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Suprareal's Proper Silvia Conversion Build

This thread will Showcase progress photos of my 2nd current S13 build.
93' 240sx converted to a "true" Silvia, meaning RHD, Front end swap, and SR.
And will include tips on how to successfully convert for people who might need the help.
This build is Visual oriented VS my track hatch build found here : #/f/showthread.php?t=487054

Current as of 2/1/20

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Let’s start this off
When I first bought the car as a shell for 200$. With no real intentions of what I’d do with it.

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Started the Firewall swap first. I did this the most "legit" way you can possibly do a firewall swap. I say this because there's no real way to be completely proper about this.
Every single spot weld was drilled out and welded back up. This includes the JDM wiper/cowl section that people often dont bother doing while swapping.
If you choose to include the cowl in your swap you will loose your original stamped vin number so make sure you keep the old firewall piece if you plan to make in legal.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...psetnlx7y5.jpg
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http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...pstn6j8nej.jpg

Make sure to seam seal your welds and creases making sure they wont leak. I through on some paint for rust.
Keep in mind the e brake bracket will need to be removed and retrofitted if you did not have the JDM one like me. I was able to cut the old one up and use it with the USDM handle.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...psdrfqaxte.jpg
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Here is a mockup making sure everything still fits good

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...pslbeqzkzb.jpg

For wiring I am using the JDM body harness from a RPS13 so I needed to rip some wires out that i would not be using and connect to my tail light harness. This can vary from what car your clip was cut from and what shell you are converting.
If you plan to keep the auto seat belts you will have to wire them in yourself as the JDM s13 never came with them but a airbag instead. As for me i ditched the auto belts for s14 belts.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...psugt48xn1.jpg

Since this is a visual build i did a tuck and threw all the wiring under the dash. The vent housings are not compromised by this, everything still sits where it should. The fuse boxes sit in the glove box via a tab welded to the dash bar. The glovebox has to be cut in order for it to close as you can see.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...psha3vs59i.jpg
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I welded 2 bolts to the dash bar to connect my grounds to.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...pststzrpmm.jpg

I cant finish the wire tuck completely until i have the motor in place so i can cut to fit the engine harness so I started on the tubs. This is my second time doing tubs and was done in less than 3 days work by myself with essentially just a angle grinder and welder. If this is your first time don't be scared to jump on this project. I used 1 10'' trailer fender cut in half with sheets of 16GA scrap. Cardboard templates are all you need to get started.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...pszs0s9dow.jpg

If this is your first time doing this or new to welding... take the time to make all your ends sit as flush as possible in order to get the best weld.
If your OCD like me you can level out your car on jack stands so you are able to keep your tubs level and identical on both sides.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...pskci01qov.jpg
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You can run small tacks around all of the seams and it will probably be strong enough but my preference is to run short beads around. Unlike my tubs in my Hatch these will be seam sealed for a cleaner look.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...pshezjacpk.jpg
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If your tubbing your going to end up stitching the towers, again I don't like the looks of small tacks running around so i did small beads again.
I decided to plate off the front of the frame wells as well as they will later be used for bash bar supports.

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I like where this is headed.

very nice work seriously

very interesting. totally forgot the jdm harnesses didn't have auto seatbelts, i gotta keep that in mind before i put mine in. looking forward to your future progress.

Ill be running a front mount and decided against doing anything extraordinary with the piping routing even though i wanted to. So i just went the traditional way and cut out the holes. Later I will be tigging my own piping.
If you have a 3" hole saw or the money to buy a nice one I highly recommend it.
I don't have one big enough so i just drilled a hole and used a reamer bit until it was big enough.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...psgpoeduru.jpg
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My front clip was original to the digital climate control so it was all plug and play for me essentially. For those who are thinking about putting one in your s13, do it especially if you have working A/C you will love it.
A/C on this car is still an idea im not sure if i want to go through with yet, well see.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...pstz0hj7us.jpg

My plans motor wise were constantly changing before i finally decided to go SR. I even thought about throwing in the viper V10 while working on Dean Kearney's new Viper. After research and measuring it was not a good choice for me. It is much longer than a JZ motor and does not add up in performance VS a LS swap while also thinking about finance.
And a pic of Robbie's car after the crash at Long Beach !

