Nissan Figaro sleeper project
Discussion
This may sound bizarre, BUT bear with, as the OH has always wanted a Nissan Figaro, but the slow as hell engine/gearbox issue means it aint really practical for what she needs when she finishes her Masters in around a year. So this is my idea:
> Pick up a Nissan Figaro off of the bay or here, with knackered engine and in need of a bit of work.
> Then remove the engine and gearbox, replace engine with something small/light/powerful such as that of a R1 or Hyabusa (like the kit car kids do?) then add on some form of flappy paddal gearbox set-up....... Again from the kit car domain.
> upgrade brakes and suspension appropriately.
> keep exterior styling standard, and have a subtle exhaust system to keep it legal and "nice" for her to drive.
Basically, she's got around 12months until the ongoing uni expense stops and the £300-£400 a month is knocking around spare, so will be stashed for wheels. And in the mean-time I've got to work out total costs, how do-able the option is and so on.
Any ideas of how achievable this is? costs? companies who have done it or would do the conversion?
Thanks,
Matt
> Pick up a Nissan Figaro off of the bay or here, with knackered engine and in need of a bit of work.
> Then remove the engine and gearbox, replace engine with something small/light/powerful such as that of a R1 or Hyabusa (like the kit car kids do?) then add on some form of flappy paddal gearbox set-up....... Again from the kit car domain.
> upgrade brakes and suspension appropriately.
> keep exterior styling standard, and have a subtle exhaust system to keep it legal and "nice" for her to drive.
Basically, she's got around 12months until the ongoing uni expense stops and the £300-£400 a month is knocking around spare, so will be stashed for wheels. And in the mean-time I've got to work out total costs, how do-able the option is and so on.
Any ideas of how achievable this is? costs? companies who have done it or would do the conversion?
Thanks,
Matt
First question would be - why is it not pratical as standard? Admitedly the slush box is a bit dim witted and the gearing not perfect for the motorway but will happily cruise at 60+ all be it getting noiser as it gets faster! Fine around town.
Not sure if its possible to do anything with the standard engine? ~78bhp as standard but it has no intercooler so if you could squeeze one in you could up boost a little? Maybe stick a manual micra box on it too? (sure I have read about someone doing that) I've no idea on internals strength or anything though...
As for engine swaps... the engine bay is very small, the existing engine is a real tight squeeze so you would need to be clever to get it packed in there. I guess a bike engine would be a lot smaller though?
The brakes are not up to any more power so would defintaly need changing out. Standard suspension is very soft and has loads and loads of travel in it.
The steering is very slow and very vague too. Its a hydraulic powered set-up so you would probably have to change the rack and get electric powered steering?
Basically I think it would be a lot of hard work! If there is any information out there in anyone having done it in a micra I guess all that info could be resused for a Figaro assuming engine mounts and everything are the same.
The figaro is just not built for high power, its a soft, wafty machine, which it does very well...
having said all that I would love to see someone do something fast and fun with one
Not sure if its possible to do anything with the standard engine? ~78bhp as standard but it has no intercooler so if you could squeeze one in you could up boost a little? Maybe stick a manual micra box on it too? (sure I have read about someone doing that) I've no idea on internals strength or anything though...
As for engine swaps... the engine bay is very small, the existing engine is a real tight squeeze so you would need to be clever to get it packed in there. I guess a bike engine would be a lot smaller though?
The brakes are not up to any more power so would defintaly need changing out. Standard suspension is very soft and has loads and loads of travel in it.
The steering is very slow and very vague too. Its a hydraulic powered set-up so you would probably have to change the rack and get electric powered steering?
Basically I think it would be a lot of hard work! If there is any information out there in anyone having done it in a micra I guess all that info could be resused for a Figaro assuming engine mounts and everything are the same.
The figaro is just not built for high power, its a soft, wafty machine, which it does very well...
having said all that I would love to see someone do something fast and fun with one
practicallity: she's used to far more power and cruise abillity courtesy of playing with/borrowing various stuff I've had. Also it'd need to be up to a motorway trek weekly, if not more.
Motorbike engine: I figured that 1) they're small/light and 2) they're strong and designed to be abused
Tuning the current set-up: I guess an intercooler, bigger turbo, bigger fuel pump, and a manual box would help BUT this aint going to be cheap, and is there room for a clutch set-up? (again, my motorbike engine and paddle shift set-up would be a way around this)
Micra: are they based upon the micra chassis?
