2nd Generation Specific (1986-1992) 1986-1992 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections.

RHD conversion...

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Old 04-11-09 | 11:01 PM
  #1  
87rx7ftw's Avatar
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87rx7ftw
 
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From: akron,ohio
Talking RHD conversion...

where could i find the parts to do a rhd conversion? i understand its a **** ton of work i was just curious on where i could look and what all stuff i would need...thanks
Old 04-11-09 | 11:05 PM
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you need a front clip to be the most complete.. I see yoru NA, might as well save some for a clip + jdm turbo motor with it.
Old 04-12-09 | 10:35 AM
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You can get a front clip from most J-spec suppliers.

But the better question is why? It's a ridiculous amount of work for absolutely no gain at all. And if done improperly, the car is scrap and not only unsafe, but impossible to sell legally.
Old 04-12-09 | 10:41 AM
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I definately agree with Aaron cake, It just is not worth the effort. You LHD guys do know know how good you have it with the steering column on the left. Pulling the engine and doing any stock turbo work is a pain in the but on a rhd.
Old 04-12-09 | 11:12 AM
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OP that is a sweet aviator. lol

I converted to RHD and I would do what Hypertech says and buy a clip. That is what I did.

On this topic I do not agree with Aaron one bit and since RHD is kind of a personal preference I'm not going to do any persuading.

All I can say is in Illinois it is legal to convert to RHD. I don't know about Ohio though you would have to do some research. And chicks like RHD cars btw. Thats something I learned after my conversion.
Old 04-12-09 | 12:45 PM
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well RHD would be unique, adds an appeal to the car... but doesnt float everyones boat.. The current owner of my old 240sx converted it to RHD, not really my thing tho since it would pull more law enforcement attention by cops on the street, but as a novelty it would be cool if done right.

I think it would be cool, but you gotta consider the consequences of possibly getting in trouble/more beef with the law. Might become a cop magnet.
Old 04-12-09 | 01:28 PM
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Well, that's sort of the thing. If you want to take on a massive job with no real benefit (needing a car to pick up chicks means something is really wrong in your life ), that has only downsides and potentially is dangerous (yes, I have tried to turn left on a busy street in a RHD vehicle...not fun) then by all means, take on the project. But I personally can't thin of any real reason to do a RHD conversion, which is why I expressed that point to the OP.
Old 04-12-09 | 03:10 PM
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why buy a clip and destroy your car when JDM FC's seem to be cheaper than RHD FC's.. heck I know a guy who picked up a very nice JDM FC for 5k cdn.
Old 04-12-09 | 03:23 PM
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I'm with Aaron.

Downsides:

Expensive
Time Consuming
Difficult
Dangerous (harder to see where the left side of the car is when facing oncoming traffic on a two-way street)
Have to operate shifter left-handed (plus if you're a lefty I suppose)
Can't go to the drive-through
Difficult to use a tollbooth
Unwanted attention from the po-po.

Upsides:

It's different?

In summary:

Old 04-12-09 | 03:25 PM
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Yea going through a drive thru would be a little awkward haha. Unless you have a passenger.
Old 04-12-09 | 08:39 PM
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ha thanks for the comment on my avatar. but yeah i understand its complecating and expensive and probably get alot more looks from people i dont need ( cops ). but besides the point where im from i think theres maybe 5 rx7's in my part and if theres more ive never seen them. besides that i want to be unique with it, lol about the pic you sent me. but yeah i really want to pull off a out of the ordinary look with this. i just dont know where to look for a whole front clip. and all the other **** i need, and my na has come quite a ways from the pics ha its still all colorful just with more parts on it and a bit more body work done to it.
Old 04-13-09 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by CompuBob
why buy a clip and destroy your car when JDM FC's seem to be cheaper than RHD FC's.. heck I know a guy who picked up a very nice JDM FC for 5k cdn.
OP lives in Ohio. Its cheaper to convert then to go to Canada and buy a RHD and pay all the extra expenses taking it back across the border. I've talked to a few people about this who also own rhd drive cars.

My shell cost $200 and my clip cost $3,000 with shipping.
Old 04-13-09 | 04:29 PM
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Its so obvious that you don't own a rhd car and there for you are just guessing all this...

-If you have a clean RHD car its actually the opposite when it comes to cops.

One cop liked my car alot and i got away with just a warning instead of a ticket and another time I peeled out with a cop behind me (kind of by accident) and i never got pulled over for it.

I get more attention from cops in my 4 door Chrysler Sebring then in my RX.

-I'm right handed and i have never had any problems operating the shifter with my left hand. It is just as easy to shift as a left hand drive vehicle.

-I became more alert when I started driving my rhd 7 and I notice I drive more cautiously then I do in any other car.

Thats all I can say for now.

Originally Posted by Gene
I'm with Aaron.

