Destroyed S13. Overwhelmed, need pointers, ideas to get things rolling again!

[StopStaringAtMe]

Hey everyone, I know. I know. I probably shouldn't barge in here demanding help on something like this on my second post. But I'm seriously overwhelmed at this point and I really have no idea where to even start with this.

So, heres the story. I have a 1992 S13 Coupe that I accidentally backed into with my truck about 2 1/2 years ago. :duh: After I backed into it, I was trying to save up enough to fix the damage I did, and some douchefaces broke into it and stole my entire sound system, touchscreen headunit, turbo timer, etc.
Then tried to set it on fire......
Anyways, since the car was uninsured when I backed into it and all, I was left to deal with all of the expenses on my own.
Then I had to move out, which made it that much harder to fix the damn car.

So here I am, after almost 2 years of the car just sitting at my dads under a carcover rotting away and desperately needing to be fixed, I'm now ready to start taking care of things. (You kinda get caught up with things in life, you know?)

I have no idea where to even begin.
The driver's rear quarter window was busted out during the break-in, and thus water and animals have taken their toll on the interior of the car, completely saturating everything in mildew and mold. Also, spiders... like, a billion spiders.

Not to mention, the damage I had previously done by backing into my silvia converted front end :cry:
The pictures speak for themselves, it's pretty damn bad... So you can see why I have no idea where to go from here. I want to fix it so badly, I miss driving my S13.
So, what should I do; buy a new shell? Figure out a way to pull the front end? Toss the whole interior?
You guys are the pros, I'm here to learn, and I'm open to all sorts of suggestions. Please Be gentle lol.

Also, if I've posted this in the wrong section (like a n00b) please feel free to move it to the correct section.

[fliprayzin240sx]

The front end is that bad, finding another quarter glass and redoing the interior is gonna fucking suck...get another shell to transfer your stuff over.

[heychris]

^^^^^what he said....

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[coupesallday!]

Your username is fucken funny for some reason

[SamsonS4]

From the sounds of it even if you never ran into this car and damaged it money is not on your side at the moment. I wouldn't even put this car in your priority if money is this tight at the moment son.

[dil han]

cut the front end off and tube it, re align front body panels to fit and make tabs, replace bad wiring or build a body harness yourself, lexan window from Home Depot and you're on the road again. Don't ditch another s chassis making the remaining count fewer and fewer.....

[bmxer882x]

What the top post said. Unless you feel like doing a tube chassis up front I would ditch the shell.

[simmode1]

Yeah soooo... Basically... This is not gonna be a cheap fix. How you should go about fixing depends on how much you're able to spend. If you're really in that tight of a hole with money, I'd part it out & start over when you're more stable financially. If your money flow is doing ok, transferring your parts to a cleaner chassis & picking back up where the theives left off by setting it back of fire would be the easy route. Tube chassis front end is an option if you're making it rain out there... Or just patch shit up and call it a missle car like it's 2012 all over again?

[OutlawLui]

take your seats out and clean up the interior. scrub that shi* down and vacuum it. Then clean the seats and throw them back in. like they said, tube the front and cut that rad support out. And the quarter glass is easy fix. like they also said, u can use clear acrylic if u want to be cheap


lol that user name is freaking funny though

[D.Adams]

the 1/4 window can be had for $50 or if you have glass insurance you might be able to go that way. as for the front end thats all easy stuff. Can be fixed for under $100. Or just tube front the car if you have the abillity to or have a shope do it. interior wise strip it #becauseracecar

[silviaks2nr]

Um did you back your truck into it going like 30mph??? Jeezus.
I don't know what kind of thieves set something on fire after breaking into it that sounds more like someone trying to committing insurance fraud (I'm not saying that's what happened but, WTF!) Really sucks. My advice would be to get a clean shell and swap your drivetrain and any interior/suspension bits over to it. Good luck.

[supersayianjim]

part it out, start fresh----- no brainer!!

[mechanicalmoron]

Don't drink and race your truck backwards, is what I'm taking away from this.

Remove and clean the seats, tube front. Or, in the interim, get a big ass hammer and a come-along, and put the front where it belongs, and worry about further fixing later.

*edit* what kind of retarded thief breaks not only a window, but a quarter window, to get into an s13? I keep a coat hanger under my hood, in case I lock my keys in the car. Frameless windows=no security.

[Seraphim38]

I hate spiders.

Buy a rolling chassis, and or part it out.

Building a car is 10x the cost of buying one already done.

