build a sleeper or not?

[bobowah]

hey guys and gals

I have a question that I've been pondering

I'm going to build up a s13 hatchback 240sx with rb25det.

I've been debating on the body kit to use. I really like the m-sport type b kit however living in southern california I'm very concerned about having to go to the smog ref if i get pulled over.This kit is very blaring that you have a turbo'd car.



or I can build a sleeper JDM inspried car with all stock body parts180sx car.

With this kit I will be "legal" with a front plate paint the intercooler black and just have a really fast car.

I have started to collect all the 180sx stuff so it's not big deal to build it I'm just debating on dumping 1000 on a 180sx front end with all the lights and stuff.

just a thought

Any thoughts?

[SilviaS14KA24DE]

well if you don't have holes in your front bumper, then tenicaly it's not illegal.

personally, I am looking foward to buying the Vertex kit to myself for my s14. OMFG vertex is so clean! well sleeper? sure that 180sx kit will "hide" the intercooler, but still, vertex it HOT in my words!

[downshift]

well i personally like the look of the first one with the m-sports kit. But.....with a little fresh paint the JDM 180sx look can be just as good. If you look at it......its really your choice, cause it depends on how you want your car to look.....sleeper or a little flashy.

[Nathan]

Sleeper all the way, body kits are...ummm, not my thing to put it as nicely as possible.

[Anand]

it's up to you... you can have both... show and go...

[PhaneSoul]

whats smog?

[downshift]

it's up to you... you can have both... show and go...

Aint that the truth......you car can still be fast and not look stock as "sleepers" do.

[IlIkEmYz]

i like the first one but im going with sleeper because i don't want to attact any cops or theifs. Any also pretty broke. But the choice is yours

[SilviaS14KA24DE]

whats smog?

wow for a "good driver" in your other post, you don't even know what smog is. Kid, here's some advice. Learn more about cars before you go about saying you're a good driver.

smog is the affect from carbon monoxide that is spewed out from all gas cars. smog lingers and is a brown haze, on smoggy days.

to get your car smogged means that a certified mechanic tests your car using several methods to check various checkpoints they have to monitor your emissions.

emissions is the by product of what your car makes while running.

if your car has high emissions, it will not pass the smog test, and you have to get your car "fixed", in a sense.

that is smogs various parts

[thes14project]

HAha I think you should all move to TN. No smog laws!

[SmithSR]

With this kit I will be "legal" with a front plate paint the intercooler black and just have a really fast car.

Best idea I'vd seen in a while. Build the sleeper car

[Radian]

Sleeper! Especially with the 180sx front. It won't be flashy, but to those in the know (the people your trying to impress anyway) it will be interesting.BTW what are the lights in the bumper under the headlights for? Daytime running lights?

[BHayes_S13Coupe]

I say go a little show, I'm getting a BN Sports Blister for my S13 Coupe soon, I don't think its not too flashy noticibly wider but the front kind of looks like regular but with a huge front lip on it. It would probably take me till october to get it by my calculations.

But yeah go a little show

[rudee023]

I like the 180 front. Won't draw attention of the cops but enthusiasts will know what's up. And isn't that kind of what you are going for?

[bobowah]

Thanks for the responses.

Yes I know ultimately it's my decision.

However for you non-California Residents.

California has a very strict automobile emission regulation (CARB).Most of the motor swaps (SR20det, RB25DET, RB26det) that are available for the S13 and S14 are basically illegal b/c they don't meet US/California regulations for emissions.

So thus my question should I build a sleeper.I basically don't want to be noticed. Yes I'll probably have an exhaust and you can hear the turbo spool up. But from a stand still they hopefully won't think that I'm any different than any other 240sx.

[240SXer]

I'm in California. I've been pulled over for many things, racing, speeding, checkpoints, etc. Never asked to pop my hood or anything. Maybe the way to go is a REAL sleeper, no 180sx parts, just a stock looking 240sx. That's how mine is. No rims, no lowering, stock stock stock.. (except the under the hood). I think it's the way to go in California becuse of the harsh smog laws.

[Bunta240]

Sleeper man! Having a pretty car will cost more + dramatically increase the chance of getting impounded. If I had a beast like the RB25 in my car, as well as all the work it takes to get that in there, I would take every precaution so I wont get pinched.

[i2ice4m3]

mm....this is kinda off topic but will painting the intercooler affect its performance? It seems like bare aluminum exposed to air will exchange heat better than paint-coated aluminum. i dunno:P

[RMiller]

wow for a "good driver" in your other post, you don't even know what smog is. Kid, here's some advice. Learn more about cars before you go about saying you're a good driver.

smog is the affect from carbon monoxide that is spewed out from all gas cars. smog lingers and is a brown haze, on smoggy days.

that is smogs various parts

Actually smog is colorless. "Smog" is comprised of largely ozone, which is poisonous to humans. Also there are volatile carbon containing particles, nitrogen oxides, and some others. I think the major component of smog is ozone, which is formed in the troposphere by other molecules. Ozone naturally formes in the stratosphere by radical formation and combination from UV light.

[navysnail]

you are right, a painted intercooler will not function as well as an unpainted one, but it is not that much, just dont do more than 1 coat

[Oatmealman]

B.S. Garrett did testing ( this months SCC) and they said that a light coat of paint won't make nearly enough of a difference for you to notice.

[whiterps13]

you are right, a painted intercooler will not function as well as an unpainted one, but it is not that much, just dont do more than 1 coat

i disagree. there was an article in the lastest issue of modified mag that showed this intercooler paint, which was flat black. they said they contacted a major turbo company (hks, greddy, etc i cant remember) and they said it in no way hinders performance.

[i2ice4m3]

LOL how is it BS? you said yourself it wont

... make nearly enough of a difference for you to notice.

, which means you are agreeing with 240Kid!

I guess it depends what kind of paint is used.. I'm sure there are paints that would actually enhance the performance. Thanks anyway!

[240convertedme41]

Sleepers are way better to drive. I just cant stand the thought of walking to my car after a hard day at work, and find that its missing the new body kit or rims i just installed. Or even worse its gone! .. Flash is nice.. But its not worth the worry. IMO..

[PhaneSoul]

if you take into consideration with being in cali, the heat and all the sun, wouldnt you want to paint it a light color, maybe white, cuz if u think about it, black absorbs heat, white refelcts it, if your out in the sun all day with the sun pounding on your IC, you dont want it to be a dark color, you want it to reflect the light and heat therefor keeping it cooler. but i guess thats also why its silver.....

[Nathan]

Why on earth would the sun be pounding on your intercooler? Unless its 6 am or 6pm I'm not seeing a good reason Perhaps you need a stock bumper to fix that problem!

[Mr1der]

HAha I think you should all move to TN. No smog laws!

In your county:(

[rudee023]

When would there ever be a time when the sun shined on the intercooler for extended periods of time? Even with an aftermarket bumper that thing is tucked away, not like its on your roof.

[easymmkay240sx]

[sarcasm]Doh! There goes my idea for a Roof Mount Intercooler[/sarcasm]