U.S. Spec Kouki 180 style build.
 

Moving this build over from Premie-land for the rest of Zilvia to enjoy.

I do have quite a bit of a back-story, but I'll keep it short.

Back in 2006, I bought my very first S13. I was underage, working practically full time earning minimum wage, without a driver's license or insurance. Just desperately wanted to get my first car for personal reasons (no drift-craze or JDM-ness, just a huge appreciation for Nissan's and with such a limited budget, it was one of my on-a-budget cars to work on).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...x/100_2291.jpg

It sat for 6 months until I finally got my license and insurance.

Not long after, I got a call from my manager at the time asking if I wanted to work some extra hours. Always loved to work extra hours because it meant I could either help my family out a bit more or add more to my savings.

Just a few blocks away from my parents place, I was making a left to hop on the freeway and this happened:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...tt/DeadS13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...000_2044-1.jpg

Taxi cab ran a red light going 50+mph.

Knocked out, pedals were mangled and pinned my feet to the floor.

A guy driving by in a lifted truck witnessed it all, hopped out of his truck, opened up my passenger side door and pulled me out.

Had to be taken to the E.R. as a precaution, but I actually didn't get to see how severe the accident was until I got home from the hospital.

No broken bones fortunately, just back problems I'll probably have for the rest of my life. Kind of makes you change your perception of life. I now have a larger appreciation of time and tend to enjoy the simpler things.

Two weeks after the accident, I needed a new form of transportation.

'92 S13, 40k miles, original owner, all service records from Nissan, and last driven back in 2001.

Another $2,500 later, I'm happy as a clam once again with this deal.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...X/000_0696.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...X/100_8259.jpg

The car went through several different stages (wheels, aero, exhausts, seats, etc).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...X/102_9573.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...x/DSCF0105.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...x/DSCF0104.jpg

Started making/saving up more money. Bought some more parts.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...t/DSCN4064.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...t/DSCN3612.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...t/DSCN4153.jpg

Had my car parked outside of my parents place one day. Someone backed into my driver's side door. Hit and run. Great.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...t/DSCF0288.jpg

Rear was looking boring.

Upgraded to the usual Kouki's.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCN5074.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCF0620.jpg

Again, car went through multiple changes and it got to the point that I decided it would be best to stop daily driving it and pick up a new daily driver.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...3/DSCF1070.jpg

'90 S13 with 60k miles. Little automatic beater, but it was awesome. Did some things to that car, but I won't get into it.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...3/DSCF1068.jpg

Eventually acquired some Kouki 180 aero.

Don't mind my parents old/super ghetto garage door. Had it replaced shortly after.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCF2087.jpg

As always, I held onto multiple sets of parts to switch up the look every now and then.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCF2487.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCF2989.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCF2993.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCF3003.jpg

Started to remove the interior and mock up some parts just to verify fitment.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCF3817.jpg

Then, the car sat for 6 years.

A lot of things happened. I landed better jobs, went through a lot in my personal life, bought a house. A lot of maturing in a short amount of time.

I gave myself some time and finally got some more progress done.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCN3549.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCN3550.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCN3552.jpg

Loaded the car up.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCN3555.jpg

Dropped it off at Street Faction.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCN3559.jpg

I got rid of every last bit of Kouki 180 aero I had 6 years ago, bought it all new (just because I'm very particular with this kind of stuff), BNIB factory lighting, snagged some ClearCorners lighting (<3 Mike), bought all new replacement weatherstripping/moldings, got rid of the Z-brakes for Endless brakes, sold all of my Cusco parts and replaced them with SPL Pro with Titanium bits, sold my chrome VS-XX for this fancy set of wheels:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...9/DSCF5800.jpg

Currently getting tubs done at Street Faction along with some other little bits I wanted. Taking it over to paint with another contact soon after.

Here's a mod list (copy/pasting from my Member's rides post)


|| Engine ||
- Dart Izumi Dual Tip Exhaust
- Greddy Turbo Kit
- Garrett GT2871R turbo
- Sard 550cc Injectors
- AEM EMS2
- Greddy FMIC
- Optima Red Top Battery
- NGK Spark Plug Wires
- NGK Iridium Plugs
- ARC Cooling Panel

Spare '98 KA being built for KA-T.

|| Drivetrain ||
- Full 5-speed swap
- SR Tranny w/KA bellhousing, 30,000 miles, new syncros, shortened gear ratios, resealed
- Exedy Stage 2 Clutch
- Fidanza Flywheel
- B&M V2 Short Shifter
- Nismo Tranny Mount
- Brand new Nismo Clutch Master
- Brand new Clutch Slave
- Stainless Steel Braided Clutch Line
- Nismo 2-way LSD
- Driveshaft shop 1pc driveshaft

|| Body ||
- Kouki 180sx Front bumper (brand new)
- Kouki 180sx Front lip (Rare, brand new)
- Kouki 180sx Running lights (brand new)
- Kouki 180sx Turn Signals (brand new)
- Kouki 180sx 3pc Valances (brand new)
- Kouki 180sx Taillights(brand new, complete set with locks/keys and metal garnish)
- Kouki 180sx RPS13 Carbon Fiber Overlay (brand new)
- Kouki 180sx "hump" Sidemarkers (brand new)
- Kouki 180sx Window Visors (brand new)
- Kouki 180sx Window Louvers
- Kouki 180sx Sideskirts (brand new)
- Kouki 180sx Spoiler
- GP Sports Roof Spoiler
- Hella E-Code H4 Headlight Housings
- 8000k HID's

