Thread: Swap and Labor

do it yourself so you learn how to do it. otherwise if something breaks and you dont know where it is, you have to take it back to the shop and pay more money. the only reason my car was put back together in the shop is because of the fabrication work needed and i was still there every single day working with them. i know every little piece and part on my car. (minus the random ecu crap but thats a whole different story.)

also just like everyone above is saying, do it right the first time. and try doing it yourself. good luck man!

if you lift the car up and drop the motor down, you dont need to rent a cherry picker. just use a couple floor jacks and strategically manuever the motor and tranny down. it really isnt that difficult.

I agree.... that's the way I do it, it takes me about 8 hours if it's your first it might take you a little bit longer and it's going to save you a ton of money in the long run, I haven't seen a mechanic in 5 years good luck bro your better off doing it your self.

I do it out the top with no problems... if you do, you can line up the hoise on the passenger side and pull the engine at an angle it comes out like a bisexual on maury povich... easy. Never done it out the bottom.

Tips I've learned from swaps/pulls along the last few:

I don't know much, but here are a few things that helped me...

1. Def do it yourself, but if you have a friends assistance... it usually ends up being a good time, and a great learning experience.

2. Disconnect your battery FIRST... Disconnect the three connectors behind the center console, and unscrew the ecu connector & pull the engine harness through the firewall first, and that way you can trace the wires/connectors that go to it and leave them connected (and then you can pull the motor with the harness attached - and then transfer the harness on the floor).

3. Watch your axles... if they are original, when you pull them out abrubtly most likely the boots will tear and you will end up replacing them 6 months to 8 months later.

4. Get an impact gun... it saves soooooo much time.

5. Loosen your axle nuts just a little bit right before you take the car up in the air...

6. Take your time, being in a rush makes you forget things... that you might pay for later.

7. In all the excitement of getting your motor fixed its super easy to forget tightening an oil filter, filling your radiator, filling your trans, or even filling your motor with oil... Double check everything when you think you are done before you crank her up...

Nice, I am more inspired to do this. I have an empty car shop that my dad usually rents out but has no tenants right now, so I have plenty of space for the swap.

Now the thing is I should get some of the WA sr20 guys together to help me out, because I know that some of them have experience (which I don't) I think a few of them swapped in PWrdbyUncleBen's bluebird motor.

well having your own place to do the swap will definitly save you tons of money.

Yes, call your boys. the more the merrier. One of the main reasons swaps are difficult is lack of help. You got the whole NW nissan crew and they have many swaps. You should have no problem....

set a date and start a thread in the northwest section. offer to buy them lunch or something. even just order in some pizza. it's great having people who know what they're doing around. and it makes things so much more fun!

Yeah, I plan on doing that in a couple of months. I figure i will save up and buy the motor and parts first.

PM'd if you've got the money you will be turbo by March.