Buying a '99 S14a... Please read!

[RedlineGoods.com]

Hi everyone,

I guess it was discussed before, but the results my research yielded are not clear to me in full, therefore I'd like to ask some questions here, hoping you can help.

I'm going to buy a '99 S14a soon. Really good shape, nothing done to her though. I was wondering what the first steps (besides checking/replacing all the belts and replacing all the fluids) she should have done to her are.

I heard the factory brakes are crap (the 300ZX which I used to drive before had the same problem it appears)... So I'm looking to upgrade those first. Stainless steel lines? Brembo disks? What kind of pads would you recommend?

Also, what are the two or three first basic power mods? K&N filter and a better exhaust? I can go for a full custom exhaust actually, I just need to know what kind is recommended for these cars (diameter)?

Once I get her breathing properly, what are my upgrade options? I'm shooting at 220-240 rwhp as soon as I can get it. I heard the stock IC is not that great, what are the options here?

Thank you!
Maciek

[statik]

99 s14? Stock IC? where are you getting this car from?

[Johny5]

he's from europe. his stock ic is the smic that comes on the car. arc makes a good smic upgrade, if not, just look into fmic's.

[statik]

ah didnt notice, s15 SMIC or ARC SMIC is much larger can def support 14psi on a stock t25, that should get u around 240-250rwhp which is more than what ur looking for

[RBS14]

There are many options for you. Intake and exhaust will help very much. A downpipe and "turbo outlet" pipe will help alot too. Standard exhaust and downpipe sizes for SR's is 3".

The brakes are not near as bad as many people portray. I'm not sure if european S14's came with z32 brakes or not, but JDM ones did. If they have these front brakes, you are set. a simple pad and brake line upgrade will most likely be all you will ever need.

S15 stock IC's are a direct replacement for S14 stock IC's, and are a little bit thicker and can hold a little more power. If you can find one for cheap, do that first.

That should get you started.

[ICKY]

He lives in europe. I'd say get a decently sized FMIC, and some fuel management with an S15 turbo, you'd hit 240 whp no problem. As far as brakes, stainless steel lines, i hear hawk pads are pretty good, although i've never used them. Alot of people go for 300ZX TT brakes.

[RedlineGoods.com]

The brakes are not near as bad as many people portray. I'm not sure if european S14's came with z32 brakes or not, but JDM ones did. If they have these front brakes, you are set. a simple pad and brake line upgrade will most likely be all you will ever need.

S15 stock IC's are a direct replacement for S14 stock IC's, and are a little bit thicker and can hold a little more power. If you can find one for cheap, do that first.

That should get you started.

Thank you all for the insight. Just a few additional questions then.

I thought all the S14s had the Z brakes on them? Like 2-piston front calipers... I guess I'll have to check that particular car, but is it possible it has a 1-piston per pad front caliper on it? If I get some Z32 calipers on her, is there a lot of fab required to get them to fit the stock brackets?

I don't really need any serious mods, it is supposed to be my daily driver, I don't plan on drag racing it at all, maybe a little drifting now and then, but I have a fully prepped rally car in my garage for all the sideways driving and racing I ever need. :) So I guess a SMIC upgrade will be all I'm going to do, at least until the stock turbo dies, only then I'll be thinking about more fun options. The stock bumper doesn't have room for a decent FMIC, does it?

The comfort of driving a ZTT was that within a reasonable power gain no worrying needed to be done about the fuel system's output, the pump and the injectors, what's the story in that area for the S14s?

How much PSI does she pump stock and what's the best way to up that number? MBC?

[RedlineGoods.com]

ah didnt notice, s15 SMIC or ARC SMIC is much larger can def support 14psi on a stock t25, that should get u around 240-250rwhp which is more than what ur looking for

Oh, and by the way - what's the stock wastegate setup, are there recirc valves and is a blow-off valve upgrade recommended? It was not that clear on the Z32, most people tended to stick to stock recircs unless they were into scaring pedestrians. :)

[Jeff240sx]

Stock JDM/Z brakes are 4 piston fronts. Stock USDM is 1 piston floating calipers. If you need to switch to Z brakes, it just bolts right up. You need conversion lines, pads, rotors and calipers. The stock wastegate is set to 7psi I think, and is internally actuated. The blow-off valve upgrade will come if and when you upgrade to a front mount intercooler setup. Buy whatever blow off valve that kit is flanged for.
-Jeff

[idlafie]

This website should hopefully answer all the questions you have regarding the Z32 brake upgrade....

http://importnut.net/300zxbrakeswap.htm

ID

[fliprayzin240sx]

Hmm...I believe Euro have the same brakes as the JDM counter parts so Z brakes it is. Since its an S14, it'll have a T28 not a T25 and you have a bit more power rite off the bat compared to older S13 SRs. Honestly if youre shooting for 220-240 rwhp...all you should really need is boost controller (to bump the boost from 7 psi to 12 psi), safc II to give you a bit more fuel, better exhaust and cone intake. Maybe a front mount to push it to a full bar (close to 14 psi), stock maf and injectors should still be enough.

[DRFT24O]

Oh, and by the way - what's the stock wastegate setup, are there recirc valves and is a blow-off valve upgrade recommended? It was not that clear on the Z32, most people tended to stick to stock recircs unless they were into scaring pedestrians. :)
Gdze ti mjeskasz w polsce? Ja jestem z kolo Mielno, (gryfice) ale za bardzo nie umjem pisac po polsku. Mam AIM jest hirpmvtec. Naraze.

[SirWarrior]

Pozdrowienia z Chicago!!!
;)

[RedlineGoods.com]

Hmm...I believe Euro have the same brakes as the JDM counter parts so Z brakes it is. Since its an S14, it'll have a T28 not a T25 and you have a bit more power rite off the bat compared to older S13 SRs. Honestly if youre shooting for 220-240 rwhp...all you should really need is boost controller (to bump the boost from 7 psi to 12 psi), safc II to give you a bit more fuel, better exhaust and cone intake. Maybe a front mount to push it to a full bar (close to 14 psi), stock maf and injectors should still be enough.

Guys,

thanks for the input. I'm buying her tomorrow. I already checked the brakes, it has 4-piston front calipers, look the same as on my (totalled) Z. Supposably has Brembo rotors on the front, so I might get away with just the pads for now. Stainless steel lines soon though, definitely.

I'm going to stick to 12 psi I guess, should be enough for now and I actually have a piggyback unit ready to mount, I'm going to use that to do all the extra fuel and I THINK it can also work as a boost controller. That would be AWESOME if I could use just that. It's an SMT6i unit (www.perfectpower.com, it's not that much known in the US I don't think).

As for the FMIC, I don't really want to deal with replacing the stock fender, I guess I'll do it sometime down the road if needed.

Again, thanks for all the help!

Maciek

[wootwoot]

to hell with fmic, upgrade the side mount or get a little crazy and make your own top/side mount. i want to do that, just dont have the time. maybe next car?

[Adikt]

Drugie pozdrowienie z Chicago!!!