MX83 LS Conversion
Posted by SaltyPigg69420@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 58 comments
First post thought I would share
Nearing completion of my year long dream project - S1 1989 MX83 Cressida. Aircon Drift Taxi.
Rebuilt Engine (L98 6L), TR6060, Billet 9” Twin Plate Clutch and Holley Terminator X ECU. All home built by myself and friends.
Custom single piece tailshaft, custom fab work. S2 LSD diff and a Welded S1 for track events. Cut and shut factory knuckles with Corolla rack ends
Keeping the interior as factory as possible using the Malex 6 speed S chassis shifter kit, HKS/Nardi 50th Anniversary Steering wheel, working cassette with hidden headunit. KE conversions pedal mounts, Malex Speedbox GPS driven motor to cable drive speedo.
Slow-Dog-7745@reddit
I know this is old, but how did your headers clear the steering shaft? Mine like centered on a lhd car and I’m kinda stumped on how to plum it
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
Hey mate, being RHD mine clears no issues. I also used an off the shelf header from a company called pacemaker. Headers are VT-VZ commodore and then slightly modified.
Fuel lines should route out the back along intake and then down near firewall not anywhere near steering components
Slow-Dog-7745@reddit
I got mine sorted out today! Thank you Can’t wait to drive this thing
Slow-Dog-7745@reddit
I have the fuel line on drivers side too
Slow-Dog-7745@reddit
Kind of curious what you did for your wiring. Do you have a diagram for the ls and the Cressida? I’m about to tackle the same swap
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
Hey mate, I used the Holley Terminator X kit and then had a good friend splice into the factory harness where needed to keep everything working as it should. DM me on instagram @piggmotorsport and I can put you in touch with my good mate who found the diagrams for things like reverse light neutral lockout etc
Alpha_Grey_Wolf@reddit
Not a huge fan of the 'LS Swap all the things!' movement, but that is a *GORGEOUS* swap. Absolutely stunning work!
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
Thanks! I regret not going JZ tbh but it just worked for me having a lot of spare LS parts from another build
Alpha_Grey_Wolf@reddit
Nothing wrong with that at all! Better than the parts going to waste, and unless you're a millionaire, you probably don't have buckets of money to throw at a project. That's grassroots hot rodding, using what you have on hand or what you can source cheap. And you've done a fantastic job at that.
I used to enjoy the hell out of doing a build from 'junkyard parts'. My last Fox-body Mustang project was built predominately with recycled or repurposed parts from other vehicles I owned.
Plymouth_Superbird@reddit
Damn that shit looks clean
ubergeek318@reddit
I have a shell or shell with t56/5.3 for sale in LA if anyone wants to build its twin
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
https://www.reddit.com/r/projectcar/s/n78G9iWCSj
aredd007@reddit
Nice project. Kinda jelly of that flattened and pie cut exhaust
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
Thanks, I can’t take credit that was done by a good mate. The whole idea of it was to be legal height when lowered so I can take on that 100mm wheel of death from the local police haha
good_morning_magpie@reddit
Wait, the local authorities inspect your ground clearance? That’s wild.
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
Unfortunately yes, need a minimum of 100mm ground clearance
good_morning_magpie@reddit
That’s wild. My condolences.
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
It’s only the beginning of the crap we have to conform with, Google Australian Hoon laws
aredd007@reddit
Your buddy does great work.
6inarowmakesitgo@reddit
Out fucking standing. Wow.
Antron007@reddit
I'm hard
Dekes1@reddit
Beautiful work, hell of a project. Also props for doing something unique and very rarely seen.
Boatingnut92@reddit
Fabrication on that car is second to none. Amazing craftsmanship
IntrstlarOvrdrve@reddit
Jesus h. Perfect.
Jay-Moah@reddit
Satin black motor and trans is so sick!
count_nuggula@reddit
Those pie cuts are fucking mint, holy shit
qaxv@reddit
This should have been how the Crown was sold in NA
Terminator-Fox@reddit
Super clean, nicely done!
Fredooooooo@reddit
Gorgeous car
Maindrian-Pace@reddit
Damn! Strong work! Looks like a fun car!
dolechequeday@reddit
That is stooopid clean and well put together.
Nice work, mate!
Hapenyo12@reddit
Super duper clean project
TotesNotADrunk@reddit
Sick ass foo!
Notchersfireroad@reddit
I'm so jealous it hurts! I had an 88 and I loved that damn car so much.
campbellsimpson@reddit
That exhaust is better work than any shop I know could do.
Brainfewd@reddit
Beautiful work! Always liked this platform, despite knowing nothing about Japanese cars.
Sleep_adict@reddit
I’m just shocked. The quality of that work is amazing. Well done.
That exhaust is NSFW pretty
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
Thanks! It’s been a long year haha
Babellamah@reddit
This is nuts.
andoman66@reddit
Very cool build! I miss my MX83.
I recall them having really weak diffs/diff mounts. Any plan to go with a Ford 8.8 in the future?
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
If my googling is correct I think I can stick a new BRZ/86 diff in the series 2 X83 housing. They have a stronger LSD and then brace the factory rear end around the bushings
andoman66@reddit
That could work! The BRZ/86 wasn't out when I owned mine so most of us in the drift world went IRS 8.8.
Axles were also a real weak point for me due to a super low ride height. Broke lots of CV's at this height
Side story: was pulling a diff and axles off an mx83 at picknpull and the previous owner had the diff mounts torn out of the subframe so they stick welded fence chain around the diff to the rear floor. Haha
666CoolCat666@reddit
How are those exhaust flex bits working for you? I used the same looking ones and they rattle a little, no matter what I do.
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
I have used these on another project and don’t have any issues, it could be misalignment and the inner sleeve is rubbing/rattling or just the amount of movement in your setup.
666CoolCat666@reddit
Yeah it's the inner sleeve rattling. I guess it's just at a weird angle for movement. I had almost zero space to put the flex joint anywhere. Do you think that the flow sleeve affects the sound/note of the exhaust? I'm thinking of cutting it out and replacing it with a different style, but I don't want to change the exhaust sound.
UggahDuggah@reddit
Nice build! I like how you used the oval piping.
LooseFab@reddit
Absolute dream car of mine, nice work dude
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
Thanks! It is for me too and as painful as these builds are it’s been worth it
4x4Welder@reddit
Wild. One of my someday cars is actually a Cressida wagon, but mostly stock as a family hauler. Not in the rust belt especially lol
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
They’re hard to find without rust, even in Aus. I have a little bit to be repaired in the RHS front guard but otherwise clean. Planning to paint early next year
GARRY_LOST@reddit
That is so sick
SpaceFace11@reddit
Sick
pistonsoffury@reddit
Really nicely done - great workmanship and attention to detail.
Gotta get some Enkei92's on that thing though - it's way too classy to be rolling on RPF's!
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
Ooo nice suggestion Thankyou!
Nimbus_Drift@reddit
GOD DAM!
I love every single stylistic choice & holy fuck that exhaust is dope!
WettestNoodle@reddit
Holy hell this is so clean, good work.
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
Thanks! Been a dream project. Can’t wait to feel the difference from the overheating 7MGE to the LS lol
SaltyPigg69420@reddit (OP)
Sorry not sure how to edit a post but the suspension is BC Coilovers, Shortened rear LCA’s and Lengthened Front with Cut knuckles and Corolla Rack ends* hoping to take the rest of the adjustment up with the egg-centric washers