Bos55

Also a quick thanks to all the guys who have given me support, this is a great community and reading back through some of you comments at the start has got me eager to get this car up to the standard it deserves. Cheers Bos

It’s been a while since I have updated. A few of the things that have happened. - A mate offered me a good price on some MA61 wheels which have been fitted up - I managed to get my car registered on Club permit plates - I drove it for one day before confirming the head gasket was no good, thermostat was blocked when I got it but the bloke I got it from had been thrashing it around on a 35 degree day. - head gasket has been replaced but I haven’t started it up yet, hopefully will get onto that tonight. I also found a very good supplier for all the parts I need for my 2T-G, Precision International ( http://www.precisionintl.com/Default.aspx ). That engine has been stripped down to bare block and head, will be getting the head off to a machinist to get skimmed when I get a chance. Engine is a bit crusty inside but everything seems in good condition. I was expecting the engine to have never been opened but it has got 0.50mm oversize pistons which is a nice little surprise. At this stage I will be putting the engine back together with all the gear that has come out of it, obviously fresh bearings and check everything is within tolerance. This will be a slow build but it will get there. Looking forward to hopefully firing up a trouble free engine tonight and been able to enjoy the car I have been looking at for the last 10 months.

I had a whole message typed out but lost it so here is the short version. Recent purchases. 2tg with 222 head The matching side draughts Freshly ported manifold T50 with Exceedy HD clutch Lightened flywheel Ke35 rolling shell for panel sections Not much had been happening till yesterday. I decided to start rust repairs on the passenger sill. I'm not great with a welder and haven't had the cash to get gas set up for mine so gas less mig was the only option. I folded up the patch panel from flat steel. It hurt to cut up the coupe but it had to be done. The pics below show how it was done. Not the best looking job ever but I'm happy with my first attempt. Cheers Bos

Hey guys. I'm sussing out getting a 2tg into my 55 coupe. I may have been lucky enough to stumble across a te37 engine crossmember(tbc). This will save having to fabricate mounts which is one little hurdle covered. 1 of many hurdles I know but I am in the process of sorting solutions for those I know of so far. I am intrigued to know of àny others in vic who have had their car engineered with a 2tg into ke30/55. What sections were required and what stumbling blocks did you come across. Always value the opinions of those who have experience behind them.

I can personally say i changed my Auto 4k to 5 speed manual only a few Months ago, I got the wrong k50 so I had to mod the tunnel. the ke70 k50 has the shifter 2 inches further back and slots straight into the auto hole. I am sure that when i take off from the lights i am using more then 10L/100km but then when i am in 5th at 60km an hour on a smooth road the car hardly gets over a 1000 RPM. if you want people off your ass at the lights then get the manual and take of like you stole something hit 60kmh in second at i very screamy 3-4000RPM and then slide through the next 3 to sit at stuff all RPM in 5th, the car loves it. the auto changed too low and was so slow that it gives you stuff all get up and go. Its a different car in Manual. I did mine for a total of $155 and a half a bottle of Candian Club. (the CC was for a mates barely used CLutch as the one i got in the $155 was a little worse for wear. Add $40 dollars to machine the fly wheel, i did this a month after the conversion as it slipped so machined it when changing the clutch.

Hi rob. I was at the point that I had almost given up on the coupe. Was tempted by the availability of the four door. Thank god I found this one. Got a bit of work but loving working on it and even just looking at it. I think i may have found my 2tg. Its great having rollaclub members willing to help each other out. Hopefully next weekend ill be able to pick it up.

Another little update. Gave the car a little tune and modified the throttle position to raise the idle RPM. There is a bit of a flat spot down very low so now the idle sits just above that so its a bit tough to take off smooth but no issues driving. Feels really nice. My main update has been the addition of a Tacho. I was completely against the idea of having a Tacho as i want to keep the dash looking as original as possible. I did however come up with a set up which ticks all the boxes. I have mounted the Tacho into the front of the ash tray. this means i am able to remove the Tacho, unplug the back of it and put in an original ash tray. It needs a little neatening up and ill have to sort out some paint but it works well. I reckon it looks alright where it is sitting. More updates too come. Possibly Some Engine news coming shortly. :thumbsup: Almost forgot. I also got my Speedo working again. Wasn't a massive issue but legitimizes the car a little.

