RA28 Conversion input

[Sunny77]

Hey guys, I know this question will have been asked heaps but i'm going to ask it again. Looking for experienced peoples input on the potential task ahead of me.

I have an old RA28 (my first car) and am considering reviving it instead of purchasing something else. I want it to remain a sleeper, so looking fairly stock yet able to kick some butt if and when i need it. Not necessarily wanting a HP monster but i would like some decent power. So am after input in regards to engine conversions and their various pros/cons and what major work/expense would be involved with them.

Engines up for consideration include 4AGE or 4AGZE. 1GGTE or 1JZGTE. SR20DET. Or at the crazy end of the scale 2JZGTE.

Any comments, thoughts, suggestions are all greatly appreciated.

[Sam_Q]

how much work can you do yourself?

[sheepers]

1JZ.
no more or less work or difficulty than any of the others. horse power to burn, torque through the roof and if you drive around at a normal speed without boosting in every gear they return really good fuel economy.

my 2c.

sheepers.

[twentyEight]

Don't even bother with the 4A series (including 7a/4a hybrids) as they're only a 1.6l and that's just going backwards.

If you want fast in general, go a 1JZ, if you want fast on a race track go an SR20 with a GT3076R (don't do a 3S-GTE unless you have way too much time and like lots of effort).

[river]

Hi,

Engine conversions - even the seemingly simple ones, can cost a lot of dollars. When you start making more power you will need to upgrade the diff and gearbox, and also the brakes. You will also want better and more firm suspension. So, it's a long road and not a cheap one either.

The more work you can do yourself the cheaper it will be. However, you need to remember that to do it properly will require skills in a lot of areas... from engine rebuild/installation/tuning, to brakes to diff to gearbox and suspension. I have seen some wonderful conversions in these threads where people have done most of the work themselves. It costs less but often takes a long long time. Also, some of this work, while well intended, and done (which I fully understand) to save costs by doing it themselves, looks amateurish and may not deliver all that you wanted.

How much power are you looking for? Considering the car weighs around 1100kg, anything from 130rwkw and upwards is going to make it quite a fast mover.

Don't forget that you'll probably be installing an EFI engine, which means you'll need fuel pumps and a surge tank set up.

There are a number of engines that will suit your requirements, and while you can pick power plants from other manufacturers, I'd stick with the Toyota engines as they have numerous engines which can be nicely modded and fitted to your car.

I'd budget, at a minimum, of $10k to get something semi-decent, and this is doing a lot of the work yourself, and does not include a full engine rebuild (which I recommend as unless you know the history and condition of the engine it may die on you when you turbo it and start pulling big kw through it).

seeyuzz
river

[wizza_101]

just on the note of brake upgrades. if your looking for a good brake & suspension upgrade package then you should defintely check out my thread for the S13 Brakes & Coilovers upgrade.
http://www.toymods.net/forums/showth...57#post1109857
the ride height however becomes very low. ive had to roll the guards to get a full turning circle in.
but all things aside, the car will handle and brake far better than stock and for not alot of cost.

also the other bonus with this is it works on both the RA28/23, AE86 / KE70 Crossmembers which is a crossemember you are probably going to be using.

cheers
wizza

[lexsmaz]

It can often be cheaper to buy something already done, but the negative is you need to check that the mods are done well & ideally the work should be engineered before you buy it & as river said it varies a lot as to what people have done in the quality of their work, i have seen some pretty scary ( dangerous ) stuff over the years ...

It is rewarding to say you have done the work your self, but it could end up being a lot of work though ..

Rob ...

[JT252]

only problem with buying some thing that's already done is that the ones with the Toyota engines rarely come up for sale. would beams be any easier to do as it already comes in a FR configuration?

[MWP]

Yes, a BEAMS 3SGE is quite an easy conversion in comparison to most others.
Use the attached 6spd gearbox.
Wiring is relatively easy with no auto, or integrated body looms to worry about.

[roadkill]

Hi,

1jz all the way. Stock 280hp. New computer and good electronics, bigger turbo etc easy to get 500hp. So when that thirst for more power comes around (and cash IS available) you can upgrade further. Downside is you'll need better brakes upfront and stronger diff. Realistically you're gonna need that regardless unless u put a fresh 18r in it

bEn