A Build in the Mitten State...

[SolaraOnBronze]

I was reading some of the other project log threads on here this morning and decided it might be fun for me to make one for my project: a 93 sr swapped hatch that I picked up back in November.

I am a toyota guy originally, coming from 99 toyota solara that was one of the most heavily modified solaras out there, trd supercharged and all. I had actually forgotten how scoffed at the platform is until i made my intro thread here, haha. Anyway, the car was my pride and joy and was taken from me in august when I got rear ended by some guy not paying attention.

At that point, I decided it was time to branch out and try something new. I wanted a platform with more of an aftermarket and something that would be fast out of the box, so that's why I chose my 93 hatch. Part of me wants a coupe still, but I really like the hatch as well- it's a toss up. Anyway, the car was in good shape but neglected when i got it- didnt have a front bumper, paint really needs some work to shine again, interior was all gross, and the engine bay was filthy. Here are some pics from right when I got the car:













So as you can see, it needs some TLC. I got a bumper for it within the first week, so at least I wouldnt be riding dirty everywhere:



I drove the car for about two weeks and was ready to put it away for winter when I left the lights on and killed the battery. <IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://images.nicoclub.com/forums/image ... s/slap.gif" BORDER="0"> This started a chain reaction of problems and left the car where it is now. We think that one of my friends must have connected the jumper cables backwards at some point, because the car would not start- no click, nothing.

I ended up graduating from college and bringing the car home to get a better look. I have finally got it down to a fried ECU. The replacement came last week and I am going to try to get it installed this week. We also pulled the lower harness to check all of the wiring and rewrapped it, so that should all be good as well.

Here are some pics of how it sits now:









And why she's inside:



<IMG NAME="icon" SRC="http://images.nicoclub.com/forums/image ... /frown.gif" BORDER="0"> FAIL SNOW

I have a lot of parts to install or on the way, which I will get to in a sec, but the first things I am planning to do are reinstall the lower harness, new ecu, finish the battery relocation, and make sure the car fires before I install the new parts. Here is what i have waiting to go on the car, pics soon:

Koyo Aluminum RadiatorFlex-A-Lite Dual Slim FansSamco hosesNISMO oil capARC radiator shroudWilwood 4 pot front calipers, 13" rotors, ss lines (got a super good deal)Ichiba 5 lug conversion hubsMegan turbo manifoldOEM plug coverCircuit Sports coolant tankCircuit Sports hood strutsCircuit Sports turbo linesDefi Link gauges (oil temp, oil pressure, boost)Triple Gauge Pod (dash vents)B&M short shifterNISMO shift knobBuddy Club super low seat railsCorbeau FX1 Pro fixed back seatNew black carpeting (stockinteriors.com)

So yeah, need to get it to start so I can get to work installing these parts. I just got a torpedo heater to keep me warm in the garage, so I should be able to finally get to work this week. Next things on the list to order are a passenger seat, wheels and tires, and pick up a rear hatch with no holes. Ill keep this thread updated when I can with pics (better than the ones posted here, my dinosaur of a camera sucks).

Comments or questions welcome!

Damon
Modified by SolaraOnBronze at 5:46 AM 6/11/2009

[24j0hn]

are you gunna go all out like you did on your solara?

[ThuG LyFe]

the solara looked good. definately better than the recent models that look real girly.

you'll probably have to get used to the less luxurious ride of the 240 but i'm guessing it'll be a lot more fun.

[s14derrick]

+1 on having a nice solora.seems like quite a build.how do you like the smaller 240 vs the solara ride and comfort wise?

[SolaraOnBronze]

I want the car to be clean and have some nice parts on it, but I wont spend as much as I did on my solara. The same weekend the car was totaled I got engaged, so i am trying to save money for the honeymoon and other expenses right now. At the same time though, I just graduated and started my first full time job, so I still have some room to play.

By the time I had finished my solara, it was loud and on JIC coils with 18s and sparco seats, so it didnt really have much of a luxury feel anymore. The solara made about 250 whp, so it was no slouch, but the 240 feels much much faster. I like the shorter wheelbase and just the car being lighter in general, but the best part is for sure rwd It is definitely different, but I am really excited about it so far!

I forgot to mention that I have VLSD that came with the car uninstalled, so Ill probably throw that in before the spring too. I wanted to buy an aftermarket LSD, but I might just use that to save some money.

[Touge_Drifter]

I'm in the ****ty state of michigan also. If you need anything nissan let me know. I know ALOT!just finished one car & now am building another [email protected]

J

S13

S14.5

[SolaraOnBronze]

sick, love the flat black! Are you on xceed speed? i think I recognize the s14 from there...

[roadboy240sx]

props for another michigan owner + you aint to far away from me,

[Bumnah]

If those Circuit Sport turbo lines are going to go in, wait until you need to change the turbo or pull the motor.

There is a coolant line that runs behind the motor and a real pain to replace. If the oem lines aren't leaking. Leave 'em alone!

[Touge_Drifter]

Yes I was on exceed. BUT they are all whiney bishez!

[roadboy240sx]

Yes I was on exceed. BUT they are all whiney bishez!

i dont care for exceed much either

[Touge_Drifter]

[achikennugget38]

I'm in the ****ty state of michigan also. If you need anything nissan let me know. I know ALOT!just finished one car & now am building another [email protected]

S14.5

HOLY KRAPP JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4

YOU INSPIRAWR ME!!!!!!