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Its great having a girlfriend who actually supports the hobby. She bought me this 20ft long canopy that serves as my constant work space and will also serve as the paint booth.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...psabz7ntwr.jpg

Next was something i contemplated for a while but came out better than expected. After seam sealing ( which was is difficult to make a neat seam ) i decided to try making some areas completely seamless.
I used fiberglass bondo for this, only enough to flush out the edges. If your doing this try not to build it up to high anywhere because it will have more of a chance cracking later.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1poumx5w.jpg
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Went through the works with this. Wet sanding, priming, spot putty, repeat.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...psut18snwm.jpg
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Next was to sand down the firewall and rear tubs to prime the whole bay.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...pssny6rrhm.jpg
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Fully primed

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...psgq2emnpi.jpg

P/S reservoir will be here in the corner not interfering with the wiper motor. I had done this in my hatch when it used to be SR and was very happy with it.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...pscb2155ce.jpg
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Interior seats are still being decided. Leaning towards using matching S14 kouki's.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...ps10tkyhzc.jpg

I like where this is going

This is looking really good so far. I was thinking of doing something similar with my PS reservoir, definitely have to now that I've seen yours.

Very cool shit. Really digging it.

dope stuff man. keep up that hard work.

on another note, ive used that same canopy to paint before. just get some plastic sheets on the side and set up 2 square fans w/filter for intake and exhaust.

I enjoy your silvia immensely.
however it is no match for My Skyline.

Perhaps photo's of Robbie's suspension setup are in order?
My Skyline and I thank you in advance.

You sir have excellent taste. This has got to be one of the most top notch, attention to detail builds i have ever seen. Also your welds look extremely great for just mig, id hate to see your tig skills.

wowee love that paint, nice color

Very nice work. However, once a 240sx, always a 240sx. Never forget that. :)

Seen you driving your hatch around long beach a few times ( I'm from long beach also) :hide: ... Both cars looking good !

almost there keep up the good work

This really is proper. Some people seem to throw that term around a bit loosely these days, but I feel as though you deserve to use it so far. Keep it up man.

damn bro... this thing is gonna be fuckin cherry when shes all done oh my god

Came across this vert for 30 Bucks so I brought it home (without the silvia front pieces). And the tail lights for the Silvia from the same guy. These lights were always in my plans but just got them much sooner than anticipated.
Vert Will a full on KA missile with just a seat and steering wheel being done under 700$ just to have a little fun with.
Partial cage will be added onto as well.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...pskz5qoojo.jpg
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Fresh new Energy suspension steering rack bushings came in and i was able to install the freshly painted rack.
Night picture kinda shows the sparkle of the purple flake on the subframe.
Don't think i mentioned this but the rack is HICAS. For those who dont know the HICAS rack reaches full steering lock quicker that a ordinary rack. Even though this wont be a drift car it will still be a compliment. I'm currently working on a small angle upgrade for the car for fun.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...pstwcapybi.jpg
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Attention to detail makes me happy. Loving the subtle touch of purple flake on random bits and pieces.

love the color choices.

is there any paint code to that black with purple flake? or is that flake added by hand?

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewr4411 (Post 5938364)

love the color choices.

is there any paint code to that black with purple flake? or is that flake added by hand?

The flake is added into the clear mix right before shooting. You can add as much as you like to make more or less dramatic look. Also laying multiple coats will give different looks. Everything I've done so far was one thick coat.

Due to the plans of this car being a show car I will be paying alot of attention to wheel fitment. lower control arms extended by 50mm (2'') will give me loads of camber which will work perfect for my setup because i am using stock tension rods and will be adjusting caster with the coil camber plates. Fitment idea will be similar to Justin Shreeves car.

http://i1163.photobucket.com/albums/...psevsatqad.jpg
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Why are you keeping the stock tension rods? Justin's car is pretty much perfect

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRex (Post 5940745)

Why are you keeping the stock tension rods? Justin's car is pretty much perfect

Stock tension rods for now. Ill adjust caster with the camber plates on the coils if needed. The car wont be driven much at all so i don't think aftermarket tension rods are necessary for now.