Hey everyone ive been lurking around here for a while now and thought id finally start up a build thread which I hope to update regularly as I complete things on the car. To cut a long story short I had a 180B shell fully roadworthy and running but the body wasnt to crash hot and a little bit to much repair was needed for my capabilities. So I found a mint shell basically from the middle of Australia and drove it home with the intention of swapping all the running gear into it. The car has not one bit of rust in it which makes it a perfect start for my project.

Specs:
ENGINE:

Nissan FJ20 TURBO from DR30.
Fully rebuit by Graham Wilkins.
Wiesco Forged pistons
660cc injectors
T3 high flow turbo
Front mount intercooler
N13 Pulsar radiator
2.5inch mandrel bent exhaust

DRIVELINE:

RB20DET Gearbox
Short shifter
Brass Button Clutch
Std tail shaft
R200 3.7 LSD Diff
R31 Coilover Struts Verada Discs VL Turbo Calipers.
R31 rear disc brake conversion
DIY Datsport ARC kit
All new springs, shocks, steering and bushes all round.
Rear sway bar.
Bigger fuel lines VL fuel pump.

INTERIOR:
MOMO Race steering wheel although one in is pretty cool
WRX front bucket seats
200SX rear seat
Moulded in dash Gauges
Venitian Blinds
New carpet and a full retrim.

As the car sits today from the firewall back is all complete with not one thing missed all brand new. The engine bay has been prepped and is in primer and is ready for paint next week. Alot of work has gone into the bay with 92 unwanted holes welded up and alot of smoothing off. Hopefully what im upto is as good a read as some other builds on here. Most of my pics of the actual car are on my old computer so ill get them up as soon as I can.
Cheers for looking!

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My FJ20ET 180B Build

Engine bay progress

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My FJ20ET 180B Build

Nice project.

From that long list of items seems like you have something in mind.

Keep us posted.

Thanks Jamiesix I had most of the running gear on another shell already so I know what I want from this car thats for sure.

On the old car I noticed the airflow was very restricted so I opened up the hole behind the highbeam headlight to get a bit more air through to the filter.
I also made as minimal holes for the IC piping as I could worked out quite well with some already existing holes just enlarged to suit and once painted will run some rubber protection around the holes.

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My FJ20ET 180B Build

Excellent work.

You're right, that larger hole will provide better air flow. Using rubber to protect wires and parts, as well as the metal itself from rusting, is great.

Your front sway bar will be different in shape from the stock 180Bs?

How does the rear one hold on to the car? I have seen some where the end links hold onto the bottom of the spring perches. Others do not.

Noicccce one

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Driving takes three abilities: Accelerating, braking, and turning.
More power only helps acceleration.
Lower weight helps all three.

Thanks 24TKman.

Jamiesix yes you are correct the front sway bar is a much differnt shape due to the reversing of the crossmember as the FJ sump is opposite to the L18. As for the rear swaybar it does attach to the bottom of the rear bump stop and also to the front of the rear crossmember.

Today was spent masking up everything and hopefully get the bay painted tomoro or if im not ready by lunchtime ill get it done Wednesday both days are supossed to be good weather finally its been holding me up hardcore!!

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My FJ20ET 180B Build

Thanks for the photos Mickc.

My ADDCO rear bar is supposed to attach to the cross member in similar fashion, but the rear contact points according to the guide ( will install it soon, dealing with engine swap now.) are the suspension arms. Brackets are to be affixed to the arms like your crossmember brackets. Never seen another set up like it.

Will post photos upon installation.

Project looking good.

That FJ is not only an FJ, but a built FJ, can't wait to see it running !

Well what seems like hundreds of hours of sanding and preping my engine bay finally got painted today. Im pretty happy with it I got a couple of runs in the finish but was my first attempt with base coat and 2K clear. It has a little orange peel throughout though im confident it with come out with a good cut and polish. This was one of the last things that has been holding me back. Next thing on the list now is to remove the reversed crossmember off the old shell along with the adjustable lower control arms and give them a clean up and then they can go onto the car. All the steering and suspension is ready to go. Before the engine goes in ill just need to order a brake booster, Clutch Master slave cylinder kit and run the brake lines.

Ive choosen to paint the engine bay in Ford mercury silver. Ive seen a few cars now with silver engine bays and I love the look. I was thinking black at the start influenced by the might EH holdens. But want something a little differnt I decided on the silver. Still havent decided on a rocker cover colour yet but im leaning towards gloss black the FJs look tough in black but a mid to dark blue is also considered. Its currently bright yellow got a bit erratic in my ealry 20s on that one and I apologise.

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My FJ20ET 180B Build

Some more engine bay pics in better light.

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My FJ20ET 180B Build

That looks good i havent got to that stage with our 610 im just going to blow in the rad and top of my skirts to clean it up for now.

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1600s arent the only datsun

Was going to do the same but once I started I couldnt stop I wanted it to be perfect. Dodgy respray before I got the car couldnt be left the way it was. As they say measure twice cut once!

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My FJ20ET 180B Build

Looking good mate, i love seeing engine bay's getting done.

Are you using acrylic paint and 2K clear ??

Cheers CASUNNY I used 2K base coat colour and 2K clear coat on top.

Well seems I had a very productive day got the bay all painted in the morning and avoided the heat of the day. Watched some cricket then this evening when it was a bit cooler got the reversed crossmember, adjustable lower control arms and front sway bar off the old car. Gave them all a spray with truck wash to soak overnight and tomorow ill give them a good clean up and paint ready to put on after I get back from summernats. So much can get done when there is no need to attend work!

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My FJ20ET 180B Build

Great colour.

Are you planning on spraying the whole car this same colour? Would look awesome.