Biting the bullet and converting my EK

Oldnblue · Post by **Oldnblue** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:41 am

Well guys, after much nail chewing and grinding of teeth at night, I've decided I am going to update the running gear on the EK...

(cue howls of horror from those who want to stay original)

Will be going to red engine, HR disc front, Celica 5spd (all pretty standard and proven mods).
This'll mean I'll start with ripping apart my EH ute and re-conditioning each part piece by piece until I've got everything together to do the conversion on the EK.

Will begin with the engine (it's a 179HP that has been a great lil motor for me already), give it a full re-build and warm it up a little.

At the same time, get the twin Strommies re-conditioned (or buy a new set), extractors and manifold blasted and coated, and electronic ignition overhauled.

When that's done, the HR front end can come out for full re-conditioning. Still doing some research to see whats the best way to set this up for EK...want to run 14s and get lower than the car currently sits (any advice from those that have done this already??).

Gearbox is a beaut...never had a problem with it, so will just see what might need doing when that's out.

Once this is all go (which will be a little while seeing as it'll cost some $$), I'll start looking at taking the EK off the road and doing the actual conversion, with all required mods to tunnel etc.

Might even get the horn working...lol

Couple of questions that I have:
1. The diff is original - with this conversion in mind, would I need to be looking at changing that to match the front gear, or is it ok to run as is with required mods (keeping in mind that I'll need to fit 14s on the rear)
2. Will the EK radiator be ok with a warm red, or should that be swapped for something else
3. See question above re. best way to set up the HR front for good ride height and wheel size etc.

The work begins in three weeks when I have a couple weeks off work and can start things moving on the EH gear.

Cheers, Scott

Oldnblue · Post by **Oldnblue** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:42 am

...and then start chopping the living daylights out of the roof.

Oldnblue · Post by **Oldnblue** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:42 am

Just kidding

mrs ratbox · Post by **mrs ratbox** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:29 pm

welcome to the dark side

or should that be the enlightened side

re: the diff you could use the original but i'de use EH-HR complete drum to drum as you need to do something with the rear brakes to suit the discs on the front, either standard brakes with proportioning valve or HR drum brakes to suit discs on the front
hope that makes sense

Oldnblue · Post by **Oldnblue** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 1:18 pm

The diff/drums set-up on the EH ute (donor car) is pretty much stuffed, so I imagine I'll be looking for a good condition HR drum-drum rear end.

ben · Post by **ben** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 1:30 pm

G'day Scott, sounds like all the mods are reversable if you change your mind. i agree with ratbox that its best to grab complete hr diff (from a disk brake front end model). if you plan on running hq disks you run into the problem of stud patterns. there is not enought meat on the rear axles to run hq pattern, so you would need to get some axles made up or maybe look at the wheel spacer/stud pattern thead some guys are talking about. Im running hr rear end with hq disks but have re-drilled the front rotors to early stud pattern. also got hq stubs which give you 1 inch drop, just note that if run the hq pbr calipers to the front you need to grid them a little to fit 14 inch steelies and clear top suspension arm on full lock.this may not be the case if you mount them to the rear.

Ben

Oldnblue · Post by **Oldnblue** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:06 pm

LOL...that doesn't surprise me.

SunnyTim, when the time comes, consider your hand to have been noticed waving in the air first.

It'll be a while yet though until the full conversion is ready, as I'll be getting everything that's to be used from the EH re-conditioned/re-built first, probably over the next 4 or 5 months - I'll look at taking the EK off the road for the actual conversion sometime early next year.

It's all in great condition so I'll be looking at sending it on to a good home

Mephious · Post by **Mephious** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:22 pm

Good to hear mate !! Your set-up is what im doing with my van.

1. I have a HR rear end atm behind my 161. It hasnt had a problem. My sedan however which used to have the 179-bored 192 used to split the housing at the bottom bolts to the diff center on the HR rear end. The 179 is a strong engine thou and I have managed to pick-up a 9inch for when this motor goes into the van.

