Another Totaled Kouki Input Needed

[rbpwrd240]

1998 Kouki #’s matching 5spd aspen white pearl glow 2xx,xxx miles

Thanks to all the rain we had here in TX and a slick road as well as me not being on my game another Kouki bites the legal dust. The car went through the corner of a chain link fence and hit a parked car. After a long battle with insurance they totaled it out, I was able to buy the car back for $1600. They valued the car at $5,100 in its current condition (8.5/10). This is of course laughable but much better than their original $1,800.00 total loss offer. I walked away with my car back and roughly $3,600 in small bills. I was able to keep it a clean title but they had already submitted the federal paperwork for a total loss. So I end up with a totaled car that has a clean title with a bad Carfax. Either way I don’t ever really care to get rid of the car and I will document these repairs well in case I am ever forced to sell her.

Let me start by saying I am NOT a body man but I am aware of the process. I wanted to double check with everyone here to make sure this looks like something that can easily be repaired? With cash in hand I’m gathering parts now to start the process.

Here is the last picture I have of the car while out with the family having dinner just a few weeks before the accident.
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/20150325_193554_zps5kayjhfy.jpg

And the aftermath of the accident:
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/car%204_zpsbpmawbap.jpg
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/car%201_zpsl10mvfpp.jpg
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/car%203_zpspbmje8qo.jpg


It doesn’t look to bad but I’m worried about the damage to the apron and I figured I’d ask around here if anyone would worry about frame damage. The impact speed was less then 25mph.

In a worst case scenario I figure I’ll need:
Hood
Head lights & corner lenses and turn signals
Front Bumper
Front Bumper foam
Front Kouki Retainer
Kouki Crash bar
Kouki Radiator Core support
Kouki Pass fender
Kouki Grill
Kouki Head light brackets
Paint

Here is a write up I found that pretty much describes what I think the process will be like.

http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=239722

To over view the process I’m thinking of in my head:
Remove outer skin (hood bumper fenders crash bar retainer etc)
Remove radiator, fan etc to clear area at front half of car
Inspect damage to apron & core support
Remove core support
Hammer apron back into place
Replace core support
Possibly replace headlight brackets
Have frame checked
Paint the car
Re-assemble front half of car
Replace fender crash bar, retainer, bumper, hood, all lights as well as foam bumper support
Drink a beer!!!

Please feel free to give me input on my process or a figure on how much it should cost to have the damage fixed or if you think an intelligent young guy can do this work on his own or if I should take it somewhere. The car is not my daily so I don’t need to rush and I can take my time. I can weld and I have air tools like grinders etc necessary for these repairs but I have never ever done body work.


I will update tomorrow with more pics especially showing the damaged apron and core support.


Thanks for the input.

[KiLLeR2001]

That shit'll buff right out.

Get an S14 kouki JDM front, have it paint matched, and then spend the rest on hookers and blow.

[rbpwrd240]

That shit'll buff right out.

Get an S14 kouki JDM front, have it paint matched, and then spend the rest on hookers and blow.

Well I did!!! Sort of.....
I actually already had:
JDM Front bumper
JDM K's Grill
JDM Corner Lenses
JDM Fogs
Spare JDM Hood
JDM K's Wing
JDM Rear Bumper
JDM Silvia K's badging

I had all this stuff in the garage waiting for my JDM Conversion to happen and it looks like this might just push me over the edge to get it done.

All I need is Kouki Skirts, JDM Front Lip & JDM Rear Valences to complete my conversion. I even have a spare set of jdm headlights.

I'm currently closing a deal with a zilvia member on some kouki usdm headlights, kouki crash bar and front bumper retainer. Leaving only the core support, passenger fender and bumper foam left to purchase.

[drift freaq]

That looks totally fixable. The question is what's the upper part of the inner fender wel going to the strut tower like. You wil probably want to rack it. For it being totaled at 5k they should have sold it back to you for $300-700. They pretty much jacked you up at $1600 that is pure BS on their part. I would get a new insurance company if I were you.

[rbpwrd240]

You wil probably want to rack it. For it being totaled at 5k they should have sold it back to you for $300-700. They pretty much jacked you up at $1600 that is pure BS on their part. I would get a new insurance company if I were you.

I think the whole process was crappy but USAA is good insurance. Pardon my ignorance but what do you mean by rack it? I'm guessing you mean to put it on a frame machine?

Thanks in advance,

[KiLLeR2001]

I'm currently closing a deal with a zilvia member on some kouki usdm headlights, kouki crash bar and front bumper retainer. Leaving only the core support, passenger fender and bumper foam left to purchase.

Do it right and get EDM LHD kouki headlights.

RH: 26010-82F25
LH: 26060-82F25

[Icy13]

I suggest getting the bumper retainer new from dealer as it is a flimsy part and used can get bent out of usefulness.

