S13 halfcut...what to expect

[Datto-Zed]

My friends just bought an S13 CA18DET front cut for our bluebird trx conversion. I've just been around tonight to see it and it wasn't quite what I expected.

Basically it's stripped of alot of parts, pretty much of all we NEED is there, but alot of other bits we would have liked aren't there.

There's no panels, brakes, hubs, calipers, airbox, engine cross member, steering rack and a few other bits, but they are the main ones I can think of atm.

Is this how they normally come? I just wanna get an idea if this is normal or not in case we aproach the jap motors dude about it. He did say it would have brakes, and all the that is there is the stripped housing of one calliper.

Btw in the pics the motor is sitting right back against the firewall because it isn't actually bolted to anything! :rolleyes:

[Datto-Zed]

A couple more pics

[Datto-Zed]

Last one.....
Btw it has 82000kms

[loser_bob]

ok with a front cut it may or may not come with the panels attached. this is because a lot of people who buy them use them fro conversions and then return the panels and subframe back to the importer. brakes/hubs/calipers should be on there (especially if they said you would get them). they sometimes come with the airbox (not all arrive with it). it most definately should have the engine cross member!! i would also expect there to be a steering rack.

this is from about 10 or 11 front cuts i have seen at friends places when they have done conversions.

[Datto-Zed]

Thanks for that :)

Looks like we'll be havin a nice lil chat with the jap motors dude! :D

[loser_bob]

would it be too much to ask what u paid for the front cut? just to make it a little more objective.

[Datto-Zed]

I'm not sure exactly what they paid in the end, but it would be in the vicinity of $2500....maybe more

I can't remember exactly, but when they did originally tell me it was quite over priced in my opinion.

I'll find out ASAP.

[loser_bob]

for that kind of money (a little overpriced) you should have gotten everything with a CA18det including all the panels and it should have some good aftermarket gear on it. one of my friends got an S13 SR20det manual front cut including everything for $2500.

[Datto-Zed]

Hmmm I agree with you there, and I told them (my friends) that it was over priced but they went ahead anyway.

Will definantly be having a chat to this guy about it, maybe get some money back on it?

[loser_bob]

depends on if hes a decent bloke or not. some of the jap importers can be real pri*ks to deal with. hope it all works out. will be nice car when its all done. my saxaphone teacher in south australia had a series II TRX with a VG30det in it and that was like 7 or 8 years ago, that was one hell of a car to drive.

[Datto-Zed]

Thanks for your help mate. :)

VG30 in one would be damn sweet! :D

Ours is a SIII....we were thinking about doing rb20det swap, but considering none of us have done a swap before we decided to stick to the CA as it pretty much bolts in......should keep us busy for the next few week tho! :D

[loser_bob]

its always good to start with a "bolt in" conversion (they dont always bolt in but its a damn sight easier than trying to stuff a big motor in a small spot). im building an RB30DETT for my VL and that will bolt in. but i have a friend who is doing the twin turbo 1uz into his, thats gonna be a lot of work but when its done it will be a monster

[80DGY]

Good luck with old mate DZ! :D

[meggala]

I would have assumed it would have come with cross member brakes etc may be not panesl but a front cut is a front cut so technically it should have come with the panels?
sounds suss to me
meggala

[Datto-Zed]

loser_bob: Twin turbo 1uz! :D :D :D MAD!
RB30DETT will be pretty mad too! :)

8ODGY: Had some bad experiences with this dude eh? Tell me more....

[browny]

I bought a half cut and had the same problem - too much was missing when I got it

Mine was R32 GTS-T. Wrecker told me he would be taking suspension, brakes, panels and lights. When I got it virtually the whole dash was missing, pedals were missing, gearstick boot and even the gear knob was gone.

