And so it begins....323BG hatch ----> V6 powa with a few extra surprises

[progt91]

Looking good dan, looking good

[Dan [Sac]]

I was going to edit the first post with an ongoing Cliffs Notes list so that if people were looking for a particular section it'd be easier to find, but it looks like I can't edit older posts, so we'll just make this one it:

• Photos – 323 as purchased
  
• Engine – Supercharger mock-up
  
• MX-3 Parts car strip
  
• 323 Engine Removal
  
• 323 Interior strip & GT-R rear bumper fitment
  
• 323& RHD clip inside firewall bracket removal
  
• 3-hole Corksport front bumper mock-up
  
• Firewall & wipers RHD conversion begin
  
• RHD pedals mocked up
  
• Wipers RHD conversion complete, HVAC fresh air plumbing complete
  
• More RHD firewall work
  
• Yet more RHD firewall work, 3rd brake light elimination
  
• Hole-filling, frame rails
  
• More hole-filling
  
• What, more hole-filling?
  
• First engine in-car mock-up
  
• Front end mock-up
  
• Some inside cleanup
  
• First radiator attempt
  
• HVAC/RHD Dash work
  
• Griffin Radiator mock-up (idea abandoned)
  
• AFCO Radiator mock-up – much better!
  
• Battery Relocation install
  
• Remote oil filter installation
  
• Oil cooler & lines installation
  
• Radiator installation

[jumpncrash]

wow, this is a really awesome build, you do really nice work.
congratulations on an excellent project.

Nick

[4gethonda]

i love your work so much!!!

how long you plan on keeping this car?

[13thghost]

this is a very nice and clean craftsmanship.

[progt91]

hey dan, I would like some more updates lol

[Dan [Sac]]

Nothing much new - pulled the engine back out, did a final block inspection, put in a brand new OEM Mazda oil pump (I prefer them over the Toga pumps which the engine was built with), almost finished the valve covers, and de-powered the GTX RHD rack.

So in the next few days I get to build new mounts for the steering rack, because on the GTX the rack is mounted on the firewall and in the FWD BGs the rack bolts to the front subframe.

Then I have the Aerocatch hood pins to install.

After that, gotta run some lines for fuel, get a fuel filter and some fluids, and reinstall the engine and fire it up and get it running right.

After that, strip the car down to the shell again, finish the body work, and paint it.

Then put it all back together.

[therieldeal]

i added the cliff notes list to the first post for you

if you need to change it or add anything else just let me know

[Damkid]

I just got done reading this entire build so far, and WOW amazing job so far and i can't wait to see the finished product!!!

[Dan [Sac]]

I've finally settled on a body color - it will be the Mini Cooper Dark Gray Metallic - gotta pull the paint codes and see what the materials will cost....hopefully it's not a stupid 3-stage job like the Probe I painted - that was a PITA and added 40% to the cost.

The flares will be left black and will not be molded to the body.

[Dan [Sac]]

Ordered the ZG flares today as well. Only a little pricier than the Ebay stuff - they were 210 + shipping from SoCal (Classic Datsun). Will take a couple of weeks as they're repairing one of the molds - I like that they're paying attention to what they're selling. Other than the intercooler, this should be the last thing I need to buy to complete the car for now.

[DeanSweetP5]

dag gone... makes me stressing out about replacing a blown head gasket seem to silly?! Very impressive build. Wish I had your drive and skillz.

Keep posting!

-Dean

[90prtege]

looks awesome dan finally had as chance to sit down and read it all as ive missed way to much on here in the last few months

[Dan [Sac]]

Today I got the 'vertical hood' mod done by shaving the hinges a bit. No more hood removal when I take the engine out now. And no more busted foreheads on the corners either.

Tomorrow I'll put the Aerocatch hood pins...which of course require a little custom work. They're 22mm deep and the hood isn't at the front where it hits the upper radiator support, so I have to make some tabs that will be welded to the upper rad. support that the pins will bolt to (they have to be spaced further back from the rad. support...but, since I want to make sure I have sturdy items in place and the hood stays securely locked, I gotta do it. Pics tomorrow...


Edit - there was some weird water from the sky today - i'm told it's called 'rain' - haven't seen the likes of it in 6+ months....weird.

[nerd racing]

I would have given you some NY rain if i could man, we haven't gone more than 4 days without at least one rainy day, since April!