I few S14 questions

[240sx2soon]

How hard is it to install the power brace on an S14? And is it worth the effort? I am in the process of prepping my 96 SE for an eventual ( as in late next spring ) SR swap and I want o make sure everything is up to par before throwing thatmuch power at the chassis and brakes. My current plan is Tein basic coilovers, JIC strut bars front and rear, 300ZX 30mm front brake upgrade and 17x8 5zigen FN01R wheels with +25mm offset. There may be a few other tweaks here and there but that isa the basic plan. The budget is $3000 which has to include a few minot body repairs ( minor meaning 5 nickle sized dings that didn't crack the paint surface). The whole plan sounds solid to me , I have been planning it for years even before I got the car :loco: . Feed back would be great positive preffered but I am new to the board so be gentle :spank:

[orion::S14]

No bracing is need for the extra power...it's nice to have for handling, but offers no real bracing with respect to the strain on the chassis from HP.

And it's not like you're going to have ~600rwhp...

The S14 is significantly stiffer than the S13 already...and remember, your chassis is NO different than the "jDm" chassis (S14 Silvia)...and it comes with an SR already in it...no extra bracing required.

...

Anyway, it's an easy install...remove T/C rods and front anti-roll bar, unbolt OEM T/C rod brakets...install power brace. Straightforward, very simple.

You plans sound decent, although I'd personally save money on the strut tower bars (JIC is blingin', but offers nothing more than the cheap-o eBay strut bars, except a little less weight...but that's hardly worth 4X the cost!).

- Brian

[240sx2soon]

The bars actually aren't that expensive, total of about $300 for the front and rear bar. Thats a bit less expensive than the Cusco bars I was originally looking at, plus the color of the bars won't clash with my proposed color scheme ( does that sound :ghey: ) of white black and red. Yeah that may be lame to stress over the color of a piece of steel under the hood but I wanna do it right, not just do it. :wiggle:

[projectRDM]

You can buy knock off Cusco bars for $80 on Ebay, better hardware for $10, and can of spray paint for another $5.

And spend the $200 on coke and strippers.

[97DubTruck]

And spend the $200 on coke and strippers.

S14's bring you into the rockstar lifestyle you see.....

[sw20>>s14]

How hard is it to install the power brace on an S14? And is it worth the effort? I am in the process of prepping my 96 SE for an eventual ( as in late next spring ) SR swap and I want o make sure everything is up to par before throwing thatmuch power at the chassis and brakes. My current plan is Tein basic coilovers, JIC strut bars front and rear, 300ZX 30mm front brake upgrade and 17x8 5zigen FN01R wheels with +25mm offset. There may be a few other tweaks here and there but that isa the basic plan. The budget is $3000 which has to include a few minot body repairs ( minor meaning 5 nickle sized dings that didn't crack the paint surface). The whole plan sounds solid to me , I have been planning it for years even before I got the car :loco: . Feed back would be great positive preffered but I am new to the board so be gentle :spank:

good luck sticking with that $3000 budget. the engine without labor and the basics will cover that budget...roughly your looking at 5200 without the body repairs. dont know if you even care but: (rough estimate) 2500(sr)+850(basics)+300(jic)+350(z32 brakes)+1200(FN w/ tires)

[turtl631]

Don't bother with the braces, you probably won't feel the difference at all. You might want to get more useful suspension items like subframe spacers or pillowball tension rods, as those both have stock squishy bushigns that are pretty bad. ST sway bars could be a good upgrade too. Or better coilovers. Braces just seem really extraneous to me on the S14...I would save them for last.

[BSeay]

man you're paying outta the ass for that JIC stuff...man you could apexi, cusco or knock off's for tons cheaper and use the rest for strippers...

[s14srpilot]

No bracing is need for the extra power...it's nice to have for handling, but offers no real bracing with respect to the strain on the chassis from HP.

And it's not like you're going to have ~600rwhp...

The S14 is significantly stiffer than the S13 already...and remember, your chassis is NO different than the "jDm" chassis (S14 Silvia)...and it comes with an SR already in it...no extra bracing required.

...

Anyway, it's an easy install...remove T/C rods and front anti-roll bar, unbolt OEM T/C rod brakets...install power brace. Straightforward, very simple.

You plans sound decent, although I'd personally save money on the strut tower bars (JIC is blingin', but offers nothing more than the cheap-o eBay strut bars, except a little less weight...but that's hardly worth 4X the cost!).

