20V: 88 shell for my silvertop

[mr3]

I found an 88 shell today that looks decent enough for my 20v. The car has some rust behind the rear arches and the front bottem corner of the drivers side door but new metal will be welded in and prettied up to make it look decent. I'm not a fan of red but the car is $600. He cant get the clutch blead out so he thinks the slave or master is shot. Not a problem, I work at a parts store and I have the slave in my trunk to replace. The car has cruise control. I dont think that can be used while converting over to the 20v correct? My daily driver doesnt have it so I'm not overly concerned. I saw in the window a suspension techniques sticker and the car has adjustable struts all the way around with lowering springs so maybe handling will be better than I'm used to. He bought the car with a blown engine, put a redtop in it and clutch but just plugged up half the vac lines and couldnt get the clutch lines blead out so he's letting it go. I didnt check to see the miles on it but everything on it seemed good. Nothing was loose when I grabbed the wheels and shook. I know its not a true test but its better than nothing right? lol. He also put a new fuel pump in which is a huge plus becuase I didnt want to do that. I was going to do it on my car but now I dont have to because thats allready done.

He kinda had to hot wire it to start it. He had the key in but had to jumper something in the fusebox to get it to fire. He said its not the clutch switch its something else. When he jumped the wires in the fuse box he said the key would work tried but the battery died so it didnt work out. He did have a jump box and started the car. Engine ran decent I guess. It had a chopped exhaust right after the new flex pipe he had so it was loud. He kept revving it up like it was something special, then I look in and the 3 lights that say the alternator is dead came on. I just lol'd at it because I wont be using it.

Oh one more thing, the guy had a cool mullet. I dont think that matters but it was just a true selling point. I never bought off a guy with a mullet. If I can get a friends tow dolly I'll be going to get it tomorrow and I'll definatly post up pics of my progress. I think I'm ready to do the swap. I just need to calm down and figure out the cooling lines.

[328FTW]

mmmmmm mullet. We want pics of it.....some of the car would be cool to

[mr3]

I'll try to be sneaky about getting a pic of the mullet. I think he'll think I'm a bit weird taking a pic of him lol. My sister went with me to check it out and she said she saw a guy with green hair. These are some weird rednecks. Shall be interesting.

[Kerry Phillips]

Bout the swap:

The cruise control has its own computer and is irrevelant to the new engine, it CAN work, the mechanical linkages/connections will take some engineering. Side2Side advertised that they were working on a kit for the 20v cruise control.

Read my post about the $16.99 @Pepboys Radiator hose, the lower main coolant hose is compatible with the 20V. When cut properly, that $17 hose will solve your hose problem PERFECTLY!

Today I start the wiring conversion. Being an amateur Electronic tech, the wiring may not be too difficult.

Oh, I mounted the AFM near the original position, will use the original air hoses and the trunk mounted air filter-looks very clean and stock.

[mr3]

Originally Posted by kerry Phillips

Bout the swap:

The cruise control has its own computer and is irrevelant to the new engine, it CAN work, the mechanical linkages/connections will take some engineering. Side2Side advertised that they were working on a kit for the 20v cruise control.

Read my post about the $16.99 @Pepboys Radiator hose, the lower main coolant hose is compatible with the 20V. When cut properly, that $17 hose will solve your hose problem PERFECTLY!

Today I start the wiring conversion. Being an amateur Electronic tech, the wiring may not be too difficult.

Oh, I mounted the AFM near the original position, will use the original air hoses and the trunk mounted air filter-looks very clean and stock.

I read your post about that hose, I allready have some flex hose that should be all I need. If not, I'll take the part number to my work and get that hose for half price. I love working at a parts store for the discount. Hate it for everything else.

I think I'll be doing my air setup the stock way also for now. First thing to do for me is to get it running then worry about making it stronger.

The guy is delivering it for me today. Hopefully he'll be here soon. I'm going crazy waiting. The driveway can only get so clean where the car is going to be sitting getting wrenched on. Pics to come later on if it ever gets here.

Any ideas on the starter problem? I've heard starter relay. Not quite sure yet.

