Its an ending of an Era... Dragon's Build thread

[MagikDragon]

Well guys I have decided since I have not really been active with build threads or working on either of my 2 cars that I would make a thread documenting my Blue S13 and hows its gotten to where it is and where it is now.

I bought my car in March of 2004, I total wreck, Salvage title and huge plans to make it "the ultimate Drift/street car in the world" Like Most 18 year olds with a little bit of money burning a hole in your pocket, I was quick to purchase, but it has still be one of the best purchases to date.There she was Pretty and red and Broken The guy wanted $600, I should have talked him down, but the brakes were just redone for $700 and I was young and ignorant so I bring you the beautiful $600 s13 At this point I knew I wanted it, she ran well, even though it was an automatic, it was an SE and a DOHC, I already loved the S15 front conversion and decided that was the route I was going to take, I know people have their own opinions on this swap, and I have had second thoughts, but I still love the looks and I am happy with that. So the Project began. I ordered a new Radiator core support, radiator, Cheap bumper, conversion fenders and S15 carbon fiber hood, along with a sent of cheesy side skirts. I was happy. So I went to work.ANd then it was off to the body shop to have them do some final adjustment and paint it a red that "matched" because the state of Connecticut has rules about that. My car passed the salvage inspection and I was super happy. So I took pictures with my friend eric (redzed34) who owned a super clean Acura Integra back then.I ultimately knew that red was not the color I wanted my car and right before winter of 2004 I brought it back to the body shop and had them paint it Acura NSX Long Beach Blue Pearl. Unfortunately I don't have pics of it with just the paint, so I will have to settle for when I did my 5 lug, I was still rockin the auto and 4X4 suspension at this time but I was stocking up for the big install.At this Point Eric (redzed34) had invested in an 04 wrx, so we had to take more pictures.Shortly after I nabbed a 5 speed swap for $100 and Memorial Day installs have become a Tradition at Dragon's Garage.I have entered a few car shows and one that I entered I actually received 1st place NA (who woulda thought), It was at a local College. I was still 4X4.Well after owning the car for 2 years and dealing with stock suspension for too long I decided it was time to install my suspension/brakes that I have been collecting and preparing for months. I installed z32 front and rear brakes, ebrakes, Aluminum Z32 uprights, KTS coilovers, SPL tension rods, SPL RUCAs, Z32 BMC, SPL aluminum Subframe bushings, and SPL Brake deflectors. I powdercoated the calipers purple to accent the paint. I love it. My neighbor Kevin (Heavy) helped with the install.Mmmm Rubber bonfire!!Thats better...I was happy with the way the car preformed and I needed to test it out at a track real soon, more on that later.It was the Summer of 2006 that I finally made it to my first NiCO meet. NOPI Nationals in ATL. It was a great experience. I went with redzed34 and G35dreamer, it was one of the best weekends ever. I met a whole ton of people Became a moderator after meeting the Mod team. I didn't win anything, but I made a ton of friends and got a bunch of compliments on my car.

Well I will update this in a bit, I need to find more pictures.

[SR20_FLO]

Mannnnn, your car is amazing. It shows how much can be done from a car that was originally crashed. All with time and patience (and money). Congrats on the car man, It looks amazing. Keep us updated

[MagikDragon]

Those pictures are only from2004-2006 so I have a ton more, I just need time to update.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Carlisle next year?

[MagikDragon]

Well 2 weeks after Going to ATL I drove back down to VIR for my first track day. It was great I was still running my stock KA and I was able to run down the WRX that had tons of work done to it. And the best part was it was raining all weekend. Soon after I purchased new wheels (16 in Kei Office wheels and wrapped them in Bridgestone REO1R's They were seriously the best tire purchase I made for the car, They are awesome!! Since then I have really focused on Driving, Building the Time Attack Car and finishing college. I have raced this car a few more times, once again at Carlisle, I got 4th out of a dozen or so cars in the RWD street class. I participated in a HPDE at Summit Point and I also raced my car at Carlisle for FTD. My Brother has also raced my car at a few Auto-x's gaining 1st place each time.

Well since then I was away at school and I let my brother drive my car. He got in to a few little benders which i wasn't so worried about since the car is in need of a major overhaul anyway. We also decided to take the car off the road for a while, the engine is removed, differential has been removed and all transplanted into my brother's 93 convertible, and these are the latest pics of how the car sits today. in all in misery until I collect the next bit of parts for this car, so even though this chapter has ended its not over yet...Here is a hint of what is coming... So there it is the story of my car from start to... not so finished yet. I have loads of plans in store for this bad boy. PLease stick around....