[silvia_ks_69]

nice man the ichiba kit bolts in smooth u will like it:) but u will have to get the studs pressed in which is gay, or atleast i did.

[fayceoff]

Studs don't have to get pressed in - just put them in a little, then put an open ended lug nut on and tighten it until the stud is pulled in... A little slower than pressing, but I did it on my GS300 and I haven't had any problems.

[__CURRTISS__]

FINALLY a hatch build in Michigan

[SolaraOnBronze]

If those Circuit Sport turbo lines are going to go in, wait until you need to change the turbo or pull the motor.

There is a coolant line that runs behind the motor and a real pain to replace. If the oem lines aren't leaking. Leave 'em alone!

Thank you for the heads up, I had no idea! I just got a good deal from a friend and thought I would grab them, but I dont need them at all... had no idea what was involved to install them. I might ditch those and the megan manifold, both were just good deals so i took them, Im bad with impulse buys your build is an inspiration, thanks for the advice!

Good to know I have some other michigan peeps on here! I really hope the car will run and be put back together soon, even if the weather sucks. Got the ecu in last night and most of the wiring harness, hoping to try to crank it tonight!

Damon

[the_momo]

DAAAAMMMOOONNNN@!!!!

I knew id spot you eventually!!lol

you need to get this thing running bro..... but that is a foregone conclusion.

good to see u here. ill be sure to pester you as much as humanly possible

[SolaraOnBronze]

haha thanks man, gonna try to get it fired up tonight!

[SolaraOnBronze]

Well, a short update, unfortunately without any pics- not a lot has changed though, so no worries.

The black carpet showed up yesterday, looks really nice and included the carpet for the hatch area. Last night, I started running the wiring for the battery relocation and began removing the sound deadening. It has been so cold that I havent needed dry ice, just a hammer and chisel and it slides right out. Going to remove all of the deadening, finish cleaning up interior wiring and removing what isnt necessary (rear wiper, squirter, etc) and then install the new carpet and the interior panels.

I should also have a full JDM/CDM seatbelt conversion with panels here in a week or so. Buddy Club low side mount rails are on the way and one corbeau FX1 pro is ready to go in, the other will need to be ordered. Ill probably throw the B&M in with the nismo knob too while I am working on the interior.

Also on the way are brembo blank rear rotors, hawk hps pads, and ss lines for the rear. I ordered a set of wheels as well- wont say what they are just yet, but they are 17x9 +12, so they should fit really nice on the car. As soon as those parts show up, Ill just need tires and lugs, then I can throw all of those parts on and get the car on the ground.

After the interior and the 5 lug swapping is done, I will shift my attention to the engine bay and the exterior. Going to try to get as much life out of the stock paint as I can and see where that gets me. Anyway, those are the parts and work that lie ahead. Focus this week will continue to be getting it to start, battery relocation, and sound deadening removal. I will have updated pics very soon!

Damon

[Touge_Drifter]

Good luck with the seat rail. I have those & the seats sit up 2 high. when I used them with my helmet i could not ride in the car! hope you are under 6 feet!

[ZX88]

S13

you must discard of those wheels immediately....

[SolaraOnBronze]

Good luck with the seat rail. I have those & the seats sit up 2 high. when I used them with my helmet i could not ride in the car! hope you are under 6 feet!

With the Buddy Club side mounts or with the corbeau bottom mounts? From my reading the buddy club rails seemed pretty low... I guess if not and they suck, Ill just sell them.

The car turns over now, but has no spark. Going to try an ignitor this week from a friend and see if it gets me anywhere. hard to find time to work on the car with working full time and getting ready for my wedding, but Im working on it. Interior is completely pulled and almost all of the sound deadening has been removed. Here are some crap pics, sorry about the low quality.

Got my wheels last week: Gram Lights 57 Maximum 17x9 +12 all around:



Stuff I want to install this week while the interior is torn up...



Brakes: Wilwood 4 pot, SS lines F/R, Brembo blanks F/R (13" front), Hawk HPS rear pads:



Buddy Club super low side mount rails. Have one corbeau seat, still deciding on another or a stock/s14 seat. Hoping for another...



Terrible pic, lol... new black interior and hatch carpeting:



More updates soon! (with pics that dont fail)

[mattblancarte]

You've got good taste, Damon!

[SolaraOnBronze]

Hey thanks man! I am trying, coming from a solara with virtually no aftermarket it's really tough to make decisions on parts for this car! I love your car, matching wheels (on the solara) FTW, haha.

[sloweighty]

sorry for the newb questions but can you tell me what you are going to used the Buddy Club super low side mount rails for? (i just wanted to know)

[SolaraOnBronze]

They are rails to mount the seats into the car... they connect to the sides of the seat and bolt them to the floor

[SolaraOnBronze]

Small update from yesterday...

Got my Boss harness protector last night:

Also ordered SPC rear camber and toe arms. Ill install the brakes and the 5 lug components as soon as that stuff shows up. Modified my gauge pod last night to fit the angle rings in- Im going to paint it a textured matte black before I install it for good:

[Touge_Drifter]

those rims are sold to a friend who thinks they look good....on a honda EG! these are my super cheap drift rims!!

[touge_951]

was your solara once in the readers ride section of modified mag?