mpact1981

This build is already a year old but now that noticeable differences are finally happening and mistakes already being made I decided I should start documenting things more accurately and maybe get some tips along the way. By the way, I HAVE NEVER DONE MORE THAN SIMPLE MAINTENANCE BEFORE STARTING THIS PROJECT! I'm not some professional welder that's built 200 race cars like some of you, so cut me some slack... I also have a job and a family, along with deployments to deal with so this build will not happen overnight.

So, a little over a year ago my wife's sister called me and said she blew the engine in her 93' 240SX and wanted to know if I still wanted it. All I had to do was go pick it up from the mechanics shop. TITS!


Only problem was I lived in NC and the car was in Louisiana. So my brother in LA gets the car and for just under $500 I get it shipped to my house in NC (6 months later)



Her mechanic was partially correct. low compression on 2 cylinders. It would have been nice if it was a quick fix but I had no desire to rebuild a Ka. The car was bone stock. I thought I got lucky seeing 5 lugs in the first picture but I soon realized when I got the car that they were hub caps.



First things first, I knew that engine had to come out. Being the typical drunk idiot in the garage, I started unplugging and unbolting everything without labeling shit, or even knowing what most of it was for that matter...



Those little straps broke, had to run to lowes and buy a chain, but I finally got it out.





I continued gutting the engine bay and prepping for paint.

But then I ran into a good deal on some 300z brakes. They were in terrible condition though so I ordered rebuild kits for them and painted them with some autozone engine bay paint. I also ordered some cheap drilled and slotted rotors.







While this was going on I decided to do the 5 lug swap and add the 300z uprights in the rear with e-brake assemble. Little did I know that the bottom of the strut was different and would not work.



So I ordered coils with the lower z32 mount and thought I had this problem solved



But when I got it all back together, I noticed this is the HIGHEST my back end will go. the z32 lowers are about 1 3/4" shorter than the 240 lowers. I'm not happy about it but I guess before this build is done I will end up cutting the fenders and putting some flares on there so I can straighten the camber at least to the point where it isn't eating through tires.

mpact1981

So I took my attention off the engine bay for now and decided to focus more on bring the rest of the suspension up to par with the future powerplant I hoped to install one day. But just then I was sidetracked by another great deal, this time on seats. While I was installing them, I ripped out the carpet and back seats... Actually, the seats are just sitting in there. Let me know if anyone has side mount seat rails for sale :P



It took a few weeks but I managed to scrape up enough money finish up the suspension. First I bought the Stance RUCA's. I tried everything to make them fit but it seemed to hit the strut. I called and complained to Stance. They informed me that the RUCA goes IN FRONT of the strut, not behind it like I was trying to do.... SERIOUSLY? I felt pretty stupid. So I ordered the toe and traction rods as well.





Since I didn't have the money now to paint the engine bay, I decided to do stuff that didn't cost money. I'm hoping I didn't make a big mistake but I took out the dash and removed all the AC components and heater core. Hopefully I don't need the heater core for the LS, I'm sure there is a way to either block em off or loop it once I get the engine right?

Anyway, ripped all that stuff out and put the dash back in.



Rolled her out for a bath. had to use a flathead screwdriver to scrape 20 years of dirt, grease, and gunk off the undercarriage. This was a very dirty day. Advice for anyone who decides to do this, wear a beanie to keep the shit out of your hair and glasses to keep it out of your eyes.



Finally sanded down the engine bay and layed down rust-oleum bedliner. I was pretty impressed with the outcome but this will eventually be a drift car so I wanted some colors that pop a little more than this.





So I decided to paint over it. I like the textured look from the bedliner.



And my 7 year old daughter wanted some pink soooooooo





I put several coats of the rust-oleum 500 degree heat and oil resistant clear coat on all of it. Hopefully it holds up. I'm not trying to win car shows, (I've got a 350Z for that) I'm building a drift rocket so even if the paint does go to shit, I don't really car.

Installed the conversion brake lines.



Got the 17/16 BMC and put it on today. During my research I thought I was going to have to cut open my old BMC to get the little cone things out but the new BMC had them installed in all 3 ports so it was an easy bolt in. Feel like I finally caught a break with this thing.

Here you can see the little cone things in my old BMC.



and here is the new one all buttoned up. I plan to flush the lines (just in case water got in them) since they have been open for a few months but I want to drop the rear sub-frame install the sub-frame bushings first. No sense in having to bleed them twice.

mpact1981

Ok, finally I'm back in 'Murica! Spent the weekend tinkering around in the garage.

Got some goodies from SIKKY!








First I installed my Nagisa seat rails. I'm pretty sure they are the only side-mount sliders that will work with the Sparco Evo 2. I tried Buddy Club but they were not wide enough so I sold those on the forum and found these. Although, with these I need to relocate my trunk/gas tank handle. I still need the passenger side mount so if anyone is selling, let me know...

Enjoy the crappy phone pic.



Then I installed the Mishimoto radiator. I need to make some top mounts that fit better but since I still don't have an engine, the stock mounts will work for now to hold it in place.




Then I got to work on those rear subframe bushings. This job sucked! I did it by myself but I would recommend having at least one person help with this. Especially when your putting it back in. I wanted to have it powder coated but funds are low. Anyway, SIKKY subframe bushings installed.




Well, that's going to be it for a while. Funds are low. Now that the subframe bushings are done I can finally put some fluid in the break system. Keeping my fingers crossed that their are no leaks. Since I rebuilt EVERY caliper, there is a good chance I will have a mess on my hands...

poundit

looks pretty good so far. Not liking the pink but not my car. Keep us updated