How Do I.... Convert a 240 SX into JDM Spec Silvia (Coupe)

[BeatJunky]

I'll admit... Im new to this forum & the 240SX in general.

I was driving to pick up my gf from work the other day and I saw a GunMetal 240SX Coupe AT next to me and I had a religious experience... I said to myself "Dude, thats the car mang... thats's the car you need to build... the silvia!"

So I started the neverending research process and found this site. Learned a few things about front clips and the SR20DET which can be attained of course (as a front clip) with fenders,bumpers, headlights for under $3,000.

Now here is my question...

What all is needed to build a JDM Spec Silvia...

Built to be an exact replica of the Silvia?

Think you know? Post it here!

(BTW, I posted a WTB thread in the for sale... Im already looking for a project 240SX)

[DRG1]

i know you're a nooB, but it always helps to use the "SEARCH" function.

[adey]

I don't "think I know" ... I do know. It can't be done! You'd have to go to japan and ship one over to have the real deal.

Silvias are over-played. Go build yourself a nice honda if you want to be original.

That said, you'll get no useful replies with a question like this. It's been beaten to death! so. As DRG1 pointed out, use the SEARCH function. Asking questions like this makes us just wanna slap you over the head!

[wingsnthangs]

Simply, how to make your 240SX look and run like a JDM S13 Silvia:

Redtop SR20DET, S13 Silvia fenders/hood/bumper, S13 Silvia headlights/grille, and all the decorative emblems/labels. If you wanna do the RHD thang, go ahead.

But remember, it will always be a 240SX so long as it was born a 240SX. It will always be a 240SX on the legal papers.

[CoasTek240]

*ghey*

[pruto]

i bet somewhere in Japan, some guy is asking right now "how can i convert my K's Silvia S13 into a USDM 240sx?"

Man, that 2.4 liter must have maaad torque! and those flip up lites, USDM TyTe yo! Left Hand drive, its soo sweet, the chicks will dig it fo sho!

so your job is to find that Japanese guy, and trade cars. Simple as that, good luck.

[Dunkee]

Originally posted by pruto
i bet somewhere in Japan, some guy is asking right now "how can i convert my K's Silvia S13 into a USDM 240sx?"

Man, that 2.4 liter must have maaad torque! and those flip up lites, USDM TyTe yo! Left Hand drive, its soo sweet, the chicks will dig it fo sho!

so your job is to find that Japanese guy, and trade cars. Simple as that, good luck.
LOL!!!!!

[s13silvia03]

Originally posted by pruto
i bet somewhere in Japan, some guy is asking right now "how can i convert my K's Silvia S13 into a USDM 240sx?"

Man, that 2.4 liter must have maaad torque! and those flip up lites, USDM TyTe yo! Left Hand drive, its soo sweet, the chicks will dig it fo sho!

so your job is to find that Japanese guy, and trade cars. Simple as that, good luck.

LOL, thats some good stuff

[Dousan_PG]

convert to JDM Spec:

pick your trim: Js, Qs, Ks
pick corresponding engine: Sr20de or Det

convert to RHD
change front seats depending on model
emblems
interior wiring
seatbelts and panels
ebrake location
center console
front end
chassis is a bit different as far as bumper (front and rear) goes
gauge cluster of course

also factory options are very different too.

cost: depends how 'jdm spec' you want it

the thing is, you can get a REAL japan spec silvia in japan for $500 USD easily (and less). sadly (and further proof your a sucker, bandwagon jumper and loser) when you pay near 10K for the conversion from USDM loose to jdm tyte.

[pruto]

i remember this was brought up waaaay back in the day on FA. Alex, who's been under a JDM s13 says that apparently, the chasis isn't EXACTLY the same, i don't remember the specifics. But he made a big deal about it at the time. Extra bar or reinforcement are probably present on the US version of the s chasis cars. We know for sure that the bumper reinforcements are different.

