My Two Tone RB25 Coupe

[96Turbo]

well since the mods STILL haven't responded to me after PMing like 6 different ones multiple times, i guess i'll take matters into my own hands.

I used to be a premie (where i had my "build" in the premie build section), but i am no longer, and so i wanted to share my RB experience with all u regular folk to inspire, educate, and perhaps answer some questions you might have.

So i'm just gonna copy paste all the updates from my old thread into this one!! Enjoy....

June 27, 2008:

The car in question is an '89 two tone coupe
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/PC050055-1.jpg

KAE is yanked in favor of some tasty RB power (please buy it from me!)
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/CIMG1433.jpg

The strippage begins
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P5070229.jpg




nose shot
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P5100010.jpg

Engine bay is stripped down for painting
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P5110016.jpg

Clean enough to eat off of...don't mind the paint thinner taste
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P5110027.jpg

Yep, most of those wires became embedded in my skin. And removing the battery tray proved to be a huge bitch. Previous owner let the battery spill & brake fluid leak out to give my otherwise rust free car some problem spots
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P5110023.jpg

Finally my engine arrives!!!!! It was like christmas before you knew santa was a big lie
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P5140012.jpg




grimey/sludgy ass oil pan goes from this:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6010024.jpg

to this:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6010026.jpg

Currently i'm just cleaning and inspecting the engine. Also beginning the nightmare of deciphering the wiring harness.

Good news is that the engine looks really clean and is a series 2. Turbo appears to be in great shape (no shaft play) Bad news is that i got semi-fucked over by the importer. It's missing the MAF, PS pulley is bent & has no belt, two sensors (AAC) are broken, it's missing the intake tube, and the O2 sensor has one wire that's cut off right at the sensor.....

As soon as i get a 27mm socket i'll pull off the crank pulley and find out if i have the good or bad crank/oil pump drive.

Next on the agenda is put it in for a test fit, and cut intercooler piping holes before paint. Also stitch welding.

[96Turbo]

As for progress...a friend came over today to let me have a go with his MIG. I only have a little bit of experience with our chinese flux core MIG shitbox....so i wasn't expecting anything amazing. I did alright...and definitely was improving as i went. Here's what i got done before i ran out of wire:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6020014.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6020015.jpg

here's where i filled in a largeish gap between the sheetmetal right below my rusty ass battery tray. Some of my better beads
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6020013.jpg

Oil pan goes back on over some RTV
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6020005.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6020007.jpg

[96Turbo]

stitch welding complete!!!!!! Started the day by buying a new roll of wire for the welder since i ran out yesterday. Played with the heat settings a little bit and started to lay down some really nice spots. I forgot to take pictures before i covered up the welds with primer, but the heat was just right and i got much better penetration today than the ones i did yesterday...and they look 10x cleaner and better.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6040018.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6040017.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6040014.jpg

Powdercoated my heatshields hi temp satin black. They looked pretty bad
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6040019.jpg

As for future plans of this car....it's going to be a constantly evolving machine. Right now it's going to be just a fun weekend car/DD. There's other cars that i can borrow for rainy days or when i'm wrenching on this thing so i don't need it to be a dedicated DD. I plan to keep this car until i die or crash it...or both...so i'm trying to do things now that i'll want later (stitch welding for example). As soon as i have some decent money (4 years at least) I want to go for more power. And further down the road hopefully it'll be a track slut. But in the mean time i just want to get it handling nice and do the functional mods. No aero or cosmetic junk for quite some time till i get it driving the way i want

Test fitted the syko mounts and R33 crossmember. I'm getting a little ahead of myself but i had to try it
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6060018.jpg

Powdercoated all the heatshields hi temp satin black:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6060013.jpg
See the oil drain off the turbo where i have paper towels shoved in the two ends? I need recommendations on where to find a preformed 3/4" oil hose that i can use there. The one that came with my engine was messed up...and i can't find one anywhere!! I've been to 4 different auto parts stores and they're all idiots. If they have hose, it's not flexible enough, or if it's preformed then it's only for water. help a brotha out

Now for the good stuff!!!

