Brickhouse VK56 240SX Build

[irritatedmax]

Hey all! Going to go back a fill in the blanks a bit with a proper post, but we've taken the build to youtube! We'll get better at the whole thinking and talking on camera thing, editing and such! It just seemed like a more interactive way to share the build/progress.

And for the most current progress, follow us on Instagram:
@brickhouse_steve
@brickhouse_greg

Or Facebook:
facebook.com/brickhouseproductsllc

Those are just wayyyy easier to update on fly, so check them out! Everyone's support is greatly appreciated. Enjoy!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epv--wcfLYs"]Brickhouse Ep.1 - S14 VK56 Swap START! - YouTube[/ame]

[irritatedmax]

Progress in the shop continues...just hasn't made it here yet. Sorry! With the ease of uploading pics to Facebook, our facebook page has been getting all of the updates recently. If anyone wants to follow and give us a like, we'll love you forever!

https://www.facebook.com/brickhouseproductsllc/

And really if you have questions about anything, messaging the page is a great way to get a hold of us. Or if you're on Instagram, I'm @brickhouse_steve and Greg is @brickhouse_greg.

I'll get a proper update posted here hopefully in the next week or so, but the urge to get on the track has driven Greg to get back on what we've dubbed The History Hatch build. The black hatch shell he started tube fronting a few updates back. We literally had all of the parts to assemble it from various projects through the years just taking up space in storage so he's been putting in time getting it together to make a fun track car.



It already and fired and runs so it's just a matter of buttoning up loose ends to try and make the next drift event Aug 13th weekend! Once it's wrapped up, it's back to the VK build!

[irritatedmax]

Engine looks great... makes that car look mean. More updates!

Thank you! It really does give it a different presence!

love it! making my want for an s13 grow even stronger!!

This car, technically being Greg's car, makes ME want a hatch. It sounds arrogant to like what you've created but I love the way the overall look has come together!

Good stuff! I'm glad you're u didn't forget about the fans of this build.

Never! You guys are really what drive us to get it wrapped up. Sometimes life slows it down a bit but it's nearing the end!

Love everything about this build! Great fab work as well

Thank you! I'll pass on the kind words to Greg - he's the man behind the mask.

Just finished reading the whole thread.
Registered to comment and subscribe.

Awesome work guys!
Hopefully you will have a swap kit fully developed by the time I move back to the states as I am planning to rock a V8-swapped S13.

That is the biggest compliment of all - seeing people with one post comment on this thread! You and others above have made an account just to leave some kind words! It's the coolest thing ever! And hit us up when you're ready! The kit is going to be released in stages and the goal is to start soon! Would love to see a VK in your car!

[Boosted_Monkey]

Just finished reading the whole thread.
Registered to comment and subscribe.

Awesome work guys!
Hopefully you will have a swap kit fully developed by the time I move back to the states as I am planning to rock a V8-swapped S13.

[l2edken]

Love everything about this build! Great fab work as well

[Junya]

Good stuff! I'm glad you're u didn't forget about the fans of this build.

[Benwalsh91]

love it! making my want for an s13 grow even stronger!!

[Enzor]

More Updates!

Engine looks great... makes that car look mean. More updates!

[irritatedmax]

How long it's been, how long it's been!!! Wow, certainly overdue for an update and it's finally a good one. But first you ask, why did the build take a bit of a pause? Well, like most things, life has a way of changing directions and life/family priorities come before the fun stuff. Basically around the time of the last update, Greg and family relocated from Oklahoma back to Nebraska. For our long time blog readers, you'll recall that yes we're from Nebraska so while Oklahoma was good, a good job opportunity and the chance to be near friends and family made moving back home a win-win.

The lose in the equation was Greg was stuck with apartment life while things normalized. He and I had been on the hunt for a suitable and comparable shop to our place in Oklahoma and nothing was coming available. Shop space around the Omaha area was either 20,000 square feet or 800 square feet and $1,000 or just in a not ideal location. No doubt we were spoiled by our place in Oklahoma.

Finally, the future of Brickhouse caught a break when a house came on the market that fit what Greg and family were looking for and came equipped with detached 3 car shop space.






Square footage wise, it comes out to be the same as our Oklahoma shop just without the office hogging a corner of work space and six car parking outside instead of two. Heated, insulated, and pretty much perfect for our needs.

First up while it was bare and empty was finishing it off with some paint...just to make the walls a nice shade of one color. I've always found it puzzling how many garages end up staying unfinished.



Greg trying his hand at graffiti before it's covered up. Greg's a talented artist believe it or not. This might not do him justice.



So with the household goods moved and the shop's walls painted, it was time to move the shop! So off to Oklahoma!



"Reunited and it feels so good."





The biggest challenge no doubt was the plasma table. Greg's cleverness paid off.






After rigging up a bit of a track system, it was all loaded up and the shop was bare.



Good bye shop, you were good to us (sat full of our stuff for 10 months and no one messed with anything! phew!)




That sure filled up the place...and now the least pleasant job of any move, getting things organized.

