[ZUK12A]

Hi All, I understand my plans will not be everyones cup of tea but I have joined up as I have just purchased my Sierra and would like to share my project and get some advice on my planned build up, try not to flame too hard.

My Car: '95 Sierra, white, soft top.

My Plans: 12A Rotary conversion with 5 speed gearbox, rwd conversion, slightly lowered and drag wheels.

The build up I am going for: Puerto Rican Rotary drag style, as below;

http://www.2040cars.com/_content/cars/i ... 38/001.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd32 ... CT0602.jpg

I will be doing every aspect of the work myself, I would just love some advice on a few of the core tasks:

Lowering kit: Whats out there? Whats good? I am after a height similar to the above red car.

Hub/Stud Conversion: I want to run Weld Pro Star wheels, the most common pdc is the usual 5x114.3, I have seen conversion/spacer plates for Sierras, is this suitable or is another method recommended?

Wheel Offset: Any idea how to achieve the stance as per the pics? I guess that ties in with my above question regard hub conversion.

Roof Bars/Roll Cages ?

Thats it so far look forward to some advice.

[want33s]

Rotary is about the worst engine for Sierra repowering.
Peaky, noisy and a bitch to fit. The trans tunnel needs to be raised A LOT.

NO lowering kit is available from anywhere for Sierras. You'll need custom reverse eye springs and possibly 4 X chassis notches.
NO hub conversion is available that I'm aware of. I'm sure WELD will drill wheelstud holes to F100 pattern with the amount of $$$ you'll be spending.

As a drag car you won't want the heavy front diff. What do you intend to use for a front axle?
Rear axle will need to be replaced with something stronger with a wider choice of ratios.. EG: Borg Warner from 2wd Hilux or even a 9".

[Zook_Fan]

Samurai's came out in a 2wd over in the states. They retained a transfer case of sorts which I assume just lowered hi-range but didn't have any low range or 4wd outputs. If you could source a 2wd front axle you might find it very easy to install and you would be loosing a lot of weight over the front that is redundant.

Definitely need a bigger diff out the back if you start getting aggressive with the rotor. Can't see any pics to offer advice on wheel offset but if you change your diff you might find you need a different PCD front to back.

[droverdave]

It sounds like you are trying to build a drag car that happends to look like a suzuki sierra. and not intersted at all in the 4wd capability of the sierra.

Given the fat that that the seirra has the aerdynamics of a shoe box, id start with something else.

Your better off with an old corolla or something and put your 12a in that, get a big diff and some sticky tyrs and it will be a rocket.

[ZUK12A]

"Samurai's came out in a 2wd over in the states"... ahhhh ok makes sence, looks like I will be attempting to track down a front axle. thanks for the tip

Rotary is not negotiable. (I run a small shop dedicated to rotary performance.) The car will be based around drag yes but also very much streetable.

"start with something else" nope, I already have a host of other fast cars, the Suzuki is going to cop it.

The car will start off as a 'stage 1' which with take a standard(ish) low powered 12A to get the conversion happening. it then may develop into something a little more powerful.

I might have to jump on the PR forums to see how they are lowering them, I imagine it is not a popular task here, we are more set on raising them (which is cool too, hey I loving going out bush with some dirtbikes).

The HUB conversion was these spacers I saw on ebay which converts the 5.5" to a 4.5" pdc. I think this may be a good option to get the right stance too.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/281107560731 ... 1423.l2649

[WAS12A]

Where are you located?

[ZUK12A]

Nice to see another rotor head !

Sydney mate.

[atari4x4]

droverdave wrote:

It sounds like you are trying to build a drag car that happends to look like a suzuki sierra. and not intersted at all in the 4wd capability of the sierra.

Given the fat that that the seirra has the aerdynamics of a shoe box, id start with something else.

Your better off with an old corolla or something and put your 12a in that, get a big diff and some sticky tyrs and it will be a rocket.

There are heaps of rotary powered Sierra drag cars, which seem to put down fast times... Lightweight & a full chassis to build a 4 link rear end off. Sounds like a winning combo to me & the puertoricians would agree.

[31zook]

Lowering blocks and big track bar.

[SierraDan]

31zook wrote:

Lowering blocks and big track bar.

Like a 4link haha.

[atari4x4]

SierraDan wrote:

31zook wrote:

Lowering blocks and big track bar.

Like a 4link haha.

nah, just 4 small track bars & no leaf springs.

[Daves4wd]

Sounds like it'll be a kick ass sierra good luck with it matey.... What are you doing to the engine??? Big ported turbo??? Keen to see this going ahead good luck with it all champ...

[Built4thrashing]

Why not keep it 4wd for better offline grip?

[Parry]

Body drop it

[ZUK12A]

first step will be getting a 12A in there...... 12A with intake, exhaust, simple modified carby and slight port work can put out some decent power - I can do all this work myself with very little cost.. it will get a little light Sierra moving.

