Hey everyone. My name is Austin and a few years back I bought a 92 240sx from a lady who neglected to check or put oil in the stock ka24 so...the cam snapped in half right behind the sprocket (it was quite weird) Well I picked it up for $700 and it wasn't in the best of shape. Tons of dings and scratches and the rear fender was totally smashed. The interior smelled of pee/smoke/coffee/febreez/butt. The carpet was totally stained and the headliner was falling down. It was a complete mess, but a wonderful project.
My mom gave me a few thousand to buy a car (I was 15 when I bought it, now I'm 17) and I got to keep whatever was left to modify it. I already saved up a good amount of money so I had a great start.
First thing to go was the non-running ka24de. A local (SC) shop sourced a Sr20det front clip from some guy (forgot his exact name) in NC. I wanted to take on the challenge of swapping it myself, but my parents thought it would fall out due to my lack of hands on experience with motor swaps, so I had that same local shop perform the swap (I just turned 15 at the time).
As the SR was being put it, it received a new Koyo Radiator, Greddy baffled oil pan, new fuel pump, XS Engineering downpipe/testpipe, URAS RS cat-back, and Exedy stage 2 clutch. After some issues with the wiring and throttle body and other tuning problems, the swap was finished.
Once the car was returned to me, I immediately swapped the stock "rally/ baja" truck suspension for a set of Buddy Club Racing Spec Dampers. The wheels were swapped for a set of 16x7 +40 (not an ideal offset for the s13, but who can resist $100 14lb wheels?) Rota GT3. I purchased a silvia front end for LS Automotive and had it shipped back to Charleston. I was able to personally look at the front end since my dad lives just south of LA in Laguna Beach (yea, just like the show haha) and I visit him frequently. After doing the front end swap, I sanded the car to metal and began the body work process. After some bondo and a whole week of non-stop sanding and rebondo and sanding..etc...the car was ready to be painted. It was taken to a friend of my step dad who is the owner of a body shop and he sprayed the factory red color (the same color it was) for a very good price. I bought some little stuff like steering wheel (momo) and shift boots to give it a cleaner interior. Well this is how the car stayed for a few months and then......
I moved out (from SC) to stay with my dad in Laguna Beach for my Junior year of high school. I am currently living here. (I am the new drifter on the show haha j/k)
I had the car shipped out with me and once I saved up enough money, I bought a Hybrid FMIC, autometer gauges (egt, boost, water temp) and replacement carpet. Then I put a MBC and turned the boost up to 10psi and ordered a Walbro 255lph pump. It also recieved a Megan exhaust manifold and turbo dump pipe and greddy rocker arm stopers. I then stared on suspension work. 5-lug conversion, Z32 brakes, RUCA's, SPL tie rods and ends, some JDM tension rods, ST sway bars and ebay strut bars and Z33 (350z) wheels. The tires were changed to Pirelli P6 all seasons 225/45/17 because I got them for free.
I go for mountain drives almost every weekend and the motor just keeps taking the abuse. I swear the SR is one of the greatest engines I have ever come across (second to the RB26 though). well, I will stop talking now and show you some pictures I shot really fast the other day.
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Running rich=flames=burnt bumper
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Last pic with ROTA GT3 wheels (sold them to pay for 5-lug conversion)
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Carbon GT-R grill (and a nice view of SoCal in the background)
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The lighting was great that day, it wasnt too sunny, but it give good contrast to the car
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A preview and when I picked up my new wheels
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The engine bay, torn apart for new turbo parts and to clean up all the wiring
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Harness (what the hell have I done!!!)
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New Rear upper control arms (RUCA's)
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The stock T25 turbo
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Brand new/Remanufactured F&R calipers
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All calipers (they are aluminum so they weight the same as stocks, but are super huge compaired to the whimpy stock brakes)
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Front rotors (brembo) with calipers
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Calipers were painted with VHT 1000degree caliper paint (about a can for a pair because I put about 8 coats to get them extra glossy and make sure they dont chip). I sanded down the letters so they say NISSAN is silver, kinda cool haha
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Another shot
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Drivers side with RUCA's installed, also EARL's Stainless braided brake conversion lines
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Passenger side
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The car as of yesterday. I am going to paint the wheels black when i get new tires!
