Eikon's exterior build thread.

[DeXteR]

I don't want to shell out the dinero for coilovers, and I don't want the bone jarring ride from them either.

Seth, Endura Tech FTMFW. Buy them. You WILL NOT be disappointed. They're VERY well behaved on the soft setting on the street. Not even close to "bone jarring" and you'll kick yourself in the head for waiting so long. I don't know why I waited so long...

[jspec603]

^He's right about the coils. Most of the time it's not that noticeable. The handling is a huge plus too. In most cases, the spring rates aren't so bad unless you get the Tein SD's. They run a 10/8 combo, kinda a rough ride. I only notice them on really bumpy roads and rail road track crossings.

[Eikon]

Well.. if money were not an object, I'm sure I could be persuaded to step up to coilovers. But, money is quite an object at the moment.

Plus I've got another 240 that will be my track car, so the first set of coils I buy will be for that car.

Someday maybe... Thanks for the input anyhow guys.

[DeXteR]

Start saving, buddy. There are some of us who aren't made of money and somehow manage.

Just eat ramen noodles for a few months.

[Eikon]

My brother stopped over and helped me finally put the rear suspension on the car. Plus I got the mirrors on. I also picked some supplies for the taillights.. still need to find red bulbs for the brake lights.

Nismofly... You still thinking 10 mm spacers? Or will 5mm cut it?

[Z Style]

Looking awesome, bro.

[Eikon]

Thanks!

I got the headlights and taillights done today... well mostly.

I converted the H3C bulb outlets to H3 bulbs. That way I could fill them with $5 bulbs instead of $15+ bulbs that I'd have to wait for from ebay. The only difference between the "c" bulbs is that they have a ground wire coming off the bulb itself vs. the regular bulbs ground off the housing. It's a very easy fix even for a complete idiot like myself with electrical.

I figured out how to wire up the turn signals thanks to a post from Hijacker (Bart). I extended the running lights as well so those are working fine now.

I also got the taillights set up as well. I'm waiting for red bulbs to come from ebay to keep them from looking pink. But I'll swap those in when they come. Otherwise with the silver coated amber bulbs, the taillights are looking great.

The only problem I'm having now is that my turn signal and headlights switch / stalk seems to be broken. I was having trouble with it prior to the conversion, so I assumed then it needed to be replaced. I found a guy in our classifieds section parting out a car, so I sent him money, and it should be on it's way. Let's hope that's the solution. If not, I'll be very crabby!!!

I'll bring it out of the garage tomorrow I think, finally snap a few shots of it in the sunlight. But I need those turn signals before I can really drive it anywhere.

Here it is with the headlights and center garnish all installed.

[-RJ-]

double projectors ftw

[AZhitman]

WOW!

How did I miss this thread for so long?

Seth, I am impressed, you have a TON more patience than I do. The car looks phenomenal.

Black's the hardest color to get "perfect", and one thing I've learned is YOU'LL know where the imperfections are, but few others will see them.

If I'd been in the thread earlier, I'd have recommended any products from POR-15. Have a search, it's FAR superior to Bondo for bodywork.

At any rate, you're well on your way to a beautiful S13 in the best color EVER: SUPER BLACK.

[jspec603]

This car is definitely going to be one of the hottest verts on Nico! Great job bro!!!

[Bwana]

The car's looking fantastic Seth! Now get that t3 on there...

[nismofly]

Nismofly... You still thinking 10 mm spacers? Or will 5mm cut it?

10mm will be fine, itll look a little nicer, give you a little more clearance on the inside, and still allow you to run with no fender modifications or worrying about camber or anything (yet)

[Eikon]

Thanks Chris... 10mm it is... maybe my Z brakes will actually fit then??

Well guys, it's certainly not done, but I did get it out finally for some pictures. I have no turn signals still, so I didn't go far from home... just down to a local park for a couple shots.

I'm finally going to get around to buying the sandpaper so that I can wetsand it really good... then buff it. That'll be next week. Once it's done, I can put the spoiler back on the car. Then I need to install the seat belts, get the interior back together and so on...

Here's some pics:

[MNVERT]

DAym that is one sick looking VERT i cant believe u did all that yourself with some help here and there thats mad good ..

[onosqv]

exhaust doesn't match the rear bumper...

I had to put some sort of criticism in this thread, hee hee.

Coming along real nice man.

[jspec603]

Looks great out in the sun! Job well done!

[Flicktitty]

looks damn good bud!

[pflicht]

That looks F'ing amazing! Damn!

[cmkelly]

Agreed, everything looks fantastic except the exhaust. Might I interest you in a nice BRM... Can't wait to see it in person at NOPI!!! No excuses! Baby, schmaby

[Coolwhip]

Seth, car looks wicked man. I hope mine will look as pretty as yours when it grows up.

[Coolwhip]

oh, and your neighbors are probably thinking, "man that guy is ballin' he's living in the wrong neighborhood."

hahaha

[sped56737]

i'd love to have your vert! looks sweet. lol

[94_240sx]

Time flies!! Seems like you started this project not too long ago. Looking great. It's good to see your car looks very close to your avatar. I'm a fan of brick headlights and GT-R grill, but yours changed my mind. Dual and silvia grill look as good as brick when it's done right.

[srphoenix]

looking great Seth! now to get that turbo on!

[S15nS13vert]

SICK , JUST SICK DUDE!!!!!

[Eikon]

Time flies!! Seems like you started this project not too long ago. Looking great. It's good to see your car looks very close to your avatar. I'm a fan of brick headlights and GT-R grill, but yours changed my mind. Dual and silvia grill look as good as brick when it's done right.

Thanks man. Now it looks just like my avatar.. lol.

[biggie]

Seth, I hate you, that is all.

[DeXteR]

Never been a fan of the silvia garnish in the front...

Car looks nice. Good Jorb.

[Eikon]

I like the silvia garnish.. i wish mine was less yellow from age, but I do like it.

I got my new headlight/turn signal switch in the mail and swapped it in. I now have high beems and low beems. I am an idiot.. I didn't realize the front bumper even had a spot for blinkers in the front.. i thought they were just cosmetic... So I thought the corner lights were for the blinkers.. so I wired them up. They flash super fast, like the car thinks they are burned out. I need to get my hands on a new turn signal bulb for one side and rewire them.. I left one bulb on the ground, then managed to step on it and then threw it away.. I still have the housing and the yellow plastic, but I need the bulb, and wiring from it. Anyone???

Anyhow, aside from that mess, I started wetsanding. I meant to do it last week, but the weekend was busy, work was then busy through Wed, and then Wed. night I got sick.. very sick! I think it was/is strep throat. I had a fever of 105 and it felt like I was swallowing razor blades. ughhh..

I'm finally feeling a bit better, so I continued the wetsanding a bit today.

I'm going over it the first time with 1500 grit to bring down all the grit and get it close to flat. Then I'll take my time with 2000 grit (cause it's the highest my local carquest has) and get it all perfect.

Here is an idea of the severity of the orange peel.



Here's the progress so far with wetsanding:

[NISTECH]

Awesome Seth!! The car looks superb.

About your silvia lense, Nice choice I choose the one with larger lettering. One of my Detail guys at the shop was able to shine it up and make any amount of yellow unnoticable. He just used a machine buffing compond and a rotary buffer. It was like night and day. Give that a try.