Pretty much, no matter what you do, it'll still be a USDM 240sx. It was born that way. Michael Jackson is black, an African American brotha, you can't change that. Same with 240s

does it matter? why do people care so much? is it shameful to own a "240"? I don't understand.

its one thing to have badging, engine, body panels, its another to want a complete JDM replica. :rolleyes:

[Warwick5s]

Originally posted by CoasTek240
*ghey*

[Steeles]

Originally posted by pruto

Pretty much, no matter what you do, it'll still be a USDM 240sx. It was born that way. Michael Jackson is black, an African American brotha, you can't change that. Same with 240s


BEST LINE EVER!!!! and so true.

but I hate the term african american! im black like your white. until european american shows up on those race questions I put other

[Chokets]

don't use the term "White" call us "Anglo" it's becoming the standard term...

I am an Anglo American, haha...

"...in other news, an anglo american child was hit by a car today, the driver of the car was said to be an african american female, as stated by a latino american male, which was later backed up by an asian american female."

PC is GAY :D

[nurspecsil]

i am amazed at how well you vets handled that quetions. The lack of flames was amazing, when I read the question I feared for BeatJunky's life!:D

[rubbersidedown]

i'm actually surprised by the number of people flamin here... its been a while since i first joined this board and i just recently starting posting again and wow... its just interesting how many people refused to help or at least offer any useful info. Oh well. just felt like ranting. :D

[BeatJunky]

Originally posted by rubbersidedown
its just interesting how many people refused to help or at least offer any useful info.

I sure as hell feel welcomed... :D

Fine... I shouldve put more thought into my debutant thread.

Why did I post it like I did?:confused:
Hmm.. I dont know... because Im new and dont know what kinda of junk you guys are tired of answering to.

There was no need for flames. Are all of your threads like this one? If so, I dont see how useful this place can possibly be.:rolleyes:

[Dousan_PG]

what's wrong with you people?!
i gave a badass reply!!! it cant get any better for the most part!!

[BeatJunky]

Originally posted by DRG1
i know you're a nooB, but it always helps to use the "SEARCH" function.

This from someone who has 23 whopping posts under his belt and is labeled newbie as well...:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Eternal_240Sx]

Originally posted by pruto

Pretty much, no matter what you do, it'll still be a USDM 240sx. It was born that way. Michael Jackson is black, an African American brotha, you can't change that. Same with 240s

does it matter? why do people care so much? is it shameful to own a "240"? I don't understand.

its one thing to have badging, engine, body panels, its another to want a complete JDM replica. :rolleyes:

i agree. ;)

[BeatJunky]

Originally posted by dousan36
what's wrong with you people?!
i gave a badass reply!!! it cant get any better for the most part!!

Your post I actually read... :D

Thanks!

[BeatJunky]

I understand a 240 is a 240... a Silvia is a Silvia...
I understand this may or may not be played out...

I get the point that everyone here made for themselves...

However, my goal still is to get my future 240SX to be as close as possible to what the Silvia is... Whatever best way.

If all I can do is get the front clip and do the swap plus use the fenders,bumpers,lights,etc... then fine... thats'll all I needed to know.

If theres anything else you can suggest to make mine a little sweeter than the usual convertions... please share it with. I'll appreciate.

If you've got nothing useful to say... Just some crap output that your overheated brain produced... Then dont say it at all...

[lbcklik1486]

Man, I remember at first when I joined the board, and someone asked this question, they were like... "its been covered so many times"... and I didn't really understand why they wouldn't just help, but after reading post after post and monotonous post, you really get sick of seeing the same question asked and then reanswering and such. If people don't bother even researching it more than the general pricerange for a clip, you aren't even close to reaching your goal, nor do you deserve it. Read up, research, and then search some more before you ask questions that keep multiplying on each chat forum page.:mad:
Sorry for the long ranting and raving... just got back from school, decided to let it all out:p

-Jay

P.S. This from someone who has 23 whopping posts under his belt and is labeled newbie as well...

not all of us have huge post counts, because we read up before we ask or answer instead of just asking nOOb questions.

