Looking at buying an S12, tips?

[1320VR4]

I'm looking at a V6 Manual S12, two tone blue/silver in really pretty good shape. It just needs an alternator and it's completely driveable. I'm finding S12 info not NEARLY as extensive as S13 info (and for good reason I suppose lol).

What kinds of things should I really be looking at on these cars as typical failure points and or wear points.

Also what is a really good condition one really worth? Normally I compare prices to those on craigslist at the time and there's only one on there, haha.

Matt

[ShakotanGazelle]

I LOVED my S12, I had a black SE V6 5MT. Sold it a while ago and bought my RX8. Engines in these things are fucking tanks, as long as it's taken care of and power is decent.

There really isn't much to worry about in this chassis, so I'd just do a comp test to make sure everythings alright. Timing belt should be done along with a good tune up like any other car.

[ZenkiKid]

Heres a tip: DONT DO IT.

S12s dont have much of an aftermarket background, whatever cool shit you seen people like Henry do to his was due to him basically turning his s12 into an S13 with all of the suspension pieces used.

[ShakotanGazelle]

Heres a tip: DONT DO IT.

S12s dont have much of an aftermarket background, whatever cool shit you seen people like Henry do to his was due to him basically turning his s12 into an S13 with all of the suspension pieces used.

Shut the fuck up.

People like you who know nothing are just spreading shit to up their post count.

Yes he had front S13 suspension only, yes it bolt right in, no there is no custom fab.

The only difference in the S12 is the rear suspension, but it's really not even bad. And the cost difference from a beat to shit auto single cam S13 far outweighs that fact.

[songgsan]

People like you who know nothing are just spreading shit to up their post count.
http://www.glpp.info/hu5a.jpg

[simmode1]

How does the S12's suspension compare to the Z31's?

[ixfxi]

s12


biggest piece of shit, ugly fucking transformers looking fake ae86

[1320VR4]

Well I never expected this post to get out of hand....


I basically just wanted to clean it up and fix the small issues and drive it for a little while lol.

[S12 Drifter]

How does the S12's suspension compare to the Z31's?

their the SAME car... literally.. well suspension wise anyway I've had both... trust me they are.

and the VG30 SE S12 is very rare.

[S12 Drifter]

s12


biggest piece of shit, ugly fucking transformers looking fake ae86

dumbass the S12 was made before the AE86 learn your shit... 80% of the people on the fucking board have a high post count but are dumb as fucking rocks.

[ixfxi]

ok... post up some photos of your car, lets see how NICE this 80s hunk of shit can look


i've always seen them looking like turds, just like the z31 - another hunk of 80s garbage when people were doing too much cocaine during this fuel cricis.

besides the fact that your from the fail state, i'm having a hard time understanding why today's youth have embraced the shit they embrace.

here are a few fun facts about todays generation:
- movies are sucking, which is why they keep trying to recycle cool shit from yester-year
- music is sucking, so they autotune it. (thank god we're past the emo shit now)
- men are fruitcakes with no balls, which is why they dont complain about wearing tight jeans

whats next? only the inevitable: a female president

most of the 80s cars belong in the junkyard...... to be fucking crushed

[ixfxi]

oh yeah, and not that i care because i dont remember when shitty 80s cars were made, this is what wiki says about the production years of the two cars:

s12 produced: 1984-1988
ae86 produced: 1983–1987

why anyone cares is beyond me. the ae86 sucks too, but at least it sucks LESS. just like the s13... shitty cars that are still somewhat nice. but theres nothing nice about an s12. NOTHING.

[S12 Drifter]

the S12 was released in 1983 in japan which means it was made EARLIER then 1983.... learn before you speak. i can continue to make you look stupid if you want.

[BlewByYou]

Ive got an s12 ca20 5 speed.. Houston tx Runs good. $1500obo

Striaght body, needs paint, ok interior complete..

[KiLLeR2001]

the S12 was released in 1983 in japan which means it was made EARLIER then 1983.... learn before you speak. i can continue to make you look stupid if you want.