Just my experience with kouki conversion.

Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk

[silviaks2nr]

New parts from nissan are not all that expensive but if you went that route having it painted and blended in to the doors will cost a significant amount to do it right. A cheaper alternative would be to find an engine/clip importer with a full jdm white front end for about $900-1200. I've seen them fairly often but you might have to play the waiting game to get one in the right color.

a bit overpriced, but... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nissan-Silvia-240SX-S14-JDM-OEM-Kouki-Front-Nose-Cut-Hood-Bumper-Aero-Lights-/321783702463?hash=item4aebcda3bf&vxp=mtr

[rbpwrd240]

I hope I don't end up with a bad purchases but I already agreed to purchase and put a down payment on a USDM kouki retainer, head lights & crash bar.

I'm still looking for new front bumper support foam, pass fender, dr side fender, head light brackets and radiator core support. Today I peeled the skin back and this is what I saw. Feel free to give me your input.


Driver side front end. Only noticeable damage in this photo is to the Dr side head light bracket.
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/Dr%20side%20core%20support%20front_zpseod5g9ig.jpg





Over view of inner passenger apron and passenger side core support. shows some twisting and deformation.
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/Inner%20apron%20pass%20side%20front_zpsj5bljnvl.jp g
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/pass%20apron%20side_zpsuizsowzk.jpg




Front view of passenger core support again shows deformation from impact.
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/pass%20core%20support%20front_zpscxbvt1n6.jpg




top view of passenger core support notice the twisting along the top of the core support.
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/pass%20apron%202_zps2jkbcrln.jpg




Outer Passenger apron notice the damaged core support tab that should stick out to mount the fender. Here its pushed in flat and the rise in the top of the apron.
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/pass%20apron%20core%20support_zpsanharqvb.jpg
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/pass%20apron%20front%20top_zpsjikxarte.jpg




Front of Passenger Head light bracket shows damage.
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/pass%20h.%20light%20bracket%20front_zpsufe3jogu.jp g




View from top of passenger head light bracket again showing the damage.
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/frame%20rail%20pass%20headlight%20bracket_zpsylu9b e9o.jpg




Front of Driver side headlight bracket. not as badly damaged but still tweaked good.
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/Dr%20side%20headlight%20bracket_zpstqwlgw95.jpg




Driver side frame rail in good shape.
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/dr%20frame%20rail_zpsrgdoof4g.jpg




Passenger Frame Rail Notice the damaged outer edge
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/pass%20frame%20rail_zpse6j0e9om.jpg




Passenger frame rail from above
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/pass%20frame%20rail%202_zpsjyhhvtsv.jpg




Outer passenger fender well, does it look damaged?
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/outer%20pass%20fender%202_zpsqnyem4di.jpg
http://i1331.photobucket.com/albums/w592/1stClassTackleReports/pass%20outer%20fender%20front_zpsonbmrte9.jpg




I think I'm going to need the core support and head light brackets which I was hoping I didn't. I think that this damaged should be easily fixed. What do you guys think?


Hopefully the damage to the frame is minimal? I guess my next step is to take it to a frame shop and have them check it out? Almost any input is helpful honestly I'm not used to wrecking um just building them,

[jr_ss]

That's a fairly straightforward repair. Slide hammer and some body dollys could get most of it square. The end of the frame rail isn't a huge deal, people have cut them back to add space for I/C's. You will need a new core support and headlight brackets, not a big deal. Try to get everything back to squarish before you remove the damaged unit.

[OBEEWON]

No matter what you do, the numbers won't match anymore.

[mewantkouki]

Who cares? That car isn't going to end up at a Barrett Jackson auction anyway.

[JSimpson]

I love how some guys are like "got a door ding, valvecover has a slight leak, and the ol' lady just got mud on the passenger side floor mat, PART OUT MINT '98 kouki!!! Come get it quick, shell gets scrapped Saturday!" And yet you are willing to bust ass to save it. Good guy right here.

[JM216S14]

If you look in the FSM in body and trim it has all the measurements you will need also

[rawgarage]

Who cares? That car isn't going to end up at a Barrett Jackson auction anyway.

This is what im saying...

[rbpwrd240]

This is what im saying...

I would have to disagree with this statement. To say the car wont be valuable or be worth money at auction in the future is an undersight, especially with the new development of hybrid cars, fuel mileage minimums for manufacturers and the development of onstar and on board diagnostics like CAN means an older, fun, sporty, coal car that cant be shut down by onstar will have a high value even if only to a small cult like group of coal burners.

Given the rarity of true 97-98 kouki's a good oem styled representation of one will have a good chance at being a very valuable car in say 15 more years. Now it wont be like an AC Shelby cobra or GT350 or 500 but it will probably be worth atleast double what its worth now and it will always be an iconic car. There is little to no chance of this happening with most of the shells that have been cut on and turned into drift machines.