[BeatJunky]

Originally posted by lbcklik1486
not all of us have huge post counts, because we read up before we ask or answer instead of just asking nOOb questions.

Im not here to argue with anyone... Just needed info...

thanks!

[Dousan_PG]

baaah

keep asking the questions newbs
sometimes ill give nice guy answer, sometimes bad guy answer


1/2 the time you search you just read threads that tell the other guy to search. its pointless to search sometimes.


dont listen to them. ask and sometimes, ye shall recieve
other times you'll get flamed.

its really just hit and miss -- luck of the draw.

[lbcklik1486]

Yea, dousan has it right. I just needed to get it all out. Besides, you don't need to read on past dousans post. His first one said it all.

-Jay

[M.Piedlourde]

Originally posted by BeatJunky
Im not here to argue with anyone... Just needed info...

thanks!

The veterans around here seem to be especially touchy, but I can't really blame them. I've only been here for a short while, but I'm no stranger to automotive forums in general, and the "Use the search!" mantra is a common one. There are LOTS of stupid questions being asked on this board. :)

Anyway, about the Silvia conversion thing, do you want to do an S13 ('89-'94) or an S14 ('95-'98)? Exactly what needs to be done depends on what car you want to use as your foundation.

[BeatJunky]

Originally posted by M.Piedlourde
Anyway, about the Silvia conversion thing, do you want to do an S13 ('89-'94) or an S14 ('95-'98)? Exactly what needs to be done depends on what car you want to use as your foundation.

1992 or 1993 Coupe... RWD

[Dousan_PG]

Originally posted by BeatJunky
1992 or 1993 Coupe... RWD

fyi see my reply pretty much covers ALL years of 240sx/silvia/180sx (except i didnt list the 180sx and s15 trim names)

secondly, all 240sx/Silvia/180sx are RWD

[BeatJunky]

Possible to bring one from Japan to US and have it legal?

How much would transport costs anyway?

[Dousan_PG]

Originally posted by BeatJunky
Possible to bring one from Japan to US and have it legal?

How much would transport costs anyway?

transport costs arent much, couple thousand max iirc

its the legalization

it CANNOT BE LEGAL in USA
there are other way around it,yes vin swaps but its still 100% illegal

motorex spent quite a few years and crash testing and modifying the skylines to be legal (LOTS OF MONEY)

silvia/180sx will NEVER be legal

it is a pipe dream for pepole anywyas

be happy with your 240sx
its basically the same car

RHD is for posers and show boys. its junk in USA and pointless to convert unless you got friends from japan who are going to use your car regularly (only reason i can see to convert it)

other then that, stay happy with the 240sx, its ok to put badges on it and make it something it is not, but everytime you get your registration it will always say "nissan 240sx" not nissan silvia or 180sx or Spec R, always "240sx"

be happy with what you have.

[BeatJunky]

Boy... this thread is making me look like more of a n00b than I am...

Thats what I get for always dealing with domestics... :D

So transport costs are reasonable... Illegal to have it here...

Copy...

Again... I know a 240 is a 240 and a Silvia is a Silvia...

In either case, I still want my future 240SX to have the look and the performance of that which the Silvia has...

This page also inspired me a bunch... and in essence, this is what I seek to do.
http://members.aol.com/movistar323/silvia.html

I just wanna know if there is anything else I can do to the car to make it appear more like an authentic Silv...

I dont intend to have RHD...

