DarrenB’s 1uz Itasha zenki s14 build

[Darrenb]

Hey everyone, decided to do an s14 build. A little background information about myself, I have no formal education on working on cars but since the beginning of high school have always been working on building cars. I have learned a lot through experience and reading up . I have dabbled in drifting in the past but never had the funds to forgo it. I’m now 26 years old and have decided to finally build my dream zenki s14 in my house garage to test my knowledge and passion for building cars.

I would like to also give a big thanks to Touge Factory, powered by max, Brett Collins, SNTRL, Diamond Vinyl, Broken motorsports, and my friends for being a big support in my build.

When I first got her, just a shell and a hideous lime green engine bay.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s1_zpsb12cdea7.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s2_zps0e727f48.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s4_zpsbaa87019.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s3_zps1ccb246f.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s6_zps0031d806.png

The full interior

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s5_zps582ecb6b.png

Started stripping the interior and the chassis harness since I’m doing a switch panel

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s7_zps546d0b48.png
Took out the rear and gas tank and started rust proofing/removing rust on the undercarriage.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s10_zps74b17542.png

Undercarriage wasn’t bad at all

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s12_zpsb5480903.png

Blasted and metal washed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s13_zps95d6ab0b.png
Por15’d

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s14_zpsce079483.png

Did a restoration job on the gas tank
Before:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s19_zps9d88c599.png

After:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s26_zps0abd488a.png

Did the same to the heat shield as well
Before:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s20_zps919386b9.png

in process:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s22_zpsc3a83bac.png

After:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s24_zps27260c8a.png

Next it was roll cage time, I’ve welded a few times but don’t have easy access to bending tools and metal. So I decided it was more cost effective and easier to have a place that specializes in building cages do the Job. I trailed the shell to my friend Bill over at Broken motorsports and had the cage with NASA rules, FD reg and my specs built.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s16_zps44a8efe1.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s17_zps2333b42c.png

While the car was at the shop I decided to work on the 5 lug hubs I purchased, the rear were used and the fronts were new. New bearings, and cleaned them up

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s28_zpsea2368b9.png

Now parts started arriving. My whole suspension is all PBM with the exception of the RLCA, rear traction arm, and rear knuckles.

Some of the first parts that came in
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s14coils_zps6a59dbbc.png

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130220_152522_zps5a9bdfb3.jpg

[Darrenb]

I originally decided to go with an rb25det and did research and found that the 1uz would fit my needs better, wasn’t looking for anything to crazy in hp. I wanted something with good torque, light, and budget friendly.

Picked up the motor and the transmission

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_0090_zpsffa99b9c.jpg

I finally got the car back and decided to start painting the interior. I went with the Toyota super white 2 paint.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_0147_zpsb24a7ad9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_0118_zpscf03fb16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_0121_zps0eb91bd5.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_0116_zps3ce4d46e.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_0122_zpsc27a446c.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_0120_zps71169f3f.jpg

por15’d the floor

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_0149_zps783911ad.jpg

floor painted

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130409_232955_zps3844615b.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130409_233009_zpsc194c890.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130410_145901_zps5dfd581d.jpg

Did he dash support as well.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_0114_zpsf64ce92b.jpg

Also did the engine bay as well, cut out tubs and had broken motorsports put in brace bars. I media blasted that hideous green bay and welded most of the holes shut. Unfortunately don’t have any pictures of the bare bay.
Primered
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s32_zpsc40a442b.png

Painted:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_0105_zps87449503.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_0108_zps887df340.jpg

Worked on the subframe, had some rust. I removed all the rust, then coated it in gold

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/20130102_134445_zpsbc2a7bfc.jpg

After with the PBM stuff on

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130616_014652_zpse65c2a51.jpg

[Darrenb]

After a couple of months of waiting, the kit has finally arrived. It was a mix of the rocket bunny and origin body panels

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130401_175021_zps170215b2.jpg

Yay, more goodies

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130721_143531_zps082de16f.jpg

Got bored waiting on more parts and did a small restoration job on the steering rack and crossmember.

cleaned up
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130514_160351_zps9985aeab.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130516_155051_zpsce0a40cb.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130516_155236_zpsb2e3b3b3.jpg

I finally test fitted the panels, some required some work to get them to fit well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/s14p_zpsd750a798.png

I then did work on the rear knuckles

Before:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/20130627_165703_zps4057573d.jpg

After:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/20130627_213502_zps726fcc51.jpg

The passenger door on the s14 was all banged up and it was too far gone to save, so I got a door from someone selling one in NYC. While I focused on installing everything on my car, my friend and owner of Diamond Vinyl started wrapping the car as well as the body panels

Swapping the parts to the new door
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/20130412_184629_zps177fd41c.jpg



After much anticipated wait for PBM’s new forged knuckles, they have finally arrived.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130611_195500_zpsad0cb59d.jpg