Having trouble with your love life? Have no money? Not getting the appreciation you feel you deserve? Lose your job? Can't lose weight? Well i've got the muthafuckin answer to all your problems:

GOLD bitch...say it with me
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6070042.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6070043.jpg

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6090056.jpg

the engine is nearing complete re-assembly and the next step will be a test fit to cut holes for the IC piping. then it's all coming back out and the engine bay is gonna get some gunmetal metallic paint. As for progress...i've been working on getting the suspension pieces ready for reassembly as well. burned out all the old bushings, gonna weld in some braces on the control arms, and powdercoat pretty much everything. haven't decided what color yet. I'm thinking either wrinkle black or red. leaning toward the red since that's what color my new bushings are.

today i ordered: tie rod ends, ball joints, and tension rod bushings. she's gonna be tighter than a virgin once she's back on the road.

the original plan was to have a fully functioning A/C system...but i might be postponing that a bit. The A/C compressor i received with the engine has a fitting broken off in it, and after a few hours of dremeling i still can't get it out. I think my first priority will be getting it running and working out the bugs, then i'll move onto A/C when i have more time (need to get this bitch goin so i can get raped by the premium prices!!!)

[96Turbo]

I realized my tension rod bushings were totally shot...and my bushing kit didn't come with any. So, just waiting on DreamN for his set of ES bushings to match the rest of my ES kit. Cleaned up the rods and hit 'em with some red powder
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6100059.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6100062.jpg

Control arms are next on my list. Cleaned 'em up a little tonight and am gonna make some cardboard templates for some 16ga steel i bought today in order to box them in and stiffen things up even further.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6100060.jpg


I'm getting the necessary parts to get my steering rack back to 100% and get the subframe all done up and test fit this pig. Also should be getting the missing parts from my motorset. This includes MAF, new ps pump, O2 sensor, two smaller sensors that were broken, intake tube, and tranny x member.

boxed in the LCA's and the Tension rod holder thingys. I wanted to weld up a brace...but didn't have the materials needed and was leaning toward a Jonnie Fraz brace anyways. That way i can install it later by just bolting it in.

The welder was doin funky shit and feeding the wire really unsteadily. Thus the messy ass beads. But they're strong so that's all i care about.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6100056.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6100057.jpg

Continued the red theme on these items as well
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P61000622.jpg

looks real nice with the bushings too
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6100061.jpg

well there's been a little progress since the last update. Today i think i finished ALL of my wiring. I still have one question about the lower harness, but the main harness is complete!! I even had the foresight to do a little extra.

I've integrated my aftermarket gauges and fan controller into the stock wiring harness to make it a little cleaner. I'm running an oil temp, oil pressure, and boost gauge....just waiting for JohnGriff's DTIG (H2O temp) to be ready and i wanna cop one of those. I've got the sensor wires running along with the main harness so it's nice and clean and doesn't require any extra holes through the firewall etc. Also i ran a wire for my fan override switch (wiring it up to the A/C override circuit).

I reached the reluctant decision to ditch the A/C entirely with the swap. This is due to a few factors: 1. My A/C compressor had a broken off fitting in it & i still haven't managed to extract it. 2. weight savings. 3. simplicity. 4. custom lines need to be made. 5. i'm lazy

I also just put in my new tension rod bushings (after realizing i got them as part of my ES kit....even though i just ordered a pair from DreamN a few days ago!!!!) So if anyone needs some....please take them off my hands

put in the new DOHC tach and "adjusted" my odometer. Don't worry though, i won't be committing fraud. The mileage was inaccurate to begin with (due to replaced cluster by previous owner). And i decided that a fresh powertrain deserved a fresh start (instead of the 188k that was on there). I plan on keeping this car till i die or crash it (or both...crosses fingers), but if i sell i will be sure to tell them mileage isn't actual. The previous owner gave me an estimate of what's on the chassis (150k), so i'll have a good idea.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6170013.jpg

DON'T EVER BUY ANYTHING FROM RACEPAGES.COM. They're majorly fucking me right now. I ordered a PAIR of ball joints and tie rod ends. So when i receive one of each i'm a bit perturbed. I talk to customer service a few times to no satisfaction. They kept saying that i was only supposed to receive 1 even though the website explicitly said "SOLD AS PAIR". So i continue to call them...same result. Then, the website is updated so that each item's description says "sold individually". Talk to a "supervisor" today and he gives me the runaround. He admits that it was an error on the website, but that the best he can do is give me a $15 rebate!!! On $80 worth of parts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So pissed....just need to vent

