MX83 build stage 1

Well i started making some progress on my second Cressida so i figured it would be good to post it in here, to keep track of what I've been doing.

Well here is the first day i got it home completely stock 89' cressida except for 350z wheels.

Next i decided to remove the great 7M motor that of course was blown.

Then went ahead and cleaned up the engine bay from all the years of oil and grime.

After scrubbing on it all day with a Brillo pad and some hot soapy water it came out like this.

Not bad but i'm still going to sand some spots and paint it.
I originally wanted to go with a 1JZ in line six motor but i wanted the VVTI version for more torque.

So i sold the R154 and 1JZ and went with the next best thing that was within in my budget.
I bought this 93' 1UZFE and W58 from the junk for $400. I was more than happy with the 1uz because it had alot of low end torque, is a light all aluminum motor and is a reliable and smooth powerplant with 6-bolt  main bearings and belt driven quad cam shafts.
      The W58 being a less robust transmission also shifts smoother and will handle the stock 1UZ power without a problem.

This will be a super fun, powerful and good sounding engine untill i want more power which i will probably go for a 1JZ VVTI. but that's way down the road.

I then started taking apart both the engine bay and motor for little maintenance and painting.
Motor maintenance-
-new power steering pump
-delete the A/C
-delete the EGR
-new hoses
-new valve cover seals and painted the valve covers.
-new motor mounts
- and remove the driver side exhaust manifold for modifying
(I would of replaced the water pump/ timing belt while it was out but i took it apart to check it and it looked completely brand new. The motor was from a badly rear ended 93' ls400 and it had a service sticker for the timing belt at 120,000 miles so i figured it was good.)

[EGR block off plates]

A few pictures of the painted engine bay and five speed pedal/master installed.

Then i ordered some hockey pucks and made some motor mounts. Also i bought some new hoses for power steering/  fuel etc. and received some goodies in the mail like clutch, trans fluid, and 5 speed trans adap

After all that i put the Transmission together and changed the fluid. I also put the flywheel on the motor.

Then i decided to see what the motor looked like in the engine bay, So i did a test fit.

looks good , That's just about where i am right now. I need to get a pilot bearing to finally put my clutch on and mate my transmission to the motor then wire it in, modify the exhaust manifold to clear the steering rack and get a drive shaft.