Mocked up the chasebays brake booster eliminator kit with the z32 brakes.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130820_193755_zps38bb39da.jpg

Once that was all done finally went ahead and put in the brake booster eliminator kit, the front crossmember and the steering rack I cleaned up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130701_125018_zpsa5407b83.jpg

Rolled the chassis outside for some light.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130706_185852_zps3e224b54.jpg

My friend finally finished wrapping everything.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/1069427_10102827079037829_1069258775_n_zps2552f9ff .jpg

Mounted the tires to the wheels and my awesome Abercrombie motorsports outer tie rods came in.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130819_193922_zps99bb33d4.jpg

[Darrenb]

Interior all finally went in (switch panel, seat, and etc).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130822_232448_zps8998c31d.jpg

Then installed the rear subframe and everything else under the car (r33 ebrake cables, rear nismo 2way diff, and etc)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130619_033608_zps210c7efc.jpg

Now that all of those things are done, time to work on the motor. Big thanks to Bret Collins for all the swap parts.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130903_142325_zpsca889b7f.jpg

Cleaned up the motor and switched the sump from rear to front sump.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130831_014433_zpsf4df6c97.jpg

Putting on the final touch, the oil pan.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130831_025417_zps2f1d904a.jpg

Now, working on the top end of the motor.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130831_234104_zps536ba10d.jpg

Motor going in.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130911_220601_zpse0db57c9.jpg

Once the motor was put in, the itasha HOTD graphics finally arrived, around 1am which was laid on and done by 3am.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/IMG_20130914_131419_zpsb0762b0c.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/1185680_10103012436310369_428403251_n_zps3ce3f0c3. jpg

A few pics from Import Expo where I unveiled the car. Unfortunately some key parts needed for the motor to run didn’t arrive in time.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/sil1_zps6682e734.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/sil3_zpsb8ccf705.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/sil2_zpsa85c9670.jpg



Still waiting on my chasebays radiator. A few of the key parts have finally come in. I should start putting the key parts in this week.

[Gotenks64]

Nice build man, How long did it take you to get to that point?

[Darrenb]

Nice build man, How long did it take you to get to that point?

Thanks man. It took me roughly a year to get it to it's current state.

[Jifter]

damn thats one dope s14. I just finished my 1uz swap into my s13 coupe. Its a torquey engine. u will love it. keep us updated!

[xoxide]

Beautiful build. Stupid question, but what wheels are those? They dont look like real VS-XX's for some reason (looking at the lug nut area)?

[zooopreme]

Liking this car a lot, nice work!

[s14zenki21]

Hey wicked build man! I'm too currently rebuilding my 95 s14. I was hit by a drunk driver on the front passenger core support and now tubing the front end. By any chance are you gonna give a list of what you put in for your build? Also for the 1uz which tranny did you use? Curious cause I just have the stock KA24DE and not sure which power plant I want to do.

[killer240]

sweet build

[s14zenki21]

How come you didn't take out sound deadening? Just curious.

[Darrenb]

damn thats one dope s14. I just finished my 1uz swap into my s13 coupe. Its a torquey engine. u will love it. keep us updated!

Thanks man, exactly what I was going for, a torque'y budget motor!

Beautiful build. Stupid question, but what wheels are those? They dont look like real VS-XX's for some reason (looking at the lug nut area)?

Not a stupid question at all, the wheels that are currently on the car are xxr 521. I am using the xxrs as my drift spares. I'm having some 3-piece wheels being made for cruisers/show wheels.

Liking this car a lot, nice work!

Thanks zooopreme!

Hey wicked build man! I'm too currently rebuilding my 95 s14. I was hit by a drunk driver on the front passenger core support and now tubing the front end. By any chance are you gonna give a list of what you put in for your build? Also for the 1uz which tranny did you use? Curious cause I just have the stock KA24DE and not sure which power plant I want to do.

Thanks man! I have a very big list, if you really want I can pm you the list. I used the stock ka24de 5 speed tranny. It should hold up fine but if it does blow I'll be switching over to the z32 or 350z trans.

sweet build

Thanks killer240!

How come you didn't take out sound deadening? Just curious.

I took out the floor sound deadener out but not the ones on the trans tunnel and the rear seats because I got lazy :-/

[ingmar F]

sweet car man! i saw your car on instagram an started following you. i am doing the same swap in my s13, but i was wondering, how are you going to do the wiring?

[7x13]

Pimp a$$ Zenki man.

another one i see with a 1UZ

Try to get some action shots :D

[Trinidrift3]

SNTRL crew checking in! can't wait to see you out on the track with it bro

[Darrenb]

sweet car man! i saw your car on instagram an started following you. i am doing the same swap in my s13, but i was wondering, how are you going to do the wiring?

