Well, I just got off the phone with the tech who's overlooking the whole project, and he said "Hey buddy you're going to run into problems with this engine from the research we've done. Going to need new codes and exhaust system and radiator won't fit apparently and etc etc. It's going to cost you more than what I quoted, possibly in the early 3 grand range. Let me know what you wanna do."

I'm going to pull my car out of that shop for undertaking a task they were unable to conquer with certainty. I'm also going to give you guys a huge THANK YOU by donating to the site and utilizing the links y'all provided me with.

If there is anyone within the VA area who is willing to assist me with the swap Please don't hesitate to let me know - I will pay, you just have to bring the knowledge onto the trade table :)

- Alex

They really don't know because the radiator is very easy with the change of one of the bottom brackets...:rolleyes:

Get the car out of there!

Call RRT and see how much they want to do the conversion.

I have sent them an email and am currently awaiting a reply! I nearly pissed myself out of excitement.

Even if they charge me out the ass, at least they can back up their claim as far as swap knowledge goes. I called a few friends (car-savvy) and All of them vouched for this place. Not sure why/how I wasn't able to find out about it sooner :eek:

Regardless, I'm going to keep you folks Fully updated and informed!

Truly appreciate everyone's efforts!

RRT will not be cheap. But they will do it right.
A master tech I know once quoted me I think $3000.

Piper Motorsports is the shop that stuffed a S85 V10 (E60 M5 motor) into an E30 M3, while RRT is awesome, it might be worth getting a second opinion from Piper.

RRT is awesome, but if you have a wife and kids that conversation may not go so well. A buddy of mine recently got a quote from RRT for an S52 swap into his 318ti, and even as a single guy he couldn't justify spending what they were asking. IMO they're worth it, but not so much for budget builders like most of us.

Piper is legit, but IMO this swap is very doable at home in a average garage with a couple unique tools. It is hard to fail if you have a donor car available to bring all necessary parts over to. There is endless knowledge here on the site, but if you want to kind of get a summary all in one then I would check out J!M's manual just to get a good understanding of what you may be asking someone else to do. That way, you can decide for yourself whether or not their estimates are fair

$3000 was actually SPOT ON! :eek: Haha

As mentioned a lot of the swap is very possible for the "shade tree mechanic" to handle.

You could theoretically complete the mechanical and then have them button it up for you electrically and electronically and be on your way.

You could save a big bunch of the three grand that way...:wink: (not to mention learning a lot about your car and how it works)

Friend, if you tie a blindfold over my eyes, and ask me to build a computer from scratch, I'll do it in a matter of minutes.

If you tell me to swap something mechanically (car-related), even fully aware and without a blindfold, it's game over :frown:

Well, sometimes it's like that.

Sell a few hot rodded computers to finance the hot rod car.:cool:

Tricky
 

The trick is to have all the parts RRT are going to need ready for them, so it won't stall 'nor postpone the process at all.

Anything I should be purchasing prior to bringing the car over to them? I've got the engine as a whole (wire harness too), but that's just about it.

I should probably get my hands on a radiator mount or two (lower ones?) and perhaps a clutch/tranny/flywheel to go with it.

I'm forgetting stuff out of excitement :(((

I had zero experience prior to tackling the swap. I asked many questions on this forum and Jim's tech manual was indispensable. Bottom line, if I could do it, you can do it too!

i have the original build sheet for the swap which was done for my car 16 years ago. I'd be happy to give you a copy (i live close) so you can start purchasing parts before swap. PM me your number

I don't think I have the proper resources to do so.. although you guys are seriously pumping my confidence on the project. I'd need a dedicated garage, many tools, a crane to lift the engine, perhaps another car savvy friend or two, etc.

I might just think about that :) Still though, I think RRT are going to handle this lil project with care.

What I need this forum's help with is this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/F1-RACING-ST...cc758e&vxp=mtr

Should I go ahead and purchase myself a stage 1 clutch? It's somewhat expensive, and I found stage 3's for a couple hundred more. But they didn't seem 'top notch quality' from this F1 company. Perhaps I'm just ignorant? :confused:

Regardless, I saw a few going for a grand, so I'd have to save up a lil extra to add upon the whole swap's price.