Hey guys,

So after seeing Dave68 put his Yellow GT up for sale I'm really considering keeping my Bathurst and making a "Bathurst GT".
Even though I've been around for a little while I'm still completely clueless on what I'm doing. Forum dunce title has been reserved, keep your hands off.

Anywho, I'm trying to compile a list of what I'd need to do a 'GT conversion' on my little Bathy. This is all I know so far, hoping some of you guys can chip in:

• I'll need an E153 Gearbox with the matching turbo model axles. Are the Bathurst and GT hubs the same? 
• 3S-GTE Engine (preferably Gen3) including the matching ECU and a complete wiring harness
• I know the interiors differ. Bathurst is missing center console box (no care given there) but the quality of cloth seats and door card trim is massive
• Pretty sure all the GT/GT-S models came with foglights, whereas my Bathurst doesn't have any. Wondering if the Bathurst has the wiring harness there somewhere. I know it's missing the button and brackets.
• Safe to assume the GT has larger brake calipers+rotors so obviously would need those
• Turbo vented engine lid obviously
• Turbo Dash Cluster vs N/A Dash Cluster. Assuming that with the 3SGTE loom a turbo dash should just be plug and play?

Off the top of my head that's all I can think of. Is there anything I missed?

Sell your car and buy a turbo model, cheapest and quickest option usually.  There are many small and big aspects that add to a complete Turbo built MR2.
 
K6 & more so V6 conversions are all the trend for many reasons. 
 
Many differences of turbo to n/a such as clutch peddle design and so much more, usually missed, that adds to the turbo engineering balance.
 
Depending on your goals, wallet and how long you will accept your car off the road doing a transplant is what path you choose.  Buy a smashed mr2, race only imported mr2, or a turbo mr2 with lots of issues, and transplant/rebuild into your car - long time, lots of money of hidden rebuild costs for reliability (fuel pump, service items etc). Buy a Turbo / rebuilt / converted MR2 and drive happy doing little mods along the way. Each of us have our own path, some in hindsight maybe different.

Or build an aussie gt ;-) heaps easier :-D

I agree with Tony. Sell yours and buy Dave's.

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Dang it, I thought that selling mine/buying a GT would be the most likely response. I know that doing an engine conversion,etc. is out of my league but it's something I'd consider if it were the 'best' option. Since it isn't really, it'd be silly to do so I suppose. Just a shame to see so many awesome cars pop up for sale and I never have the chance to pick them up!

Buying Dave's would send me over the moon.
I just don't have the money.. and I can't legally drive it yet!

It's rare that you jump to getting the best of everything when you begin, as years get on with more work you get more money for more opportunities.

I had my n/a for many years, awesome car. Do you need the extra straight line power right now? I had an interesting education session today by a police man on his motorcycle. Had I been a younger man I don't think the conversation would have ended the same way.

Save your money, upgrade in time. Time in driving experiences and time as in income.

Turbo is bigger straight line power, however the last mr2 racing in qld the car with the most power didn't win the sprints. Power is not everything, but turbo is fun - lol

Having the Bathurst kept as a Bathurst adds to it's value. 
 
What the difference between a GT and a Bathurst? Well, what the differences between GT's? There's adm n/a GT's, and the evolution of jdm GT's and there's a lot of differences between them.
 
An actual Bathurst is becoming a rare thing, i'd say keep it original. 

Sell and buy a turbo.

Swap = big dollars.

Sell it, buy a $2000 Starlet as a daily, save up for JDM MR2, by that time you have open license :)

Bathursts are also the lightest factory SW20 model, which is what makes them special.   E153, 3SGTE, etc all add weight.