- Brian

Not true. I looked under a jdm s14 and it does in fact have additional chassis braces. There is one in the back by the spare tire well. This makes sense because of the power differences between the ka24de and sr20det

[infinitexsound]

lol how many panels have dings? i think that 3k budget will go down hill with just bodywork... save the money get use to the dings... screw the rims... pick up some stang wheels and wrap em.. limited slip and suspension would be ideal.. do the brakes definetly .. send the rest of the money after ur all done with that whos down for the titty bar? if u want a sr20 theres a good group buy goin on u better jump on that before its over..

[240sx2soon]

The $3000 budget is just for the wheels brakes and suspension not the motor swap, that is a seperate budget next year of $8000. I am wondering wether or not the Tein suspension is a good idea, I was looking at Tokico D-specs on ebay the other day and thought they would go nicely with a set of eibach sportline or Tein stech springs. Shit even the KYB AGX with s tech would be a good set up I just worry about the the rear end squat and being able to dial in an even ride height front and rear. Maybe D-spec with ground control coil over sleeves...help my head hurts :bash:

[DocTaDrifT]

just forget all the parts and crap and go strait for the strippers

[Dousan_PG]

blah
make your own power brace
welder and some metal parts
cost? maybe 10 bucks
and just as nice, does the same job, just no 'nismo' bling

[infinitexsound]

i think someones getting in over their head...u know john lennon was a dreamer.... but i dont think hes the only one... 3k is more then enough for wheels and brakes and suspension....why not get the MR coilovers from UMSPORTS here on the forum... they are a great buy with the budget ur working with. solves all ur problems with selection.. theres even a thread about them.. as for wheels iono if i was u id just get cheap ones and save those for the curbs..sway bars id just wait for them just keep lookin for a kick down in the for sale section..

[WanganRunner]

blah
make your own power brace
welder and some metal parts
cost? maybe 10 bucks
and just as nice, does the same job, just no 'nismo' bling

Listen to this man, he speaks wise words.

Seam-weld that 8itch!

[240sx2soon]

Not over my head, just very carefull on what I :loco: want to buy anything twice or be the guinea pig that tries something new and gets burned. The MR coilovers look like a hell of a deal, ride height adjustable, damper adjustability AND camber adjustment? Thats $1200 easy with any other coilover. The info on that thread is contradictory to what I have been told about MR's set up. I found a screaming deal on KYB AGX but I need to find a set of ground control coilover ( not true coilovers just the adjustable sleeve) springs to make that setup happen though. I think i could be happy with spending $750 on suspension but not sure I could sleep well at night knowing I spent nearly $1000 on just suspension mod. Maybe I'm just twisted in the head. :loco:
This site has excellent so far as an info source and as I start my build up I will keep posting with pics and questions I am sure :rawk:

[infinitexsound]

dude i got a kick down spring and adjustable shock setup from a friend, im really happy with what i have... even have a z32 lsd the first mod i did... which is good enough to begin slidin with.. i just think its better to gain skills w/ the small mods and upgrade as ur skills improve.. i surely wouldnt want to curb a set of work wheels.. rather curb some cheap stang's... and when u do crash who wants to replace top notch parts while ur still in the learnin phases.... parts get expensive.. trust me on this i've been in the autobody biz for 3 years+

[turbozxi]

As far as suspension goes I would go quality over E-bay anyday. :mepoke:

[sw20>>s14]

suspension, suspension, suspension!!! fuck the dings

[JuJuBee]

haha, that much power at that thing

you are putting like 50 more crank hp THATS ALL

[North240]

1000 on suspension is nothing plenty of guys here have spent WAY over that. You also said you didnt want to buy anything twice, dont buy basics then, you'll want to upgrade, same with shock/spring combo, i know because i am ready to upgrade.
A nice set of coilovers will eliminate the need for sways right off, z32 brakes are overrated for street driving just buy nice pads (hawk, ebc, etc) and new blank rotors. Screw the brace, search here for more info, learn build and be happy............

Forget about the strippers, sure they're cool till your left with a boner and no girlies

[the head]

thats what the coke is for

[240sx2soon]

I don't think that I said at any point that I was interested in drifting so my parts need to look good but above that function better. I will more than likely be spending a few days and the drag strip, a few weekends at the track and to many nights on back roads winding the car out once the project is finished so I need somthing flexable as well as dependable. sorry long thought :bash:
I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to the look of my car thats why I am on a mission now to replace or refurbish most of the lights up front. May seem like a waste of money to some hard core drifters or draggers but it's my thing and thats what I like, call it :ghey: if you want. I think I suffer from MPD, I want a show car but I want to drive it every day, I want a track car that I can drag race but still cruise in on the weekend, I want a great sound system but don't want all the weight in the back of the car when I go to autocross events. You see my dilema, and all of this while still trying to remain within the confines of a budget :hyper:
Clock tower here I come !!:rl:

[infinitexsound]

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh ummmmmmmmmmmm durr............. no more comments.. going back to drift the hks d1 car on gt4...<better things to do

[North240]

you need a honda..........

