1988 Silvia K's build

[Volks]

Hello Zilvia! I probably should have started posting here a while back, but there's nothing wrong with starting now! There's still lots to be done and a lot of time.

I'll be documenting the progress of the Silvia. The intention for this build a combination of a restoration and upgrade/better than stock.

I got the car last year before I PCSd from Yokota, Japan. I'm currently in Germany and bound for Arizona a year after this. It was a battle to decide to never modify the car or build it up. I choose to build it, but with good quality and clean parts. It's intention is to be mostly a show car, Sunday driver, with occasional track usage.

Onto the pictures, what you all came here to see!

Shortly after I got it.

http://i.imgur.com/3jhV3Dq.jpg

Of course I couldn't stand not hearing anything. Do-Luck exhaust goes in.

http://i.imgur.com/Jk4S0lU.jpg

Some of the parts for the brake swap.

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

Z32 brakes and 5 lug swap with the bonus 330mm front rotor upgrade.

http://i.imgur.com/1KASHxe.jpg

Once in Germany for a while, I started the S14 Non-HICAS subframe swap. Out with the old.

http://i.imgur.com/I6RCZve.jpg

So clean!

http://i.imgur.com/eBKN0po.jpg

Got everything sandblasted and primed. Not that color is not the finished product!

http://i.imgur.com/2ZKoJpp.jpg

and where i'm about right now. Just waiting on more parts to finish the subframe swap.

http://i.imgur.com/lWGYiT4.jpg

SO! As it sits now, i'm waiting on parts from another seller since Enjuku can't seem to figure out how to give me the correct parts. Otherwise this subframe swap would be on it's way!

Future plans


S15 Seats
Radiator upgrade (sine it's leaking)
Borgwarner turbo upgrade once it's imported to the US.
Paint! The clear cost is starting to crack all over the top of the car.
Refurbish Nismo LM-GT2 wheels. Already in progress.

[Volks]

A little more. Some wheels to get me by while...

http://i.imgur.com/jCb3Smh.jpg

These get refinished in black with new silver bolts.

http://i.imgur.com/p0KprjC.jpg

and after owning the car all the this time. I never took an engine bay pic. So here it is.

http://i.imgur.com/E0c0Lkm.jpg

[FourtyKid]

Hey Volks! It's CogBlocker from reddit! Nice to see your sexy Silvia on here :)

[crash n' burn]

You're in germany now? Where about?

I are jelly, car looks amazing

[Volks]

@FourtyKid - Hey! I figured I might find some Redditors on here.

@crash n' burn - I'm in Spangdahlem and thanks!

Currently working some magic to get a 180SX over here. Plan is to import it to the US year with the Silvia...not to mention getting that certain car from the docks tomorrow :D

[mechanicalmoron]

In for this.

[Volks]

Not Silvia related but I got my new sometimes daily in!

http://i.imgur.com/9h3iZRQ.jpg

[supersayianjim]

lucky man!!

[Volks]

Before:

http://i.imgur.com/7BRGd0D.jpg

After!

http://i.imgur.com/D3XZPaT.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/n2443dG.jpg

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

http://i.imgur.com/EnF3x0e.jpg

and some Muteki lugs for when it all goes back together.

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

Looks like another delay though. Each one of the RLCAs have a bushing facing the wrong way. So now I have to take it back and have it reversed....more delays.....never going to get done.

[Super_OK_S13]

VERY clean car my friend! Good luck with the build! The rear of the car is looking nice even though it will be seen rarely. I love attention to detail!

[Volks]

Thank you! A large part of this project is keeping everything in excellent condition, even if it's nearly there already. I was going to buy a bunch of BallerBolts replacement bolts to freshen things up further but a few bad reviews has me hesitant to order...

I got a little something from Clear Corners that should arrive in the coming months. Pics will come when it arrives!

[Volks]

It's about time this subframe started getting put back together!

I have to mention. This build was highly inspired by doyle4281's thread (http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=340727). So a thanks goes out to him for putting together a nice thread with good ideas and lots of pictures!