Now it wasnt a big deal to me because I wasnt going to use any of that stuff anyway(that said it could have come in handy) but it gave me the shits because as far as im concerned all those sort of things should come with a 1/2 cut. I ended up ringing the guy and asking him what happened to it all. His reply was that his lackey went a bit wild stripping the pedal box out and removed too much. In fact most of the stuff was sitting in a pile to be thrown out. I managed to salvage the instrument clusted and A/C control unit from him.

Talk to the guy - if he's ok he will be reasonable. As far as im concerned he only has the right to take the things he has told you that you wont be getting. Definitely all the engine parts should be there.

[Evo_Lee]

Datto-Zed: what you complaining dude you got a cat with it...:D

OK seriously I'd expect little more from a half cut...they should have given you everything or what he claim will be there. Anything else extra you can always return to them.

[Datto-Zed]

lol@ Evo_Lee :)

I hate cats damnit!!! He can keep it!

Sounds like when you order a halfcut you have to make it known to the wrecker that you want everything and get it in writing, that way if he doesn't deliver it all, you have something to fall back on.

Turns out they paid $2k for it + postage. So I spose thats ok...
Jarrod said the guy is sposed to be be chasing up the parts for us......I'm still pretty sus though. I'll be pushin him to get the brakes, cos we sure will be needing a brake upgrade! :)

Anyhow we got the motor out of the halfcut tonight, tomorrow we clean it down and start getting the bluebird ready for it. :)

[vrmmmpshhh]

usually importers have them on display with a sign stating the price and what it comes with. ive seen a rb20det front cut which came with asbolutely everything for 2000. right now theres a r33 gtst at A1 for 3500 that comes with everything minus panels which i think its a pretty good price.

[Datto-Zed]

They don't actually have any in stock up here, it was ordered from a place down south, through the local shop.

[djfuzz]

*

[NISMOgemini]

yeah i was qouted $2800 for a sr20dert 5 speed front cut

[L Plater]

I'm about to buy a R32 GTS-T rb20det manual front cut. There is only 1 import wrecker that I know of in Newcastle and they want $2k without brakes, panels and headlights.
$2200 with brakes.

Another dude up here who owns a workshop is bringing in his first container load full of goodies but his not sure of the price yet.

My questions are what should I be looking to pay for a rb20det manual front cut with all wiring, manifolds, steering, brakes, suspension. crossmember's and gearbox. Without panel's.

I'm hoping to buy it off someone who is importing privately coz wrecker's seem to charge a fortune for their stuff. Also, does anyone know anyone in Newcastle or close by who import front cuts?

[Datto-Zed]

Just as a little update, the importer just got the steering rack to us last week. FINALLY! Still no brakes though. :(

[browny]

L Plater

There is more than one place here in Newy that sells half cuts.

I have heard some not great stories about the place you are thinking of.

Unless prices have gone down in the last few months you are looking at $2200 for RB20DET minus brakes, suspension, panels and lights.

Email me: timbrown@nobbys.net.au if you need any more help

[RXTurbo]

Just for more comparison....

I bought a Legacy GT front cut for $2k, it was the entire front of the car from the front seat mounting points forwards. Only thing missing was steering wheel, guage cluster, battery and rims which I knew about. Everything else was there including all fluids and japanese bugs/leaves in the radiator!

[RB30DETT]

about 4 weeks ago I saw an s13 front cut in importers all complette exept f/m cooler and rims. and this had an rb25det & 5speed convertion all panels and even the seats price was $2800.00 in brisbane ( oh yes it has since been sold) cause a freind was interested in it.:wtf:

[Rota_Motor]

hey guys, I always annoy my local importers just looking for bargains and shit ;)

last S13 front cut I saw was an SR20DE, was an auto, and was for sale complete, the silvia bonnet was propped up so you could see the engine and what you got, and it was complete right back to the T-bar surround and tailshaft front yoke. from memory it had the struts taken out because they were aftermarket ones, but the brake assembly was still bolted in.

most of the front cuts I have seen include the brakes, but often not the panels, as sometimes they can be damaged in transit (especially when stacked into a container)