The fucking over continues from my engine importer. They claim that i was never supposed to receive a MAF. What the fuck kind of motorset doesn't come with a MAF!?!?!?!?! It was listed as included on the website, and the guy i spoke to on the phone said it was included. So now i'm forced to pay out of pocket for: tranny crossmember, MAF, intake tube, and a broken sensor. FUCK! I'm running out of money, and i just burned my leg real bad on my bike exhaust....it's been a bad night

I assembled my new high pressure power steering line. I'm using -6 AN Russell powerflex hose with stainless steel hose ends. Here's a little step by step showing how its done

Finished product:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6110029.jpg

installed:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6110030.jpg

But fear not...as frustrated as i am i'm still making headway. I brazed a few holes shut in the engine bay. I'm hoping for paint by the end of the week. at which point the engine is going in. along with it's new OEM excedy clutch and Fidanza flywheel. i needed to vent. stay tuned for some progress!

[96Turbo]

here's how i leave it tonight. one of my homies is comin over tomorrow and spraying gunmetal metallic.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3638.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3640.jpg

My original plan was to use a Nissan/Infiniti color (silverstone metallic if i remember correctly)....but it ended up that my buddy had some left over "GM Gunmetal Metallic" from a bunch of early 90's GM cars. They're so fuckin close though that i would believe it if someone told me it was in fact Silverstone. And it was free!!!

she started out as this:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3643.jpg

put down a light first coat:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3644.jpg

COMPLETION:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6230007.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6230005.jpg

nice shot:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6230004.jpg

threw on my tension rod brackets for shits n giggles. they look pretty sharp together.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P6240014.jpg

I really feel like i'm making progress now that paint is out of the way. now i can work on reassembly and getting the RB into its new home. Tomorrow i hope to get the hydraulic systems back in, clean and paint some random brackets (fuse box, fuel filter, etc) and possibly get started on the clutch/flywheel swap.

put it on my motorcycle jack & the tranny on a regular floor jack
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3675.jpg

then lifted up the nose with the hoist
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3676.jpg

then slid everything underneath
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3677.jpg

and finally lowered the car down and lifted the engine up
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3679.jpg

everything fit perfectly. no issues with the starter vs firewall clearance. shifter lines up perfect...A+ for the Syko install kit. It's expensive as hell, but it really makes things go in smoothly

after hassling racepages.com for over 4 weeks for the ball joint and tie rod end they were supposed to send....i gave up. so i just bought another ball joint and end at autozone so i can get things rolling (literally and figuratively ;))

pressed in the ball joint the same way as the other (with my bench vise) and started assembling things. got everything finger tight, then lowered the car down onto it's wheels. Then i went around and torqued all the joints with bushings need to be torqued with the weight of the car on it. My repair manual had all the torque specs so my suspension is complete!!! Looks pretty cool too, if i do say so myself.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3719.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3722.jpg

last night i put on my new fuel lines and spilled about a half gallon of premium on my garage floor

and today i'm gonna be routing my 2AWG battery cable (from the trunk). The only thing standing in my way now is:

Intercooler mounting
Intercooler piping (my ebay kit is pretty much useless except for 1 pipe)
IACV assembly (already ordered, just waiting)
P.S. Pump (same as above)
Plugging in wiring harness
P.S. cooler mounting
Cooling system install

So i'm getting pretty damn close!! More pics to come

[96Turbo]

Engine fires up effortlessly and runs smooth as butta. Sounds like a pissed off grizzly through the open downpipe.

I finished 90% of my IC piping today, i'm only 1 90* elbow short of getting everything together. I have some old exhaust piping laying around, but its all gummed up with carbon and a little rust, so i think i'll just order a piece of alum.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3740.jpg

trimmed the holes i cut with some heater hose that i split down the middle. keeps things tidy looking and prevents the pipes from getting all scratched up.
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3745.jpg

Mounted my E-fans, but still not wired up. Although i did wire up my pivot fan controller which is pretty slick. Also got my power steering cooler mounted and the entire system is hooked up....just waiting on some oil
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3741.jpg

In not so important news...I made myself a pretty cool custom shift boot. Not bad for literally $.30 worth of fabric. This fabric caught my eye so i said fuck it why not. I also bought some red suede which i'll be sewing up in the future. This was kinda just my test piece, but it turned out really nicely. I'll make one for anyone who's interested ;)
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/100_3738.jpg