Thanks man. As for wiring, I took out the whole chassis harness and fuse box. I am running a switch panel, which is pretty straight forward, power to ecu, starter, fuel pump, and radiator fans. I dont have AC, heat, or radio. Making a separate harness for headlights, taillights and windows.

Pimp a$$ Zenki man.

another one i see with a 1UZ

Try to get some action shots :D

Thanks! I definitely will take some action shots!:D

SNTRL crew checking in! can't wait to see you out on the track with it bro

Awesome!! Definitely appreciate it! See you at the track events! :wavey:

[collegekid]

Holy fuck Darren, that was quick. Hopefully the trans holds up well.

I like how your car is essentially my car's end goal minus the welding and maybe the engine.

[Darrenb]

Holy fuck Darren, that was quick. Hopefully the trans holds up well.

I like how your car is essentially my car's end goal minus the welding and maybe the engine.

Haha, thanks man! I hope the transmission holds up well as well! Hope your build is going great!

[imoverherre]

Pictures don't work ; (

[Darrenb]

Update: Finally a few key parts have arrived. Wiring the ECU and the switch panel right now, hopefully will test fire the motor this Wednesday.

In the mean time, I was hoping to buy a vented hood but needed to address some parts for the motor so instead I did some work on my original busted hood.

Sanded, cleaned and prepped for primer

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/hood1_zps793c5459.jpg

filler primered

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/hood2_zps8b584bc4.jpg

topcoated

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/hood3_zps2bd7cb1c.jpg

All finished

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/416221c4-90a7-4c08-9369-b36ecdc12046_zps458cd4a1.jpg

How it looks on the car
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/carhood_zpsfdcf82ba.jpg

[Drifting Kalamari]

Hey,I love your build! I am doing the same engine build for my S13. Got most done, working on the wiring and such now. How much does a wrap like that cost? It's awesome!

[poundit]

The car looks so sick. I dont really like the hood but the quality looks amazing.

What switch board are you going with? Painless or something different?

[Royal_T]

Looks good bro.. keep up the great work

[Darrenb]

Hey,I love your build! I am doing the same engine build for my S13. Got most done, working on the wiring and such now. How much does a wrap like that cost? It's awesome!

Thanks man! I'm sure you'll be happy as well with the motor:cool:. A wrap like this costs around $2,000-$3,000 by shops around me.

The car looks so sick. I dont really like the hood but the quality looks amazing.
What switch board are you going with? Painless or something different?

Thanks! I appreciate the honesty, with some of my friends the hood was either a hit or a miss but they all agree that it came out well. I didn't go with painless, I went with Digital Delay's Switch Panel. DIGITAL DELAY - Switch Panels - Mega Panel, Mega Dial Panel (http://www.racedigitaldelay.com/switchpanels.html)

Looks good bro.. keep up the great work

Thanks Royal_T! Definitely appreciate it.

[Darrenb]

Well I had my good friend Matt Petrie come by to take some test shots for an overseas feature. Still need to clean up a few wires in the engine bay, and still need to go out and get some radiator hoses, and cut the driveshaft. On a better note, the igniter module for the motor came today, unfortunately I'm away this weekend. Also can't wait to finally get my 3 piece wheels soon.:naughtyd: Going to test fire the motor this Monday and will keep you all posted.

Some teaser shots.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/mp1_zps45e9d214.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/mp2_zps2aa74a68.jpg


Don't worry, doing a projector retrofit soon on the headlights. Also motor is abit off centered because I didn't tighten the right mount yet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/blazin-pin0i/mp3_zps21d5cd5c.jpg

[Darrenb]

Well finished wiring up the motor, ecu and switch panel. Motor finally runs. Still waiting on MAF, rad hoses. I am also building custom headers. Aside from those things, all that is left is shortening the driveshaft, making the harness for the exterior lights and hooking up the gauge cluster.

Start up video (Don't mind the wires, going to clean up the wiring in the engine bay)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6gMLE81RlQ

[Jifter]

Congrads! Sounds amazing!

[Beas]

whats your header setup like?

[DP-AE86]

i honestly hadn't thought of looking you up on zilvia. lololol.
cool to see a build.

[c-los13]

What size are those xxr's? size of tires too if you can, THANKS MAN! BTW CAR LOOKS AWESOME!

[jessicaserrano]

Do you remember how short you had to cut your driveshaft? I'm doing a 1uz swap on my s14 zenki and just wondering the wires to plug up to chasis

[thatBlueS14]

ive been looking EVERYWHERE for a HOTD itasha, where did you get yours? and where did you get the hood wrap at?? Thanks in advance:)

[!Zar!]

You really put all this time, effort, and money into building this car, and you got a non vvti 1uz?

Why tho

[Malik]

the 1uz is a good question... having trouble understanding the engine choice.

fitment and design look great.

[Agamemnon]

This thread hasn't been updated in 5 years. I think he's gone.

[Malik]

I always forget to check dates... i just see a build thread and start typing.