Front End Choice

[Sundi240]

When I first started getting into the 240SX, I thought that the S15 front end looked the nicest and I was planning on buying a 95-96 and doing the conversion. Lately though, I've grown really accustomed to the 97-98 front end.

If money was not an issue, would you buy a 1995-96 240SX and do the S15 conversion, or would you buy a 1997-98 240SX?

[AKADriver]

Why ask what I think? It's your car.

I'd buy a '95-'96 and leave the original nose if I was buying an S14.

[mvaters]

if money wasn't a factor i would just import over an S15. the only car in which S15 headlights belong on

[Sundi240]

I was just wondering what your guys opinions are, nothing more. Of course if I like something, I'll go ahead and do it, no matter what anyone thinks. All I'm saying is that I don't like the 95-96 headlights, but I really like the 97-98 lights, as well as the S15 lights. I'm leaning towards the 97-98 because it would be expensive, time-consuming, etc. to do the conversion.

[mvaters]

doing a front end conversion is a waste of money. you can almost do an SER swap for the price that some people charge for a conversion

[Yoshi]

Originally posted by mvaters
doing a front end conversion is a waste of money. you can almost do an SER swap for the price that some people charge for a conversion

Um... WTF is an SER swap? or am I missing something? :confused:

[SR240SXT]

well i dunno what everyone else is talking about, but I say do the 97-98 front end. The demon eye look is so tight. If i get a 95-96 I'll be doing the same thing. Check the zilvia archives, theres step by step instructions on there as well as the parts list you'll need. Also, you could customize the hood or front bumper while you're at it. I hear its around 1200 for all the parts. Good luck.

[Sundi240]

I'm pretty sure that I'll go with the 97-98 because in the end it will be a lot cheaper. I want the car to look nice, but my main concern is performance.

[pruto]

like, if i had a 95-96, i would soooo do the JDM Zenki look. get all the JDM front body panels, JDM hood, JDM headlights, JDM corner lights, JDM fenders, JDM bumper, JDM fogs, JDM bumper lights, JDM grill, JDM emblem, JDM everything!

I want to buy a front clip with all the body panels and like, not even care about the SR. Front end conversions are Cool! And like, i'm gonna be unique by doing a JDM S14 Zenki front end conversion on my 95 240sx!!!!!!!

its TyTe yO!

</SARCASM>

[DuffMan]

I would do a S14 with a S12 front end. It would blow your minds.

[CoasTek240]

a front end swap istn a waste of money for some people. personally i woudl love to have the s13 silvia front end on my car, but at the same time i want some amny other things b4 it. plus i'm starting to like having my flip ups

[hokiruu]

I think the s15 front end looks tight...on an S15! However when on an s14 there is a certain awkwardness about it. Don't get me wrong, its still good looking, but its kind pointy and doesn't match the, well, already perfect s14 lines. I have a Zenki, but if I could, I wish it was kouki. koukis look sooo good, especially with a nice kit. but so does a zenki. and if you dont like it every company makes eyelines to change the zenki lights to look like kouki or just narrower. I was thinking about the same thing and decided that until I get into another drifting accident that justifies it, its wasted money that could have bought a nice ball bearing turbo instead of the lil t-toosmall. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I DECIDED TO SCRAP THAT IDEA AND GET A REAL S14 KOUKI ENGINE THIS WEEK! INSTEAD OF GETTING A MYSTERY REDTOP AND WASTING MONEY ON MY FRONT END I BOUGHT THE BEST S14 ENGINE I COULD FIND (NO I DIDN'T WANT AN S15). If you have the stock SR turbo and wanna convert your front end, your priorities are mixed up. If you still have a KA and wanna do a front end conversion, you are an idiot. If you own a honda and put an s14 or s15 front end on it I wanna break all your fiberglass and take your lights because that's the only part on your car I like and you don't deserve them. Aargh I hate that ****!

[DoriftoSlut]

Originally posted by hokiruu
Sarcasm....
Evidently you missed that in his reply...:rolleyes: ;)

[hokiruu]

No... I didn't I was playing along. But whatever b/c I edited it out of my post before I saw yours anyway. Edits are weird...