I started it up and let it idle for about 5 min tonight while i filled and bled the cooling system. although i didn't quite have enough coolant to fill up that big ol mishimoto. here she is:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/th_100_3748.jpg (http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/?action=view&current=100_3748.flv)

so she's fully functional!!! (well almost) I bled the brakes and clutch. Drove it up and down the street a few times, and parked it in my driveway so i could wash the 3 months of dust off of it, and vacuumed it all up
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/P7200028.jpg
^^^^My new favorite pic

and i found out my MAF wiring was a little fucked up cuz it would rev to about 2500 then hit some kinda rev limiter thing. Just major hesitation and misfiring. This sounded like a bad MAF to me, but my MAF looked perfect. So i double checked my wiring and found out that when i extended my wires i forgot to separate the two shielded wires with tape :dumbass:

So she runs nice n smooth now. tomorrow the bumper goes back on, insurance goes on, and hopefully the rest of the exhaust. i drove it a little tonight and it's pretty ridiculously loud with the open downpipe

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/pixforjyh9-17-08005.jpg

[96Turbo]

sorry for the information/picture overload....

but i thought somebody might be interested in seeing a well documented RB swap

this is how it sits as of 9 months ago. Now i'm goin home for the summer and plan to do some more work. If i had more money taht would entail wheels & suspension...

but first i think i'm going to replace the intake manifold (since A) i HATE the stock design, and B) mine has a hole that i patched up with JB...don't want that shit to break and get sucked into the engine)

[Couped_up'd]

Damn that was fast. How long did it take?

^ haha we posted the same time.

Umm, the intake design is good for a good amount of hp. I don't like how it looks. ISIS makes a good cheap intake for the rb25. You should look into it.

[96Turbo]

it only took me like 2.5 months. but that was working like at least 6 hours a day on it. last summer this thing was my job lol.

The stock IM is shitty because: 1. It sits right above the engine where all the heat is coming off...2. It lengthens the intake track on a crossflow IC by like 2.5 feet 3. It's ugly as sin

I'll check out the ISIS. I really wish i could buy the genuine greddy...but i just don't have $800 to drop on a cast chunk of aluminum...

[junbugs13]

let me be the first to say that is one hell of a swap clean clean thats how its suppose to be done great job:bigok: yo

[s13 @ fullboost]

hey buddy were not premies anymore haha =/ But I am down for a sweet shift boot like that you wanna make me one pretty pleeez =]

[M [ ] T Ll R l< 49]

Very Nice Post! Amazing Car...We Need Some In Dash test runs On this Baby!
Great Job yo!

[96Turbo]

hey buddy were not premies anymore haha =/ But I am down for a sweet shift boot like that you wanna make me one pretty pleeez =]

sup bro? long time no see. i didn't recognize you without the blue name and the chuck norris sig lol.

I could hook u up with a boot ;) I've also got some red suede i'm gonna try out...

T Ll R l< 49;2798233']Very Nice Post! Amazing Car...We Need Some In Dash test runs On this Baby!
Great Job yo!

thanks man. i'll have some updates in a couple weeks when i get home.

[Beer4Me]

great work on all the little details, and thanks for taking the time to post photos! So everyone can get a visual walk through!

[NISMO_tuner]

Wow very nice. Work was done right and very clean.

How much was the engine/trans and the conversion kit? if you don't mind me asking.

[96Turbo]

engine/trans: ~$2500 (after buying a cheap motorset and having to buy a bunch of shit they should have given me in the first place.....ugh)

Syko kit & R33 crossmember: ~$600

but as with any car project, there's a ton of little shit that adds up. However, by doing everything myself (wiring, paint, welding, etc)...I pulled off this swap for pretty damn cheap.

I think the whole thing cost me around $5k. Now I just need to get it so the handling matches the power...

[NISMO_tuner]

engine/trans: ~$2500 (after buying a cheap motorset and having to buy a bunch of shit they should have given me in the first place.....ugh)

Syko kit & R33 crossmember: ~$600

but as with any car project, there's a ton of little shit that adds up. However, by doing everything myself (wiring, paint, welding, etc)...I pulled off this swap for pretty damn cheap.

I think the whole thing cost me around $5k. Now I just need to get it so the handling matches the power...