[sw20>>s14]

May seem like a waste of money to some hard core drifters or draggers but it's my thing and thats what I like, call it :ghey: if you want.

okay, i call it :ghey:

[fliprayzin240sx]

So $3k for suspension and ish. Id say, screw the power brace, spend that money towards better suspension *HEs over the basicor MRs* Get some Ebay special strutbars and spend the money you saved on some NISMO ENGINE MOUNTS.

[240sx2soon]

Actually I just gave the honda to the ex :owned: but I am atoning for my misdeeds, so cut me some slack. Sometimes my ADD gets the best of me while posting :hyper: sorry :wtc:

[chuy]

I spent a $1,200 for HEs, $80 for subframe bushings, $400 for swaybars, $150 for a pwer brace, and I cant remember how much I paid for T/C and Tie rods but they are Tein as well. I want RUCA and a front Strut bar so Ive got another $1,000 to spend, 5lug hubs, brakes, another engine and some body work. Then shes done.

[sw20>>s14]

oooookay...riiiiiight...














(runs back to computer) wait, did you say that you have a G to spend on hubs, brakes, another engine, and some body work????!!! how do you guys calculate this shit? or do you guys get this shit for free???

[240sx2soon]

Careful with the "you guys" generalization. I know , realistically, what I am going to spend on my setup. $1000 for all the shit he is talking about is crazy and I'm not sure how he plans to get that unless he pays some friends a gran to rip it off someone elses car.... (* runs to parking lot to lock car doors :eek2: *) My car is an SE so I get alot of the good stuff already, If I can get these MR coilovers that will be one major item off my to do list, and after checking with my local parts shop and groupbuycenter.com I can do the entire 300ZX front brake conversion along with new discs, pads and reman calipers in the rear for less tham $800. And even though everyone says don't bother I am picking up a set of front and rear strut bars, wheels will come in late June early july and things are pretty well done for the year from there. Then comes the saving game for the SR swap next spring, easy to save when you know whats coming :coold:

[North240]

I know you are new to this and we are all trying to help you so please take some of our advice, most of the time its becuase we have done it the wrong way the first time. that said.
Good choice to get coilovers, but if you plan on dropping you car pretty low, a smart investment is rucas and toe arms, so you can save you tires.
I still think money is spent better for you without the 300zx wheel upgrade, unless you are going to track your car on a regular basis there isnt a need for them other than show. Just buy nice pads.
Thats my rant good luck with the car, keep us posted

[DJPimpFlex]

As far as suspension goes you should consider different strut tower bars. They dont seem to do anything unless there attached to the firewall. The car laterally seems to be quite stable, but the space between the engine bay and the firewall is the weakest part of the car. I have a set of CP Racing Front and rear strut tower bars that go to the floor and firewall and there awsome. The front more than the rear, but still good to have both. Also there CHEEP. Mine were $215 shipped for both. Overall I'm a suspension whore so whatever.

[chuy]

Oops I ment to say Ive got a G thats got to go for suspension work. As far as motor and 5 lug yep I know Ive got like 8 thousnad to go, so no I dont get shit for free it would be nice though.

[240sx2soon]

I do appreciate all the input north240 but understand that I am a car guy not just someone who happened onto a nice car ( Big difference ) nor am I a brand troll ( I hate those people :rl: ). I have always wanted to buy a 240 and have followed the import scene ( note: IMPORT scene, not HONDA scene) for the last 9 years gathering information and reading article after article on motor swaps, turbo tech, engine managment, dyno tuning, brake technology and on and on :blah:
So theory is not a problem for me, you wanna make the chassis stiffer tiangulate and reinforce where it's weakest. My problem comes when reffering to brand specific issues, like the 240 suspension bracing. I know what you should do when looking for certain results but apparantly it's not neccesary to reinforce the front and rear strut towers ( at least not in the traditional manner ) to acheive further chassis rigidity. Please don't think me snobish for this response, I just want to let you know that being new to the board does not a newbie make :D

[North240]

I wish i would have followed the Honda scene for the past 9 years, i'd be driving a 12 second turbo civic with nasty suspension and rubber. All without a bodykit kit.........