[mr3]

Got the car today. The guy showed up paid him 700 for the car plus he towed it down for me. I could have drove it if I did the clutch up but I just ripped the engine out. Everything came out without to much trouble. Gonna wake up early tomorrow to get the old engine out of my way and get the new one bolted up to the trans and maybe lift it in. I screwed up big time ripping the pass side cva boot. Now it's in 2 pieces. Hopefully I can get this repaired somewhere probably not. I'll see if anyone we deliver to at work can fix it for me for a small cost. Pic time.

Her butt


It looked more like a mullet last night lol. Mohawk look today. That pic was for 328


Tired at the end of the day. I have to fix the drivers side headlight.


Parts engine for me. Had a 4 plug O2 sensor so I dont have to buy one of them.

[328FTW]

Needz rimz

It has a better front lip than my 88 I want it. Are the ignition wires on the key messed with much I had one like that and it took ages to figure out what the guy had done.

[mr3]

Looking in the empty engine bay, there was 4 wires that were snipped. I'll take a pic of them tomorrow. Also, there was a fuse added . It's been messed with before but definatly better than my 87 when I first got it. I do think this is going to be my all JDM'd out car. I have my other one to look decent but this one will have stickers on the windshield, something different. I cant wait to fire this thing up. I'm going to be busting my balls to get it going tomorrow and friday. If I got this on monday, I would've had it running today. But I have work tomorrow and friday so I have to cut my days short. I'm going to look for someone parting out a car and try to get the axel for cheap. What size is the nut on there? I dont feel like looking right now. I could've avoided this step if I did this earlier but I tried to take the easy way out and not take out the axle.

The guy gave me the choice of these wheels or stock triangles. I chose these because most of the tires look decent. I think I'll have to get 2 new tires for inspection but they wont be bad for a celebratory burnout!!!! I think I'll just ghetto rig the tail light for the time being with the red tail light tape just till I find a new one.

That front lip could be better. The one previous owner put it on a dolly and cracked the lip and busted it loose. I have some nice little screws that will stick it up nicely. I might have to pull out the thread and needle and sew it up good where it's cracked.

Search for a new axle starts soon. Theres a few parts I need to get for the car but it'll be fine till I get some money saved back up.

[tjmr2]

I modified the throttle bracket and have cruise installed on my BT. Couldn't keep my license without it. 16,000 + miles on the engine in just over a year.

[mr3]

I had everything set up and ready then I go to put the starter in and it doesnt bolt up on the intake side like it does on the exhaust. There are no through holes to bolt it in. It has the dual starter humps and I tried turning it and fitting it every way. I got pissed off and just took pics to upload and ask here. I also took pics of the wires that were cut. Probably cant make it out in the pic.







4 wires?


Engine went in through the top. It was too much of a hassle to lift the car up safely and not drop it on myself so my dad helped and we dropped it in.


We use our old swingset for engine pulls. I bent it up really good trying to get the vg30de out of the 300zx so it was too low to get the engine over the mr2 trunk. We flipped the bar around to get the clearance and it went in nicely when the header was pulled off. Then we backed the car under and dropped her in. The one header nut was on so tight it bent my craftsmen 14mm. A little bit of heat worked wonders and off it came.


Most everything is ready except for the transmisson. If someone could help me and point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated. I have to do some plumbing and get that taken care of but everything seems like it will go.

[mr3]

I got a little work in this morning looking at the 4 wires that were cut. They run up to an added fuseblock above the original. I didnt see that coming. There was a sticker on the window about an alarm thing. I'm not sure if that's what they are but they werent stock wires so I'm not going to worry about it. The starter problem is still in my mind. I think I might have to rip the steering column appart and trace the wire back unless someone has something to check out before I go through that work.

Also, If anyone knows about the starter not mounting up that would help out very much. I really want to get the car started on monday.

[donnyavery]

you need the starter from a sc the sc starter has one of the bolt holes is about a 1inch longer the the other

[mr3]

Thank you so much. I dont remember reading that anywhere. I have one on the way so I'm set. Hopefully, I'll fire it up on Monday. With or without the starter I'll be running. I told my dad I want to make a lap around my neighborhood monday night so we'll see how it works out. Any reccomendations on which oil to run for startup?

