Hi. This is my Laurel:







Interior:



Dashboard with... Tacho? But it's better, then nothing:



I install gearbox from 200SX CA18, so I got a "short shifter"







Engine run perfect, but 76ps - this is too slow for me. This is CA18P, only LPG. At first look it's like a CA18S with LPG system. But inside this engine have different pistons, pistons rings and valves. So repair of this engine will be not so easy, like repair CA18S.



When I own it - this car was "in perfect condition". But after buy I repair all light wiring - front and rear. Make some changes in aftermarket alarm system wiring. Install new gearbox (old missing 5th gear). Repair A/C system. Make some small service in suspension system. Repair all exhaust system. And make some standard service: new belts, filters, oil and other liquids. All service cost me like a half of a car. And this is only for normal use - no repair for ideal looking or for increasing power. Repainting of bumpers, killing rust and repaint some parts - I doing this by myself. So it's cost cheap, but doing slow )))

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Maxima A32 VQ30 / MB W124 V8

wow
very clean car
wish I had same interior
by the way if you don't like your engine's power, lots of choices to choose from
engines that were used with laurels:
1- ca18s
2- l24
3- vg30e (carburated) you can put a fuel ingected if you find one
4- l28
new engines ( after the end of laurels) fitted by people
1- RB25DET
2- RB20DET
3- SR20DET
4- 1JZ
5- 2JZTT (real stuff for real idiots)

personally I would install an RB series if my road regulations allow it, else would bother to install a L28 engine, I like carbs on these rather than the ugly looking fuel setup(no offence to datsun)

datsun200l, thanks!
About swap for Laurel I know, I think, everything )) But in Ukraine good japanese engines costs like a gold ))) It's most actual for "japanese only" engines, like a RB25DET, SR20DET or Toyota turbo JZ's. By the way, some Laurels have RB20DET and RB25DET in stock. RB25DET - for 25th anniversary edition only.

For swap I can use only two engines, for full price of rebuild less, than 5000$. This is VG30DETT from 300ZX (I can buy all car without documents) or FWD VQ30DE/VG30DE from Nissan Maxima + gearbox from something else.

And I have third choiсe - I can install supercharger from 1G-GZE. This will give my engine some extra 15-30 horsepower with price about 500-700$.

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Maxima A32 VQ30 / MB W124 V8

You could fit a ca18det. I saw lots of them when i was there the last few years. You could get one shipped to you from there. Maybe you could get it shipped to poland and drive there and pick it up.
They have the same block so it will bolt in.

You could probably do the same for a rb25det conversion.

I dont know how you would go driving fast in the Ukraine, when i was last there the roads were pretty rugged!

I know it. And CA18 have a normal price outside my country, but shipping 1 engine cost not so cheap. And biggest problem - taxes and corruption about it. When you go to pay customs fee - you don't know how much it can cost. Sometimes it can be 300% from price.



For RB engine I need new gearbox - CA gearbox have a longer housing.

But the biggest problem is price. CA18DET for swap (with wiring, ECU and other) cost's 1500-2000 USD. RB25DET ~3000USD. And I need another differential, brakes, etc. - all this parts I need to buy separately. But I can buy RHD Nissan 300ZX about 4K$ in Ukraine without documents - and I'll get engine, suspension, brakes, wheels, gearbox, cooling system and air conditioning system, e.t.c. And about 300HP power versus 170-220HP from CA/RB turbo.



In my city we have normal roads. And we haven't any speedcam's )) Yeah, some roads in Ukraine look like after war. But some are normal and some are perfect.

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Maxima A32 VQ30 / MB W124 V8

yea i understand about the corruption and taxes. I went from Przemysl in Poland to L'viv on a local bus and the locals were hiding all kinds of stuff from the border guards. The fact i was a foreginer on a NZ passport caused a commotion and the guards did not search the bus. The passengers were happy as with me! I heard they would have had to pay some 'taxes' for the goods they were importing




That sounds like it will be the easiest way to go. That way you will have all the parts you need. I have a mate in NZ that has done the same conversion. He said it was a bit tight getting the turbos in, but the end result was very tidy and nice to drive.

Good luck with your project. I didnt know there are no speed cameras! Thats great. I will have to go back when you are finished for a 'test drive' !!

you can buy a complete nissan 200sx with the ca18 engine in lets say germany for 1000 euro's, roadtrip it home an take out all the parts you need and sell the rest.

no one will have you pay customs fee and you get some money back by selling the parts.

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Japanseklassiekers!

