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View Full Version : Easy do it yourself mods


c240sx13
01-18-2006, 05:02 PM
Well seems like I'm getting back to normal on my fianances, and I wanted to start modifiying my 240sx Hatch. Before I get any more power (Essar it) I wanted to get better control. What are some good effective mods that cost around $200-$400 tops what can be easily installed without some crazy $100 tool(s). I was thinking sway bars, but not sure which are the best bang for your money. Other than that would be a good mod on a completely stock s13?

Jonnie Fraz
01-18-2006, 05:08 PM
I noticed a big difference when I did tension rod bushings. I thought big bang for the buck. You could go crazy and do a full bushing kit for about $125 as long as you can afford some car down time.

c240sx13
01-18-2006, 05:16 PM
ive never installed bushing? lol dont you need a certain tool for that?

infinitexsound
01-18-2006, 05:34 PM
a freezer... a vise and some grease and 2 arms and a BFP big fucken pipe.. unless u have a press then ur cool.. propane torch..

c240sx13
01-18-2006, 05:53 PM
a freezer... a vise and some grease and 2 arms and a BFP big fucken pipe.. unless u have a press then ur cool.. propane torch..


i understood nothing of what you said right there expect "a press (tool i assume)"

CHARLIE2020
01-18-2006, 06:02 PM
MAP gas torch will work alot faster than propane, vice or not ane a 3/8" or 1/2 extension with apropriate size socket and a lil sledge hammer or regular hammer and those bushing will come out easy.

infinitexsound
01-18-2006, 06:04 PM
only ppl who know the process of doing bushing will understand what im saying
sorry if u didnt...

CHARLIE2020
01-18-2006, 06:06 PM
Hell even when you heat the body that cases the bushing they start coming out on there own.

A good first cheap mod for S13 IMO is get some subframe collar inserts, that rear subframe move around to much and feels really sloppy and then replace teh T/C rods with something better.

infinitexsound
01-18-2006, 06:13 PM
yeah....... got my collars for 1 dollar on ebay....

IAM_SO_sLOw
01-18-2006, 07:28 PM
i think tie rods or tenson rods would be a good mod...but not sure about first...shouldnt coilovers be first?

BigVinnie
01-18-2006, 07:56 PM
Well I know for under $400 you can get KYB AGX's which are excellent for street use, and use a short stroke dampener that is great and fully adjustable upto 8 settings. Easy modification, and well worth the money. Then you just need some eibach sport lines that would cost over your budget......
I went cheap on the springs and purchased the TEIN S techs 3KG front/2Kg rear, not the greatest springs to use for drifting, but they work just fine for auto X. The sportlines have a slightly better spring rate than the TEINs.
Bushing's are a great idea as well and very cost effective.
But the fact is if you don't have a good suspension breaking is pointless at high speeds. Your tires will literally leave the ground when your breaking, especially if the suspension isn't stiff enough to grip the road.
IMO most expensive stuff should get out of the way (like struts or coil overs)
Then the cheaper stuff like strut bars, rucas, and bushings......
http://img282.imageshack.us/img282/3871/kybiezy3po.jpg

DrFtKiNg240sxy
01-18-2006, 08:14 PM
Then you just need some eibach sport lines that would cost over your budget......
I went cheap on the springs and purchased the TEIN S techs 3KG front/2Kg rear, not the greatest springs to use for drifting, but they work just fine for auto X.

So your saying the sport lines are better for drifting than the tiens? I already have the KYB's, im just lookin at my options here.......

omgosh
01-18-2006, 08:14 PM
Good tires.

1234

SochBAT
01-18-2006, 08:19 PM
every mod is DIY-able.

Just takes knowhow.

Subframe collars/full metal bushings. Powerbrace. Or even, DIY powerbrace.
Struts, sways, and if you're crazy, totally refreshing the chassis and welding.

BigVinnie
01-18-2006, 08:29 PM
So your saying the sport lines are better for drifting than the tiens? I already have the KYB's, im just lookin at my options here.......


Sportlines are better, I just couldn't afford them at the time. The teins really aren't the best springs. I own them and from experience I am saying to save the extra $20 and get the sport lines............
I'm not to into the green and red combination of colors on my suspension either... KYB AGX and TEIN springs are known as the biggest bang for your buck suspension package.....
The tein springs aren't strong enough for the rear when I'm swingin the car pretty hard. I should of just gotten the eibachs, or saved up for some D2 coil overs with a 7Kg front/6Kg rear for $750...

papershot
01-18-2006, 08:52 PM
putting urethane in the stock motor mounts is pretty awesome. cost me like $5 for the bottle at home depot and around 30 mins for removal/install + 2 days drying. good option if your mounts are jello like mine were. removes the slop. all you need for tools is 14mm ratchets/ratcheting wrench + jack.

Irukandji
01-18-2006, 10:44 PM
There's a Free mods thread on the FAQ section.

