need opinion on where to start!

[oscarely1]

OK Zilvia brothers... i get on here when ever i need help and to admire other peoples work.... i get so much inspiriration seeing the builds lol

anyways.... been searching everywhere to see if any one has started a thread bout this.. but for all the newbies and rookies....
i wanted to know where you guys started you builds and what suggestions you would give other ppl as to where to start their builds...

i know its entirely up to me but i like opinions as to what would be best...
i have a RED 93 HATCH... the previous owner beat it pretty badly but i picked it up for a bargain... im going to change everything from head to toe... nd i wanted to see where each one of you guys would start.... suspension? interior? exterior? powerplant? drivetrain? please any type of comment or opinion is welcome... and dnt thrash me please :newbie:

[iamtheyi]

This is trash. What is your goal? Then work around that goal. Simple as that. You're a grown-up now. Think like one.

[nissanfreak317]

If this is your only car and even more importantly if this is also your first car, then please pay attention.

Don't get ahead of yourself. You need a vehicle to transport you to your job and to school or whatever you are doing. If you are just talking about rebuilding this car to OEM specs then go for it. If you have gotten all dreamy eyed from seeing the crazy builds on here, please don't attempt one until you have another car to drive, enough money to complete the project before you start it, and the time to dedicate to building an all out drift machine or whatever it is that you are trying to accomplish. You must remember that heavily modified cars are less reliable and very expensive to maintain.

For now, I would recommend going over the car very thoroughly. Assess your damage that will need repair, find all of the rust, and find out how much work it will actually take to get your car up to where you want it. If you find that you are ok with all of that, start by repairing and maintaining the vehicle at OEM standards. There are a lot of things to do on a 20 year old car.

Good luck

[oscarely1]

iamtheyi: cmon man there are plenty of people out there who are probly asking the same question im new to builds, so i dint know wer to start..

1. i am not all dreamy 2. as for oem i wanted to start with the whole suspension, i know there are rods nd control arms and coilovers but what else?
3. thanks for da actual response

[Chaluska]

id say get the powerplant out of the way, if you want retarted power, and good gas mileage, LS1/3/6 is the only way to go.. 300 - 400 whp Stock.. throw on a few bolt ons and you can bump up the HP pretty quickly.. a full mount and header kit is like $2500, the engine and tranny is about 3500. add on another 3000 in misc (clutch, accessories, wiring, exhaust etc etc) now that your power plant is done you can start with suspension..

if you want to be a *snip fan-boii and slam your car to the ground, then pick up some quality name brand coilovers, get some front and rear adjustable control arms, front tension rods, rear toe arms, and camber plates.. going that low fucks up the suspension angles so bad you will need as much adjustability as possible...

if you want an lowered car, you can minimize the amount of arms needed, and just swap out the bushings with a poly kit.. toss on some Koni's or KYB's, and a QUALITY lowering spring.. eibach, RSR..

power and suspension are done, interior, and exterior are all thats left..

toss in some new carpet, freshen up the seats with something a little newer, if you are going for a track slut, then get something that will hug you in the seat, if its a DD/cruiser, get something comfy like some S14 seats...

as far as the exterior, go for what you like.. if you want a snowplow bodykit, then go for it, if you want a "stockish" style kit, go with a Kouki 180sx aero kit.

there is always more stuff i havent mentioned.... Cage... swaybars.. wheels.... brakes...

but it will get you started to plan out what you want..

[hybridsk8r]

Looks like you know where to start already. Its your car you can start where ever you want' just start small and work you way up. Above all have fun, be safe, and good luck.

[sil80d]

Sell hatch. Buy awesome tight Honda!

[Jlugo711]

I've already made mistakes for you and I've had to start over because of it, but my advice to you is..

1. Get a Daily Driver vehicle
2. Find a place to store the build
3. Build your powerplant first.

[enkei2k]

i know its entirely up to me... im going to change everything from head to toe... ... suspension? powerplant? drivetrain? interior? exterior? :newbie:

You've answered your own question in your own post...I've rearranged the order to make it easier for you. However, it's all subjective and start wherever you want, everybody starts at different places depending on what needs to be fixed first.

No point in upgrading your engine first if you need to replace your bushings first. No point in slapping on a body kit and fresh paint if your interior has a cracked dash and janky as fuck.

[fliprayzin240sx]

I say prioritize what you want out of the car and work thru it. Personally, if the engine is healthy, I'd tackle the suspension first. Upgrade to all aftermarket pieces, meaning coilovers, tension rods, tie rod/ends, toe arm, rear upper control arms and a nice diff to get the ball rolling. Upgrade to some thicker S14 sway bars with fresh bushings, a diff, and fresh alignment, car will be night and day difference handling wise.

[SuperSlydewayZ14]

yeah man, try to get another daily first. and make sure youre making steady money to fund this project. this hobby is super expensive. its super easy to write on paper what you wanna do to the car....wayyyyyy harder to actually do it. stick with it though, it may take years.