You're a fucking moron. Get your hard-on for S12 garbage out of here...

http://i.imgur.com/LxsDcpz.jpg

[S12 Drifter]

released and MADE ARE TWO different things. A CAR IS MADE before it is released. do we need to go to school again?

[KiLLeR2001]

Those dates are PRODUCTION dates. Which means what is stamped on the door jam when the actual car was PUT TOGETHER. Do you want me to continue to embarrass you? I have the entire Nissan database of information at my disposal, where are you pulling your information from? Oh I know, your ass.

[S12 Drifter]

Those dates are PRODUCTION dates. Which means what is stamped on the door jam when the actual car was PUT TOGETHER. Do you want me to continue to embarrass you? I have the entire Nissan database of information at my disposal, where are you pulling your information from? Oh I know, your ass.
a car is engineered and MADE BEFORE it ever comes to life. BEFORE a stamp is stamped on that car it was engineered and made before the date yo say it was but go ahead. i suppose the same can be said about the AE86 regardless the S12 is a better car.

[KiLLeR2001]

I need to get out of this fucking state ASAP.

[S12 Drifter]

I need to get out of this fucking state ASAP.

you do that. :naughtyd:

moving because someone on the internet pissed you off? seems legit.

[89gold240]

I had a 88 S-12 with the pos ca20e. I LOVED that car. Wish i kept it and did a CA18DET swap.

Had as good of chasiss as any newer Silvia in my opinion, It is lighter and seems like they have a beter balance stock.

Looks might not be quite as fluid as the newer cars but it has that 80's funk.

The only problem their known for is rotten rocker panels so check that out.

And check out Club S12 for more info.

[racepar1]

This is retarded, "S12 Drifter" needs to STFU. The S12 is nothing special, NOTHING. The biggest issue is that there is no aftermarket. Everything you want to do is custom or adapted from an S13. The suspension design is bullshit, just like the Z31 (useless POS). The rear trailing arm suspension sucks ballsack. They tend to toe out under compression which causes loads of bumpsteer. The front suspension is fixable using S13 bits, but from my understanding it isn't quite "bolt-on". There IS some cutting/welding involved. Stop arguing about how boss the s12 is, because it's not.


OP: If you're just looking for something to drive around for a while and the price is right then fine, buy the S12. If you're looking to modify it, even a little, then forget it. It's too much hassle to even get coilovers on the damned thing.

[EliteGTR]

so hot!!!

http://cdn.speedhunters.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/IMG_8630-2.jpg

[S12 Drifter]

This is retarded, "S12 Drifter" needs to STFU. The S12 is nothing special, NOTHING. The biggest issue is that there is no aftermarket. Everything you want to do is custom or adapted from an S13. The suspension design is bullshit, just like the Z31 (useless POS). The rear trailing arm suspension sucks ballsack. They tend to toe out under compression which causes loads of bumpsteer. The front suspension is fixable using S13 bits, but from my understanding it isn't quite "bolt-on". There IS some cutting/welding involved. Stop arguing about how boss the s12 is, because it's not.


OP: If you're just looking for something to drive around for a while and the price is right then fine, buy the S12. If you're looking to modify it, even a little, then forget it. It's too much hassle to even get coilovers on the damned thing.

never said they were boss THEIR DATED but they were pretty good for a 80's design and the S14 rear subframe and front suspension is VERY swap able with stuff.

know what though? I'm glad im in the Z31/ S12 route because it actually teaches you how to fabricate make one off shit you have no bolt on kiddies and thats awesome their less likely to get stolen and not only that no one Z31/S12 is ever the same as the next guys.


hey guy stfu and read up.

Z31 -> S13 Front Coilover Conversion | Ghetto Garage (http://ghettogarage.org/how-to/z31-s13-front-coilover-conversion/)

Z32/S13/S14 - multi-link rear suspension swap (http://z31performance.com/showthread.php?11-Z32-S13-S14-multi-link-rear-suspension-swap)

[racepar1]

never said they were boss THEIR DATED but they were pretty good for a 80's design and the S14 rear subframe and front suspension is VERY swap able with stuff.

know what though? I'm glad im in the Z31/ S12 route because it actually teaches you how to fabricate make one off shit you have no bolt on kiddies and thats awesome their less likely to get stolen and not only that no one Z31/S12 is ever the same as the next guys.


hey guy stfu and read up.