Keeping 4x4 was a consideration but I think I am going to go the direction of Weld wheels, big burnout at the drags, will generate a bit of attention and be good for my business, but most important a fun ride.

I am going to really enjoy this build up.

Body Drop, Lowering Blocks? give me some more details.... suppliers, methods..

[atari4x4]

body dropping is channeling the floor/body mounts to drop the body lower over the chassis = extra lowness

[WAS12A]

ZUK12A wrote:

Nice to see another rotor head !

Sydney mate.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[ZUK12A]

f**k yeah ! Thats what i like to see

I actually stumbled across your thread briefly on rx7club last night whilst searching for Sierra Rotors, I understand you are still running 4x4.

details details, do you have a build thread? would love to chat sometime for some ideas......


BTW: Does anyone have any further ideas on a front axle for RWD conversion?

[ZUK12A]

good taste too !

Series 1 - 13BT, TO4.

Sierra - Soon to have an engine bay like yours.

Attachment:

sierra 12a.jpg

[WAS12A]

Nice rx and zook!

Mines a S3 13BT hi-flow, 340Hp. 11.4/quarter mile.

I don't have a build thread just yet as I didn't want a flame war until I got it running....will put one up eventually.

I'm still running 4wd and stock ride height...I too was gonna lower it like the green/blue zook's in the 2nd pic, as I love that pic too, but it wasn't really what I want the car for...I want to use the Zook to get down on the beaches etc.

Car is still in pieces at the moment....the above pic was just a test fit for clearances etc.

Cam...

[Zook_Fan]

ZUK12A wrote:

BTW: Does anyone have any further ideas on a front axle for RWD conversion?

Zook_Fan wrote:

Samurai's came out in a 2wd over in the states. They retained a transfer case of sorts which I assume just lowered hi-range but didn't have any low range or 4wd outputs. If you could source a 2wd front axle you might find it very easy to install and you would be loosing a lot of weight over the front that is redundant.

What more do you need other than a bolt in alternative?

[tanshi]

just remove the diff centre tail shaft and axles from the front diff.

there rest weighs next to nothing

[got_bar_work]

Get joe to graft sierra balls on to a straight pipe
Cut down a vit rear and full float kit like g wagons post
Or sell it and buy a vit they already have everything ready to go
Rip out front diff throw a spool and floater kit in back and put watever motor u want in it

[SierraDan]

Why does Joe need to do it?

[jdk81]

got_bar_work wrote:

Get joe to graft sierra balls on to a straight pipe
Cut down a vit rear and full float kit like g wagons post
Or sell it and buy a vit they already have everything ready to go
Rip out front diff throw a spool and floater kit in back and put watever motor u want in it

Thats exactly how I was thinking about doing it.. well except for joe doing it.
Probably not use a xfer case either (which would dictate if you need a centre or offset diff pumpkin)

Raise rear floor, and notch the chassis rails, set up the suspension so it runs heaps lower.
You could just run lowering blocks between leaves and axles after notching chassis.
Add a trac bar.

[JrZook]

jdk81 wrote:

You could just run lowering blocks between leaves and axles after notching chassis.
Add a trac bar.

Deffo need a traction bar after this! The extra amount of leverage from the blocks will be no fun for the leafs. Reverse wrapped springs would be a welcome addition.

[ZUK12A]

Not having much luck finding one, plus the cost and time to come from the US far out weighs a local option.

Zook_Fan wrote:

ZUK12A wrote:

BTW: Does anyone have any further ideas on a front axle for RWD conversion?

Zook_Fan wrote:

Samurai's came out in a 2wd over in the states. They retained a transfer case of sorts which I assume just lowered hi-range but didn't have any low range or 4wd outputs. If you could source a 2wd front axle you might find it very easy to install and you would be loosing a lot of weight over the front that is redundant.

What more do you need other than a bolt in alternative?

Quote:

just remove the diff centre tail shaft and axles from the front diff.

sounds simple, any downside to this method?

Quote:

Get joe to graft sierra balls on to a straight pipe

Joe?

[ZUK12A]

JrZook wrote:

jdk81 wrote:

You could just run lowering blocks between leaves and axles after notching chassis.
Add a trac bar.

Deffo need a traction bar after this! The extra amount of leverage from the blocks will be no fun for the leafs. Reverse wrapped springs would be a welcome addition.

thanks!

the help has been great so far. car is just going through a tidy up at the moment and replacing worn oem bits, etc.

[jdk81]

ZUK12A wrote:

Quote:

just remove the diff centre tail shaft and axles from the front diff.

sounds simple, any downside to this method?

Means pumpkin may hit stuff. Will be easier to lower it if doesnt have the pumpkin

ZUK12A wrote:

Quote:

Get joe to graft sierra balls on to a straight pipe

Joe?

Joe is a person in melb, Im certain it could be done locally

[SierraDan]

Shave the housings top and bottom HEAPS haha.