1997 240sx Restoration (pic heavy)

[R32Dragon]

So I picked up this 1997 240SX SE about 4 months ago as a welcome home present for myself after spending some time in the middle east. Put a shit ton of hours into it both inside and out.

Bought it from a fellow member here and was thrilled to find it was in pretty decent shape to start with. Had paint and body issues but the frame was straight, was rustless, and it ran. No silly modifications either. Very stock, which just happened to be the "theme" of my build.


So sit back and enjoy the pics.

Sale pics
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMG_7372_1.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMG_7372_1.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/image5.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/image5.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMG_7374.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMG_7374.jpg.html)



Day I bought her

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0314.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0314.jpg.html)



Flew to Houston and drove it 12 hours home just a couple days after finding it here on Zilvia. Engine was bleeding oil like crazy all the way back. Needed 4 qts during the journey, but she toughed it out all the way to my garage.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0316.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0316.jpg.html)



First thing I did was strip the entire interior. Tossed all the broken plastics, deep cleaned the seats and carpeting, and did a ton of toothpick and q-tip work.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0319.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0319.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0451.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0451.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0452.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0452.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0446.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0446.jpg.html)


Then came paint and body. Stayed with the original AJ4 Ultra Red paint.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0417.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0417.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0422.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0422.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0444.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0444.jpg.html)



And then came the engine swap. Went with a Kouki notchtop from a '97 Silvia.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMG_7368_1.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMG_7368_1.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0601.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0601.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0661.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0661.jpg.html)


And finally, today.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0654.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0654.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0659.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0659.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0655.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0655.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0658.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0658.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0657.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0657.jpg.html)


Its still needs some of the final touches done. HKS hypermax suspension, R33 GTR wheels, and Z32 brakes will be going on shortly.

[dizzariot]

This is already fucking awesome. Good job.

[turboshoebox]

Great work man on the motor and body work. To be honest i was expecting more of replacing all the worn out bushing for "restoration" work lol

[Fam0uZ]

Good job but We can all see the r33 on the garage lol

[Sugoi_Style]

Plans to Kouki rear bumper with valences? Either way, the paint looks great. Glad to see another S14 SR car!

[turboshoebox]

didn't even notice the r32 in the garage but it looks to be in good shape

[solo_ryder]

I like where you are going with this. Good job

[95_S14]

Good job but We can all see the r33 on the garage lol

fucking Florida at it again smh :picardfp:

[Dolph_KYAS13]

fucking Florida at it again smh :picardfp:

LOL :rimshot:

[Koukiii]

Nice kouki OP! Deff get under that car and change the bushings out for a proper resto. I commend you for staying USDM, looks the best.

[corby_baby]

So you are the one that bought this car! Myself and plenty of others were waiting to pounce on it, surprised to see it go to someone so far away when i was right down the street and still could not get it lol. Looks great especially for the short amount of time you have owned it.

[LoSt180]

This is great, I'm going through the same thing with our 97. So far I've focused on under the hood, interior, and refreshing stock suspension (swap clip came with subframe so it's pretty much a low mileage car now). Now I might be motivated to get the car painted; same faded hood and a dented quarter panel from the previous owner).

[gallo]

awesome job

[OBEEWON]

In for numbers matching.

[Hatemy7]

This is lovely!!!!

[R32Dragon]

So you are the one that bought this car! Myself and plenty of others were waiting to pounce on it, surprised to see it go to someone so far away when i was right down the street and still could not get it lol. Looks great especially for the short amount of time you have owned it.

Yeah, she was selling for such a great price, she couldnt believe that most of the Houston locals were still lowballing her. I offered her $500 more than her asking price, sight unseen in order to lock it up.

These 100% unmolested Kouki 5-spds are becoming unicorns. So buyers have to be willing to pull the wallet out when one comes around instead of seeking a steal, like those guys were trying to do.

[R32Dragon]

Nice kouki OP! Deff get under that car and change the bushings out for a proper resto. I commend you for staying USDM, looks the best.

Thanks, I love the USDM Kouki look. I like the JDM front as well, but the USDM one seems to have more Nissan DNA appearance wise, while the JDM looks like a really nice aftermarket piece. Everyone has different tastes though.

[S14kouki805]

Very nice, glad to see someone breathing life back into a Kouki

[silviaks2nr]

Nice job. Might I suggest blasting and powdercoat in the wheels silver again? They look a bit grungy.

[corby_baby]

Yeah, she was selling for such a great price, she couldnt believe that most of the Houston locals were still lowballing her. I offered her $500 more than her asking price, sight unseen in order to lock it up.

These 100% unmolested Kouki 5-spds are becoming unicorns. So buyers have to be willing to pull the wallet out when one comes around instead of seeking a steal, like those guys were trying to do.

Im surprised $500 was all it took. I messaged her within minutes of her posting and was willing to pay her offering price and meet her right away. Kinda given the run-around because i guess she was talking to you as well lol. Figured someone was going way out of their way to win that bidding war. Congrats though, glad to see it went to a good home!

[Frank2113]

This is exactly what Im looking to do. Looks good man!