[future240owner]

Do I smell a KA-t in the works?

[MagikDragon]

not for this one, maybe another one of the cars at Dragon's Garage though...

[eds13]

holy big pics batman!

yeah dude, i remember her well

[MagikDragon]

Pics are all sized according to photobucket, and yeah ed, remember the first time we met? That was an awesome time.

[Dittoz7]

I Smell V8.

Also Those Tire On The White Wheels Are Meaty As Fck!

[1988montecarloss]

Do I smell a KA-t in the works?

nope chevy v8. look at the reflection picture and read the caption to it

[audtatious]

You should beat your brothers azz

I hope you are painting the bay while the motor is out. Can those aftermarket S15 fenders be adjusted for better fit and finish?

[MagikDragon]

I Smell V8.

Also Those Tire On The White Wheels Are Meaty As Fck!

Yup you are correct sir, I have decided on a V8 swap, At first (3 years ago) when I tossed the idea around I had no fabrication experience and it was a fresh idea. Now I could weld pretty much anything, and I am much better with my skill set I am up for the challenge. I do not currently have a job or the engine so that is why everything is on hold. Yeah the tires are pretty meaty, they are also awesome.

You should beat your brothers azz

I hope you are painting the bay while the motor is out. Can those aftermarket S15 fenders be adjusted for better fit and finish?

He didn't damage anything that wasn't on its way out anyway, and Yeah I'll be addressing the issue of the paint and the fenders when everything is stripped down. I am doing it right this time, not half assed.

[audtatious]

Sounds like a plan. Document the hell out of it

[RogerHinga]

hahaha awesome.. soon the world will know our secret project.. we have to get it going and have a east vs west...

i never got a chance to race greg with my s13 =(

[MagikDragon]

Sure thing Roger, if we are ever close enough to race lets do it!

[PapaSmurf2k3]

looks good buddy! I remember drilling into that carbon fiber hood to install those badass hood pins. I remember thinking "Damn, this guy has some balls just straight drilling into this s***..."

...I also remember thinking "Holy hell, am I hung over..."

[MagikDragon]

that was a fun day, i also remember the wheel almost falling off on the test drive....

[PapaSmurf2k3]

hahah oh yeah, I almost forgot about that.

"DUDE... WTF is that noise?!" "Wheel bearing?.... Nah" "Holy crap, my lug nuts are all loose!"

[240sx_nissan]

nothin special.

[MagikDragon]

glad you think so...

[keith0486]

im glad to see the car coming along pretty well now you cant forget the 2 way nismo lsd you got from me. i contributed to your build as well. lol

[MagikDragon]

Keith that 2 way is in the race car. I am actually planning on getting that up and running very soon. I need to get some dyno time in to get everything dialed in, hopefully soon I'll have a really good running car to race.

[keith0486]

ahh nice well good luck with that and your build man looking to see what you got coming for an engine and everything else man.

[King Ranzo]

Can't wait for the V8 swap. I figured it out immediately when I saw the Chevy logo. Good build so far. Keep it up.

[OutToWinPAHC]

s13.5's with v8's are ghey

[MagikDragon]

s13.5's with v8's are ghey

Yeah I dunno what you were thinkin

[Flicktitty]

man thats gonna be cool when it's done!

Awesome to see how far the car has come since you got it and how much further it will go on.

keep up the good work!

[White Comet]

great thread i really like it and i look forward to seeing it with v8 power. the only thing that seems odd about the car is lack of aero for the rear bumper. it needs a valence or something. this was a really interesting read, since i got to see the car in person at carlisle but didnt realize the back story of it. 600 was a good buy since you were planning an s15 front. the car looks great in that shade of blue but i'm biased since it's slightly similar to the shade i'm going with.

i'm in the same boat as you with being unemployed and too broke to do anything atm, and unfortunately because of that i've lost motivation to do anything to my car right now. keep up the good work

[MagikDragon]

hahah thanks Jeff, as for Aero, The year before you saw this car at Carlisle I was already stockpiling Ings Parts, actually, nsrZ32 brought them down from Ohio for me to Carlisle. I still haven't mounted them but I do have ings Sides and rear, with and OEM from Bumper, and ITR front lip. It will be nice when completed. I promise.Here is the story behind it...zerothread?id=239578