[KravingAKouki]

My advice would be to rip out the sr, and everything related. (Trans, IC, everything to make it run properly, maybe driveshaft and diff if they are worth it) Take out what you want to keep. The dash looks like it has no flaws, which is hard to come by, so take that. Take everything that looks nice, and that you know you could use in the new shell. Buy the new shell first, and transfer everything you need/want over first. A rolling shell would be best, that way you can keep your wheels. Then once the new car is up and running, or you have salvaged everything from the old chassis, sell it or part it. Goodluck man, come back even stronger from this!

[StopStaringAtMe]

Alright, well it looks like the majority of you are recommending that I just buy another rolling chassis. I guess I'll keep an eye out on craigslist for another coupe. If I do come across another coupe and it isn't equipped with HUD like mine, will it still work if I install the dash and cluster in the new shell? I mean as far as it reflecting off of the windshield. Or will I have to get that fugly little rectangle? Its no big deal if I cant though, I just like my HUD :)

[DJ-of-E]

part it out, start fresh----- no brainer!!

Seriously, I'd start with an upgrade of a car. If my 240SX was crashed, I'd start on a different car.

[KravingAKouki]

Alright, well it looks like the majority of you are recommending that I just buy another rolling chassis. I guess I'll keep an eye out on craigslist for another coupe. If I do come across another coupe and it isn't equipped with HUD like mine, will it still work if I install the dash and cluster in the new shell? I mean as far as it reflecting off of the windshield. Or will I have to get that fugly little rectangle? Its no big deal if I cant though, I just like my HUD :)

Your windshield looked fine.. you could re use it if it wasnt cracked. You do not need that little rectangle, it was to just help with glare. You should be fine without it

[StopStaringAtMe]

Your windshield looked fine.. you could re use it if it wasnt cracked. You do not need that little rectangle, it was to just help with glare. You should be fine without it

Oh okay. Thanks man.:D

[KravingAKouki]

just make sure you keep that same engine harness and subharness for it.

[simmode1]

Seriously, I'd start with an upgrade of a car. If my 240SX was crashed, I'd start on a different car.For real. Mazdaspeed Miata, turbo Sky/Solstice, Nissan Z, BMW Z/E36/E46... So many options. Part that ho out and step your game up.

[h2v7]

sell everything parted out and start with something new

you backed into your own car tho that sucks bad nice one

[DJ-of-E]

For real. Mazdaspeed Miata, turbo Sky/Solstice, Nissan Z, BMW Z/E36/E46... So many options. Part that ho out and step your game up.

Great choices. If it were me, I'd go for Toyota MRS (for midship experience/super light), Mazda Miata (cheapest legit race car), or Honda S2000 (perfect stock track car).

Turbo Sky/Solstic is such a nice car for canyon carving.

[hotlavaflow]

Seems like it'll cost less to buy a shell (those are pretty cheap) and swap your stuff over. It could also be quicker if you really want to drive now.

BTW those must have been some real noob thieves to actually break a window on a 240 to get it open, esp the rear quarter, that's just strange. They must have had long arms lol.

P.S.
You guys are suggesting all these tuner cars for him to "upgrade" too. He never said he does autoX drift drag etc. maybe he just likes his coupe and just drives...

[StopStaringAtMe]

Seriously guys? S chassis > everything else.

Now flame me.

[AZRB20]

Buy a cheap 150 dollar shell and swap everything over

[StopStaringAtMe]

Buy a cheap 150 dollar shell and swap everything over

$150 shell would be awesome. However, everyone in VA is stingy. I'd be lucky to find one for less than $1,000.

[simmode1]

Seriously guys? S chassis > everything else.

Now flame me.

S-chassis is a budget sports car bargain that's hard to beat. But it's hardly the only game in town. Don't mind us old guys. Sometimes we start getting embarrased by the demographic and begin looking at other cars with a more mature pedigree.

[AZRB20]

$150 shell would be awesome. However, everyone in VA is stingy. I'd be lucky to find one for less than $1,000.

Damn, here they're plentiful.. wtf is up with the east coast lol

[akaina240]

go to college, major in computer science, get out with a 60k degree job, toss that shit away, and buy a ls1 s14 for 30k. problem solved.

[StopStaringAtMe]

Damn, here they're plentiful.. wtf is up with the east coast lol

It's funny you say that, mine is from Sacramento Ca. lol

[StopStaringAtMe]

go to college, major in computer science, get out with a 60k degree job, toss that shit away, and buy a ls1 s14 for 30k. problem solved.

LMAO this.:rofl:

[hobbs]

I was going to offer to buy it but then you said spiders...

http://files.sharenator.com/kill_it_with_fire-s670x394-132457.jpg

[92SEric240sx]

Pm me a price for everything

[Rustys14]

$150 shell would be awesome. However, everyone in VA is stingy. I'd be lucky to find one for less than $1,000.