[DoriftoSlut]

Originally posted by hokiruu
If you have the stock SR turbo and wanna convert your front end, your priorities are mixed up.
Agreed to an extent. i mean if you can drift fine with the stock turbo, why not go for looks? Drift IS rice! Its rice with a purpose, so to speak. Anyway, I have a kouki 180sx SR, and if you are ditching you T28 for somethin bigger, I might be interested in it...;)

[boro240]

Originally posted by Dorifto180sx
Anyway, I have a kouki 180sx SR, and if you are ditching you T28 for somethin bigger, I might be interested in it...;)
shouldnt you be concentrating on getting your car on the road first? :p just keeeeding brah.

[DoriftoSlut]

Originally posted by boro240
shouldnt you be concentrating on getting your car on the road first? :p just keeeeding brah.
:o


Always looooking for one deeeeeeaal brah!:p :rolleyes: :(

[Brian]

if you get the 95 model you should do the zenki front end conversion:rolleyes:

[some guy]

Do the S15 front end conversion. Everyone says the front doesn't look nice because they don't have it. :rolleyes: http://images.cardomain.com/member_img_a/231000-231999/231804_17_full.jpg
This is a S14.5 (S15 front) picture I found, it's so :cool: , even looks better than the S14a front end. So it's JDM, who cares, it looks good. It's like now everyone don't like JDM conversion anymore. The S15 front is the best looking Silvia front IMO, so if you're doing a conversion anyway, why not do the best.

But in the end it's what you like. Good Luck.

[huntz0r]

Personally I like the S14A front end better than any other S front end, although for overall car looks my fave is the S13 Silvia. S13 coupe with S14A front end could be neat lookin, if it could be made to match believably, although I wouldn't spend the money it would take. The S15 lights are overstyled IMO, they go better with a S13 fastback than with a S14 (but not really that well with either)

Of course, that's my opinion, and although feedback is good, you should usually go with your own over anyone else's....

This does not apply to people who like combat kits, fake HIDs, and triple decker wings... their opinion just sucks. :p

[nrcooled]

Originally posted by pruto
like, if i had a 95-96, i would soooo do the JDM Zenki look. get all the JDM front body panels, JDM hood, JDM headlights, JDM corner lights, JDM fenders, JDM bumper, JDM fogs, JDM bumper lights, JDM grill, JDM emblem, JDM everything!

I want to buy a front clip with all the body panels and like, not even care about the SR. Front end conversions are Cool! And like, i'm gonna be unique by doing a JDM S14 Zenki front end conversion on my 95 240sx!!!!!!!

its TyTe yO!

</SARCASM>

w3rd. Dat sizznit would be mad tizight

[hokiruu]

Originally posted by some guy
Do the S15 front end conversion. Everyone says the front doesn't look nice because they don't have it. :rolleyes:
Yeah, and 70% o the people who want it don't even have 240s:rolleyes:
Have you ever even had a bodykit on a car you own? Unless you get the REAL METAL Strawberry face fenders, its a bad idea. And most people won't get the metal fenders. Despite the weight savings, fiberglass isn't so great at all. Its almost impossible to fix completely if you get even slight damage. And how do you figure everyone doesn't like JDM anymore? You can be really JDM without getting a new front end you know. And there are always millions of Honda ricers who would agree with you... But really I am not trying to be a dick. They do look cool, but just show a side shot and you'll see what I mean by "awkwardness" compared to a regular s14. Like Huntz0r, I am all for the s15 on the hatchback though, its perfect.

[Dousan_PG]

i agree w/ hokiruu

most the people who want conversion just got or dont have the car. its like the guy floating around w/ a s15 conversion and a stock KA> im sorry but that's so pathetic. yeah it looks nice, i know a guy w/ a REAL strawberry conversion and wide fenders, but that's one in a million. most people get those crappy kits you buy w/ the crappy fitment and "drift" bumper HA! junk.