Z31 -> S13 Front Coilover Conversion | Ghetto Garage (http://ghettogarage.org/how-to/z31-s13-front-coilover-conversion/)

Z32/S13/S14 - multi-link rear suspension swap (http://z31performance.com/showthread.php?11-Z32-S13-S14-multi-link-rear-suspension-swap)

You know why they're less likely to get stolen? Because they suck. So to make an S12/Z31 cool you've gotta swap the suspension from an S13/14 huh? That makes sense... Why not just buy the S13/14 in the first place and swap nothing. Then you don't have an ugly ass POS to drive. I bet nobody that has done that swap has bothered to properly measure out the suspension to ensure that it's functioning correctly, have they? What about roll center? What about roll axis? What about anti-squat/dive? Steering axis geometry? Truthfully you don't even know if it works any better than the original suspension. At least the original suspension was located as properly as possible by Nissan.

I/WE get it. You love the underdog. You love the ugly duckling. Good for you. The bottom line is that for the average individual it's a bad choice. If it was a good choice for the OP he wouldn't have to have created this thread. He would have been resourceful enough to figure it out by himself. That's what it takes to do anything at all with an S12. That is the whole point of the people talking shit.

[S12 Drifter]

He would have been resourceful enough to figure it out by himself. That's what it takes to do anything at all with an S12. That is the whole point of the people talking shit.

fair enough, I disagree it looks ugly however everyone has different taste.

[EliteGTR]

You know why they're less likely to get stolen? Because they suck. So to make an S12/Z31 cool you've gotta swap the suspension from an S13/14 huh? That makes sense... Why not just buy the S13/14 in the first place and swap nothing. Then you don't have an ugly ass POS to drive. I bet nobody that has done that swap has bothered to properly measure out the suspension to ensure that it's functioning correctly, have they? What about roll center? What about roll axis? What about anti-squat/dive? Steering axis geometry? Truthfully you don't even know if it works any better than the original suspension. At least the original suspension was located as properly as possible by Nissan.

I/WE get it. You love the underdog. You love the ugly duckling. Good for you. The bottom line is that for the average individual it's a bad choice. If it was a good choice for the OP he wouldn't have to have created this thread. He would have been resourceful enough to figure it out by himself. That's what it takes to do anything at all with an S12. That is the whole point of the people talking shit.

S12 is less likely to get stolen because there is less demand for parts. So what if you swap parts to update the car. Is that not a common occurrence in the automotive world? there is nothing special about the s13/14 either. its wanna be sports car with a truck motor.

We get it. You dont like the car but the OP is not asking about your personal feelings. Are you an auto enthusiast or just a follower? Comments like yours should not come from people who enjoy working on/ modifying cars.

[racepar1]

S12 is less likely to get stolen because there is less demand for parts. So what if you swap parts to update the car. Is that not a common occurrence in the automotive world? there is nothing special about the s13/14 either. its wanna be sports car with a truck motor.

We get it. You dont like the car but the OP is not asking about your personal feelings. Are you an auto enthusiast or just a follower? Comments like yours should not come from people who enjoy working on/ modifying cars.

You're right, s-chasis cars are nothing special. You have to change every single thing about the cars to make them cool. The point is that all the parts are available. You cannot say the same for a S12. Everything is custom and you STILL have to change every single thing about them to make them cool as well. OP doesn't appear to be very handy or resourceful. That's going to be a BIG problem with an S12.

As for the KA hate, keep it to yourself. I have always been a big supporter of the KA engines. They have far more potential than they are credited for. I've got a singlecam in my "new" 240. I'll be out to embarass some SR kids.

OP needs to know what he's getting into with the S12. It's not a straightforward car to modify. It doesn't have a lot of go-fast potential. It doesn't have much of a classic appeal. Modifying an S12 is completely against the grain, so to speak. If that's OP's "bag" then fine, go for it. Judging by this thread it is NOT OP's "bag" and he would be better off elsewhere.

[EliteGTR]

Fair enough. Im not hating on the KA. My opinion is that it should've not came in a car that Nissan considered a sports car. Again, just my opinion.