I think I got my cooling lines worked out just have to clamp them down and fill it up. Just to make sure, out to the rad is the one next to the header and in from is the one closer to the drivers side correct? That's how I'm plumbed and I hope I'm right. I still have to do the exhaust. First run really doesnt need it but I will when I take it for inspection. It looks like I'll be buying a downpipe from te51levin once I get back from florida and get some money.

Thank you everybody for your help this far. I'm sure I'll have more questions later.

[mr3]

This transmission is kicking my butt. The clutch looks ligned up and it feels perfect with my little home made tool but it must be off. This job was much easier on my 87 I think. I'm gonna try to get it tomorrow if it isnt pouring.

[mr3]

Put in my other clutch and it came went in perfect. They were both the same thing. The toyota one was a little bit harder to fit on the shaft but it fit. I dont know and I dont really care. The clutch is new and I'm ready to get this thing going. I went into work to find a new shaft and it's not looking good. They ordered one for an 88 na automatic hoping that they'll match up. I doubt it but if it works, it works. I'm leaving for Florida Saturday but when I get back, I'll pick up a starter and the shaft then take it for a spin around the neighborhood then I'll get an exhaust made up. Hopefully it'll be on the road within 2 weeks with fresh stickers and road "legal." Is there a coolant bleeder on the 20v or do I just bleed it from the front 2? I think that's my last question for now...

Thanks for everyones help so far. I dont think I wouldve made it this far without you all.

[FelipeT]

OK, so being a parts guy myself, I was fascinated by the starter issue. I had not heard that a SC starter had to be used, either, and since I'm in the middle of my swap, this was an item of interest to me. Here's what I found:

A common aftermarket part number for the SC starter is 16846 (Used by AutoZone/Duralast/Worldwide and a few others.) This crosses to Toyota part numbers:
28100-16020
28100-16050
28100-16100
28100-16110
28100-16130
28100-16210
28100-16220

It may cross to others, but that is all that I could find.

Other applications in which this starter was used include:
1989-93 Geo Prizm, 1.6L
1993 Geo Prizm, 1.8L
1990-1993 Toyota Celica, 1.6L
1988-1993 Toyota Corolla, 1.6L
1993 Toyota Corolla, 1.8L
... And of course, 1988-89 MR2 SC.

Oddly enough, Amazon.com has some good pictures of this starter:

Amazon.com: MasterQuality 16846 Premium...
Now, having looked at my BT swap that I'm working on, it looks like I won't be running into this problem because I already have a BT starter, which is apparently the same as the SC starter. Here are some more notes:

Intake-side mounting starter (SC, BT, ST, etc) 132mm mounting bolt spacing (center to center)

Exhaust-side mounting starter (MR2 NA, etc) 115mm mounting bolt spacing (approximate--sorry, I didn't have it off of the car yet for an accurate measurement.)

Plus, we can add one more OEM number to cross-reference list: 28100-16230. That's the OEM number on the one from my BT (from a 1997 Levin.)

Anyway, I just thought that I would throw this out there. Maybe it will help someone.

Good luck with your swap!

[mr3]

Thank you, I had the counter guys at work look it up for me. We stock Excel brand starters and alternators at work and the part number is 17002. I allready looked at it and I just need the money. I'm in florida till monday then I'll get the starter and axle boot kit and start the car. It'll need an exhaust set up and some other little things for inspection then I'll use it as a DD and park my 87 to start making that one nice. I think I'm going to have to do a brake job before it goes on the road.

[mr3]

I got it to start today. It was rough but it did fire then I noticed a big fuel leak. It wasnt my fuel line from the filter to the engine, it was one of the small ones that I just plugged into a same size port. I thought they were all just vacuum lines so I routed them together. Does anyone have a pic of how they did those lines? I'm rebuilding the axle today hopefully and installing a push button for the starter because the ignition is messed up. Once I figure out the fuel thing out ill take it around the block. I have to redo my cooling lines too. I'm not entirely happy with how they turned out. That should be easy enough.