hey zedders, ive had the aus-zed car for like 3 weeks now... im already susin out the costs / process of doing the TT conv for the aus delivered zed.... (just thinkin 6-12 or months in advance) im assuming the first thing to do is locate the donar engine... as i dont just want to "drop in a TT".. is it worth getten a TT from a wrek or a TT thats had it and start the rebiuld that way... i cant see the piont in investing in a TT without reconing the HairDryers and boring / honing the block and heads... i know its not gonna be cheap.. but to start what would a TT thats not running be worth.. or is there a better approach? im open to all ideas... Cheers all ~ÀzURR?~ * EÐ - 32
You should really head over to.....>> The twinturbo.net website and have a read through some of their FAQ posts on this subject. Converting to a TT involves a little more then just dropping in a different engine. I'm not trying to talk you out of it, just suggesting you do as much homework on the subject as you can. Personally, if I was in your shoes I would be looking out for a cheap front cut that will come with all the bits and pieces you need. Once you have finished you simply sell all the unused parts and get a bit of your money back.
It is probably simplest in the long run to sell your aus spec now whilst is intact and spend a bit more on an original TT (many would prob prefer to buy an unmodified aus spec as it is and will pay more for the priviledge). A friend with a clean 93 aus spec with about 100Kays just sold it for $25K (and this was before the current import limitation price hike). He could have bought a nice TT for that money but has chosen to leave the 'family'. Whilst that's top price I realise, the cost/time/effort of the na<>tt swap is really only for those who have the time and can do the work themselves... Otherwise it's a huge money/time black pit. Alternatively you could mod the na with headers, pod, exhaust, cams, UDP etc etc but even then you're talking many thousands just for these and you may not be satisfied with the power in the end...
Best way to go get a TT half cut with all the bits, +TT fuel pump and a few extra bits, then go from there. Let Just Jap in Sydney know u are after one and they can search for a good one. Pull the block down give it new seals bearings etc and refurb the turbos. My 2 cents MattB
Talk to Shifter - he's had the conversion from Aus Spec to TT done recently. UAS did it for him. cheers, Peter
I can help with that I would put aside $10000 as a mininum for this project. That will get you pretty much on par with a stock TT. Here is some of what you need to do. TT front cut Labour around 40 hours Front brake/rotor upgrade TT fuel pump 100K service Aftermarket or stock TT front bar to accomodate intercoolers. You can use the same gearbox You can keep the 4.11 ratio diff You can keep the same clutch pedal setup While its being done, get the exhaust manifolds extrution honed, turbos reconditioned and remove the throttle body heating hoses etc. Just make sure the TT front cut you get is guranteed, good condition, compression and leakdown tested etc. I got mine for $3500 Here is more info in this thread and in this one Whatever you do, take it to a mechanic who knows zeds inside and out. Otherwise you will pay a fortune in labour as it may take them much longer than one who knows the car and/or has done it before. Also, much more professional work Your car does have to be something special to make it a viable project. As the cost of doing the project could almost (and sometimes) buy you a 2nd Zed!!!
The front brakes on the TT and the NA are exactly the same!! Except for one year about 91 or 92 where they put thinner discs on the NA, then changed back to the same size. Diameter and caliper are the same. $10,000 is a gross over exageration if you do this yourself. You are not making a TT!! You are fitting a turbo engine to an NA chasis. You need an engine complete with injectors, plugs and all hard pipes, intercoolers, front bar, new clutch and flywheel, clutch master cylinder, boost controller, turbo ECU chip, radiator, fuel pump(maybe) and some other hardware. With careful and steady bargain hunting over 6 months, from wrecks ETC. I estimate you could get all the bits together for approx $2000. Then your labour. The worst part seems to be you need to replace the radiator for the narrower taller turbo one and reweld the radiator mounts on the cross member so it fits in. Also cut the front valence to fit the hard pipes through to the intercooler/s If he is that interested I have the parts costed here already. Also a lot of them here now I have been collecting. There is a good artical. I even have a process description for doing exactly this in hand. Now if he is going to make an NA engine into a TT engine then 10,000 is probably correct. I have a whole TT engine down here he can have for $850 !!
I believe it was......>> Actually only the very first batch of 89 model NAs that got the thiner front disks.
If you read the original thread, he says he "doesn't want to just.. drop in a TT", so doing it "properly", (and sensibly) could easily cost up to $10000. Not everyone is capable of doing this work themselves, or they lack the facilities to do the swap, and so labour costs can inflate the price enormously. You are a lucky SOB, if you can source a good TT engine for under $2-3K. I think Shifter's reference to Brake Rotors, was as an "upgrade" (which is sorely needed on all stock TT's), not as a definite "must do" item to accomplish the conversion. Just a re-build of my TT engine, ran into $10000, and that didn't involve buying new turbo's (but did include $800 for Side-mounts). You're correct when you say the job could be done cheaper, but I think $10K is a realistic figure.
I hear you Lloyd I get to the point with a lot of my interests that I just dont trust other people to do work for me.:angry: I have gotten burnt before with so called experts (in other areas) doing a lousey job that on investigation I could have done better or worse. If this is your hobby (and it has turned into one of mine) I dont think you can afford to be scared of doing anything cause its all a learning experience. I was serious about having an engine here for sale. It may not be perfect but would be a good base to start from. Something else has come up that will mean I dont need it now. So if anyone wants a complete engine. Give me an OI ! :thumbsup:
Trying to stop in my NA was scary sometimes Then going to a TT which (in my case) was more than 2 1/2 times more power and a hell of a lot more torque, a brake upgrade seemed quite sensible (and I have one of the first NA batches) A good part of any driving experience is not only going quickly, but stopping quickly
The brakes on my NA are really really excellent They want to shove you through the windscreen when you stop. I actually think the OEM calipers are fine. The discs could stand to be bigger diameter. Apparently there is a kit for larger disk diameters but keeping stock calipers. Cant remember what company it is from