Has been a couple of weeks so a little bit of an update. I've only really been fidling with things. Got the original radio working. Reception is terrible but its a cool piece of originality. My main project at the moment is a front lip. I have not heard of anyone using one but I am trying to modify a volvo 740 front lip to fit the very different shaped 55. This is the lip i have And here are some pics of it taped to the front of the car. It is obviously going to be too wide so i will need to cut and shut it, as it turns out the centre of the three holes in the middle is the exact width i need to remove. Could be a little fiddly and require me to crack out some fibreglass and cross my fingers but i think it should come up ok. I know the pictures are average but i assure you once it is done i will be getting the good camera out to update properly. Also Fog lights will be going on as on the volvo above. Just got to round up a set Still on the hunt for a 2tg if anyone has one sitting in the shed :yes:

You are correct with saying their is never too much, i do get what you mean though. If you do have that sort of power the discipline of your right foot will go a long way too saying if it can be a daily or not. I would say that it may not be the power that will prevent it from been a daily but rather the accessories around it. A super heavy duty clutch or Push button clutch would remove all daily ability. Other things such as suspension set ups and exhaust note might push you too resenting driving the car. You never want too resent driving the car you have spent so much time, money and emotion on. With the work you would need too be doing your car will be off the road for big chunks, whatever you drive during that time keep and drive monday to thursday then drive the Ke70 Friday to Sunday. Might sound expensive but hating a car you have spent 10k on and may never be able to flog off for more then 5 is gonna hurt the wallet more.

Good luck with your choice, I'm in the same boat with the same options. I've made up my mind though so in order to help your decision making easier i would like to offer to take the tired 2tg off your hands. If you do decide to swap out the engine i would be more then happy to give the 2tg a new home. under the bonnet of my 55 coupe. Nostalgia won the battle over power for me. Good luck again

So I've recently managed to get a bit of time under the car, have loved every second of it. The main thing that has changed is the Auto is out and the car now runs a k50 5 speed with cable clutch. I drove it on Wednesday night around the block and the 5 speed has completely changed the car. So much more enjoyable. I also fiddled with a few things in and around the car. I changed the dash facia to one I found at the wreckers, this also happened too bring with it the original AM/FM radio which I am stoked about despite it not working, I haven’t even tried to get it working though. I also have taken out the shifter surround as changing to the 5 speed I had to modify the shifter position, I like the way it looks now. The massive sub is out of the boot, the amp is gone, the aftermarket head unit was accidentally driven over and the 6x9 speakers which floated on the parcel shelf have gone too. Most noticeable though, the window Tint has all been ripped off. As the car sits at the moment I am happy with how it looks but I have big plans. Firstly I need to get the rust out of it and once my new welder rocks up I can get new patches in. My biggest issue with rust is at this stage the rear wheel arch. The panel just outside the lip has been eaten away, Given that coupes do not roll around everywhere it is proving difficult to find a panel to cut a section from. I have been looking at my front wheel arch and thinking I could probably use the lip of the wheel arch from a front quarter too patch the rear quarter. The contours are so close I’m sure with a bit of creativity I could get it to work. Then there is the issue of power. Given the jump from 3 speed to 5 is enough to keep me excited for the moment I am not in a massive rush but I want a 2tg to power this car one day. As with everything loosely tying back to the cars heritage, having the 2tg released in the same model in Japan is enough for me to stick it in as the heart of my coupe. If anyone has one I would really like too hear from you. Any condition as I would want to rebuild it anyway. I hate it when people write big plans that there is no way they will go through with but I would ultimately like for my 2tg to have a little bit of induction assistance. Nothing too stupid but enough to enjoy the driving while still possibly keeping up with my mates in their cars. This car will never be driven as a daily so why not have a Turbo to keep me company on the weekends. So now for my plea for help. If you have any of the following I would like very much to get in contact. A 2tg of any condition A ke35 or 55 coupe which you are willing for me to chop sections out of Front right (or I suppose left might work) quarter panels for ke30-55 Sorry no pics on this update but will get some up once I start the next job, rust repairs :( Hope you guys enjoy the read and if you have any advice I’d appreciate hearing it.

I've just read this thread from start to finish and am in awe of the way your car presents itself. You have done an awesome job, not only with the car but with the build thread. I do however resent you saying its your "slap together" daily :P . I wish I could get this sort of quality on my 55 coupe and that's my one and only project :( Will be watching this thread and I am pumped to see what 2014 brings for this gorgeous example of a ke30. Well done so far. Bos

At pick a part kilsyth there were two ke55 4 doors. One WAS a 5 speed manual. That gearbox, pedalbox, cross member, tailshaft and all other conversion parts are now half into my coupe :) but there are interior bits still there. I tried to take care getting it all out but the main dash assembly unfortunately didn't make it. That one is riddled with rust. The other has auto box and some of the panels don't look too bad. I nearly lost my shit when that shift slid into fifth. So happy. Happy hunting

Thanks all. Hopefully i can do the car justice with the restoration. The colour has definitely grown on me. Looking at it right now i think the colour might stay for a while once i fix up a few of the bits. Oh Brendan i thought that was your young fella standing in front of the car. Good to see the passion for these cars has stuck with you. Looking forward to getting out and fiddling with the car.

Thanks Mechanical Sympathy. Yeh I've just looked it as I walk outside and I think it might be growing. I'm not too sure if it the original colour. It seems to be unless it had a thorough full respray. Paint choice is a fair way off so I may just start to like it. I like the one in your pic. Will be checking it out for inspiration. I've seen a couple of 2tgs but they are asking the same as what I got the car for. Maybe a trip to nz over Christmas might see me floating one back. Will have to keep an eye out.