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I have a 1990 S13 in the shop that we are working on, we are trying to get the suspension sorted out but have hit a few brick walls and i could use a little help.

The Subframe has the Hicas setup, with the Whiteline Hicas delete installed.
I don't know what the subframe is from, if it's a 91+ S13, or from an R33, or even an S14.

I don't know what rear knuckles are on the car,

The car currently has 5 lug wheels on it,

Is there any easy way to determine what parts are installed on this by measuring something or something like that?

The owner was told that it had an R33 rear end, but i'm not sure if it is just the rear diff or the whole rear subframe/arms/knuckles, etc.

Any help you guys can give would be great!

Edit, the main problem that i have currently is the Hicas ball joints in the knuckles are bad, and they are different from S13 to S14 so i don't know what to get for it.

e1_griego

Rear end is independent of the subframe. Even if it is, the rest of the car is most likely just stock s13 stuff.

If it was an s14 subframe it'd have a two-bolt diff cover and offset bushings in the subframe.

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I'm 99% sure that the subframe in the car did not come from the factory on that car.
Where the Hicas mounted on the left upper portion it's very very close to the spare tire well, and the subframe bushings look to be off center (and broken)

Customer also told me that:
all S13 Rear Isis Arms fit except the arm for the toe or hicus as it was too short.
rear brake calipers and pads were r33 skyline

e1_griego

Pics go a long way here.

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Here is a few in an album

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lauxmnmm6...qD-tbPEPa?dl=0

e1_griego

Looks like 2 bolt diff cover (with bushings) which means r33 as I don't think s14 ever came with HICAS (but someone can correct me if I'm wrong).

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Did the R34 come with HICAS?

e1_griego

I think so. You really think someone bothered putting an r34 rear end in an s13?

Im sure it's an r33.

Find a full s13 non hicas setup and throw that in. The 5 lug hubs just bolt on, as do the brakes.

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The ball joints that are in the knuckles for the HICAS are beyond shot, and just want to be sure what i'm ordering.

I have no idea on what is involved with getting this stuff for these cars, we deal with 05 and new domestic stuff and i'm very well versed with that, but i'm out of my comfort zone on this car. I appreciate the help.

e1_griego

I'd have to imagine that it'd be more cost effective to go to a non-hicas subframe rather than trying to track down parts that are unavailable in the US.

Tell the owner to find a partout on craigslist and swoop the whole rear setup.

Sidenote: paying someone to work on an s13 is nuts to me. Whole point of the car is that it's cheap and easy to work on.

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Well, there is something to be said for know how too. This car was so unsafe when it came in to the shop that it couldn't be driven safely. Sometimes it's best to raise the white flag and admit that you need help, that's what the owner did. We have a very good rep with suspension stuff and have people coming from 3-4 hours away to have us work on their cars, this owner just happens to live in our back yard.

I'll look in to the other options,
So the rear diff will fit no matter what cradle is in the car correct?
Why would someone have swapped this subframe in to the car in the first place, doesn't make sense to me.

e1_griego

You'll need to swap the differential cover as the s13 subframe uses 4 studs for diff mounting (and no bushings) versus the 2 bolts + bushings.

Otherwise, you'll need to swap the wheel hubs (4 19mm bolts through the back of the spindle hold them on) and the brakes and all that will swap.

And the owner should probably grab some toe arms too (where the hicas arm goes) considering the other adjustable arms.

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The car is putting down about 650 to the wheels, it sounds like the s13 with the 4 bolts would be a better option anyhow,

e1_griego

Jesus christ, 650 with that jankass setup?

Talk about fucked priorities.

Isis shitball chinese arms to boot.

Good luck haha.

1990 240sx Rb25

I'm the owner but in the same note this is how I bought the car I built the motor and my concern was under the car after some issues with steering and then come to find out all these other issues where jus trying to figure out what's the best answer.