Do the S15 front end conversion. Everyone says the front doesn't look nice because they don't have it.

no it does look nice. i've seen them on coupes, fastbacks and s14s. its very nice. but that was a year or 2 ago before every ricer out there wanted s15 headlights on their civic, integra and now, 240sx. oooh but its a nissan so its ok. just because its same brand doesnt make it any better.

why cant people be happy with their car as it already is. makes me wonder if people care about a car's performance anymore if they are getting front ends to replace their previously perfect front end just because its "cool"

[hokiruu]

WORD DOUSAN. Take it from me all you bodywork fanatics: A high quality, well chosen bodykit is fine if you have it installed properly and baby the hell out of your car. But alot of the time kits are more trouble, inconvenience, and permanent modification to you car than they are worth. I personally have a nasty, didn't fit for crap, wavy weave, broken and falling off kit that I will be tearing off as soon as my SR is installed. I am now in the throes of trying to decide whether to get a new one at all or just clean up all the stupid holes the kit required and make it look stock again. That would be an damn expensive lesson if that's what I decide to do. Bottom line is, body mods are so appealing in theory and look great of the glossy pages of Import Tuner, or even better on a trailer queen at a show. The rest of us have daily drivers that actually do experience pavement fluctuations over 1" and might have to access some hot girl's steep driveway, and embarass ourselves when we either bust our bumper or have to make her walk down to your car while her domestic hot rod dad or brother make fun of you. Its really not that cool once you've done it all. Listen to the practical minded angel on your right shoulder you've been ingnoring in favor of the ricer devil on your left 'cause he's got a point. But what do I know, I just apprentice at a paint and bodyshop that turns out full custom BMWs, Porsches and most recently a Ferrari GTO...

[Dousan_PG]

haha..im scared of driveways

just hear a huge SCRRRAAAAPE w/ the 89/90 lip on my car (lowered). i cant get a floorjack under there w/o board under the wheel. if i had a body kit, it would be toasted within a month. after the 89/90 lip scrapes, so does my exhaust. and as i exit the driveway the LSD peels outa bit and chirps after a few clunks as it engages.

ahh....


quality = money
most 240sx people are cheap and lowballers.

hence, why so much crap has come to the market lately. its going to get 'worse' or 'better' depending on your budget and your need for quality.

[hokiruu]

Oh and while I am preaching and ranting... F*@#k widebody FWD cars with 7.5" wide wheels!

[AKADriver]

Originally posted by dousan36
its like the guy floating around w/ a s15 conversion and a stock KA> im sorry but that's so pathetic.

hehe... "the" guy? There's probably a bunch of them by now..

Visual mods are cool. Dunno why front end conversions have become so popular though. I mean they've gone to the top of every ricer's wish list above the SR swap... ah well.

I'd love to have an S15 nose on my car after I get the rest of the car sorted, but that'll never happen because I'd want to spend too much on it. Metal fenders + OEM S15 bumper = $$$$

I'm one to talk (Jetta front end on my GTI...) but that bolted on in 45 minutes and it was free :D

[DoriftoSlut]

Originally posted by some guy
Do the S15 front end conversion. Everyone says the front doesn't look nice because they don't have it. :rolleyes: http://images.cardomain.com/member_img_a/231000-231999/231804_17_full.jpg
This is a S14.5 (S15 front) picture I found, it's so :cool: , even looks better than the S14a front end. So it's JDM, who cares, it looks good. It's like now everyone don't like JDM conversion anymore. The S15 front is the best looking Silvia front IMO, so if you're doing a conversion anyway, why not do the best.

But in the end it's what you like. Good Luck.
This car should die. With the money they spent on that front end, they could have had good wheels in good sizes. Yuck.

ps. Dousan, you are my hero.

Oh, and why go pick up a hot girl for a date? maybe if it was raining or something. But otherwise you would be missing out on a perfectly good night that you could be practicing car control. Many night events, or other responsible ways to go about this. But i guess if you did want to pick up a girl and she was not willing to walk to your car, you tell her PEAce. And if her punk ass brother and/or father were making fun of you, call the cops and log a complaint as their neighbor that 2 men were doing funny sexual things to their dog. That will giv ethem an interesting night.

[SimpleS14]

I say go for the Kouki front end conversion. I have a write-up to give you some tips:
http://members.aol.com/GTspecR/write_convr.html

You can also do black housing on your headlights (kouki) which I think look nice.