As far as looks... what else does the silvia have that most convertions are missing (put aside the the frame/chassis difference)

[Dousan_PG]

As far as looks... what else does the silvia have that most convertions are missing (put aside the the frame/chassis difference)


Nothing. So cali we have it it all!! There are so many "Silvias" popping up its ridiculous. someone else has done it before you dreamt it. believe me, i've seen a lot of clean very well done conversions. very "JDM spec" :rolleyes:

what separates the average from the expert is the attention to detail. that is always the case with ANY conversion. details = money

for the 'best' out there expect to spend near and above $20,000 USD to get it PERFECT and top notch

$10K will get you the AVERAGE silvia look.


Nah!!! check this page:

www.nekopunch.com

THAT"S A SEXY SILVIA LOOK!
Errin knows what he's doing!!
very cool guy and very very clean car.

[Warwick5s]

honestly, if you did the front end, the SR and the emblems, most people would recognize it as a silvia. of course everyone who knows that will know it's really a 240 that's been converted.

[Dousan_PG]

basic "silvia" conversion:

240sx coupe
SR20DET
silvia front end
silvia emblems
shock/springs
some nice wheels
nice exhaust

interior can be stock

most people will be impressed already alot by that
then you can choose to build up your engine or your suspension
you'll be pleased eitherway


the 'out of the ordinary' conversion (meaning beyond the average joe):

depends how much $$$ you have and how "jdm tyte yo" you want to get. sky's the limit.

[BeatJunky]

NekoPunch... Nice Link! Thats one will be a great resource to me...

I guess there isnt all that much more to it than I thought...

Thanks for the input fellas... I think that just about covers it for me... I'll be around for a while... You'll see me post about when I but and my process... :D

Off to searching the forums I go!:o

[Steeles]

Originally posted by Chokets
don't use the term "White" call us "Anglo" it's becoming the standard term...

I am an Anglo American, haha...

"...in other news, an anglo american child was hit by a car today, the driver of the car was said to be an african american female, as stated by a latino american male, which was later backed up by an asian american female."

PC is GAY :D

my point exactly.. like the redundently stupid "native american" umm yeah.. if they are native why not just call them Americans? cause unless your one we are ALL imports. anyway

this thread jack has been brought to you by the Black Panther segment of PG SPl

[Dousan_PG]

Originally posted by Steeles
this thread jack has been brought to you by the Black Panther segment of PG SPl

roflmao
that attachment is too funny :p :D

[Steeles]

Originally posted by dousan36
roflmao
that attachment is too funny :p :D

I Thought you'd like that! I was bored at work and playing with kookz image for sticker ideas and had well thats the result :D stickers will be pink though. for them I took the newb off and most of the wording. (shirt still says PG SPL and the OWN3D is still there for now) now heres the funny thing this morning I was in the storage closet at the house and my little brother had this huge stuffed Dino from like when he was in middle school (hes out of college now) in there with a t shirt on it.. and I went OH **** its the PG! I gotta take a pic of it tonight. I dragged it out allready :)

[Dousan_PG]

GREAT
be cafeful
if dorifto gets his hands on it, it'll be his and in his passenger seat at the track :p

[Steeles]

hehe I may bring it to convention and do the same :)

[boro240]

Originally posted by dousan36
GREAT
be cafeful
if dorifto gets his hands on it, it'll be his and in his passenger seat at the track :p

he said hes making a pgSPL helmet. i told him to make it like the head with the visor as the mouth and stuff. should be cool.

[silforty]

I figure i might as well throw in my 2 cents. I think the noobs idea of making himself a silvia is good. I think we all need to support him and nuture his belief that he can do it..... And then we all can laugh when he blows 10-15k and it stills looks like every other car in Cali. Like i'd know .. being out here in Rhode Island and all. Oh yea... good luck on ur quest for s13 SILVIANISM.

[BeatJunky]

I dont have $10-$15K to blow... :D

Give it a year or lets say.... Next summer.... I should be done....

There arent many 240s here in Chicago... at least that are hooked up and nice... I see a random few here and there and they're only stock & in crappy condition...