Applying that anti-seize. Corrosion prevention and it will make disassembling this in some years a breeze.

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

New wheel bearings, since the old ones were totally shot. Nismo 50mm extended studs, also since the previous ones has a couple trashed.

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

Everything getting properly torqued down to factory spec. Don't worry, I know not to fully tighten the bushings till the weight of the car has been applied!

http://i.imgur.com/tYC4a2q.jpg

All new parking brake goodness! Such a pain in the ass to assemble....

http://i.imgur.com/0pA7cMw.jpg

[Mr.Doback]

I'm hooked.

Progress is amazing so far and the chassis was so clean to begin.

:drama:

[supersayianjim]

iam mc loving this!!!

[Apex Eight]

Amazingly clean and the four door Skyline is so sick! Subscribed

[rawgarage]

LMGT2's are sick

[hvp014]

Following

Can you post up where you picked up your bolts for your LMGT's?

About to refinish my set and want to get some new hardware.

[nickmat619]

Looks awesome so far man!! Good luck with the build, I am definatelly subscribing to see how this goes.

[Volks]

Thanks everyone!

@hyp014, you can pick up the new bolts here. (http://store.blackforestindustries.com/bbsrsnuandbo.html) They're actually BBS bolts but they fit better than anything else I've tried.

Looks like i'm going to try to get the subframe in today. Good thing too because the Skyline's performance was pretty damn disappointing so far. Almost 3 wheeling!

http://i.imgur.com/aDCk2We.jpg

[irritatedmax]

Beautiful car and clean base to start with. I love seeing these resto-builds.

A bit random, but is that Robbie Nishida in the background?
http://i.imgur.com/3jhV3Dq.jpg

[Volks]

Beautiful car and clean base to start with. I love seeing these resto-builds.

A bit random, but is that Robbie Nishida in the background?


It's fun doing it and much better. It's great when you don't have to stress on rusted bolts! I'm going for a OEM+ build. A lot of stock items retained for looks but some little thing will be upgraded over stock.
Good eye! Yep, that's Robbie and Jimmy Nishida in the background there.

Made some progress today. Still not done just yet.

Nice pic of the clean axles.

http://i.imgur.com/v8apHBo.jpg

About to go in!

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

Just about done. Just brakes, subframe collars, coilover adjustment, driveshaft, exhaust left.

I'm having a problem with the S14 camber arms hitting the coilovers. I took the arms off for now and once the coilovers are mounted I'll see if they fit.
EDIT: Yep, the S14 arms won't work with my coilovers. So it's another delay. Gotta get that bushing swapped out into the S13 camber arm and repainted.

http://i.imgur.com/f0BGNcX.jpg

[Volks]

Progress

Got the bushings swapped over to the S13 camber arms.

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

The handbrake is mounted again.

http://i.imgur.com/OkSw97n.jpg

New Brembo blanks!

http://i.imgur.com/ip8D4bV.jpg

On to attempting to tighten all the bushing down with the weight of the car applied.

http://i.imgur.com/v8BF6ns.jpg

[Volks]

Finished up the rear end! Got to take it for drive. Not much noise transfer with the solid subframe mounts, which is nice.

Now to swap out all the front bushings!

http://i.imgur.com/3QjIUvD.jpg

[irritatedmax]

Just tried to double tap the screen to like that post. Haha. Keep it up man.

[Volks]

Lots of fun today.

I was planning on swapping the radiator and hoses out, but it turned into a much larger project. Turns out the water pump was leaking. Got it pulled out and a chunk of the gasket was missing, that explains that!

http://i.imgur.com/Sb6bWYM.jpg

[ski2befree33]

B E Autiful mate! keep up the legit work !

[Volks]

Thanks man. I'm trying! lol

Got it back home with the new rad installed but....

http://i.imgur.com/XFp1f0v.jpg

it's pissing worse than before. RTV gasket has failed!

http://i.imgur.com/FX83uyb.jpg

Swapped my wheels over. I haven't driven it yet but these tires are a million times better than what was on the TE37s. Federal 595 RS-R 255/35r18s all around is what is mounted now.

