VIPclk320

few last updates. everything was swapped and the car was sent to my very good friends tunning shop Southbay Autohaus for the wiring swap and trans tunning and install and all the other things that have to do with ME/TCU/ESP/BAS. here is a few pictures of the car with everything is and getting towed to my friends place yesterday eveing. Next update in two weeks, i am off to visit william sun.

Williams707

That was an awesome shop, thanks for taking me there and introducing me to your friend. Tell him I said hello from Japan. He had some awesome tuned cars. Kind of figured he would put the finishing touches on your car...

I'll pick you up in Tokyo in a few hours. Have a safe flight.

VIPclk320

thanks brother see you in a few.

sonnyhoang

ASH! Congrats Mr VIPclk55

Williams707

Ash Has officially landed in Japan!!! Welcome to Japan.

dlbehrns

Ok, so, whats the update from Nippon?

Williams707

Update is Ash Loves to EAT!!!! I don't see how his parents could afford him...lol
Ash, hope you're enjoying the second part of your trip here, hope you could find other great restaurants to eat at. Call me if you need anything. Family emergency so I leave Friday.

VIPclk320

LOL, thats is very true my friend, specially with all the fish options in Japan you better belive i am not going to be on any kind of a diet. Dvae its amazing here deffinatly different than the states and I can say we most deffinatly take our big rooms and houses sizes for granted. but the roads are absolutly beautiful and makes you want to drive around alot but traffic is very bad. Got to drive Williams car and that thing is fast i would honestly say that it is faster than a 430 off the line upto about 60 or 70 and after i can see the 430 getting up and going. also considering his 20s and the thin tires the car runs very very smooth which is due to his NO2 that he is running in the tires. I took some car pics and william took me to his tuning shop also and saw an S14 SR20DET run on the dyno which was a beast but will post pics when i get back to the states.

Williams707

Thanks for the kind comments about my car. I don't want you to loose any friends by stating what I've been saying all along that my lil ole V6 320 is faster than the V8 430. I wish you could have driven it on the highway because it gets even better!!! BUT though I wanted you to I was concerned that you are not ready to drive on the roads here in Japan. So now you know how I'm all confused when I come back to the US trying to get use to driving on the US wrong side of the road...lol IMHO I think it's more around 90-100mph where the 430 will start to walk me down.

As for the tires, I believe the ratio in my tires is 80% Nitrogen & 20% Oxygen. Free refills up to 1 year at Super Autobacs here in Japan and free pressure adjustments. The Customer Service here in Japan most definitely spoils you.

Ash, not sure if you have tested your Struts like I've tested them but as you saw they are still holding strong especially considering how I push my ride. I like making people scream...lol

VIPclk320

LOL, you know me i say it like how i see it, i dont care about people disagreeing with me. I respect peoples opinion but only care about what i think and what pleases me and in my opinion and experience, your 320 will slap and take names of none modified 430s off the line but once that v8 gets up and goes then its tail light time. I was honestly most impressed with the ride quality and am going to try to find a place that does the NO2 for tires when i get back home.

Williams707

Nitto Invo tires, you should try them, they are awesome!!!

sonnyhoang

Have fun over there fellas!

dreamPR

Nice post! Keep up the good work and us posted.

Benz Over

if you dont mind me asking, how much did it cost to complete this project?

Luiserr

I am also here for learning as much as possible about the modification of the car to a great extent by myself. So, your post regarding such modification is definitely going to prove handy for me.
please, do posting and thanks for your laudable post.

betrezra

Cool project

VIPclk320

Have been very busy at work and havent had time to post any updates. The mechanical stuff is all done and the transmission is also installed. all thats left is the wiring which should be done and the car should be running in the next 2 weeks or so. Had a few things added such as a trunk spoiler, electrical folding side mirrors along with a module added for auto folding with arming and disarming of the factory security system and a few other little things. Also added ush start and the spring booster switch to my custom one piece center consul and had the indicator light for the sprint booster version two integerated into the gauge cluster(it was a lot of work had to take the sprint booster controler all apart and add a relay and make a custom box for the SP's control unit) but it turned out very nice and now I have to push buttons the SLS style, one for the push start and one to change the sprint booster setting. I will post pictures when everything is done.

VIPclk320

55 is running and everything works fine, just minor tune up and some fluid flush and it's ready to hit the road.

sonnyhoang

I'm glad everything's working out for you, I'm excited for pictures.

VIPclk320

Thanks brother, I will be posting videos sometime this weekend. Still busy wrapping up some stuff like the exhaust and some interrior.

OGCLK320

After all the time and money spent, would you recommend this to fellow forum members?? I mean with 55s falling in price you can find a project 55 for 5-7k. I am assuming you spent far less than that. But only certain shops could take on such a project right..??

VIPclk320

Acual work time was about two weeks. My cost was $4500. I did all the work myself with a friend. My task was more major because the earlier CLks came with ASR which stand for anti slip regulation and the 55 only came with te more sufsticated ESP electronic stability program. I had to change the complete body harness and modules. Also I didn't do a half *** job. I converted everything to 55 from motor to trans, drive shaft, diff, axles, cooling system, catalytic converters, computers.... My car now is a true 55. My car has a lot of sentimental value for me because it is tied to my late grand mother so it was never a question of selling it. This project requires knowledge and the will to do it which I had the will and the knowledge I was ok on but I did have Leo from some very dear friends of mine and few of them being members on this forum. So a special thanks to nismo(Art), MarcisF and pauljay who helped with compatibility and some other stuff. So to answer your question yes I would do it again in a heart beat and I had a great time doing it. Just do a lot of research and get all your pars in order and you'll be good to go but it's not for everyone.

VIPclk320

Video of the first start.

http://i1217.photobucket.com/albums/...9598286A43.mp4

Alexbenz

Never thought a engine transplant would happen let alone a 55.... Good job buddy but for god sake finish the exterior...its been what 4 thanksgivings now??? Lol

VIPclk320

Lol