I'll say this... I've yet to see a silvia convertion on the street so If I do it it will somewhat rare of me :D

[smokin240]

Originally posted by CoasTek240
*ghey*


LOL!!! i can tell how YOUre feeling right now!
............Gotta love that sig.

[M.Piedlourde]

Originally posted by BeatJunky
There arent many 240s here in Chicago... at least that are hooked up and nice... I see a random few here and there and they're only stock & in crappy condition...

I'll say this... I've yet to see a silvia convertion on the street so If I do it it will somewhat rare of me :D

I feel pretty much the same way you do. Modded car culture doesn't seem to have spread much outside of California. I live in VA, and although I see modded Mustangs or ricer Civics from time to time, it's pretty rare for me to see a modded car, EVER. I guess the Silvia conversion is "overdone" if you live on the west coast, but it's pretty rare for me to even SEE a 240SX, and I have never, ever seen a modified one in person in my life. I'll see a couple of stock S13s a week, and I think I've seen maybe 2 or 3 S14s in the past year, again all stock. These cars are extremely scarce in this part of the country, for some reason.

Maybe some of you So Cal guys should think about moving out to the east coast. It's cheaper here, and I can promise you that your car would definitely be unique. :)

[Dousan_PG]

Originally posted by M.Piedlourde
Maybe some of you So Cal guys should think about moving out to the east coast. It's cheaper here, and I can promise you that your car would definitely be unique. :)

definately not true
cheaper there? haha..i think not

but definately unique. i think its pretty cool to have a really nice 'cali style modded' car (meaning all out) in a area that isnt so common

i'll come for adrift event maybe :p
yeah right....like i can afford it :rolleyes: :( :(

[Steeles]

Originally posted by dousan36
definately not true
cheaper there? haha..i think not

but definately unique. i think its pretty cool to have a really nice 'cali style modded' car (meaning all out) in a area that isnt so common

i'll come for adrift event maybe :p
yeah right....like i can afford it :rolleyes: :( :(

your supposed to come out for convention!!! lol

[Dousan_PG]

Originally posted by Steeles
your supposed to come out for convention!!! lol

you going to pay me my salary then as i take time off of work unpaid? Hmmmmmm

atlanta? too far. you should make it closer. how does LA sound for 2004? :D

actually, i would love to go and i probably would but lots of family stuff going on and some pretty serious things so right now isnt the best. maybe 2005 i'll head out to the east coast ver. 240sx nat'l conv.

[ruf]

Originally posted by pruto
i remember this was brought up waaaay back in the day on FA. Alex, who's been under a JDM s13 says that apparently, the chasis isn't EXACTLY the same, i don't remember the specifics. But he made a big deal about it at the time. Extra bar or reinforcement are probably present on the US version of the s chasis cars. We know for sure that the bumper reinforcements are different. There is a BIG chunk missing out of the left side frame rail on the Japanese S13 chassis. Aftermarket companies such as Uras make brackets to reinforce this area.

[Steeles]

Originally posted by dousan36
you going to pay me my salary then as i take time off of work unpaid? Hmmmmmm

atlanta? too far. you should make it closer. how does LA sound for 2004? :D

actually, i would love to go and i probably would but lots of family stuff going on and some pretty serious things so right now isnt the best. maybe 2005 i'll head out to the east coast ver. 240sx nat'l conv.

lol yeah that was me with last years convention. dunno if i'll make a west coast one maybe if they do 04 in texas or something or even Kansas again. we'll see :D

[Zemus]

Originally posted by pruto
i bet somewhere in Japan, some guy is asking right now "how can i convert my K's Silvia S13 into a USDM 240sx?"

Man, that 2.4 liter must have maaad torque! and those flip up lites, USDM TyTe yo! Left Hand drive, its soo sweet, the chicks will dig it fo sho!

so your job is to find that Japanese guy, and trade cars. Simple as that, good luck.

I hear their nutty over their for cameros and mustangs, weird huh, i should just buy a 2k 1984 camero and trade it for like a silvia, that would be funny.