Thanks for your advice
Motorbike engine: I figured that 1) they're small/light and 2) they're strong and designed to be abused
Tuning the current set-up: I guess an intercooler, bigger turbo, bigger fuel pump, and a manual box would help BUT this aint going to be cheap, and is there room for a clutch set-up? (again, my motorbike engine and paddle shift set-up would be a way around this)
Micra: are they based upon the micra chassis?
Thanks for your advice
You're right, the auto box means they aren't really up to regular motorway work of any distance... (I have done 100 mile+ trips but its noisey!)
I would say yes there is room for a clutch peddle, the footwell is quite large (plenty of room for your left foot) and the standard brake peddle is a double size affair
I did a quick google and people have definately converted to manual boxes so it can be done (finding info on figs is hard though as they don't tend to be owned by automotive enthusiasts you can try http://forum.nissanfigaro.info/). I'm sure I've read a micra box and clutch should just bolt on (The engine is just a turbocharged micra engine afterall).
They are based on a mk1 micra and definately share many common parts but to what extent I don't know.
Figaros are pretty light (less than 1000kg) so you wouldn't need crazy power to make them an everyday proposition...
I would say yes there is room for a clutch peddle, the footwell is quite large (plenty of room for your left foot) and the standard brake peddle is a double size affair
I did a quick google and people have definately converted to manual boxes so it can be done (finding info on figs is hard though as they don't tend to be owned by automotive enthusiasts you can try http://forum.nissanfigaro.info/). I'm sure I've read a micra box and clutch should just bolt on (The engine is just a turbocharged micra engine afterall).
They are based on a mk1 micra and definately share many common parts but to what extent I don't know.
Figaros are pretty light (less than 1000kg) so you wouldn't need crazy power to make them an everyday proposition...
If they're based on the micra then this leads the way for a whole host of chaos type fun.
I'm thinking 5speed manual, 1300cc with turbo and intercooler, then off we go.
Gotta be honest, the idea of a RWD conversion and silly high-revving hyabusa engine with paddle clutch did make me a little bit giddy.... Love anything you can rev hard!
I know of micra's that have had: 1300/1600 and even an SR20DET put in them.... MUAHAHAA
I'm thinking 5speed manual, 1300cc with turbo and intercooler, then off we go.
Gotta be honest, the idea of a RWD conversion and silly high-revving hyabusa engine with paddle clutch did make me a little bit giddy.... Love anything you can rev hard!
I know of micra's that have had: 1300/1600 and even an SR20DET put in them.... MUAHAHAA
drgoatboy said:
Would love to see something done so if you do it keep us informed!
Feel free to drop me an email if you think I can help. Did quite a bit of research before buying Mrs Goatboys Fig and had it a few years now so know my way around it pretty well...
Thanks, I shall do. As I say, due to her completing her part time masters, I've been asked to basically carry out a costing exercise, so she can work out whether to go ahead and let me "play" or whether buying something like a VeeDub camper/beetle tickles her fancy.Feel free to drop me an email if you think I can help. Did quite a bit of research before buying Mrs Goatboys Fig and had it a few years now so know my way around it pretty well...
What sort of issues do the Fig's have typically?
from what I know: rot - sills, knackered auto boxes, wear and tear, owt else?
Is "cross-pollenation" an option, i.e. plonking a high revving honda engine in or something simillar?
they're actually pretty well made cars.
Rot is the biggest problem, rear arches go (inner and outer), sills, underneath the rear window and floor in the lower boot (drains from the roof get blocked...)
Leather seats are obviously now quite old and can show their age, decent second hand ones are rare, expect to pay £500+ to get them recovered as they have lots of stitching.
Rest of the interior can go sticky for some reason although it can be cleaned off and repainted.
Original CD player are pretty useless and cost £300+ to get refurbished which you need to do if you want to keep the look inside (they are not standard DIN size)
Fabric roof shrinks over time but can be replaced fairly easily and cheaply
Engine problems tend to be turbo related so drive a few to make sure you understand how performance should be, I drove one which drove perfectly but had no poke at all, can only assume a duff turbo was the cause but I wouldn't have known without driving other ones. As per the rest of the car they are getting old now so leaking water pipes can be common and eventually can lead to overheating and headgasket problems (if you are keeping the engine that is)
Seems like quite a long list and I'm afraid there are more issues, but generally they are reliable for a 20 year old car plus you get other goodies like decent heater, air con, power steering, electric windows etc that you won't get on something like a beetle.
There is a suprisingly good support network for parts and most parts can still be ordered from nissan directly.
Have a look at http://www.gjnorthall.com/FIGARO-OWNER-INFORMATION... for some more tips and the site sells parts too.