1970 C30 Laurel
1972 240Z
1973 610 Wagon
1977 260Z
1995 Micra
1999 200SX

Thank's! When I make this - you are welcome for test drive ))



It's not so easy in Ukraine. I can buy car at Germany or other country, I can drive it through the world - but I can't drive it into UA, because we have stupid laws about this. Drive а car from other country can only citizen of this country or someone with residence permit. And this people must leave country with car at 60 days. Yeah, corruption and bribes make some changes. It's possible to leave country like a "with car" only with car documents and number plates. It's possible, but all it cost's money. And I can't do it myself. So when car gets into my garage - price of it are 3000-4000$. It's like a price for 300ZX with RHD in UA, but 200SX have less powered engine. I will pay ~6K$ for all rebuild (200SX + swaping) and will be have car slower, then MB E320 or Toyota Camry 3.0. If I can build it for 2000$ price... But for 5-6K$ too little result.

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Maxima A32 VQ30 / MB W124 V8

but if you get into a car and just drive it across the border, nobody will know you do that, or does every car gets stopped at the border?
in the netherlands we are not allowed to drive cars with non dutch registration on ot and i have bought cars form the Uk an germany and just drove them home.
no one can see i am not from the UK when i am driving that car..

just be a little creative dont you have a friend just across the border? let him drive the car to your house and then buy him a trainticket back to his house.

the 300zx engine is big and heavy and fuel consumption isnt to good, i wouldnt bother to swap an engine like that into my car.

but, if it is the best option because of laws and corruption you should go for it.

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Japanseklassiekers!

1970 C30 Laurel
1972 240Z
1973 610 Wagon
1977 260Z
1995 Micra
1999 200SX

Because we have - again - corruption and unrial taxes many peoples do it. And road inspection know it. If you riding in your region at car, registered at this region - no problem. But if you drive to other region - every road inspector wanna stop you and look documents. If you drive BMW or sporty japanese car (Celica, 200SX, Prelude, e.t.c.) - you will speak with inspectors everyday. Most often counterfeited documents for these cars.



But he need to cross the border to go home - WITH car again Or pay to customs... How much? It's on the knees of the gods!



For me at first place power and torque in stock engine. But it's my IMHO ))) And when price for CA18DET and VG30DETT is simillar - I choose bigger and much powered engine. If someone will sell 200SX in Ukraine for $2K - I'll buy it at one day.

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Maxima A32 VQ30 / MB W124 V8

No, you said you cannot drive a foreign car in your country, so if someone from another country does that it is no problem. and no one will no he will leave the car in your country and go home by train.

So, no one knows
so, no inspection
and so no taxes

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Japanseklassiekers!

1970 C30 Laurel
1972 240Z
1973 610 Wagon
1977 260Z
1995 Micra
1999 200SX

Eric I wrote upper, then I can't drive - but man with residence permit can drive only 60 days. If you wanna leave car in UA you need to pay tax or pay bribe

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Maxima A32 VQ30 / MB W124 V8

What a country

Come live in the netherlands, you can do anything with every car

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Japanseklassiekers!

1970 C30 Laurel
1972 240Z
1973 610 Wagon
1977 260Z
1995 Micra
1999 200SX

import car? or is all cars in ukraine rhd?

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87. Nissan Laurel 2.5E SGX-T
04. BMW 520ia

It's nice idea )))



Most of cars are LHD. About 2-3% all cars in country is RHD. Imported from Japan in used condition. My car was a training car first 50 000 km in Japan. Now it have 170 000 km - and 20 years in UA ))

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Maxima A32 VQ30 / MB W124 V8

ok, so no laurels sold new in ua?

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87. Nissan Laurel 2.5E SGX-T
04. BMW 520ia

Yes. When in europe sold C32 new - we have "perestroyka" No dealership, no new cars - all was used from Japan (RHD) or Germany (LHD). New only MB S600, but form Germany too. RHD cars was shipped by sailors. From from mid-90s we have dealers of used RHD cars. From 2001 year - ban registration RHD cars. Newer RHD cars imported and registered by some enthusiasts with big bribes.

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Maxima A32 VQ30 / MB W124 V8

Does that "blank" gauge do anything? That's one of the weirdest clusters I've seen.

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-Cam
1988 Mazda RX7
1980 Toyota Celica
a bunch of cool other cars I'm not allowed to list

Yes, it show something! I think - RPM's )) In manual those device named not a "tacho". It's "idle run calibrator". If I do not forget - will record video, "how it works" ))

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Maxima A32 VQ30 / MB W124 V8

That's cool that it actually dose something. You have a very clean car, my friend.

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-Cam
1988 Mazda RX7
1980 Toyota Celica
a bunch of cool other cars I'm not allowed to list