[S12 Drifter]

the reason the z31/s12 have no support is cheap owners like the OP dont want to drop coin into the cars for manufacturers to make parts.

it's all about demand. the Z31 is a bit better then the S12 as the community is much much bigger but whenever someone wants to get a group buy or a part made a million and one people wanna get it done price is thrown and maybe 3 or 4 actually pay the price.

this is what leads to fabrication of the Z31/s12. people want performance parts but are too busy trying to make their cars "look" good.

additionally I'd like to add the VG30ET is a piece of shit.

and the CA20E's that come with them? you can slap a CA18DET head on it and have a CA20DET but not without some work.

[FRpilot]

I need to get out of this fucking state ASAP.

:rofl:

you do that. :naughtyd:

moving because someone on the internet pissed you off? seems legit.

don't flatter yourself. it's an inside joke on this forum (and surprisingly accurate) that a majority of the stupid posts on this forum are from people who live in Florida.

[S12 Drifter]

:rofl:



don't flatter yourself. it's an inside joke on this forum (and surprisingly accurate) that a majority of the stupid posts on this forum are from people who live in Florida.

nice generalization. :keke: find that on the funny side lol.

[genericforumname]

is that better than people posting smog testing threads, stolen threads, and ticketing threads? those seem to come from california a whole lot.

on topic, I never met the guy personally but back in the day someone in Florida ran a red s12 hatch, was pretty boss,mostly suspension stuff, the the thread was over on floridadrift and that place just kinda.. died. not sure if any of it still exists.

[bc.]

Pretty sure most of the stupid posts come from Cali, not Florida... there are too many people from Cali posting for it not to be them.

[S12 Drifter]

is that better than people posting smog testing threads, stolen threads, and ticketing threads? those seem to come from california a whole lot.

on topic, I never met the guy personally but back in the day someone in Florida ran a red s12 hatch, was pretty boss,mostly suspension stuff, the the thread was over on floridadrift and that place just kinda.. died. not sure if any of it still exists.

I think i know who you're talking about it was a red stripped S12 with a VG30E right?

[yetijeff]

Pretty sure most of the stupid posts come from Cali, not Florida... there are too many people from Cali posting for it not to be them.

Bullshit.

Back to the topic
OP if u like it buy it. If u wanna modify it, it will be more work. But the good ol' "dare to be different" idea comes in. Look for rust. Check compression. The normal shit. Price and buy accordingly.

[ixfxi]

so i was right... 86 and s12 were made around the same time... again, not that i care... because i think most things from the 80s sucked

here is a fine example of a car that WAS cool (dirk diggler's corvette).... and how scotty buys a piece of shit...s130? 280ZX.... BARF

LTMYcSU_HCc

Even the 80s Corvette sucks compared to the 70s corvette.

[S12 Drifter]

blocked lolololololol

[1320VR4]

I think I should just make a new thread.....

Nearly every S-Chassis owner I've met in person is awesome, I've met a lot of really good, friendly, eagerly helping and hardcore enthusiasts. Nearly everyone I've ever encountered online is an opinionated sob who's always 100% right and what they say goes and has no respect for others tastes.


Anyhow, enough with the immature fighting over absolutely nothing important and back to my one simple ass question.

And thank you to those who have responded to my OP. The few posts pertaining have been helpful, I will look for those things.

Matt

[ixfxi]

you know we're just having fun, right?


btw, you mention 3000gt vr4 in your sig..............

.........those cars suck too.

[coupesallday!]

......................

[racepar1]

Since the OP requested it...

What kinds of things should I really be looking at on these cars as typical failure points and or wear points.

EVERYTHING

It's an old-ass car man...

Also what is a really good condition one really worth? Normally I compare prices to those on craigslist at the time and there's only one on there, haha.

Oh, THIS question AGAIN. Really it's worth NOTHING. It's a WORHTLESS car. It's only worth what YOUR willing to pay. To some hardcore S12 guys it's probably worth a lot, considering it's the V6 which is "rare". To me it's worth the price of the paper the title is printed on. As far as how much it's worth TO YOU, only YOU can answer that...