As for "cheap mods".... you can always get used high end stuff for the same price of new mid-end stuff....

yea...very vague... but think about it

FaLKoN240
01-18-2006, 11:37 PM
I think you should tell us what tools you DO have instead of telling us the tools you DON'T have, so we can give you a better idea of what is do-able.

c240sx13
01-19-2006, 09:45 AM
your basic tools, breaker bar, socket wrench sockets, c-clamps... uhmm yeah thats about it

aznpoopy
01-19-2006, 10:34 AM
best bang for your buck = new tires hands down
pads, rotors, and bleed are a close second

Dutchmalmiss
01-19-2006, 11:57 AM
yeah do the regular maintenance first. then do brakes/suspension, then power mods. don't do power mods first if your car can't handle it.

c240sx13
01-19-2006, 12:42 PM
yeah do the regular maintenance first. then do brakes/suspension, then power mods. don't do power mods first if your car can't handle it.

yeah.... i kno that.... obviously i made this thread for a reason...

ManoNegra
01-19-2006, 05:03 PM
alarm, tires, brake pads, braided lines (clutch and brakes) bushing, vlsd, strut bars, tint the windows (keep you cool in hot weather)
nothing too difficult and the benefits are easily noticed.

c240sx13
01-20-2006, 11:01 AM
alarm, tires, brake pads, braided lines (clutch and brakes) bushing, vlsd, strut bars, tint the windows (keep you cool in hot weather)
nothing too difficult and the benefits are easily noticed.

haha i literally have all of that =P except vlsd

Neejay
01-20-2006, 02:00 PM
Ok, yeah, like someone else said, how about tell use what mods you've done/have already.

KiDyNomiTe
01-20-2006, 04:19 PM
He said completely stock car..

There is a thread on cheap mods in the archive, check those then work your way up.

Small things that I loved
- tension rods
- tires
- tie rods

180InProgress
01-20-2006, 04:45 PM
A good first cheap mod for S13 IMO is get some subframe collar inserts, that rear subframe move around to much and feels really sloppy and then replace teh T/C rods with something better.

+1 for subframe collars... easy as shiite to install, just need a breaker bar and a 14mm (i believe) socket and a little elbow grease.

that180guy
01-20-2006, 05:27 PM
+1 for tc rods
+1 for subframe spacers
deffienently +1 for tires n sum kinda diff

c240sx13
01-20-2006, 05:56 PM
i hate to sound like an idiot, but where do subframe spacers go?? theres a lot of shit on the rear suspension, it kinda confuses me, tie rod tension rod toe link, ruca, wtf!!! lol, i havent looked at my FSM but would I get a good understanding of the suspension compents in there? if not where??

ThatGuy
01-20-2006, 06:05 PM
Courtesy of SPL Parts.
http://www.splparts.com/Parts/S13/Suspension/Multilink/RearSuspension.jpg
Thanks Kuah!!

m072514
01-20-2006, 08:56 PM
if you are just starting out in owning/modifying your car, welcome! but also keep in mind that your car might not be up to stock specs, and consider a tune-up of your engine, swapping out all your fluids, and making sure your pads & rotors are good. if youve got all that, but not alot of experience working on cars, i would stay away from doing a complete bushing job. while relatively cheap, it does require ALOT of time, patience, and know-how. finally, i got this tip from an older issue of sport compact car magazine:

-good tires are the 2nd best modification to making your car handle better.
-learning how to drive is the 1st.

good luck with everything, and if you need help with stuff, ziliva is a great resource, just make sure you do the search thing or the flame nazis will get ya. bye!

c240sx13
01-21-2006, 01:30 AM
Courtesy of SPL Parts.
http://www.splparts.com/Parts/S13/Suspension/Multilink/RearSuspension.jpg
Thanks Kuah!!

damn THAT GUY for the win!! thx man, that really clears up all my questions

if you are just starting out in owning/modifying your car, welcome! but also keep in mind that your car might not be up to stock specs, and consider a tune-up of your engine, swapping out all your fluids, and making sure your pads & rotors are good. if youve got all that, but not alot of experience working on cars, i would stay away from doing a complete bushing job. while relatively cheap, it does require ALOT of time, patience, and know-how. finally, i got this tip from an older issue of sport compact car magazine:

-good tires are the 2nd best modification to making your car handle better.
-learning how to drive is the 1st.

good luck with everything, and if you need help with stuff, ziliva is a great resource, just make sure you do the search thing or the flame nazis will get ya. bye!

im not really starting out, ive already done my own sr swap, full interior swap, p/w door swap, wired up my stereo, spring install, brakes. almost everything you can do with your basic tools... things i havent done,

bushing install
lsd install
sway bar install
control arm install
brake swap
5 lug swap

thats pretty much it, i started off reading up on the engine and wiring, now im looking to reading into the whole suspension foot work components