Hey guys, I was thinkin of maybe getting a 1st Gen for a possible VR4 4G63 transplant base so I was wondering if youse could tell me the nicest 1st Gen model with the best specs & approx values?

Any help appreciated.
The Sandman

if i was to do something like that, i would definately try and find myself a TN/TP elante or GT.

the elante has the full first gen body kit (front lip, side skirts, rear lip and a rear spoiler) whereas the GT has the full kit minus the side skirts.

HOWEVER, these cars are rare and so if u find one, buy urself a lottery ticket.

if u cant find one of these, go for a TP SE or at the very least a TN SE. obviously an efi model as u will have many more problems putting an efi engine out of the VR4's into a carby car. (mainly to do with fuel pump in the fuel tank)

WHY THE SE? simple, they are the comfiest of the magnas. the seats are the best, by far i may add. find one with power steering, aircon and power mirrors and/or windows u are laughing.

WHY NOT THE OTHERS?

well, the GLX and executive are alright for a bare minimum. dont expect too much from them though, the exec dosent even have rear speakers (not that ur missing out on much there anyway).

the elite is supposedly most luxurious. the seats are the same as the GLX though (im pretty sure). its just that the elites came with all the extras. power steering, aircon, power mirrors and windows, a digital dash (which everyone seems to want), i think it also had controls for the radio on the steering wheel? if u want, get an elite and put SE seats into it.

THE PRICES!

don't buy a first gen exec,GLX,SE or Elite for anything more than $3,000. u can pick up one for around $1,500-$2,000 in decent running order. obviously the engine isnt really an issue for u and so aim around a $1,000 bracket for something with an engine about to pack it in. if someone is selling a 1st gen for abit more, be picky about the engine and see if u cant get the price down abit more. they aren't that expensive down south, and so the pricing is wat i believe to b decent down there. up here in townsville, u can add $500-$1000 on all the prices i have stated. lucky us huh.

obviously an elante and GT have some more extras (they are pretty much an SE with the kit, and efi) and so they will b more expensive. $3,000-$3,500 is probably a roundabout for one of these cars. i myself wouldnt pay more than $3,600 for an elante/GT.


well thats the low down on wat i know. hope that helps u. im sure prices can b commented on further by someone who actually lives down your way.

brendan

Thanks dude, I just had a quick look around & found a TP Elite with Fair Condition body & running but "in need of work" motor & no REGO on Gold Coast for $500... might be able to talk em down even more. :badgrin:

The Elite seems to be the only one with power windows etc, & the seats wouln't be stayin long so... only problem is they're all Auto, so a bit of stuffin round there.

Now that I found the right spec, has anyone seen/heard of a VR4 engine/gearbox transplant into a 1st Gen & associated issues? Even though the car should be cheap as, I don't wanna get it & find out I'm gonna have to completely re-engineer the whole setup.

Again, all input appreciated.

Sogg's currently doing it to his wagon.

The motor bolts right in, that's no problem.

The problem is the gearbox. Forget the Magna boxes. The auto is weaker than American beer, and the manual gearbox can't handle the torque.

The VR4 gearbox is no use, as it's a 4WD, though there is a switchable one, you'll have to try and track one down. The other one that may work is the Galant GSR gearbox.
Obtaining a carby car shouldn't be much of a problem, as they all use the same fuel pump (NOTE: Leaded cars do not use an electrical fuel pump.) and you'll need to rewire the car anyway.

the elite is supposedly most luxurious. the seats are the same as the GLX though (im pretty sure). its just that the elites came with all the extras. power steering, aircon, power mirrors and windows, a digital dash (which everyone seems to want), i think it also had controls for the radio on the steering wheel? if u want, get an elite and put SE seats into it.
ill just mistake ya here :P the elite is the top of the range (eg 80s verada) also the seats in the elite are even better then the SEs, also the TNTP elites had the option of climate control and cruise control stock and yer has the cool radio buttons on the wheel, also electic areal,....the list goes on

as for the price i tend to find the elantes/GT/elites have held the value just that lil more ive seen TP elite range from $2000-$4000 and elantes from $2000-$3800
but yer the glx and execs are very basic....but still have like a/c and most have p/s and power mirrors

i would get a SE or elante (oh look i have one :P) in manual with the luxary pack, the luxary pack was available in the SEs and elantes this just had the extra of cruise,power windows and centrol lockin

i would only get a elite for a cruser as like the veradas only had the option of auto so if ur doing a vr4 plant then if u get the se/elante manual u dont have to worry bout the fiddly things for the manual conversion

but as for the elite cruser my plan one day is to get a gunmetal gray over silver TP elite wagon and fully pimp it up................oneday

The VR4 gearbox is no use, as it's a 4WD, though there is a switchable one, you'll have to try and track one down. The other one that may work is the Galant GSR gearbox.
Obtaining a carby car shouldn't be much of a problem, as they all use the same fuel pump (NOTE: Leaded cars do not use an electrical fuel pump.) and you'll need to rewire the car anyway.
mmm 4wd g/box from the vr4 to a magna....hmm 4wd conversion....?? haha
that would be sweet a turbod gen1 4wd and the best thing about the gen1s is they weigh from 1200-1300

i got an '89 TP elite sedan, and i must say.. yes indeed it is very sweet with all the stock dials and switches :cool:

G'day mate.

Can you do me a small favour?
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11890

Ok, in regards to Vr4 conversion....

1st and most important thing... Have alot of money ready if ur gonna do it right!

2nd Get a front cut engine, and make sure that the gearbox is one with the "AWD/FWD" Switch, this will take care of the gearbox... well thats whats getting put into mine at the moment

3rd Engine isnt a bolt in as in "yeh it goes in no problems" ur gonna have to modify the right hand side engine mount by combining the VR4 mount with the magna mount

4th Your gonna have to get a custom drive sharft made because there is no drivesharft that is long enough to fit properly

5th Fuel pump, clutch, exhaust etc will have to be upgraded

6th the standard Vr4 ecu can be patched into the Magna loom no problems so that will save you money on getting a aftermarke Ems

Apart from those issues everything else is Ok :D and you will be happy with the results aslong as u dont mind wheelspin and torque steer :P

Sogg

Ive got a TN GLX in good condition you can have for $1000? Its carby tho.

shop about people are out there selling without checking the value, i got my TP-GT for $500!

Pete