The remotely spatially aware will realize the new place doesn't have as high of ceiling as the old so Greg had to get a bit clever in hanging some items. First transferring over the wheel rack...



And then a home for the bumpers...



Things are starting to come together. This is the first bay and somewhat the catch all at the moment.



Looking good!




Here's all anyone is really interested in:



So good to see some more pictures of this thing! And believe it or not, I've never seen it with it's front bumper on. That front red rebar is an eyesore though. Something must be done about that.




Inspecting the wheel fitment while organizing this end of the shop. Just a touch of camber.



A bit more situated AND THANK THE HEAVENS NO MORE RED REBAR!!!

The VK56 looks so gnarly in there.



Manifold doesn't clear the hood? Don't care. We'll address that after it's running.



And behind door number 2 is the Crap Hatch. Greg started the tube front many moons ago in Oklahoma and it needs buttoned up. This thing will be the home of the built KA that was originally in Steve's S14 (Hulk Smash) and then in Minty and now the engine dolly it rolls around on. This thing is going to be built for thrashing.

Speaking of my/Steve's 14, there it sits in the foreground wrapped in plastic. I'm super pumped and a bit nervous for the day this thing gets unwrapped as it's going on about 6 years now of sitting in a barn. But we'll be needing a S14 to test the VK swap kit fitment on so...



So there we have it. Life happens sometimes and with a bit of patience and good planning you can come out on top! Super stoked Brickhouse has a new home! Can't wait to put the CNC plasma to work getting these VK swap mounts built! Thanks for everyone's patience and nudges asking for updates while things were dormant!

And a parting shot that gets me all warm and tingly inside!

[irritatedmax]

This build is just too epic

Thanks!!

I literally just made this account to follow your build anf hope you finish it and maybe sell a few kits. I will definitely buy one when it's finished! I just went through the whole thread, word by word and picture by picture! Keep up the great work!

You have a customer here!

That is really awesome and much appreciated!!

This thread is a little old, but you know what they say. The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice. Definitely can't wait to see the outcome dude. I've wanted to put a VK56 into an S13 since I first drove a Titan. Pulled a heavy ass trailer like I was pulling a cloud. I'll definitely be buying the swap kit if you guys decide to make one since I can't weld to save my life!

We're eager to get it wrapped up as well! Was really stoked to see you and SR20 above you have only one post and it's in this thread!! That's really cool.

Sorry for the slow responses - I sometimes don't get notifications from this forum. But I'm really happy to say that hopefully in the next week or so things will start moving on the build again and we'll have a proper update to the thread! Thanks for the continued support!

[PoopCoupe13]

This thread is a little old, but you know what they say. The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice. Definitely can't wait to see the outcome dude. I've wanted to put a VK56 into an S13 since I first drove a Titan. Pulled a heavy ass trailer like I was pulling a cloud. I'll definitely be buying the swap kit if you guys decide to make one since I can't weld to save my life!

[Sr20]

I literally just made this account to follow your build anf hope you finish it and maybe sell a few kits. I will definitely buy one when it's finished! I just went through the whole thread, word by word and picture by picture! Keep up the great work!

You have a customer here!

[Renchi_akuma]

This build is just too epic

[MkI]

ermagerrrrd! love theses VK engines! really like what you're doing with it in an s-chassis. I'm not a ***** of LS swaps, but its fresh seeing another V8 being used. They seem to be a high quality motor

In case you're interested, over here in Australia they run a version of the VK56de in the V8 Supercars. Pretty sweet power and torque considering the rules they have to build the engines to

Based on the 5.6 litre quad camshaft VK56D naturally-aspirated V8.
Dry sump lubrication system, a de-stroked crank and cylinder liners to drop displacement to 5.0 litres, the deletion of the factory variable
valve timing system and Mahle pistons with a 10:1 compression ratio
Displacement (cc): 5000
Bore x stroke (mm): 102.69 x 75.31
Compression ratio: 10.1
Max power (HP@rpm): 668@7400
Max Torque (Nm@rpm): 658Nm@6100
Max RPM: 7500
No. of cylinders per configuration: V8
Valves per cylinder: 4
Data logging system: MoteC m190 ECU - See more at: http://www.nissanmotorsport.com.au/?....eSJ4Wj5i.dpuf

[irritatedmax]

Just read the whole thread, sub'd and in for RAWR. great build both of you

This build is so well executed, it hurts.

- Renato

Thanks guys!!

This is an awesome build. I can fully appreciate the absolute DIY hands on approach to everything. I had no idea sketchup could export to DXF, I use Sketchup for a lot of goofing around and modeling things I want to build...now it has another use! Thanks for that tip.

I might even try to build headers now...you've inspired me. :P

I bough the same welder but can't seem to get aluminum to work for me! Are you balling the tip or just using the well pointed tip for aluminum?

Keep it up!

Thanks! And, I asked Greg about the aluminum and he said he sharpens the tungsten like normal and then nips the tip in the grinder a bit to make it flat.