So I do whole heartedly believe that in another 15 years it is very possible to see one of these roll across an auction block and draw big interest. Especially at the rate they are being crashed, thrashed and bashed.

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement. I do realize the car wont be numbers matching anymore. The #'s matching comment was a mention of what I lost in the wreck, a mint 98 unbasterdized #'s matching factory 5spd in aspen white pearl glow. hurts me to say those words but like another poister pointed out I'm not just trashing another kouki I'm resurrecting mine.

Although the chance to swap to a chassis with a sunroof was a huge appeal. Now ill be swaping from USDM #'s matching to silvia Kouki K's Aero clone.

[KiLLeR2001]

Its a bad omen to total an original kouki. If its fixable, you fix that shit.

In my opinion, I don't see S14's being iconic ever. The S13 fastback on the other hand, is a classic in my eyes, reminds me of a newer age S30 240Z.

[rbpwrd240]

Its a bad omen to total an original kouki. If its fixable, you fix that shit.

In my opinion, I don't see S14's being iconic ever. The S13 fastback on the other hand, is a classic in my eyes, reminds me of a newer age S30 240Z.

That's funny. I (no offense to the s13 crowd) don't see much in that car. I do agree its profile is more 240zish but I see the s14 as the development that led to the s15 and its conversion to a much more comfortable and appealing car these days. The S14 playing field is among r33's, j30's, soarers etc, the s13 is with old school MR2's and older RX7's. I love that whole group of cars but to me the S14 chassis development was a thing of beauty for almost all the cars they made with it. Minus the J30 maybe. LOL It should be noted that an s13 was the car to wake me up to 240sx's and the fact that maybe there was more to look at here. Glad I did. I ended up with my kouki and never looked back. Guy at the battery store asked me how long you plan on keeping your car? I looked boggled..... Umm Forever??? Oh then you want the 5 year battery..... Guess folks don't plan to own cars forever any more. Shame.....

As for the bad omen I agree. I promised my car Id do whatever I could to fix her. As I told my insurance agent that car has a spot at the dinner table and I tuck her in and wake her up every single day.

[KiLLeR2001]

That's funny. I (no offense to the s13 crowd) don't see much in that car. I do agree its profile is more 240zish but I see the s14 as the development that led to the s15 and its conversion to a much more comfortable and appealing car these days. The S14 playing field is among r33's, j30's, soarers etc, the s13 is with old school MR2's and older RX7's. I love that whole group of cars but to me the S14 chassis development was a thing of beauty for almost all the cars they made with it. Minus the J30 maybe. LOL It should be noted that an s13 was the car to wake me up to 240sx's and the fact that maybe there was more to look at here. Glad I did. I ended up with my kouki and never looked back. Guy at the battery store asked me how long you plan on keeping your car? I looked boggled..... Umm Forever??? Oh then you want the 5 year battery..... Guess folks don't plan to own cars forever any more. Shame.....


S14 was a dud sales wise. This is why Nissan kept producing the 180sx all the way until 1998 in Japan. It was more in demand than the S14. Faith was restored in Nissan when they made the S15 Silvia, which came out in 1999. It had all the advantages of the S14 and brought back the essence of the S13 with the styling and dimensions.

edit:

I'm not saying the S14 is an ugly car or anything but I think it was the stepping stone for something greater, and that is the S15 Silvia. If they would have produced the S15 for North America, given the choice between an S14 Kouki or an S15, I'm sure the majority of people would opt for the S15 instead. Just my opinion of course!

[OBEEWON]

But the numbers...they don't match...

[rbpwrd240]

S14 was a dud sales wise. This is why Nissan kept producing the 180sx all the way until 1998 in Japan. It was more in demand than the S14. Faith was restored in Nissan when they made the S15 Silvia, which came out in 1999. It had all the advantages of the S14 and brought back the essence of the S13 with the styling and dimensions.

edit:

I'm not saying the S14 is an ugly car or anything but I think it was the stepping stone for something greater, and that is the S15 Silvia. If they would have produced the S15 for North America, given the choice between an S14 Kouki or an S15, I'm sure the majority of people would opt for the S15 instead. Just my opinion of course!


I totally agree but I think those reasons only add to the value. By that I mean that we have no S15 to step up to and that the demand that caused low sales numbers now adds to the value and rarity and will continue to do so. I don't ever see S13's being extremely valuable just because of how many their are.

Hey agree to disagree for now and if I still have the car in 15 years we will see where the cards may fall.

[rbpwrd240]

But the numbers...they don't match...

I see now how you have over 5k in post's, :picardfp:

[OBEEWON]

Talk to me when your numbers match...

[OBEEWON]

You fix them numbers yet bruv?

