Spezer's S13 Daily Runner - K'BIRD

[spezer]

Hi All,

I bought my S13 in May 2007 and have been buying and doing bits since purchase.

The idea was to buy a car that I can use daily but have the joy of improving and modifying as and when. The 200sx fits the bill as it's relatively cheap, modable, learn how to fix/mod it all with the support of a great club :Plug:

So, to start with...

Here are some pics of the car when I bought it, it was an ebay auction (something I only normally do to sell not to buy).

It has higher miles (190k now) but has all the documentation, I got to inspect it fully and was quite happy it was complete, but needed work.

I've put some pics up of the bad bits too...

[spezer]

Here are some more pics of the BAD bits attached...

Since then I have done a DAL and replaced the top of the struts...

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1866%20(Small).jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1867%20(Small).jpg

The sill on one side has had some work, doesn't look too bad, but I'm planning to correct it so if/when I get some sideskirts it looks a better match and less noticable.

First minor mods were an air filter replacement, it already had a Mongoose exhaust (which I sort-of got used to now).

I like the black wheels too, not too bad a job by the previous owner, not sure if I'll keep them, I like them (same look on Pete Shrimp's car...) but obviously lowered and possibly wider?

Luckily I've bought the KYB's to sort that out on mine.

[spezer]

So after the first stage (top mounts re-welded) bit more work on the body panels, the wing resprayed and the rear quarter sanded filled and sprayed (I need to look into more spray work but this will have to wait till summer I think). Oh, never liked the spoiler either!! :D

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1648%20(Small).jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1858%20(Small).jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1859%20(Small).jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1860%20(Small).jpg

In Sept/Oct this year I had a bigger failure. My turbo finally gave up after a little bit of abuse and 2 weeks of it sounding like it could die at any point.... Well, it was a daily runner and I needed to use it for work!! :)

After reading through a few of the guides I started disassembly of the old turbo.

My plan seemed simple, for the price of a basic T25 I might as well upgrade to a T28.

Taking it apart took about 3 hours being really careful. I think I was lucky compared to others as nothing snapped or broke... Oh, I tell a lie the stabilizer on the wing did, which I've replaced with a piece of copper pipe!!

The problems started when I got the replacement turbo.

It had a sheared stud, but I thought it wouldn't be too hard... Jeez I'm stupid :annoyed:

It was a big problem, especially as I don't have a vice.

After much deliberating I went to my brother-in-law's had a good go at it and hey presto one turbo ready for fitting.

I wasn't too happy spending £80-90 on gaskets so I got 3 from Conceptua on E:ghey: and the rest were Nissan direct. Cost £50-60... better!!

So after re-assembly I had the joy of taking it all apart as the oil feed wasn't happy.

I had to cut another copper washer to ensure the join is solid (I had read that some people have experienced issues with the banjo bolt being too long and the copper washers twisting) So I did the best of both worlds and used 2 large washers (water washers) on the top and turbo copper washers for the bottom.

As part of the install I would recommend removing the carbon canister (for the front mount and some useful pipework) and the hot start solonoid bypass (again loads of pipework that's useful for a boost guage etc...)

I had to cut some pipework to fit the new FMIC, I bought a table leg for my intake pipe, although I had bought a pipe from "shifty biscuits" to replace my spring loaded pipe, but used that by my plenium as it was a larger diameter. I also had to use some pipework I had from my SAAB FMIC, looked like it would be useless, but in the end was invaluable...
Instead of a bleed nipple needing to be installed I could cut the pipe to provide a takeoff and also used the S14 intake pipe, 2 small slightly cut down 90 degree bend pipes and a reducer. Take a look below for more info.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1651%20(Small).jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1657%20(Small).jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1868%20(Small).jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1869%20(Small).jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1864%20(Small).jpg

The pics above shows details of the pipework, below is the finished article. I've tried to show where I dremel'd the original idle pipe then Hermitite Red (Thanks Danny for that one!!) it into place... It took several attempts to get it right, you've got to take it right down to the bend...

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1862%20(Small).jpg


Beyond this repair/upgrade I'm planning to get some with bits to get it up to scratch...

Fully polybush kit (Energy Suspension)
KYB and Eibach lowering springs (purchased)
Bit of paint - with the intention of a poss full respray.
S14 front calipers (purchased)
S14 brake master cylinder - for improved travel when ^^ upgrade (purchased)
Braided hoses (back ones bought - 1 side has a braided hose :confused: )
Stage 2 or ND Stage 1 chip (bought an ND but deliberating)
Poss spacers or new alloys (but must be cheap)

As the car was off the road I thought I'd do my interior, well my son did (he's 13 and keen)
So in went the Leather interior, Black carpet and Gauges (from my last car - F&F 7 colour) and a centre console spray up to get rid of scratches and generally brighten the inside up...

I'm well pleased with the result... :thumbs:

I've now done some of it and this is the outcome...

[jamied]

liking the silver centre console

[spezer]

Thanks :thumbs:

Nearly forgot... Now have the clear indicators on..

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ben.spelman/200sx/100_1861%20(Small).jpg

[spezer]

Next is to sort out my pressure gauge and find out why my temp sender isn't working :confused:

In-conjunction with a dry day... I'm gonna reweld the hole left by my WMIC and put a scoop there...

What a great idea !!

** sniggers as he's clearly trying to plam this off as his own idea **
Cheers Dunkz & Pugger...

[Dal]

Since then I have done a DAL and replaced the top of the struts...



LOL is that the new name for it:D

Cars looking good mate keep up the good work:thumbs:

[Sideways Danny]

then Hermitite Red (Thanks Danny for that one!!) it into place....

christ that was a few years ago :eek: properly messy bodge that was :wack:

[spezer]

LOL is that the new name for it:D

Cars looking good mate keep up the good work:thumbs:


That's what I'm calling it and I'm sticking to it ;)

Thanks mate - hopefully I get some more done, just wish I had the same facilities as some of you guys...

Ah well, it's coming along....

[spezer]

christ that was a few years ago :eek: properly messy bodge that was :wack:

Works don't it... :wack:

Well, it didn't to start with hence my point about dremel'ing it to the bend. I did try using the boost nipple but it was just too restrictive... Hence this works a treat.

Thanks again Danny...

[Bumblebee]

OMG

didn't notice this...

This was my car's project thread by the previous owner :sxoc:

SO wierd seeing how its changed he he he