Not so, I've never paid over $600 for a shell here in VA and I got my coupe shell that I now daily for free. There is a really good scene here and good deals are easy to come by as long as you know where to look. If your seriously looking shoot me a pm and I can point you in the direction of a cheap hatch shell.

Also how damaged is the front bumper? In your sig it looks like a aero bumper and I've been trying to source one local.

[zurud]

Just hammer the hood and radiator support. used headlight. Glue lexan to the rear quarter window. Then drive away. Shit most of the drift car here look worse than yours. Unless you're looking for good look then spend away.

[collegekid]

New/used hood
Hammer core support or buy new one and go to a body shop. shouldn't be more than like $300-400 to put it on.
Get another headlight.
You could either get lexan and trim it to fit or you can get a new window.
Take out the interior and check for any rust.
Try to get rid of all the bugs and shit. I'm sure if you google it you will find something.

It really is less work to fix your car than to swap everything over. if you wanna fix it, you better feel like 110% and follow through. Otherwise whatever you do is gonna be a waste of time and money.

[chiboy002]

op, I was in a head on collision with a drunk a while ago in my s13 and the damage was a little worse than what you had. my total cost to fix at home, everything done properly, was around 800 ONLY cause I went with brand new fenders and radiator support. had I gotten it second hand, which is more feasible, price would've been at most half of that.

front end is salvageable, but ridding a car of weather and animal damage is gonna be a nightmare so even a 1500 shell is gonna be less than the time you spend fixing everything instead of making money

[mechanicalmoron]

Drama queens, trippin' on the interior....

Park it in the sun with everything open, rip out the seats and whatever else you feel the need to, go to town with a shop vac and wipe down the interior, shampoo the seats, and dry them completely before putting them back in. I don't know about you all, but I don't make enough to buy a car in a day... but I can wash car seats in a lot less than a day. Besides, I think he's exaggerating about the interior, if it was under a cover and only had a busted 1/4 window.

You could even take out the carpet, and have your interior cleaner than it's been it 2 decades.

[collegekid]

Drama queens,
You could even take out the carpet, and have your interior cleaner than it's been it 2 decades.

QFTFT

have you taken out the interior? Can you take better pictures of the front end

I'm speaking from experience when I say you will either fix it or you will "pussyfoot" the whole thing and waste your time.

Spend more time cleaning out the interior than on Craigslist. come back when you have better pictures. I still say fix it just because no one else is gonna help you fix the ghost problems on your new shell

[fliprayzin240sx]

Damn, here they're plentiful.. wtf is up with the east coast lol

Nothing but shieeeeet...

Not so, I've never paid over $600 for a shell here in VA and I got my coupe shell that I now daily for free. There is a really good scene here and good deals are easy to come by as long as you know where to look. If your seriously looking shoot me a pm and I can point you in the direction of a cheap hatch shell.

Also how damaged is the front bumper? In your sig it looks like a aero bumper and I've been trying to source one local.

Scene? Only scene in VA are riced out fucking civics. Car scene out here feels like california in the mid 90s.

[StopStaringAtMe]

LMAO so true. ^^^^^^^

As requested, I'll be adding better pictures of the damage and the interior.
I'm not exaggerating about the severity of the mold.
Also, theres a screwdriver bonded to the carpet by rust lol.

[StopStaringAtMe]

Here is the link to my photobucket album, all of the pictures in the album were taken today.

http://s72.photobucket.com/user/_StopStaringAtMe_/library/The%20Not-So-Silvia

[Kuma]

I keep seeing pics of mangled s chassis saying it got "backed into"... Were you hauling ass in reverse? I know they don't crumple that easy.

[white-s13coupe]

good luck with it do what makes you happy. : )

[StopStaringAtMe]

I keep seeing pics of mangled s chassis saying it got "backed into"... Were you hauling ass in reverse? I know they don't crumple that easy.

Honestly, I wasn't going very fast at all. The corner of the bed just went through the headlight and kafucked the whole front end.

[SamsonS4]

Nothing but shieeeeet...



Scene? Only scene in VA are riced out fucking civics. Car scene out here feels like california in the mid 90s.

I laugh to no end with anyone tries to say anything positive about the south on something along the lines of 1900's VA.

The only important thing about that area is it had alot to do with american history.

scene and shops? none. just cars mimicing california 90's hondas w/ a bunch of outdated momo and bomex items.

diversity? none 71 white and 19 percent african american. It's also 1970 there w/ the racism and segregation to go with it.

Entertainment? no entertainer outside of a mainstream fm radio act wants to go anywhere there. You won't find anywhere catering to electronic music or trance. Just rap and top 40.

food? have fun eating nothing but american chains and soul food only.