Expect to pay £2k for an absolute dog and up to £6k for something in good nick. You will see them for sale for up to £10k but I don't know what more you get for your money...
I've not heard of any engine transplants, space would be the biggest concern, although I don't know how the automatic box compares to a manual, it looks big!
Rot is the biggest problem, rear arches go (inner and outer), sills, underneath the rear window and floor in the lower boot (drains from the roof get blocked...)
Leather seats are obviously now quite old and can show their age, decent second hand ones are rare, expect to pay £500+ to get them recovered as they have lots of stitching.
Rest of the interior can go sticky for some reason although it can be cleaned off and repainted.
Original CD player are pretty useless and cost £300+ to get refurbished which you need to do if you want to keep the look inside (they are not standard DIN size)
Fabric roof shrinks over time but can be replaced fairly easily and cheaply
Engine problems tend to be turbo related so drive a few to make sure you understand how performance should be, I drove one which drove perfectly but had no poke at all, can only assume a duff turbo was the cause but I wouldn't have known without driving other ones. As per the rest of the car they are getting old now so leaking water pipes can be common and eventually can lead to overheating and headgasket problems (if you are keeping the engine that is)
Seems like quite a long list and I'm afraid there are more issues, but generally they are reliable for a 20 year old car plus you get other goodies like decent heater, air con, power steering, electric windows etc that you won't get on something like a beetle.
There is a suprisingly good support network for parts and most parts can still be ordered from nissan directly.
Have a look at http://www.gjnorthall.com/FIGARO-OWNER-INFORMATION... for some more tips and the site sells parts too.
Expect to pay £2k for an absolute dog and up to £6k for something in good nick. You will see them for sale for up to £10k but I don't know what more you get for your money...
I've not heard of any engine transplants, space would be the biggest concern, although I don't know how the automatic box compares to a manual, it looks big!
Thanks, you appear to be a font of knowledge on these. I think for starters I'm going to look into the following:
> avaliabillity of £2k cars that are "project" status - 1x mate is mechanic, and 1x mate runs bodyshop (you see my plan?)
> avaliabillity of tuning options for the standard engine, including manual box conversion
> price of flappy paddle gear box option, and motorbike engine
> investigate companies to do the work. Z Cars is it who do R1 and hyabusa engined mini's fetching around £10k?
The car would effectively be stripped to a shell, resprayed (candyfloss pink) and gutted inside too, once the engine was in, I can't see the worth in paying £4k+ for a minter.
Some die hard fans may well see me as a heathen. I know the MG Owners Club did when they saw my track-style ZR, that was used to it's full potential regularly.
Must admit, doing the impossible or frowned upon gives me a giggle
> avaliabillity of £2k cars that are "project" status - 1x mate is mechanic, and 1x mate runs bodyshop (you see my plan?)
> avaliabillity of tuning options for the standard engine, including manual box conversion
> price of flappy paddle gear box option, and motorbike engine
> investigate companies to do the work. Z Cars is it who do R1 and hyabusa engined mini's fetching around £10k?
The car would effectively be stripped to a shell, resprayed (candyfloss pink) and gutted inside too, once the engine was in, I can't see the worth in paying £4k+ for a minter.
Some die hard fans may well see me as a heathen. I know the MG Owners Club did when they saw my track-style ZR, that was used to it's full potential regularly.
Must admit, doing the impossible or frowned upon gives me a giggle
sounds like great fun! I'd love to see someone do something different with one.
One more thought... it doesn't seem possible to get new replacement body panels (well at a sensible price) so you may want to factor in buying second hand panels (of which there are plenty about) and plenty of panel beating into your estimate.
One more thought... it doesn't seem possible to get new replacement body panels (well at a sensible price) so you may want to factor in buying second hand panels (of which there are plenty about) and plenty of panel beating into your estimate.
drgoatboy said:
sounds like great fun! I'd love to see someone do something different with one.
One more thought... it doesn't seem possible to get new replacement body panels (well at a sensible price) so you may want to factor in buying second hand panels (of which there are plenty about) and plenty of panel beating into your estimate.
I always try and do something different with every car I have.... I like taking influences from a few scenes, to make one style I like. Current project is a e36 beemer estate (sensible work wagon) and see how cheap I can tart around with it.One more thought... it doesn't seem possible to get new replacement body panels (well at a sensible price) so you may want to factor in buying second hand panels (of which there are plenty about) and plenty of panel beating into your estimate.
As for body panels, barrow jobs and favours for mates are the way forwards. The 200SX had a full respray for 1x crate of lager and 1x round trip to whitehaven from lincolnshire
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