Thats actually not bad. I know what you mean by shit adding up.
A real project costs as much as a new car.
Great work with the car. The stitch welds came out awesome. And paint looks sweet. Thats one thing that I'm not looking forward to doing on my car. My lack of skills in welding and painting will cost me.
Anyways, can you get pics of the crossmember from the bottom of the car?
I want to see how well that kit sits on the car.

Thanks

[punxva]

it looks really good. cant wait to see more

[s13 @ fullboost]

remember all the fun we used to have with noobs with the let me google that for you site haha

[SilviaSR20DET]

How long does the actual swap of the motor usually take including wiring and stuff?

[ROUGE180]

This is really inspiring indead. The fact that you did most of the work yourself is awesome. Keep it going.

[96Turbo]

remember all the fun we used to have with noobs with the let me google that for you site haha

haha, good times....gotta love clownin' n00bs. I haven't been on Zilvia much lately, but this thread & working on my car again should change that ;)

How long does the actual swap of the motor usually take including wiring and stuff?

well that depends on a lot of things. It took me 2.5 months, but i worked hard and long hours every day. But...I did a lot of "unnecessary" stuff like repainting the engine bay, redoing all the bushings, powdercoating, etc.

If i wanted to half ass everything i could probably do the swap in a few days. But just for a bare bones swap i'd probably say give urself a month to be safe. there WILL be complications

This is really inspiring indead. The fact that you did most of the work yourself is awesome. Keep it going.

I did EVERYTHING myself. from welding to paint to powdercoat, etc. that's the only way to do things right & cheap IMO

[BRAIN_Z33]

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHH i cant wait to start my RB build next year :Ownedd:

Whole set-up is nice... i hope you plan on ditching that retarded intake manifold one day.

[Rapier46]

intercooler pipe fail.

while the engine was out you shoulda gone with a good intake manifold. the stocker steals power.

[cxlumpy]

WOW nice job!!

[96Turbo]

the intake manifold is the first thing to go...

it's the only thing keeping my engine bay from looking ballerific..

and once i get the IM, then i'm gonna get some custom IC piping tigged up so i don't hafta deal with a hundred couplers blowing off all the time...

thanks for the props guys!

[kouki-gymkhana]

Swap looks tits, man! I hear you about the IM. It's supposedly good for 500+whp but fuck if it isn't the ugliest IM ever designed. Can't wait to see what's next!

[96Turbo]

New intake manifold yay:

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/CIMG3639.jpg

tucked all wiring. major pain in the ass but totally worth it cuz it came out clean. as you SR/RB guys know, RHD harnesses really don't work too well under the hood of a USDM car. lots of wire needs to be chopped out to get it to look nice and clean. Also had to extend every single wire on the injector subharness to tuck it underneath.

made a little bracket for the FPR too
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/CIMG3638.jpg

painted the fuel rail in duplicolor mirage. looks awesome for being rattle can shit. (although it was ~$30). replaced shitty phillips head screws with some black hex heads like a G
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/CIMG3631.jpg

peep the catch can
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/CIMG3620.jpg

gonna ditch the old coolant tank and it should look pretty sweet
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/CIMG3618.jpg

[S14_Kouki]

Wow lookin really good nice work

[Adeadcurrent]

Wow, that looks great man. Keep it up.

[shortyman4065]

ITS SO PERDDYYYY...nicely done man

[96Turbo]

sweet we finally made it to page 2! now i can post the second part of my update. While i'm still waiting on getting my IC pipes welded and a new DOHC throttle cable, i finished this earlier this summer:

Since i completely redid my front suspension (bushings, tie rod ends, ball joints, etc....no coils or arms yet), the rear had to be done since i had all the bushings and ambition lol

welded up the rear lower control arms with some reinforcements and installed new ball joints and bushings
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/CIMG3399.jpg

Did the same to all the other arms:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/CIMG3400.jpg

Then I spent LOTS of time cutting out more steel and reinforcing everything i could find on my subframe. There are a few reinforcements on the main frame part, but the most important (IMO) are the pieces i boxed in for where the arms actually mount to the subframe. Then of course I had to repaint the shit and put in all new bushings
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/CIMG3393.jpg

rasta subframe:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/CIMG3405.jpg

also had my OBX HLSD installed into the pumpkin and here's what it looks like installed:
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/CIMG3610.jpg

You can see the subframe reinforcements if you look closely
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/CIMG3611.jpg


BTW, i have another set of those red energy suspension main subframe bushings if anyone is interested...