[shibbykins]

Having seen his R32 in person I cant wait to see the S14.

[FeArZ]

Hell yeah. I'm tuned in. Nice find. I found my s13 like that. fully stock with just some cheap rims. 5-speed ready to go. Haven't seen one like it since.

[ZX88]

Thank you for not being a Hooonabro.

[rbpwrd240]

I almost bought that car, kinda still feel like I should have. Oh well at least its nice to see it get rebuilt and appreciated. Good Job!!!

[Malik]

looks nice. well done

[Quail]

Awesome. Planned mods are perfect too. Really lovely car.

[Reece]

Sticky this thread. Sticky this thread. Sticky this thread.

This needs to be how more people treat their cars.

I love this. SO much.

[supradeluxe]

thats it? hoping to see more!

[turboshoebox]

only minor gripe is that it has a sunroof lol

[collegekid]

^Tell me one reason why op gives a damn that you think its a "gripe"

[DrftKingIII]

Good job. I like this. Thanks for not ruining it.

[R3b]

Here for the clean kouki, stayed because of the blue r32 and evo. Really nice garage! Already looks so clean and made it look really easy.

[IIIXziuR]

Barret-Jackson worthy. Once the wheels are restored, the car will pull a premium.

[mewantkouki]

Nice job. Barrett Jackson is a stretch though...

[S14kouki805]

Barret-Jackson worthy. Once the wheels are restored, the car will pull a premium.

Barret-Jackson LOL :picardfp:

[A54]

Kouki Bump...Nice thread!

[R32Dragon]

The SE wheels will be coming off to be used as my spare set. I'm going to swap the R33 GTR wheels from the other Nissan to the S14.

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0572.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0572.jpg.html)

http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee228/R32Dragon/IMAG0570.jpg (http://s231.photobucket.com/user/R32Dragon/media/IMAG0570.jpg.html)

[Reece]

Do I spy LMGT1s back there?

[R32Dragon]

Do I spy LMGT1s back there?

Yup, LMGT2s. Going on the GTR once I get them refinished.

[Reece]

My bad. They look way too similar. Excited to see those on the GTR!

[mewantkouki]

I vote Gunmetal Grey for the GTR

[turboshoebox]

^Tell me one reason why op gives a damn that you think its a "gripe"

STFU you "college kid" from somewhere that doesn't matter


Everyone has the same gripe that a sunroof model has less headroom that becomes a issue with any type of aftermarket seat.

Along side with any type of bolt in cage for the car where none of them are made with ones for sunroofs...


stop trying to start shit just cause you have nothing better to do living in the sticks

[R32Dragon]

STFU you "college kid" from somewhere that doesn't matter


Everyone has the same gripe that a sunroof model has less headroom that becomes a issue with any type of aftermarket seat.

Along side with any type of bolt in cage for the car where none of them are made with ones for sunroofs...


stop trying to start shit just cause you have nothing better to do living in the sticks


Its OK dude, my sunroof cant hurt you. This is an OEM patterned street car. No cages or race buckets planned. So the sunroof is fine to me. I respect your opinion though and your points are valid for you.

[OBEEWON]

Whoever doesn't like sunroofs doesn't like the sun coming through their roof and I feel bad for you. Because the sun is cool.

But to sidetrack back to your Skyline™, is that an F150 behind it? Those are so cool.

[EDT007]

Great work! How much did the paint job run you if you don't mind me asking. I plan on getting a repsray in the spring.

[collegekid]

STFU you "college kid" from somewhere that doesn't matter








Everyone has the same gripe that a sunroof model has less headroom that becomes a issue with any type of aftermarket seat.





Along side with any type of bolt in cage for the car where none of them are made with ones for sunroofs...








stop trying to start shit just cause you have nothing better to do living in the sticks



Rather than feed the trolls that join this forum every now and then, ill just let the mods deal with you once they all get tired of your repetitive nonsense.



But hey, at least your post count is growing. *insert dumb blonde sarcastically saying yaaay









Op, it seems like this isn't the first project you've started so I would just recommend sanding down the light surface rust on the underchassis and using the rubberized undercoat found in most auto part stores. The factory arms are enough as long as you aren't slamming your car.

-just use that undercoat stuff

-clean up the surface rust off the arms and rattle can it black if you care to

-whatever coilovers or replacement strut/spring combo you like

-replace balljoints on all 4 corners

-replace bearings if you need



$2500 should cover that and you don't really need to go crazy down there like I did. You should be more than satisfied

[R32Dragon]

Op, it seems like this isn't the first project you've started so I would just recommend sanding down the light surface rust on the underchassis and using the rubberized undercoat found in most auto part stores. The factory arms are enough as long as you aren't slamming your car.

-just use that undercoat stuff

-clean up the surface rust off the arms and rattle can it black if you care to

-whatever coilovers or replacement strut/spring combo you like

-replace balljoints on all 4 corners

-replace bearings if you need



$2500 should cover that and you don't really need to go crazy down there like I did. You should be more than satisfied


Thanks for the advice. But that's already all been taken care of. No surface rust whatsoever either. Ive done alot more than the pictures reveal.