[turbo2nr]

Wait... so you are telling me THE NUMBERS DONT MATCH?!?!?!

[OBEEWON]

Wait... so you are telling me THE NUMBERS DONT MATCH?!?!?!

It appear so.

If that is the case he might as well junk it...


...non matching numbers...the nerve.

Can't come up in here all willy nilly with numbers not matching up. What do you think this is? Fix them numbers.

[jr_ss]

You people with your "Kouki's" crack me up. No offense, but when the market gets flooded with legit JDM Kouki's, your "rare" Kouki isn't going to get you a blow job from a crack whore... Get off your high horse and the misconception THAT a 240sx is going to pull a premium down the road or just before racewars, it's not going to happen.

[turbo2nr]

BRO.

THE.

NUMBERS.

DONT.

MATCH...

what a cruel world we live in... why does society make us live like this??

[OBEEWON]

Just stopping by to see if the numbers match yet...

[OBEEWON]

So close, but they don't match....

http://ak.picdn.net/shutterstock/videos/3090037/preview/stock-footage-slot-machine-animation.jpg

[shawn1331]

We have a ton of legit kouki's up here and the lhd ones in good shape still pull a higher price than a rhd one...

[mewantkouki]

Rusty Canada cars don't count. Lol

[Cjkouki2010]

Good luck finding Oem jdm valances, but yeah seems like you got it down pat with what you listed.. May or may not be a little costly but defiantly still affordable! Probably willsuck up all the mmoney you have from the insurance company

[shawn1331]

Rusty Canada cars don't count. Lol

hey watch it :P but no for real most of our canadian koukis that are left arent rusty and are built well and bring at least 12k anywhere up to 18-19k. The jdm ones are typically 8-11k for a really nice one. Can't get insurance up here man. I'm sure the states will run into the same issue in 8-10 years like we are now. It's bullshit but it is what it is I guess.

[zombiewolf513]

You people with your "Kouki's" crack me up. No offense, but when the market gets flooded with legit JDM Kouki's, your "rare" Kouki isn't going to get you a blow job from a crack whore... Get off your high horse and the misconception THAT a 240sx is going to pull a premium down the road or just before racewars, it's not going to happen.

I'm betting otherwise. It isn't uncommon to get a ridiculously high offer on a clean original 240, especially one that they only made a few thousand of. Shit, I've made a few of those offers. Limited run car with iconic face, last sold in the US new, commonly trashed by fanboys, with an engine that WASN'T available in Japan (that's highly underrated imo). You should see the stuff that skyrockets across the Barrett Jackson auction block because it was different, hard to get, and in original condition!

OP- I PM'd you.

[yingiang]

that's nothing man

[OBEEWON]

Your bananas do not correlate to the integers.
You should fix that before you drive your car again.
The nerve...

http://www.benscoloringpages.com/coloringpages/numbermatch18.jpg

[IIIXziuR]

I am sure that if he could, he would match his numbers.
In this instance, this is a legit Kouki S14 so it is better if some of the numbers match than allow it sit derelict because of trying to make the numbers match.

If this was not a legit kouki, I would advise to let the numbers not match, but the exception here is keeping it legit with semi-matched numbers.

[turbo2nr]

Thats B.S. bro.. if the numbers dont match chicks wont smash...

[OutlawLui]

Da carfax dont matta

if da numbers dont match

[rbpwrd240]

I have had several offers in the 10k range folks would always stop and try to purchase the car. I have never been interested in selling.

These cars are very valuable just go try to buy one. And their value continues to climb.

Word to the wise, just don't wreck one or insurance will rape you.

Honestly if any fact was going to get me to back away from the kouki's it is the fact that if you ever make an insurance claim you will get hosed in the process.

I have the car stripped down. Next its going to loose some upgrades before it sits at the frame shop for 7-10 days. Once the frame/suspension is cleared it will go to the body shop to have the apron and core support fixed. At the same time Ill be sanding/ filling/priming my JDM front end, wing, rear bumper and side skirts.

I'm taking this time to also make a bunch of upgrades/repairs. Rust spot, Dr door lock actuator, some wiring issues that need to be cleaned up etc. I'm also going to install all the z32 stuff I have laying around. z32Brakes, z32lsd and a full suspension update with poly urethain bushings and moog ball joints is on the list. Adding fog and int wiper stalk as well as hooking up my JDM DIN gauges.

Car wont be numbers matching anymore but it will definitely be one sweet daily driver. Even without the numbers matching the car will easily be worth a pretty penny. Just try to get it from me two weeks before race wars.:picardfp:

[silviaks2nr]

Do you have a second car that's less than 10yrs old? If you really care about the kouki and want it to be covered you can get collector/agreed value insurance. Obviously you can't daily drive it under this type of policy.

[OBEEWON]

How bout now?