2. I was using a HQ radiator behind the 179/192 with a thermo fan mounted in front to cope with sydney traffic, never ran hot.

3.With the front end your probably best off getting dropped spindles they run at $500ish from CRS to lower your front , you will get a 2inch - 2.5inch drop without changing anything else to your front end. If you want a 1inch drop change to a HQ stub and use HG-HT disc ( this will keep your early holden stud pattern) .... Cheers to Raxbox for that info !! You will need to get Kinga calipers thou if you go down this path. HR - HT discs will run 14's fine mate.

Oldnblue · Post by **Oldnblue** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:34 pm

As a matter of reference, this is the donor car...

Anybody who might be interested in a set of HR stud pattern, Dragway 5 spokes 14x7 with Yokohama rubber at near full tread...they'll be going once the front end etc is pulled from the car.

The ute itself will be getting cut up for sale unless someone wants to buy the shell as a project. For those that are wondering why, believe me it looks great, but there is a heap of rust in the bottom of the car that is just too big a job for me to handle/afford on my own.
I'm sure someone with the right skills and equipment could do it, but if they don't come along in time, I'll be selling off everything that's worth selling in pieces.

Oldnblue · Post by **Oldnblue** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:57 pm

Spoke to the engine builder today and will be taking the 179 to him in two weeks so it can be pulled down and checked. If all looks good, we'll work out exactly what we want to do to it and get things moving.

That means I've gotta get the EH into the shed and pull the engine out...also means as of now, the EK will be sleeping outside under a temporary cover until the ute is totally pulled apart and gone.

Pretty excited about it actually, and thinking of getting into the actual conversion sooner rather than later. Just have to find the bucks now...

Trev · Post by **Trev** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:24 am

Ever thought of getting another car to do these wonderful things to, don't get me wrong but that is one grouse looking EK and should be kept that way, I would sell it to someone that want a standard (unmolested) vehicle and look for a clean project.
Just my 2 bobs worth, good luck anyway, Trev

.

mrs ratbox · Post by **mrs ratbox** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:30 am

only problem with that trev is finding another car as good
there's plenty of stockers around cut it up

Oldnblue · Post by **Oldnblue** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 3:13 pm

I hear what you're saying Trev, and believe me, I've put off doing any of this work ever since I bought the car, but after nearly 12 months of solid daily driving (which is exactly what I bought the car for), the grey and stock drums just aren't proving practical. Reliable yes, certainly no complaints there...but I recently spent 5 weeks driving 60kms every day in mostly solid Brisbane rain (poured nearly every day for weeks on end), and it wasn't pleasant to say the least. It was during those trips that I decided I was definitely swapping the front end/discs. Once I'd made that decision, the engine and trans swap was obvious (at least to me).

I like the idea of keeping her stock, but in reality, I have no reason to do so. The car is a keeper - she's got as good a body as any I've seen, no substantial rust to speak of, the interior is mint, brightwork is excellent.
I think everyone could agree that I'd be nuts to get rid of an awesome EK in such great condition, but whether or not the driveline mods are a good idea are really just a matter of personal preferences and needs.
I've got plans for several other cars that will satisfy my nostalgic needs...the EK will be doing duty as my daily until I'm too old and senile to get behind the wheel.

And hey, on the outside, the ol' girl will look much like she does now, albeit an inch lower...she'll just git going and pull up a little better.

Cheers, Scott

Oldnblue · Post by **Oldnblue** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 4:29 pm

Ohh...just to clarify. On the off chance you missed my earlier disclaimer, I was only kidding about the roof cutting part (sorry Ratbox

).

mrs ratbox · Post by **mrs ratbox** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 8:44 pm

yeah i know

i meant cut it up as in you'll have to mod the floor
but even this done properly won't wreck the car if you can find an auto floor hump and fit it well the rest can be changed back if the desire ever strikes