshack.us/a/img15/1026/65177101515523113580841.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/15/65177101515523113580841.jpg/)

New air compressor - Going to buy a paint gun and spray the engine bay once im done fitting the engine.

http://imageshack.us/a/img826/1883/p1010897w.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/826/p1010897w.jpg/)

Mishimoto radiator and cooling fans

http://imageshack.us/a/img856/6595/p1010898q.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/856/p1010898q.jpg/)

I took the fans off the shroud, won't fit between the radiator and the engine the 2JZ is too long. I'm going to mount them as pushers in front of the radiator.

Here is the process of mounting the radiator and cooling fans.
There's a shot where i put the old man to work cutting flat bar =)

http://imageshack.us/a/img209/8904/p1010901.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/209/p1010901.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img152/2031/p1010908a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/152/p1010908a.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img547/6014/p1010907.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/547/p1010907.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img707/3006/p1010906bt.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/707/p1010906bt.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img832/5778/p1010905l.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/832/p1010905l.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img824/8392/p1010904c.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/824/p1010904c.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img39/2670/p1010902w.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/39/p1010902w.jpg/)

[Discombobulator]

Bunch of updates, ive been posting more on zilvia there isnt much action here despite all the people who ive met who own 240s in calgary lol


Tranny back together finally

http://imageshack.us/a/img19/1660/p1010915xy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/19/p1010915xy.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img560/6136/p1010912c.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/560/p1010912c.jpg/)

Had to remove the engine and bolt the tranny up outside because it wouldnt fit any other way... No room to put the bolts much less turn a wrench!

http://imageshack.us/a/img443/2714/p1010921tp.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/443/p1010921tp.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img266/4982/p1010923ph.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/266/p1010923ph.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img526/8848/p1010924xy.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/526/p1010924xy.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img32/1962/p1010926c.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/32/p1010926c.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img856/4504/p1010927f.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/856/p1010927f.jpg/)



Was this ever a tight fit... Maybe a half inch clearance to the transmission tunnel and 1 inch from head to firewall!!

http://imageshack.us/a/img801/133/p1010931a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/801/p1010931a.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img401/6185/p1010930ne.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/401/p1010930ne.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img267/5818/p1010928n.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/267/p1010928n.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img33/9364/p1010929p.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/33/p1010929p.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img849/3145/p1010936f.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/849/p1010936f.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img203/2539/p1010935d.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/203/p1010935d.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img545/4756/p1010934h.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/545/p1010934h.jpg/)
http://imageshack.us/a/img834/9019/p1010932e.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/834/p1010932e.jpg/)

[Discombobulator]

Next up on my to do list is going to be fitting my S14 kouki front end... intake plenum arrives later next week, then i can rig up my intercooler and piping

[ka-t240sx]

Lookin good! :thumbsup:

[sr20s14zenki]

:thumbsup:


Looks like your dizzy is gonna play offense with your intake from this angle haha.

Also, just a word of advice, you can try your current fan setup, but you may need to elaborate on it. I had nothing but cooling problems with my setup, and im using dual FAL fans on a push configuration. It would be cool around town, but on the hiway, it would creep up on hot days and the fans would stay on when they shouldnt. When they are on the front, it creates a dam and the air doesnt flow as well.

I am planning on trying out one of these for the coming summer http://www.chasebays.com/product/nissan-240sx/cooling/chase-bays-tucked-aluminum-radiator

so that i can fit a pair of flexalites on the pull configuration.

Maybe your fans will work for you in that chassis, who knows. I tryed alot of things to make it work. Also wonderinf if its my stupid chicken wire on the bumper, should remove that.

Anyways, things are looking really good man. Im suprised you cant fit fans on the inside with how the engine is kissing the firewall. With my motor mounts, i can still remove my tranny with the engine in the car. Remarkably easy actually, with less issues than the stock tranny in the car (trust me, ive removed many)

Keep it up.

[Discombobulator]

Originally posted by sr20s14zenki
:thumbsup:


Looks like your dizzy is gonna play offense with your intake from this angle haha.

Also, just a word of advice, you can try your current fan setup, but you may need to elaborate on it. I had nothing but cooling problems with my setup, and im using dual FAL fans on a push configuration. It would be cool around town, but on the hiway, it would creep up on hot days and the fans would stay on when they shouldnt. When they are on the front, it creates a dam and the air doesnt flow as well.

I am planning on trying out one of these for the coming summer http://www.chasebays.com/product/nissan-240sx/cooling/chase-bays-tucked-aluminum-radiator

so that i can fit a pair of flexalites on the pull configuration.

Maybe your fans will work for you in that chassis, who knows. I tryed alot of things to make it work. Also wonderinf if its my stupid chicken wire on the bumper, should remove that.

Anyways, things are looking really good man. Im suprised you cant fit fans on the inside with how the engine is kissing the firewall. With my motor mounts, i can still remove my tranny with the engine in the car. Remarkably easy actually, with less issues than the stock tranny in the car (trust me, ive removed many)

Keep it up.

I just may be able to mount the fans as pullers... when i first mounted them i didnt have the tranny bolted up to its mount so i thought the engine would lean further forward than it actually does... Anyways i'm going to be running a usdm s14 kouki bumper that im going to cut out a large square hole in the front for the intercooler to get the air flowing through it. I'll see how this works out and if i have problems at highway speeds ill reconfigure it. I was thinking of cutting my whole front end off and doing a tube front once it's up and running. Was also considering a v mount for intercooler and rad (just for the challenge of accomplishing it really)

As for the distributor i think im going to junk it when i get a stand alone and use a gte ignitor and coils...

Just waiting on my s14 hood hinges in the mail then i can mount my s14 kouki hood. After that im going to cut my fenders and make my own s13.4 kouki fenders ( i bought both halves ). Then i can mount the lights, and after that the bumper. Once the bumper is on i can mount my intercooler to make sure it fits lol and then the piping... After that im probably going to paint the whole car ( doing that in the mean time i save money to complete the rest. Body work is cheap ! )

[silviaformulaD]

there is something odd about those mounts. even from that one pic I can see it sits higher from the crossmember then any of the other swaps we have done. and evan car is supper easy to drop the trany out. if you have hood clearance problem then id check into it some more. the engine mite be higher then it's suppose to be for some reason.