2JZ swapped '55 Chevy project

Figured I'd start a thread on here since I've been lurking for a while, but never really posted anything of my own.
To start off I guess, a '55 chevy has always been my dream car.... and I managed to pick one up!
I'm the kind of guy who likes cars to not be the typical 'cookie cutter' build, that everyone seems to build, because I like different stuff.
Hence why I'm calling this project, 'project sacrilege'.

The plans for it is a restoration, with 2JZ swap, backed up by a CD009 350z 6-speed. Running on independant front and rear suspensions..... and yes, it's going to be a trackcar.

so I picked this up a few months ago, it's a 2-door sedan. I could do a huge write-up to catch you guys up to speed, but I think it's better just to post photos to explain the current sitution instead.

However, the shell is on a rotisserie, pretty straight and almost ready for paint. Currently doing bodywork on the doors, front clip, and waiting to order a trunklid!
I received my 2JZ-gte. I stripped the twin-turbos off it, as I'm going to be throwing on a massive single. The CD009 is also sitting in my garage, along with the adapter for the motor.
The front suspension is a police interceptor crown victoria aluminum independant front suspension, while the rear is a set-up out of an S14 silvia. Just need to decide wheither or not to build a frame, or modify the existing one to incorporate these.
I've collected up boxes, upon boxes of parts for this. The only downfall is I'm away training through the week so progress is slow(BUT STEADY).

anyways, here's for some pictures.














Obviously doesn't fit well, but Just wanted to see how it looked in place anyway !




Figured I'd give the motor/tranny a bit more room!


This is the color the car is going. Roulette green. Refinished the steering wheel just before I left working at a bodyshop.


Used a inner wheelhouse from a VW rust repair job from work to get the shape.














This is my other project. It's a '71 Datsun 510, converted to RHD with an sr20det swap.




Bought some Wedsports to use temporarily to roll the car around the garage on once the frames made. Be a lot better to look at than steelies.


I also started to prep the underside last weekend(finally). Need to get it prepped so I can see how everythings going to fit and I can throw some paint on it so I don't have to worry about it anymore.







and just cause, here's another picture of my datsun.




Well, that's my project. something a little different than what's usually posted on here, but should fit in all the same once it's done haha.

 

Thanks for the kind words guys!
and yes, It's going to be slammed .

So, a lot has happened life-wise since this was last posted. an example being that I'm deployed overseas and can't even work on the thing for a while yet. That meaning, i'll just be ordering + stockpiling parts so I can dedicate my time to this and make a ton of progress once i'm back home.
But, because of this, I have some extra funds so I figured I'd get my buddy to make me up a frame while I'm gone!

The frame is currently being built.
The old frame was in an accident, and 60 years old, so completely new one is being built!
Using mustang II IFS, and S14 IRS, This is going to be a neat set-up. All new frame rails as well.
Difference over the stock '55 would be the fact it's going to have four wheel disc-brakes with vast availability for aftermarket support + 5x114 bolt pattern just to be different.
X-brace + driveshaft safety loop will be incorporated as well!
also being mocked in will be the 2JZ with CD009 6-speed.
Once I get back home, I'll be spraying the frame in a copper, similar to my Datsun 510's color. I find copper + green make an interesting combo.

The body is basically ready for one final coat of high build + then it'll be fine for paint.
The only things left to do to the shell is rollcage + mini-tub(buddy building the frame might do me a solid and do that for me too though)
The fenders are straight, and hood is done. Another piece of the puzzle is that I'm trying to find a good fiberglass or carbon trunk, but seeming to have little luck on that(insane weight savings)
Doors are also straight! but found out I'm missing a bit of the door-guts, so I'll have to pick those up so I can have working windows.

As for the motor!
I picked up a cheapie turbo manifold, and turbo, mostly for mock-up purposes, but may run them until the turbo blows or something.
Currently debating on ordering an intake manifold for it. Something I'll be needing to order ASAP though, is a wiring harness, so I have to decide on which ECU I'll be running. CHOICES CHOICES.
I bought the collin's kit to mate to the 350z 6-speed, and everything seems to be looking up!
To help with mockup purposes into the frame, i bought a s13 front crossmember, with 2jz swap mounts. Going to get welded in then cut away unnecessary bits of crossmember then BRACEBRACEBRACE.

And onto more some photo's.


Picked up a rear-sump set-up just to be safe when getting into the frame. Safety first, right?