[corydoitch]

diggin the subframe!

[DALAZ_68]

i hope u used all the grease that came with those bushings...or else ull end up changing them pretty freakin soon...not down with the color, but good work ...gl sir

[96Turbo]

oh yea, i greased em up good. used some regular grease on the big suckers since i hate that sticky shit that ES gives you (although i used it on all the arm/knuckle bushings). did you find that out the hard way? i would guess all the friction/rubbing/twisting could tear them up pretty quick of not properly lubricated

here's a quick vid i took showing the subframe & hearing it purrrrrrrrrr. stay tuned for suspension overhaul and some 17s
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/th_DSCF2009.jpg (http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj187/crazyhazey33/My%20S13/?action=view&current=DSCF2009.flv)

still gotta make a gauge mount in the center console

[DrifterE]

How are the ES bushings on the whole car? How does it feel when you drive it around normally? I can't decide whether to get ES or the PROTHANE stuff i hear some people talk about. But great build man, and i really dig the paint. I can't wait to drop my subframe, oh yeah...

[pignose4life]

Wow this is a extremely nice build, i usually never put my .02cents in these but you started out with a clean ass two tone and didn't fuck up the body! All you need to do is swap out that plaid shift boot and i'll love your car

[96Turbo]

How are the ES bushings on the whole car? How does it feel when you drive it around normally? I can't decide whether to get ES or the PROTHANE stuff i hear some people talk about. But great build man, and i really dig the paint. I can't wait to drop my subframe, oh yeah...

the ES bushings feel real nice. Although i'm still on stock arms & springs/struts i definitely felt a difference from stock. Now that I've got every single bushing replaced it's a really nice firm ride. No squeaks (yet...knock on wood) and no complaints. ES and prothane are probably pretty much the same damn thing... i'm not too familiar with prothane. installing all the bushings is definitely a pain in the ass, but it's gotta be done...

[PacificDrift_Nick]

not trying to hate, but why would you not just buy after market arms?

the stock arms are not able to be adjusted as much as after market ones.

still looks like you put effort in to em and they dont look bad, cars sick as well

[DALAZ_68]

did you find that out the hard way?

no, just a forwarning from wat ive seen and herd...just make sure u keep an eye on them every once and a while

[96Turbo]

not trying to hate, but why would you not just buy after market arms?

the stock arms are not able to be adjusted as much as after market ones.

still looks like you put effort in to em and they dont look bad, cars sick as well

I will most definitely be getting RUCAs and probably toe arms once i get coils and slam it. But things like the lower control arms will likely never be replaced so i spent the time to reinforce them. I didn't reinforce the RUCAs cuz like i said they'll be the first to go. Believe me, if I had money laying around this thing would be on stances, nice wheels, and adjustable arms. But in the meantime this is all i've got to work with.

[DrifterE]

the ES bushings feel real nice. Although i'm still on stock arms & springs/struts i definitely felt a difference from stock. Now that I've got every single bushing replaced it's a really nice firm ride. No squeaks (yet...knock on wood) and no complaints. ES and prothane are probably pretty much the same damn thing... i'm not too familiar with prothane. installing all the bushings is definitely a pain in the ass, but it's gotta be done...

I know, and the cost of getting every single bushing pressed out I bet isn't nice either. Thats why i'm even debating whether i should buy a 2-Ton arbor press to try and get those out myself, the cost would almost be about the same...

[96Turbo]

I know, and the cost of getting every single bushing pressed out I bet isn't nice either. Thats why i'm even debating whether i should buy a 2-Ton arbor press to try and get those out myself, the cost would almost be about the same...

psh press?!?!?! I did all these suckers with a torch, bench vice, and a sawzall. A press would be nice....but it's really no necessary. PM me if you need some details

[PacificDrift_Nick]

I will most definitely be getting RUCAs and probably toe arms once i get coils and slam it. But things like the lower control arms will likely never be replaced so i spent the time to reinforce them. I didn't reinforce the RUCAs cuz like i said they'll be the first to go. Believe me, if I had money laying around this thing would be on stances, nice wheels, and adjustable arms. But in the meantime this is all i've got to work with.


i thought as much.

well what you did to the LCAs look great.

i got an rb as well, i want to do some of the thing you did.

looks great!

[hellaslows13]

sick build! bookmarked :D