You can't really tell but the rear tire alignment is totally fucked. There's mad toe in and i'm pretty sure some positive camber. So that'll be first on the list to do after the new water pump in in!

http://i.imgur.com/kwaWD1P.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/G4OPBLt.jpg

Got an order in for a few things while i'm having the front end of the engine apart.


OEM water pump and gasket
GReddy timing belt
GKTech radiator fan (hoping it fits the CA18)
OEM S13 Silvia grill
other belts

[drastiktactiks09]

Alex! It's Mason. Car is looking nice man, you've always kept your shit super clean! By the way, do you still have the VW from back in the day? Either way, when you get back state-side, hopefully you bring that thing back home to the beach, at least once in a while. I know its a long drive from AZ, but you should come visit everyone. Plus you need to check out all the new stuff i'm throwing into the 1J car, maybe even take it out for a few laps. Keep up the work man, now that I'm back where I have internet, I'll keep an eye out for updates.

[Volks]

Alex! It's Mason. Car is looking nice man, you've always kept your shit super clean! By the way, do you still have the VW from back in the day? Either way, when you get back state-side, hopefully you bring that thing back home to the beach, at least once in a while. I know its a long drive from AZ, but you should come visit everyone. Plus you need to check out all the new stuff i'm throwing into the 1J car, maybe even take it out for a few laps. Keep up the work man, now that I'm back where I have internet, I'll keep an eye out for updates.

Oh shit. What's up man? Thanks, this is my keeper so i'm doing everything right the first time. It sure does help to have proper funding as well, lol.
Nah, I had to sell it before I left the beach. Still pretty disappointing how I only got $1,400 for how clean it was!

Man...I'll definitely be visiting but I don't know if I'll be driving the Silvia all that way. It would be cool to check out your car and even drive it. I'll keep you updated if i'm heading out there, for sure.

Taking the car down to the shop for a rear alignment and front bushings install.
The GKTech fan didn't work unfortunately. It needs some sort of spacer to clear the power steering pump orrrr just go back to stock fan.

[Volks]

A little update.

Got the front bumper patched up from the shipping damage.

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

Got the engine bay detailed too for out local car show.

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

Snagged from S15 loot from a guy who just totaled his car. Floor mats, door garnish, and rear seats!! Pictures due soon. Going to get some super mint S15 front seats as well.

[crash n' burn]

Saw that ! If I were closer, I'd scoop up that drivetrain.

Looks better everyone you post it up

[Volks]

Rear S15 seats! Just needs a good cleaning, a couple stains and little bits of glass still in there. Overall, super nice!

http://i.imgur.com/l6LEkEk.jpg

[NISSeAN]

Inspiring work man!

[1GR-FE]

Nice, last time I saw a coupe that clean it was 1990 :hs:

[Volks]

Some updates!

A nice shot from the local AutoX meet and a video too.

http://i.imgur.com/Z3qIJdU.jpg

Video (http://youtu.be/OxJovj1no-M)

Can't miss an opportunity to admire those brakes.

http://i.imgur.com/AnJnYy4.jpg

I got my http://www.clearcorners.com/products/nissan/s13/ (Clearcorner) lights in. Too a while but it was well worth the wait.

Absolute perfection.

http://i.imgur.com/h9BcgvM.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5b7xGzf.jpg

Also completed my super minty S15 interior collection to be installed at a later date.

http://i.imgur.com/GBF23cY.jpg

[Apex Eight]

Too fucking clean. Video isn't working for me. Also, was the S14 subframe swap worth it to you? I also have an S13, and am interested in autocross/road racing.

[nissanduster]

great build so far cant wait to see more!

[Road2Perfection]

holy fk, how have you managed to get stuff... so clean, clean clean clean clean clean clean!!!!! Love!
Subscribed!

But I have to say I'm not digging that exhaust :( but the rest is just pure joy to look at :D

[Volks]

Too fucking clean. Video isn't working for me. Also, was the S14 subframe swap worth it to you? I also have an S13, and am interested in autocross/road racing.

