RB26DETT help!!!

Can anyone tell me a difficulty rating /10 for doing the RB26dett swap from the R32 to the R34!!?
-How do I make the bonnet open?
-Why isn't there an R34 model with the RB26dett?

I've read the "putting the R32 into R34" thread but I need a few other pointers!! I usually build models exactly as the instructions say, never experimented but since signing up on here I have sooooo many ideas!!
Waiting on two Tamiya Skylines (R32 GTR & R34 GTR Vspec II)

Any tips/hints/pics would be greatly appreciated!!

well since you are doing both tamiya kits, one thing is good, they will be correctly scaled together. as for swapping them over, I'd say build the engine just as is stated in the R32 and install it to the R34 chassis just as stated in the R32 instructions. Very carefully take note of locating pins and such on the R32 chassis and duplicate them on the R34.

take the firewall and inner fenders and such from the R32, transplant them to the R34. install them in the same spots as on the R32.

as for cutting the hood open. Lightly scratch the hood lines with the back (dull side) of a #11 hobby knife, working SLOWLY until you have scratched all the way through. don't get in a hurry with this, though it shouldn't take long. once your knife has started to "poke through" the plastic, do not be tempted to just use the sharp edge of the blade and cut the rest of the way, or to just break or tear it the rest of the way. if you do, the results will be undesirable, and you will then have to spend valuable time cleaning it up.

once the hood is removed, glue a thin strip of styrene to the under side of the fender where the hood used to be so as to give it a lip for the hood to rest upon.

look through the work in progress threads to see how people have tackled this task of opening panels. I'm sure you will find lots of ideas that you can apply to your build. and remember, it's your model, build it the way YOU want to, not how others say you should do it. if you find a better way to do something, or can't find a way to fix/modify something, don't hesitate to share/ask. that's what we are here for! :)

Hi. I've just completed my Z-Tune with RB26DETT implant and it was my first time doing it. Wasn't too bad because I had saved the diagram Hiroboy made showing where to cut the R32 transmission and where to cut on the engine itself....

I take no credit for this...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/7749571.jpg


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/M40A1/8028212.jpg

Helped me a lot considering I didn't really know how to approach it. If you can, do a direct swap of the engine bay from the R32 to the R34 because then it's more realistic with the other engine details eg: battery etc. Oh and also, if you're just putting the engine into the R34 chassis, be careful with alligning the engine right to the chassis.

As for cutting the hood...just like rsxse240 says, do it with a knife and take your time. Even the slightest rush and you might do something you'll regret. I did one side with a knife and one with a PE saw blade....and even thought using the saw blade was quicker, I'd recommend using a knife.

Hope I helped :) .

I didn't do the diagram, I'm sure it was cph81 (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=35621) or NISMO400R (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/member.php?u=98270) as she is now known.