I would only do the S15 conversion if I can get actual OEM metal fenders and the $$$ to buy a Japanese aerokit. But I would also do this after working on the motor, suspension and interior. I might do this in the future to my current car.......MIGHT. :p

Originally posted by mvaters
doing a front end conversion is a waste of money.


WTF? :confused: Even though I had an accident, I guess changing my Zenki to a Kouki was a waste of money. :rolleyes:

[hokiruu]

GT Spec R: That's a very nice and thorugh explanation. Since I am debating retuning to stock, a stock kouki with factory sideskirts is staring to sound appealing. But I don't think I would actually spend the money on it unless I already had a turbo upgrade. James, according to you I would be a serial killer! Yeah, now I can say I kill skylines on a regular basis!

[DoriftoSlut]

Originally posted by James
Dorifto180sx
^ users are losers, so don't do drugs, don't do drugs.
Unfortunately I can't blame any of my behavior on drugs:( . Drugs is dumb. I R smart. Seriously. i have no tolerance for a girl that is so vain or traditional that you have to drive your car into their room and swoop them off their feet.
"Why do you have a cool seat and I don't? Why don't you get another seat like that for the passenger side?"
"Because, b_tch i love titties! Uh what? I... aaahhh..... Just because. Now get yo ass ta tha curb I gots me a track-day to go to, and you refuse to help change my wheels."

Wow, that was random

"where's the 5 o'clock free crack meeting?"

I have ADD. I think that's whay I am so l

Squirrels are cool. I saw one the other day that was all sprawled out on the side of a tree

Cocacola Classic has a pretty Post-Modernism can for being a classic type of drink, if you ask me.



I seek help.

[pruto]

Originally posted by dousan36
haha..im scared of driveways

just hear a huge SCRRRAAAAPE w/ the 89/90 lip on my car (lowered). i cant get a floorjack under there w/o board under the wheel. if i had a body kit, it would be toasted within a month. after the 89/90 lip scrapes, so does my exhaust. and as i exit the driveway the LSD peels outa bit and chirps after a few clunks as it engages.



word, bodykits looks nice, so is lowering your car 2"+ but its an inconvience.

I use my father's lift to work on my car most of the time, ever since installing my Zenki side skirts its been a bitch lifting my car. Note that Zenki s14 skirts aren't even that low compared to some aftermarket ones, and my car is only droped 1.3-1.5" on prokits. Its only going to get worse once i get coilovers.

On the s15 swap. Yes, its nice, up close. I've seen too many strawberry faces on undermodified cars. s15 swap with stock wheels? same thing with s13 front ends on prefectly stock s13s. Its just, wrong. Most people have no idea its different or its supose to be "cool". The people you try to impress, i.e. US, you fail because it looks like **** and we know you don't have anything to back it up. So the only people that will give you props for having a stock car with body mods are the rice rockets. You're better off getting a **** load of stickers and a big ass wing to please that crowd, cheaper too.

Also, some ****ty s15 swaps looks, well, ****ty. The dimensions are wrong. Not too long ago i saw a car coming from far away, i didn't know who the owner was, but from far away the front end looked like a geo metro. Only from within 5 feet did i recognize it as a s14.5. Why? Cause his fenders were off, crappy hood, crappy fitment. It looked horrible, and like it didn't belong on the car.

Granted, there are sweet ass cars with front end swaps, like the Jspec cars. BUT if you look at the rest of the mod list, Sam has performance up the shizaam to back the look up. Also the rest of the body mods cater to the look. The sideskirts, rear bumper, wheels, camber, lowered stance, FMIC, nice front bumpers makes the front end look like it belongs. Its all about the package. Any part on its own, no matter how nice, means jack.

anyway... I love my Zenki s14. if i ever go ichigo (very doubtful now), i will make sure i get it in the package, and with real OEM parts... and only after the rest of the car, and the driver, is ready to kick ass.

[hokiruu]

Yay for our apparently ugly Zenkis! Another thing: body kits are generally not allowed in Auto X and some other forms of road racing, so it could limit your racing options. I can't wait intil my kit is off. For the rest of you, I will practically give it away. Let me know is yu are interested.

