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View Full Version : S13 white coupe slow project build - lots of pics


jgc731
02-24-2010, 11:20 AM
well i've been following this forum for years now and have never really posted my own build, so here it is.

i had an S14 that gave me too many problems so i got rid of it and came to this. i'm slowly working on the car because i have a wedding to save up for but i thought it would be fun to work on it a little here and there.

I bought this coupe last may for a good deal on craigslist, but i still wanted to document all the imperfections. here she is:

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs160.snc1/5968_1196864676200_1065982347_634336_5223335_n.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs140.snc1/5968_1196864196188_1065982347_634325_6035787_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs140.snc1/5968_1196864236189_1065982347_634326_4774766_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs140.snc1/5968_1196864316191_1065982347_634327_758196_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs160.snc1/5968_1196864396193_1065982347_634329_8148275_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs140.snc1/5968_1196864436194_1065982347_634330_7377876_n.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs140.snc1/5968_1196864476195_1065982347_634331_730155_n.jpg

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs140.snc1/5968_1196864516196_1065982347_634332_3371338_n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs140.snc1/5968_1196864556197_1065982347_634333_3542537_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs160.snc1/5968_1196864596198_1065982347_634334_3545817_n.jpg

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs160.snc1/5968_1196864636199_1065982347_634335_6580627_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs160.snc1/5968_1196864716201_1065982347_634337_3822743_n.jpg

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs140.snc1/5968_1196864756202_1065982347_634338_6738609_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs140.snc1/5968_1196864796203_1065982347_634339_7660185_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs160.snc1/5968_1196864836204_1065982347_634340_4557897_n.jpg

well i figured out, why not try out doing my own body work?!? since this wasnt my daily driver, i had time to experiment.

so heres my attempt at sanding down the fenders:

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs160.snc1/5968_1196864876205_1065982347_634341_6242121_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs160.snc1/5968_1196864916206_1065982347_634342_8250225_n.jpg

then i layed some auto filler grey primer on the fenders:

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs184.snc1/6128_1181095561982_1065982347_575417_7120734_n.jpg

then the headlights:

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs184.snc1/6128_1181095361977_1065982347_575415_3093688_n.jpg

then wash, rinse and dry:
http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs140.snc1/5968_1196865116211_1065982347_634347_6978395_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs160.snc1/5968_1196865156212_1065982347_634348_1085935_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs160.snc1/5968_1196865196213_1065982347_634349_6981814_n.jpg

then i had to go to home depot for some supplies:

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs160.snc1/5968_1196864956207_1065982347_634343_2722208_n.jpg

i guess it was time for paint (which i had no clue how to do, but it was just an "experiment"). i started taping around stuff.

http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs160.snc1/5968_1196865436219_1065982347_634354_7567242_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs160.snc1/5968_1196865476220_1065982347_634355_7384068_n.jpg

and then here was the finished product. i didnt really know what to expect for my first time trying, but at least it was a learning experience.

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs140.snc1/5968_1196865596223_1065982347_634358_4461502_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs160.snc1/5968_1196865676225_1065982347_634360_5460366_n.jpg
i think this side, i was using too much thinner/mineral spirits

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs140.snc1/5968_1196865636224_1065982347_634359_7510169_n.jpg
here is a shot of the fender

There were pics taken as of June 2009.

so i had a little more freedom in my budget for the car. i wasn't feeling 100% of the look with the off-white front-end so i went out and bought a silvia front end conversion from jdmcarboy.com. i read some mixed reviews on them, but my cousin new the guy so i took a chance, and i came out happy!

here are the pics as of Feb 2010:

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs212.snc3/21978_1338571138773_1065982347_1065020_6307201_n.j pg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs292.ash1/21978_1338573258826_1065982347_1065026_4190801_n.j pg
i had the hardest time taking out the oem front bumper support. i sprayed a lot of wd-40 on and around the big bolts and let it sit for like a couple hours.

here is everything put on and wired:
http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs218.snc3/22578_1339396559408_1065982347_1067015_7463440_n.j pg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs218.snc3/22578_1339396599409_1065982347_1067016_420924_n.jp g

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs238.snc3/22578_1339396679411_1065982347_1067018_1902777_n.j pg

here is a shot of it in daylight:
http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs153.snc3/18078_1340320262500_1065982347_1068510_1551629_n.j pg

i read online that the stock wheel is 370mm or something and it kept on hitting my legs if i didnt raise the steering column up. i remember i had a small momo wheel on my old 89 prelude but coudlnt remember what size it was so i wanted tested the waters and picked this one up on ebay 280mm.

look at the difference in size, its crazy:

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs387.snc3/23624_1348600669505_1065982347_1091866_8016269_n.j pg

http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs474.ash1/25975_1351796909409_1065982347_1100627_7694025_n.j pg

check out the wheel gap, to me it looked raised! but its the stock suspension!

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs153.snc3/18078_1340320222499_1065982347_1068509_3977366_n.j pg

i can stick my whole fist in there...and then some...haha

so...i bought some eibach sportline lowering springs from nopi.com for $185. i think i ordered them on thursday and it arrive the following tuesday.

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs459.snc3/26240_1352212199791_1065982347_1101384_6394967_n.j pg

hopefully i can get them installed tonight, but it might be two-day process. i only have hand tools, 2 jack stands and i dont get home till probably 8pm.

Iron_Zenki
02-24-2010, 11:25 AM
I have the same steering wheel :]
I regret buying it lol

jgc731
02-24-2010, 11:27 AM
i do too, just cuz it was small. i just wanted to know what it would feel like for a 280mm wheel. i think i will buy a 320mm. leaning toward a momo wheel, i know nardi/personal wheels are nice, but their kinda pricey.

stinky_180
02-24-2010, 12:01 PM
bleh build.... should post in the pic thread

CrimsonRockett
02-24-2010, 12:50 PM
Please read the forum rules prior to posting a "build" thread.

This really belongs in the picture thread.