I was wondering if anyone here had done a RHD conversion on their 2nd gen using a front clip? Also, if a front clip could just be "attached" (for lack of a better word) to a USDM car.. reason I ask is I am currently trying to import a S5 TII and was wondering if this would be easier.. TIA

-searched in advance, didnt really find what I was looking for.

 

I had a similar thing done with my 240sx with the sr swap. The front was rusting out so i put a front clip on. You need to do a lot of work yourself otherwise it won't be cost effective. You need to take up the wiring in the chasis, carpet, seats, shifter, a pillar. You must be VERY careful of the clips condition. The important thing is the a pillar and that the clips cut far enough back (middle of shifter is good and a pillar). I had this done for 800 bucks. You couldn't tell after it was done. People don't beleive me. But you want to gut as much as you can. The main points the body shop need to get to is the floor and the a pillars. I just had it towed home then put the windshield back in and did the wiring myself at a later time. You must also expent your break/fuel lines. Keep as much parts from the old chasis as possible b/c you wish you had. I never did the rx7 but the 240sx was pretty damn simple and straight forward.

 

My friend bought a RHD FD clip and it included everything from the shifter forward. He was thinking about welding the entire clip onto a LHD donor, but in the end he abandoned the project. However, if you were to transfer the mechanical bits (RHD steering column, rack, etc.) and the dashboard, it wouldn't be extremely hard to do a conversion onto a US donor. I'd use the J-Spec harness and ECU (unless it has been damaged) as it's made to the correct length.

I don't think anyone here has attempted a project like this before. So thusly, you'll be working in the dark.

 

I too thought about this, but wasn't quite sure what it involved on the whole. Hmmm...bringing thoughts back from the dead

 

Why would you want a RHD car? Ooh, scary thought. Welding two halves of a car together is extremely dangerous unless it's done by a professional, and even then it rarely produces good results. It's usually only done to illegally resurrect written-off cars...

Why bother importing and converting a Japanese car? They aren't any better than US ones, and other than being RHD most of the differences are minor.

 

the only differences in the actual shell is the firewall

mike

 

well in some cases importing a jspec car would be better because of engine + other acc. but in our case mazda used the same engine with minor modifications to some parts from what i've learned.

why RHD?
maybe for bragging rights, maybe to jump on the JDM bandwaggon, or maybe even deliver mail in your FC .

 

I was asking about a RHD conversion using the clip, not just doing one out of nowhere. I mean alot of people I see use the clips for parts, but I was just wondering if anyone had just purposely gotten the clip with the intention of a RHD conversion. Just something I was wondering about.. Haha, the mailman thing gave me a laugh.. never thought of it that way.

Okay, the reason I am even considering this is I've been looking for a mint S5 TII for a long time now and to no avail. I had a sudden urge one day to call up an importer so that he could give me some quotes. To my surprize, S5 TIIs go for ridiculously low prices in Japanese auctions (I mean ridiculously low!), and many of the were completely stock, with just over 70km (~45Kmiles!) and mint condition. Here is one of the ones at the auction last week.. '91 w/71km



Just to put it into perspective, why would I want to buy a modded out, or faulty car when I can have one brought here for about the same if not a little more of less here or there in MINT condition. What I am currently investigating is the cost (if need be) of changing anything on the car to meet DOT and EPA standards. As most of you already said, the engines are nearly identical and so is the car (structurally) except for it being RHD. I am working right now to find all the details and get an absolute base price once all fees and other costs are done. It is by no means impossible (the importer himself daily drives an R32).

I just see this as another "option" and really is all speculation at this point...

 

*I do not endorse the following activities*

Now, what I'm about to tell you is rather illegal, but what you could do is import the RX-7 and buy a dead 89-91 coupe (wrecked, beat-up, etc.) and transfer the VIN plates from the firewall and dashboard to the running RX-7. While you'll have to have good welding skills or know someone who can weld the VIN plate in (without telling the authorities), it is a rather easy procedure.

Just be careful as to whom you talk to.

 

I gave thought to finding an import-able RX but that's only b/c I want the Turbo Vert

 

Japanese imports are very cheap, but you have to be extremely cautious about the mileage figures on these cars. I can't stress that enough. A sizable chunk of the cars on NZ roads (including nearly all FC's) are used Japanese imports. There have been literally thousands of proven cases of odometer tampering, and many more unproven ones. Once the Japanese service records were checked, some cars were found to have mysteriously lost 100,000km or more! Some times it's the seller in Japan, sometimes it's the importer, sometimes it's a nice little scam involving both.
While the situation has improved dramatically in the last couple of years (because of new legislation), it's generally accepted here that the mileage of any Jap import needs to be taken with a grain of salt. If you can inspect the car you can look for tell-tale signs like worn rubber pedal covers and interior wear that looks out of place in a low-mileage car. But if you're buying sight-unseen, you're taking a big risk.
I don't know whether your importer can offer any sort of guarantee (one that'll legally protect you), but make sure you check it out fully before you part with any cash.
Good luck...

 

Don't you think a US VIN plate on a RHD car would look a tad suspicious...?

 

Well, with the whole RHD/JDM phenomena becoming slightly more prevalent here in the States, I'm sure people at the BMV/inspection/emission station have seen it before. Hell, here in Cincinnati, I've seen two Civics with a RHD conversion performed. I'm also willing to bet that the folks at the BMV have seen more RHD cars than they've seen Lambos or Ferraris.

 

This is precicely why I was looking into the whole JDM front clip/RHD conversion thing. While it all seem tempting, at times I feel it is just that- too good to be true, and that why I'm keeping my options open.. believe me, I've wanted an S5 TII since I was 14 and now that I have a chance to get one I wont settle for anything else...

 

hee hee.........

 

I'm doing this. Not for the rhd but i'm doing a turbo conversion on my 91 coupe and i don't feel like looking or little bits and pieces. i also work at a body shop for free in my spare time. yeah i don't get paid but its alot of fun and my friends and i get cheeeeap work. SOO i will be doing a turbo/ rhd conversion via a front clip with in the next few weeks. i have to wait till i get my loan then wait for my clip to be shiped. i hope i get some nice goodies with my clip. oh yeah i got a 90 day wty. and was told all the body panels will be there. i will be cut from behind the shifter, i get everything infront of the shifter. none of it will be touched. I will be sure to give updates on my project as soon as i have the loan money in hand for this and i will be sure to tell you who you can trust for importing these gems.

 

well in all honestly you if your going to do that make sure the apex seals are still good on it
on another note im bringing my fd from japan to the states since i dont want to buy another rx7 i rather keep mine