Video is fixed! Honestly, I can't seem to notice much of a difference, but I like having it in there. I will say that the extra 10mm on each side really fucked up my wheel choices...........


great build so far cant wait to see more!

Unfortunately i'm going to be gone for another 6 months so there won't be updates till after that :| Good news is, that the car will be shipped to the US shortly after I get back! So stoked!!

holy fk, how have you managed to get stuff... so clean, clean clean clean clean clean clean!!!!! Love!
Subscribed!

But I have to say I'm not digging that exhaust :( but the rest is just pure joy to look at :D


Just a bit of luck and patience. It took months to source S15 seats worth buying. Took 5 months to get my ClearCorners lights, due to finding the cleanest possible set of lights.

Worry not, I'm not a big fan either! I just wanted something to give me a better sound that stock exhaust. It was cheap and I wanted to hear the engine. It'll be replaced with Tomei Titanium most likely when it hits US soil. Just too expensive to ship exhaust out here in Euro land.

[Road2Perfection]

Video is fixed! Honestly, I can't seem to notice much of a difference, but I like having it in there. I will say that the extra 10mm on each side really fucked up my wheel choices...........




Unfortunately i'm going to be gone for another 6 months so there won't be updates till after that :| Good news is, that the car will be shipped to the US shortly after I get back! So stoked!!




Just a bit of luck and patience. It took months to source S15 seats worth buying. Took 5 months to get my ClearCorners lights, due to finding the cleanest possible set of lights.

Worry not, I'm not a big fan either! I just wanted something to give me a better sound that stock exhaust. It was cheap and I wanted to hear the engine. It'll be replaced with Tomei Titanium most likely when it hits US soil. Just too expensive to ship exhaust out here in Euro land.

Skip that Idea, go for twin exhaust, 3" or possibly better 2.5" insert a track silencer in one and you will enjoy the sound, you get such a good rasp.

I went for a cheap dual 3" catback off ebay, got racecat, tubular exhaust on sr20, stock cams and all and one insert in one of the exhaust pipes (removing one for tracks after the noise test :D )

Got a video of me driving it, keep in mind I didn't have any brakes left, boiled the fuuuck out of them for 3 trackdays and this was the final day so I was braking a lot on the gears, and skip to 2:30 when I actually have some heat in the tires on the rather chilly autumn day :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkSyGCeNtzY

Worth a thought as they are CHEAP! :)

[nissanduster]

Be safe out there man.

[Apex Eight]

Video is fixed! Honestly, I can't seem to notice much of a difference, but I like having it in there. I will say that the extra 10mm on each side really fucked up my wheel choices...........




Unfortunately i'm going to be gone for another 6 months so there won't be updates till after that :| Good news is, that the car will be shipped to the US shortly after I get back! So stoked!!




Just a bit of luck and patience. It took months to source S15 seats worth buying. Took 5 months to get my ClearCorners lights, due to finding the cleanest possible set of lights.

Worry not, I'm not a big fan either! I just wanted something to give me a better sound that stock exhaust. It was cheap and I wanted to hear the engine. It'll be replaced with Tomei Titanium most likely when it hits US soil. Just too expensive to ship exhaust out here in Euro land.

What do you mean by it fucking up your wheel choices?

[supersayianjim]

and... you are saying the s15 back seats are a direct fit in a s13?

[Volks]

Be safe out there man.

Thanks. I'm sure everything will be just fine!

What do you mean by it fucking up your wheel choices?

Prior to the S14 subframe LM-GT2 17x9 +38mm fit perfectly. Now I can't use my LM-GT2s the same as I did before without jutting out an extra 10mm.

I could use some Enkei RPF1s 17x9 +45mm and more camber, but i'd prefer them to be +50mm but those just don't exist.

and... you are saying the s15 back seats are a direct fit in a s13?

Nope. They unfortunately are not a direct drop in, but I do have all the original S15 mounting hardware. So I think I can make it all function as the original seat did.

[Volks]

No build updates on the car as I just got back from deployment. It is however going to officially headed to the US within a month! Super stoked!!

....and a snap from our local car meet. So nice.

http://i.imgur.com/2T55ayF.jpg