[NiteKids]

So what exactly would a "bodykit" be? The oem lip, side skirts and rear add on (japanese kouki) is considered a bodykit.

[hokiruu]

No, I don't think that is restricted as they do come from the factory that way and do not hang very low. and have relatively little surface area. at least not enough to be considered a big slide hazard like a big drift kit. In the event that a part of a more prominenent kit could get stuck under a tire, the car would completely lose control and possibly the ability to stop for a very long distance.

[boro240]

Originally posted by Dorifto180sx
i have no tolerance for a girl that is so vain or traditional that you have to drive your car into their room and swoop them off their feet.
LOL :p

i scrape now with STOCK height and the stock lip. i do plan on riding lower too (wheel gap owns me), so i imagine it will get worse. why would i wat to scrape up an expensive conversion? i know who dousan is talking about. stock SOHC fastback with S15 front, kouki tails, etc. very fugly, but i wont mention any names.

[hokiruu]

Dorifto, you are one funny cat. You can stay:D No seriously, I have always imagined the exact same scenario "Why do you have a cool seat and I don't? Why don't you get another seat like that for the passenger side?" That's why I just broke up with my last GF.

Anyway Back to the front end discussion:
Here is alist of other, better things one could buy with the price of an s14.5 front end conversion (not ALL of these, but any one or a combination):

GT series ball bearing turbo upgrade $1800
Engine strengthening parts (head gasket, valvesprings, RAS, etc.)$500
Rebuild internals w/overbore $2500
Upgraded injectors and fuel mangement $1000
Sickest suspension on the market $2500
Hot, hot, set of wheels and tires. And I don't mean skinny one piece Racing Harts, I'm talking lightweight JDM like Advan, Volk, Weds, Work, Buddy Club, AND FOR "SOME GUY"- YES, REAL R34 WHEELS. IT DOESN'T GET ANY TIEENSY TINY BIT MORE JDM THAN THAT, RIGHT MR. "NOBODY SEEMS TO LIKE JDM ANYMORE"?
Any type of rollcage you want and racing seats with harnesses <2000$
Smoking the hell out of an s14.5 conversion in your stock front end silvia because you spent your money more wisely: PRICELE$$

[Sundi240]

Ok guys, as I stated above, IF money was NOT an option. This obviously means that other modifications will be done. Not once did I say I would do a S15 conversion on a stock 240SX. Gimme some credit :p

[SimpleS14]

Originally posted by pruto
...s13 front ends on prefectly stock s13s. Its just, wrong.....

WTH? :confused:

I don't see anything wrong with wanting your car to look stock......well....JDM/USDM stock. :p


Sundi240 - I explained my case up above. But if money really wasn't an issue....I would import a R34 or get a 996 GT2. :D

BTW....here is a pic of black housing headlights I did on my car......
<img src="http://members.aol.com/GTspecR/mycar/light.jpg" width="500">

Get that CoOl JaYdUm LoOk for less than $5!! :p

[Rennen]

To hell with all those other front end conversions, keep it in the 240 family. thats right, slap on a 240Z front.

-Matt

[SimpleS14]

Originally posted by Rennen
To hell with all those other front end conversions, keep it in the 240 family. thats right, slap on a 240Z front.

-Matt

:eek:

That looks nice, except for the wing. It's the first time I've seen that conversion.

[AKADriver]

Whoa, that's pretty crazy!

I love those wheels, too. It's a new Enkei design, not available in large numbers in the US yet. The Miata crowd is all over them. They come in some nice widths and offsets in 4x114. Should clear any brakes you can think of. Grrr. Why does Enkei USA have to sell so many crap-ass ricer wheels instead of nice wheels like that?

[hokiruu]

Yeah, Enkei USA suz ballzak. I ean they sell a few decent wheels you can buy, but nothing I would call a real selection of good wheels.

[boro240]

Originally posted by GT specR
WTH? :confused:

I don't see anything wrong with wanting your car to look stock......well....JDM/USDM stock. :p
nothing. its the fact that a car is 100% stock but has a front conversion, money that could be put elsewhere to more use. but its all opinion though. people can do what they want, it doesnt affect me. i wouldnt do it though.