|| Brakes ||
- Full Z32 E-Brake Conversion(new)
- Endless Front Big Brake Kit
- JIC Brake Pads
- PowerSlot Rotors Front/Rear
- URAS Brake shoes
- Stainless steel conversion lines
- Z32 Brake Master Cylinder
- Bardabe Z32 E-brake Brackets
- Attain 5-lug hubs

|| Suspension ||
- Fortune Auto Dreadnought Coilovers
- Carbing Front Strut Bar w/BMC Stopper LHD
- Cusco Carbon Fiber Triangle Rear Brace
- Ikeya Formula Front Lower Control Arms
- SPL Tie Rods/Ends
- SPL Subframe bushings
- SPL Swaybar Endlinks
- Nismo Powerbrace
- SPL Tension Rods
- Tanabe Front Swaybar
- Tanabe Rear Swaybar
- SPL Rear Upper Control Arms
- SPL Rear Toe Arms
- SPL Traction Rods
- Safety 21 5-point Roll Cage
- Nismo Bushings on Spindles
- SPL Spherical Bearings
- Touge Factory Trunk Brace
- Touge Factory C-Pillar Bar
- SPL Spherical Bearings
- Nagisa Auto Fender Braces
- Do Luck Floor Braces

|| Interior ||
- NRG Short Hub
- NRG Quick Release
- NRG Lock
- Nardi Deep Corn Steering Wheel
- Nismo Shift Knob
- Bride ZetaIII Carbon Kevlar Driver's Seat
- Bride BrixII Passenger Seat
- Cusco E-Brake Knob
- JDM 180sx Seatbelt assemblies (Complete swap including plastic panels)
- JDM 180sx Rare floor mats
- Kenwood KDC-X689
- Infinity 6.5" Front Speakers
- Infinity 6.5" Rear Speakers
- Zenki S13 Black Carpet

|| Wheels ||
- Work VS-XX 17x9 +5 (brand new)
- Work VS-XX 18x10.5 +18 (brand new)- Project Kics R40 lug nuts (brand new)

Saved for future updates.

Additional post for future updates.

Always loved this car, glad to finally see a build thread for it. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Nice man! love seeing builds like this!

Subscribed! I don't want to miss any updates on this .

Ahhh. I get that old school feel. I like that. This is the kind of stuff I like looking at. I've always liked the gold VSXX.

Although I do find the current aero options interesting, I am very "old fashioned" and prefer OEM parts as well as OEM fitment.

If this were a track-only build, I would definitely take this in a different direction (think GT1/Koguchi), but considering the fact that I'm building both my S13 as S14 with the idea of keeping them for the rest of my life, the plan is to restore them (err, replicating that J-land appeal) while adding my own twist to them.

Also, while the color red is my own personal favorite color, I will not be keeping this car red. Too many red "Type-X's" running around in California. I've decided to stick with the Lexus color chart on both the S13 and S14. Flashy colors are fun, but classy colors have really grown on me.

cool! build is gonna but nuts. glad to see this car is still around. was big inspiration when i first joined

I've always seen you on here but never seen your car

I'm a fairly private person. Used to post a lot, but family comes first for me. Cars were somewhat put on hold (project cars that is).

I went through several other cars over the years that I would always end up personalizing.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...DSC_9793-1.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...DSC_9782-1.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...a/DSCN1905.jpg

Current daily:

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...ds/photo-5.jpg

talk about a baller build.
excited to see suspension pics and greddy kat porn.

I am very much in for this build. I see nothing but quality and pickyness!

Totally agree with you. Exactly how I'm building my cars. I don't plan on selling either. The next s13 I own will most likely just be an imported 180sx type X and just be a cruiser. Suspension, wheels done. Maybe a bolt on or two.

I am not a fan of red personally, but your car pulls it off very well.

This build inspires me with what i would love to do with mine. keep it coming! makes me excited to read good builds :hsdance:

I remember going to pick up that complete white kouki kit from you a couple years ago, and I was sad I didn't get to see your car in person. Thanks for sharing with us!

Is that your garage? If so, sick.

I've always wondered what happened to your car, glad to see it finally getting built!

No, that was just a shot from when I first picked up my truck at work.

My actual garage is nothing special.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...l/DSCN3578.jpg

MORE....now please <3

Subbed. Love your approach to builds

I feel like I'm being teased.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/IMG_2215.jpg

More pix of the S14, I don't think I've seen it. Why are you tubbing?

Already have a build thread going for that car.

#/f/showthread.php?t=607875

Tubbing both cars for wheel clearance and to clean up the engine bay.

I know a lot of people are against it, but I've always loved the cleanliness of tubs.

Relocating the fusebox anyway. No AC on both cars.

GANGTA!!!! always loved your cars

The green kouki on blitz was killer!!!

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/IMG_2365.png

Getting closer.

Damn that's a legit tub job, ready to see some progress on this thing.

I just saw those pics on street factions IG..wondered who's car it was.

Very cool.

This is great to see. I'm at the point where I don't want to get rid of my car but I never drive it and have other things going on. It's

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/IMG_2403.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/IMG_2401.jpg

Removable core support, anyone?