Opinions and experiences of shell swaps

[NoisyNelly]

Hi all,

My FD has some major rust and I’m going to get it looked at at a body shop but expecting it to be expensive.

Both sills will need replacing, big patch on the passenger side rear under the car and both rear arches are shot too.

I’m thinking of a shell swap as an option and wonder if anyone has any experience in doing this.

I’m pretty hands on so don’t mine electrics/interior/ suspension etc so would just be the engine swap and get it up and running that I would get help with.

Any thoughts appreciated.

 

[Paulm]

The only real issue with a shell swap it that every one ive seen has had to have a full respray. If you factor that in then it will most likely be more cost effective to get the welding and body work done.

But ive always had a bare metal respray planned for mine in the future, depands what you want at the end of it

 

[Spendyrx]

Just buy a welder and diy neil

 

[Nas80]

Ok I've done this. It's actually not that bad a job. Depends completely on how much stuff is left in the old shell really. I replaced everything apart from the wiring looms.

But as I did this I fixed any issues. Retrimmed the dash and the door cards. Upgraded the whole engine and turbo and then cleaned good parts, replaced any rusty bolt I found etc.

I enjoyed it mostly. I had something to do at home besides watch Tele and I think it took me about 5 months of a couple of hours every other night.