Downsides:

Expensive
Time Consuming
Difficult
Dangerous (harder to see where the left side of the car is when facing oncoming traffic on a two-way street)
Have to operate shifter left-handed (plus if you're a lefty I suppose)
Can't go to the drive-through
Difficult to use a tollbooth
Unwanted attention from the po-po.

Upsides:

It's different?

In summary:

Old 04-13-09 | 04:38 PM
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the thing about shifting im left handed and have never had a problem learning to drive
Old 04-13-09 | 05:07 PM
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i think Japan2LA should be able to get the parts/front clip... send him a PM

https://www.rx7club.com/members/japan2la-65053/
Old 04-13-09 | 05:23 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by Gene
Upsides:

It's different?

In summary:

It also makes stealing mail in your neighborhood a helluva lot easier
Old 04-13-09 | 05:25 PM
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Sorry, my ears where burning..

Yes, I have those parts...

If you are serious, pm me..
Old 04-13-09 | 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Napsterfreak15
OP lives in Ohio. Its cheaper to convert then to go to Canada and buy a RHD and pay all the extra expenses taking it back across the border. I've talked to a few people about this who also own rhd drive cars.

My shell cost $200 and my clip cost $3,000 with shipping.
so, a 5 hour trip to Canada, and spend some of your awesome American money here which is worth a lot more ($4000 US = ~$5000 cdn) then trailer it to the border and say you paid way less, it's much easier to import a car to the USA than into Canada, there is much less taxes, if any at all.. not sure about ohio taxes. so at this point it's $1100 more.. but you save months of work. I've driven 16 hours to get a RX7 before (from Ontario to Nebraska) and it only cost a few hundred in gas for the truck and trailer and a few hundred at the border for taxes.
Old 04-14-09 | 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by CompuBob
so, a 5 hour trip to Canada, and spend some of your awesome American money here which is worth a lot more ($4000 US = ~$5000 cdn) then trailer it to the border and say you paid way less, it's much easier to import a car to the USA than into Canada, there is much less taxes, if any at all.. not sure about ohio taxes. so at this point it's $1100 more.. but you save months of work. I've driven 16 hours to get a RX7 before (from Ontario to Nebraska) and it only cost a few hundred in gas for the truck and trailer and a few hundred at the border for taxes.
Are there inspection fees along with the taxes?

I was told by a mod from clubfr.net about how it was alot easier to convert then import. It was from a while back so I can't remember all what he said.

It took me less then 1 month to actually convert to RHd all while still working 40hrs a week at my job...
Old 04-14-09 | 11:47 AM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Napsterfreak15
Are there inspection fees along with the taxes?

I was told by a mod from clubfr.net about how it was alot easier to convert then import. It was from a while back so I can't remember all what he said.

It took me less then 1 month to actually convert to RHd all while still working 40hrs a week at my job...
I think the inspection fee is done when you register the car your state.. I could be mistaken though I know some states don't have inspections of emission testing. You should just have to pay taxes on the purchas price at the border and the purchase price is whatever you decide you want to tell them.
Old 04-14-09 | 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Gene
I'm with Aaron.

Downsides:

Expensive
Time Consuming
Difficult
Dangerous (harder to see where the left side of the car is when facing oncoming traffic on a two-way street)
Have to operate shifter left-handed (plus if you're a lefty I suppose)
Can't go to the drive-through
Difficult to use a tollbooth
Unwanted attention from the po-po.

Upsides:

It's different?

In summary:


Perfectly put and the pic reinforces it further lol.
Old 04-14-09 | 02:28 PM
  #22  
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A guy a few months back got killed along with his friend in a seven with a coversion because he was trying to pass and couldn't see ****.

And Aaron, seriously, when was the last time you got laid?
Old 04-14-09 | 05:45 PM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by Dltreezan
A guy a few months back got killed along with his friend in a seven with a coversion because he was trying to pass and couldn't see ****.

And Aaron, seriously, when was the last time you got laid?
sounds to me like he would have been killed in a LHD RX-7 anyways (no offence to your friend) I drive rhd on a daily basis in many different cars and it has never given me a problem as long as you take your time and make smart decisions. also having a passenger who you trust is a plus
Old 04-14-09 | 07:08 PM
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I 2nd that. I actually thought about doing the conversion myself, but back out. It's the thought of the brake lines and steering column that won't help with turbo room.
Old 04-16-09 | 02:48 PM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by Dltreezan
A guy a few months back got killed along with his friend in a seven with a coversion because he was trying to pass and couldn't see ****.
That sucks. But it illustrates the danger that many of those considering RHD vehicles don't immediately see. The second part of that equation would be that maybe the crumple zones in the car would have absorbed the impact if they weren't cut and welded? Just a thought, and it depends on where the collision took place.

And Aaron, seriously, when was the last time you got laid?
Years.


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