[ZenkiKid]

LOL at the only two dudes left on zilvia here trying to defend the S12.

You two morons get mad at the fact that somebody shared their opinion on a public forum? Come on now man.

[S12 Drifter]

LOL at the only two dudes left on zilvia here trying to defend the S12.

You two morons get mad at the fact that somebody shared their opinion on a public forum? Come on now man.

one thing is opinion the other is FACT and @par

if you coilover swap a S12/Z31 you get camber plates, adjustable hiem joints LCA's adjustable tension rods, PRETTY much a fully adjustable suspension to compensate for caster.

SAI is effected and cannot be fixed, the spindle is the SOURCE of the problem but you either live with a better handling suspension (you cannot go more then half of full lock = understeer) or find some other option that keeps the shit 80's suspension.

it's all really what you want. as a Z31 owner i can tell you it's not that bad of a car really.

[1320VR4]

you know we're just having fun, right?


btw, you mention 3000gt vr4 in your sig..............

.........those cars suck too.

LOL. They're not fun to work on and have their own issues. And with that I like people hating on it because it's not nearly as slow as people tend to believe lol

[genericforumname]

I think i know who you're talking about it was a red stripped S12 with a VG30E right?

might have been, it was so long ago. what's creepy to me is it seems like not so long ago I was in high school, now I think back to how long ago that really was and damn. feel like I haven't really accomplished much since then.

[ShakotanGazelle]

Oh, THIS question AGAIN. Really it's worth NOTHING. It's a WORHTLESS car. It's only worth what YOUR willing to pay. To some hardcore S12 guys it's probably worth a lot, considering it's the V6 which is "rare".

LOL
not even close.

Hardcore S12 guys are the ones that try to keep the prices low. BECAUSE THEY'RE POOR.
It's all the fucking bandwagon poor drift guys that try to jack up the prices simply because its a fucking S Chassis. A KA swapped IRS S12 on coils/susp is only worth like 3k.

Only the rear suspension is like the Z31, except the LCAs are 10mm shorter. Front susp is the same as the S130Z. Pretty much everything from the trans forward is the same as S13, from V8 swaps to susp/brake swaps, etc.

Nevertheless, it's really not a bad car, I DDd mine for a while. My only complaint was working on the VG could be a pain sometimes, but it's not too bad. If you're going to drift it don't get the SE, stick with an 84 non turbo(solid axle rear).

Also, sign up on Club S12.

[ShakotanGazelle]

btw, you mention 3000gt vr4 in your sig..............

.........those cars suck too.

msglength.

[drft-s12]

I've owned two s12s and one has a fj20et. They are great cars for what they are and pretty cheap. I wanted to be different so I went with s12s. It's not a typical car you see everyday. One thing about these cars is the damn electrical problems they have so that's something to look out for. Oh and lots of fab work lol

[racepar1]

LOL
not even close.

Hardcore S12 guys are the ones that try to keep the prices low. BECAUSE THEY'RE POOR.
It's all the fucking bandwagon poor drift guys that try to jack up the prices simply because its a fucking S Chassis. A KA swapped IRS S12 on coils/susp is only worth like 3k.

$1.5k for a clean stock S12 V6 is a LOT IMO. Remember, I'm comparing to the price of the paper the title's printed on. Also, you CAN'T control pricing. Price is based on demand. Since there is little demand, the price is lower. Try whatever you want you can't change economics.

Only the rear suspension is like the Z31, except the LCAs are 10mm shorter. Front susp is the same as the S130Z. Pretty much everything from the trans forward is the same as S13, from V8 swaps to susp/brake swaps, etc.

So it's the bastard love child of the Z31/S130 then. Great, two of the shittiest nissan "sportscars" ever produced put together...

Nevertheless, it's really not a bad car, I DDd mine for a while. My only complaint was working on the VG could be a pain sometimes, but it's not too bad. If you're going to drift it don't get the SE, stick with an 84 non turbo(solid axle rear).

Yeah, a v-6 in that little engine bay does not sound like fun. I would say, if you're going to drift don't get an S12. But that's just me.

Also, sign up on Club S12.

^^^ THAT is a given.