I been there for a extended time myself and let me tell you it's not the ideal place to be. I do understand not everywhere can have the shops, cars, girls, weather, food, diversity, entertainment etc of california but VA is on another level of epic terrible.

I have zero care people can state register any jdm car there that they want. Sure you have a sought after car but then again....you are in VA.

follow below for more:

http://fallingmorningstar.blogspot.com/2007/09/why-i-hate-south.html

[jamg]

gawd, dang...

bumper bars are legit useless.. even with an OEM one in use. i've seen so many accident pictures of cars with OEM and aftermarket ones, and they never work because the car is so low.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Yah, fuck that, my ass wouldn't attempt to salvage that interior...not much worth saving. I'm more turned off by that, than the front end smash.

[StopStaringAtMe]

Yah, fuck that, my ass wouldn't attempt to salvage that interior...not much worth saving. I'm more turned off by that, than the front end smash.

Yeah, I completely stripped all of the carpet and the seats. I found that the drivers seat was broken anyways. Not exactly sure how, but the back of the seat won't lock in place so that seat is garbage anyways. the passenger seat is about the only thing that is salvagable.
the dash is so brittle I can just about put my finger through it :/
So, now that the interior is gutted, I guess its time to figure out how the hell I'm going to to make my front end not so fucking ugly. Ill need to buy a comealong or borrow one from somebody.

[fliprayzin240sx]

That or get a ratchet strap and pull it out. Shouldnt be too hard to do.

[simmode1]

follow below for more:

http://fallingmorningstar.blogspot.com/2007/09/why-i-hate-south.html


You must be fucking kidding. GTFO of here & quit taking the thread OT.

[SamsonS4]

dude va is terrible...what u mad about?

[simmode1]

^^^It might be. Just don't lump all of the South in with them.

[SamsonS4]

^^^It might be. Just don't lump all of the South in with them.

Tx isnt what people think of when it comes to the south

la, nc, sc, ga, va, tn, mi, etc

[simmode1]

^^^Hey, that's all I was looking for. I've seen some real heat come out of Louisiana, but the rest of those are pretty damn bad. And this is coming from a guy born & raised in TN. But there are little redeeming pockets of goodness in just about every state. I'm sure there are some decently tuned cars ripping up the Dragon's Tail at Deal's Gap and other places.

[Rustys14]

^^^ Not sure whats with all the hate for VA, northern VA isn't bad at all (can't really speak for the rest of the state). I grew up in Cali and I can honestly say that I prefer it out here. Different strokes I guess...

Back on topic, that front end really isn't too bad. A hammer and some ratchet straps against a big tree will pull it close to where it needs to be. That interior is disgusting though...

[russian]

tube it. not hard at all.

[StopStaringAtMe]

Back on topic, that front end really isn't too bad. A hammer and some ratchet straps against a big tree will pull it close to where it needs to be. That interior is disgusting though...


I junked that nasty shit lol.
Anyways, I've got some ratchet straps from harbor freight, Just not sure where exactly I need to hook them to "properly" pull all, or most of the damage out. (I'm hilariously bad at bodywork.):facepalm:
So I'll see if I can get my bodyshop buddies to give me a hand.

[Scope240sx]

go to college, major in computer science, get out with a 60k degree job, toss that shit away, and buy a ls1 s14 for 30k. problem solved.

hahaha not everyone is you!!!!

[collegekid]

I'm more curious to see what is underneath all that carpet.

S14 seats are under $100
Rear seats are about the same.
Carpet
http://www.stockinteriors.com/items.asp?MakeId=20&ModelId=312&MainCatId=1&Desc=Nissan_240SX_Carpet

Dash is under 100 if it's even necessary

Body panels - whatever you can find locally.
I sold my slightly dented hood, clean fenders, trashed front bumper and some extra stuff for $160 from my zenki.

Radiator support is like 200-500 (ballpark)

Going to a frame machine to have somebody check all factory dimensions on your front end/engine bay - under $300
I paid $300 and the guy fixed a lot more shit

whatever the shop charges you to weld on the new radiator support

[Tempo]

I kinda have that same damage on your car, same spot too - front passenger area. I purchased a front core support from a dude here on zilvia for like ~$200 if i remember and went out and got quotes to get it fixed. Right now I have a quote for them to fix straighten and pull that part of the car with the parts that i have for $1,000 that includes labor/time and all that bleh stuff. If the car is worth it to you and you hold a sentimental value towards it i'd repair it, if mine didn't i would've purchased a new shell already lol I even have quarter panel damage on my car but im not going to get rid if if its always going to be possible to repair. :bigok:

[xBtony]

Didn't read everyones replies.

Fuck spiders, finish burning the car down, start over.