Yea, i dout anyone in japan would want a car thats dumbed down compare to theirs.

[Dousan_PG]

Originally posted by Oni
I hear their nutty over their for cameros and mustangs, weird huh, i should just buy a 2k 1984 camero and trade it for like a silvia, that would be funny.

Yea, i dout anyone in japan would want a car thats dumbed down compare to theirs.

actually,
a lot like the USDM muscle cars because A) its rare B) you cant replicate that sound that look and the power with NA engine (because of size=rich folks)

example: koguchi just got some el camino looking thing (i am not keen on muscle cars) --yes-- he drifts it too! :)

i believe taniguchi has a El Camino (the one that's a 'truck' style)

its popular but you gotta be rich

its like having a Porsche.

you should check out some of the mags that are dedicatted to old cars (like S30s and such..i forget the names..i see them all the time). its pretty cool. lots of old cars and muscle cars and such. its not common

i think you'd have more luck as a old guy picking up young chicks in a domestic then you would a skyline. any old guy can have a skyline, rich old guys have a Muscle car :) hehehe...

[boro240]

Originally posted by dousan36
i think you'd have more luck as a old guy picking up young chicks in a domestic then you would a skyline. any old guy can have a skyline, rich old guys have a Muscle car :) hehehe...
yeah, taxes get higher as the car gets older in japan. so alot of older cars are SUPER rare in japan; people cant afford to keep em.

[nrcooled]

Originally posted by M.Piedlourde
I feel pretty much the same way you do. Modded car culture doesn't seem to have spread much outside of California. I live in VA, and although I see modded Mustangs or ricer Civics from time to time, it's pretty rare for me to see a modded car, EVER. I guess the Silvia conversion is "overdone" if you live on the west coast, but it's pretty rare for me to even SEE a 240SX, and I have never, ever seen a modified one in person in my life. I'll see a couple of stock S13s a week, and I think I've seen maybe 2 or 3 S14s in the past year, again all stock. These cars are extremely scarce in this part of the country, for some reason.

Maybe some of you So Cal guys should think about moving out to the east coast. It's cheaper here, and I can promise you that your car would definitely be unique. :)

Wow! You need to come up to NoVa. I am in the DC area of VA and the scene in huge here. He1l the local Dodge dealer sells modified Neons!:rolleyes: I see a turbo Si almost everyday (different one too) There's a tubo CRX and Prelude by my house, all tastefully done mind you. There is a huge scene in NoVa

[Chokets]

Originally posted by nrcooled
He1l the local Dodge dealer sells modified Neons!:rolleyes:

haha, i saw those, in springfield, right? those things look like a pile! when i first saw them i thought "what are they thinking?" haha... it's a trip!

[M.Piedlourde]

Originally posted by nrcooled
Wow! You need to come up to NoVa. I am in the DC area of VA and the scene in huge here. He1l the local Dodge dealer sells modified Neons!:rolleyes: I see a turbo Si almost everyday (different one too) There's a tubo CRX and Prelude by my house, all tastefully done mind you. There is a huge scene in NoVa

Well......as attractive as a dealership that sells modded Neons sounds.... ;)

The fact of the matter is that I CAN'T STAND NoVA. Well, it's more like I can't stand DC, but since NoVA is pretty much DC's suburbs, I hate that place by association. My girlfriend's parents live up there, so I've been up there plenty. It's the land of cloned apartment complexes and shopping centers. Everything is the same, everywhere. I don't think I've ever been any place as bland and non-descript as Reston. And the traffic, oh my god. The closer you get to DC, the worse it gets. You can keep your "mixing bowl", thanks. I prefer a nice, medium-sized city like Richmond. Big enough to have everything I want, small enough to not be an annoyance.

[DuffMan]

There are a number of "silvias" in chicago. There were 2 at the meet last weekend, and in total there are probably like 10.