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Well thats basically my ongoing project. I have learned so much with this car, how to do body work, how to do basic maintenance, Interior work, and cutting/grinding/custom work, and most importantly, how to "drive."
Things that need to go on:
Kirkey seat and R.J.S lap belt
S15 Helical LSD
My mom gave me a few thousand to buy a car (I was 15 when I bought it, now I'm 17) and I got to keep whatever was left to modify it. I already saved up a good amount of money so I had a great start.
First thing to go was the non-running ka24de. A local (SC) shop sourced a Sr20det front clip from some guy (forgot his exact name) in NC. I wanted to take on the challenge of swapping it myself, but my parents thought it would fall out due to my lack of hands on experience with motor swaps, so I had that same local shop perform the swap (I just turned 15 at the time).
As the SR was being put it, it received a new Koyo Radiator, Greddy baffled oil pan, new fuel pump, XS Engineering downpipe/testpipe, URAS RS cat-back, and Exedy stage 2 clutch. After some issues with the wiring and throttle body and other tuning problems, the swap was finished.
Once the car was returned to me, I immediately swapped the stock "rally/ baja" truck suspension for a set of Buddy Club Racing Spec Dampers. The wheels were swapped for a set of 16x7 +40 (not an ideal offset for the s13, but who can resist $100 14lb wheels?) Rota GT3. I purchased a silvia front end for LS Automotive and had it shipped back to Charleston. I was able to personally look at the front end since my dad lives just south of LA in Laguna Beach (yea, just like the show haha) and I visit him frequently. After doing the front end swap, I sanded the car to metal and began the body work process. After some bondo and a whole week of non-stop sanding and rebondo and sanding..etc...the car was ready to be painted. It was taken to a friend of my step dad who is the owner of a body shop and he sprayed the factory red color (the same color it was) for a very good price. I bought some little stuff like steering wheel (momo) and shift boots to give it a cleaner interior. Well this is how the car stayed for a few months and then......
I moved out (from SC) to stay with my dad in Laguna Beach for my Junior year of high school. I am currently living here. (I am the new drifter on the show haha j/k)
I had the car shipped out with me and once I saved up enough money, I bought a Hybrid FMIC, autometer gauges (egt, boost, water temp) and replacement carpet. Then I put a MBC and turned the boost up to 10psi and ordered a Walbro 255lph pump. It also recieved a Megan exhaust manifold and turbo dump pipe and greddy rocker arm stopers. I then stared on suspension work. 5-lug conversion, Z32 brakes, RUCA's, SPL tie rods and ends, some JDM tension rods, ST sway bars and ebay strut bars and Z33 (350z) wheels. The tires were changed to Pirelli P6 all seasons 225/45/17 because I got them for free.
I go for mountain drives almost every weekend and the motor just keeps taking the abuse. I swear the SR is one of the greatest engines I have ever come across (second to the RB26 though). well, I will stop talking now and show you some pictures I shot really fast the other day.
Running rich=flames=burnt bumper
Last pic with ROTA GT3 wheels (sold them to pay for 5-lug conversion)
Carbon GT-R grill (and a nice view of SoCal in the background)
The lighting was great that day, it wasnt too sunny, but it give good contrast to the car
A preview and when I picked up my new wheels
The engine bay, torn apart for new turbo parts and to clean up all the wiring
Harness (what the hell have I done!!!)
New Rear upper control arms (RUCA's)
The stock T25 turbo
Brand new/Remanufactured F&R calipers
All calipers (they are aluminum so they weight the same as stocks, but are super huge compaired to the whimpy stock brakes)
Front rotors (brembo) with calipers
Calipers were painted with VHT 1000degree caliper paint (about a can for a pair because I put about 8 coats to get them extra glossy and make sure they dont chip). I sanded down the letters so they say NISSAN is silver, kinda cool haha
Another shot
Drivers side with RUCA's installed, also EARL's Stainless braided brake conversion lines
Passenger side
The car as of yesterday. I am going to paint the wheels black when i get new tires!
Well thats basically my ongoing project. I have learned so much with this car, how to do body work, how to do basic maintenance, Interior work, and cutting/grinding/custom work, and most importantly, how to "drive."
Things that need to go on:
Kirkey seat and R.J.S lap belt
S15 Helical LSD
