ok so i just picked up a 97 sunfire coupe, and the engine is being pulled out to be replaced. So i figured that while i was at it, id convert it to rhd if i could find out enough info and get off my lazy @$$ and do it. I know that it is a big under taking, and i have the resources to get it done. but i am looking for as much info that i can find on this project.
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Shifted wrote:You need to find everything from the dash to the firewall, subframe I think, etc.
There are only like 3 sucessful RHD conversions out there, how good are you with cutting your car in half?
And rewiring and doing brake lines? There have been several posts made about it, but the one's who have it done aren't really talking about what all they went through to do it.
its a lot of work. people always under estimate these type of projects. theres never been a rhd fire before so if you wanna try it good luck but i dont know where your gonna get the interior from unless you make it yourself
I picked up the car for 100 bucks, so ive got no problem cutting it up. Ive got my 4dr fire to drive or one of my trans ams. Im in no hurry to get it done, and it wouldn't be done til prolly first of '07. as far as the mechanics of it all, i positive that i can do it cause it couldn't possibly be much worse than building a drag car when all u have is a shell to start with. i figured it would be a lot of work cause i remember a few posts a while back about some of the other guys who have cavaliers who were converting them over. The interior i think i know how im gonna solve that problem, but i need to figure out were to get all the parts i need to do it.
Proud member of JBOK
[quote=ßãggéÐÇåv98 (Ûñqùðtäߣè Øñé)] theres never been a rhd fire before so if you wanna try it good luck but i dont know where your gonna get the interior from unless you make it yourself
what about RHD Cavfire??
yea i forgot how his car being swapped over. i knew he was doing the rhd conversion but i just pictured the front of his car and forgot he changed it. i dont know what he is doing for the interior though unless he uses the cav interior
he's using the cav dash. and modifying it a bit
as far as the conversion, as said most of it is just stuff you dig into and fix. most guys dont want to go thru the entire process of how to do it because it would be a very very very long process to write it down. and the more people that do it the less unique it will be. my advice is contact streetline about getting the pieces, i wouldnt imagine them being to cheap.
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the firewall from street-line is 2000 bucks
Just an FYI, not even the guys who have done / are doing the swap give many detailed pointers to EACH OTHER. Let alone anyone else.
This IS a mod that is expensive, needs extensive planning and resources and if done incorrectly, could alter the safety of the vehicle... Other than that... lol
Hey if you didn't want to do it with an already made firewall you would attempt to do it how alpine did their BMW X5 Demo Car. Granted its for a show car but i think it could work.
I've been contemplating that one but I would need some $$$ and some more knowledge on fabrication.
-Seth
True, but then again, lots of stuff on lots of our cars aren't necessary street legal.
-Seth
Just import one from Japan. You'll have just as many headaches getting it past customs and the DOT as you would trying to build one, and probably spend just as much doing it anyway, and the Cavalier from Japan will be an authentic JDM. Then swap a manual because in Japan they only had automatics and automatics suck.
Be kind to dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
man you know what would be soo much cooler than rhd
RWD...
honestly you just picked this car up and i mean your saying that since the engine is out you might as well do it
thats like the simplest part of the whole swap
M-tay (White Rice) wrote:man you know what would be soo much cooler than rhd
RWD... honestly you just picked this car up and i mean your saying that since the engine is out you might as well do it
thats like the simplest part of the whole swap
YES!!!!!!!
i've always wanted to see a RWD cav or fire, and while ur at it, put a big ol 315 in there too
like you said you are in no rush, and if you're willing to go thru the work to make it RHD why not go RWD with a V8
first off a rhd conversion is alot more difficult than doing a drag car. second u dont need to buy a firewall u only need a steering rack (u cant just flip it like alot of people think). the firewall can be taken care of like building a smoothie wall for a minitruck. if ur going all out with rhd u might as well make the dash. harness can be modified and reused.
if u want to go rwd u should not go v8 go 2.4 or 3800 sc so u can use the stock hood and make a sleeper