Before we realised it was out of whack, and how soft it was


And the latest! Front half is done along with the mustang II IFS.



Edit:
this is what the car will look like eventually.
I made a modelkit for fun last year.


also,
the underside is going to get a coat of paint while I'm away in preperation for the frame getting mated to the body temporarily.

 

Alright, so update time!

Frame is mostly done. Well, I'll post pictures then ramble.





and then,









I think it's cool knowing an old chevy is sitting on silvia IRS. (and I guess mustang II IFS)

All that's left to do to the frame now, is to fit in the 2jz + tranny, tranny crossmember, strut tower w/ coils, front + rear bumper supports, front body mounts, and a few small things. Then Car will be getting fitted with a roll-cage + getting mini-tubbed.

I come home in a month from overseas, so progress will be picking up immensely, as I'm spending my entire vacation slaving away on this pig.

 

So, life has been extremely busy. They now send me all over as an instructor so time working on this has been EXTREMELY limited, but here's some progress.

The frame has been mostly completed. All that there is left to do to it now is build rear strut towers for the coilovers(been trying to find some good used S13 coilovers to use for mockup, but looks like I'm going to have to buy an entire set even though I just need the rear), cut room for an exhaust, weld in a couple dimple die plates for strength, prep it + paint it then slide it right on under the car for good.

Motor + tranny are mounted in, mini-tubs complete(Wider's better), frame mounts finished, tranny tunnel cut out + modified, bumper braces/mounts welded in, doors + trunk fitted on. I've picked up a ton of parts that need to start getting thrown on + mocked up so this thing can get torn apart again + painted.

Oh, The rollcage is going to be welded in here soon too. After the interior is all painted + together, I'll be going at the dirty 2JZ and finally making some headway there.

Here's some progress shots.

 

Thanks guys!

So progress has still been going hard.
So strut towers are done, and boxes have been made to cover them inside the car as they're made onto the frame instead of bolting to the car itself. This way the frame + body can still be seperated.(That goes for the rollcage as well). S13 rear strut brace came in too, and needs to be slightly modified to work.

Steering column is mocked in as the link + joint need to be figured out on how to attatch the mustang II front power rack to the original '55 chevy column.

Front sheet metal is/was hung on there to make way for getting the rad support crossmember welded on, + bumper test fit.

Currently making up dimple die plates to attatch the rollcage to the A-pillar, and the B-pillars.

It feels good to see the car start to look like a car again finally after two years.

 

Seperated the frame + shell for hopefully the last time!
Ended up doing some finishing touches to the frame and getting a coat of paint on it .
Next step is to clean up + paint the motor/tranny, and then the underside of the shell from where it was modified for rollcage,mini-tubbing, + the transmission tunnel.
Some more pics!

 

It's homemade, but half of it is part of a universal kit !



So, it's been a long time since an update so here's one for you.

Made a few modifications to the dash to makeway for a few things. ( I have a Bel Era III instrument cluster to use instead of this one, just shoved in to see what it all looks like )

Incase you didn't know, I've been working on two different 55's. The one with the small block is my fathers rat rad/two lane blacktop build.

Started prettying up the drivetrain for my build.






So basically, ended up finishing the interior for the most part and throwing paint on the floor, roof, pillars, rollcage, dash, trunk and firewall.
Next up will be working away on the motor a bit and getting it mated for the 350z transmission(hopefully for the last time), as i got my clutch adapter kit and will be throwing it in the car since my firewall is now painted.
I'm going to be putting some of the interior together, along with the trunk, to make room in the garage. Then bodywork will commence once again.
It turns out I'm going away to teach again so progress will only happen on the occassional weekend. Feels good to have some color on it though!

 

Ended up throwing the motor in.
I guess I got too horny last year about measurements and just getting the motor in there. pics speak for themselves haha




Plan is to box in what I had to remove from the firewall, repaint + get it together so I can move onto getting the front clip mocked up again + finish the bodywork so it can get paint before this snow hits.

 

So it's been a while since my last update so here we go.

Car has been painted !
Ended up doing two tri-stages for the paint scheme but i think it turned out better than expected.
Now the real fun can begin! piecing it back together and getting the 2JZ running.

Here's some pictures.












At least putting it together, i have another one right beside it I can go off of haha

So it's been a long road to get to this point, but im pretty pumped to finally be moving on to the next few stages.