happy birthday to me

[jdmser]

Instead of buying something for me, my wife just gave me $2000 and said have fun. The problem I keep running into is that's just enough money to get stuck at the end to a big upgrade. What I already have is a rb20, collared crank, n1 oil pump, greddy timing belt, garrett t3/t04e 50 trim, 440cc injectors, emanage blue w/ support tool and harnesses, fmic and custom piping, 3" custom down pipe, three angle valve job on the head, aem fpr, walbro 255, xtd clutch, and Q45 maf w/ stillen intake. So here is what I've been thinking.

Option #1. Forged pistons, head gasket, arp head and main studs, acl bearings and I'm out of money. Which means waiting till I can afford manchine work and the rest of the parts.

Option #2 Port and polish, head gasket, cams, arp head studs, and dyno tune.

Option #3 Get it tuned with what it has and go from there.

Option #4 Get a RB25 long block and swap it out for the RB20 block.

The only thing that concerns me is that I'm quickly approaching my break even point. I still have less than what I think I can get out of it in a very strait 96 s14. I plan on selling it when I'm done and don't want to lose to much on it. My goal is low 12s and then done. A set of MT e/t street radials and welds also crossed my mind. Any suggestions would be great.

[minivan_don]

wicked wife !!!

what about other upgrades such as suspension, brakes, ect ???

[madcowvert]

+1 on the wickedness i'll take a # 2

[jobestudios]

assuming you only want to work on the motor. I would say OEM Nissan spec rebuild (gaskets, rings, bearings, seals), sell your t3/t4 and pick up a 2871r or something of the sort. However if your only goal is to get into the 12's, buy some slicks and get it agressivley tuned for C16 race gas and gut it, you should have fun then!

[Yellow4g63]

#2 sounds like the best path. Bigger valves and some Drag Radials your good to go for 12's. I ran Mid 13's on stock turbo and no FMIC, 50trim 14psi you better hit a 12 or you have bigger problems lol. Don't forget your friends at Protech .

[jdmser]

For suspension and brakes I've done kyb agx, eibach sportline, nismo subframe bushings and motor mounts, gts-t front calipers, d/s rotors, and braided stainless lines. The one thing I don't have(more a driveline thing) is a good lsd.
Modified by jdmser at 1:48 PM 2/7/2007

[Carl H]

just toss some nice cams on board and sit on the rest for a rainy day...not worth building the car imho.get a decent tune and enjoy the car...
Modified by Carl H at 6:04 AM 2/7/2007

[stldrifts13]

oh so lucky........my girfriend just made me spend $700 to come visit her while she's in italy, and your wife gave you 2 grand.... .....sounds like you got the better deal my friend....#2 sounds like a good option...seems like you're getting more for your money. good luck man!

[Darius]

I'm with Carl on this one. Put $800 towards a set of cams, $200 towards a tune, and put the other $1000 in a RothIRA. Enjoy the car as is.

My dad always told me to marry rich. Your wife must think you are all sorts of special or she got in trouble and is buttering you up before she breaks the news

[Sil240]

Haha uh oh....

I vote cams, tune and slicks!!!Especially if your gonna sell the car eventually.

I can never sell my car, I've got so much damn $ and time in it. It's gonna be a gigantic loss!!!

[matafied]

i like option #4, RB25 mmmmm then add the slicks

[002-M-P]

I can never sell my car, I've got so much damn $ and time in it. It's gonna be a gigantic loss!!!

+1 million....heavily modified cars are no investment...then are money pits

[jdmser]

She's just playing catch up. I got her a 06' SE-R for her birthday. As for the Roth IRA, mine hasn't made me sh-t. I'm transfering it into her 401k or something a little more aggressive.

[Darius]

That is a kickass bday present!

BTW, you can't transfer a RothIRA money into a 401k. Roth money is post-tax and 401k is pretax. E-mail me if you want some basic investment strategy and I can walk you through it.

[tjmhillz]

yea i would go wit #2 also.. damn does your wife have any available sisters?? lol i wish my girl was like dat

[clovers525e]

Instead of buying something for me, my wife just gave me $2000 and said have fun. The problem I keep running into is that's just enough money to get stuck at the end to a big upgrade. What I already have is a rb20, collared crank, n1 oil pump, greddy timing belt, garrett t3/t04e 50 trim, 440cc injectors, emanage blue w/ support tool and harnesses, fmic and custom piping, 3" custom down pipe, three angle valve job on the head, aem fpr, walbro 255, xtd clutch, and Q45 maf w/ stillen intake. So here is what I've been thinking.

Option #1. Forged pistons, head gasket, arp head and main studs, acl bearings and I'm out of money. Which means waiting till I can afford manchine work and the rest of the parts.

Option #2 Port and polish, head gasket, cams, arp head studs, and dyno tune.

Option #3 Get it tuned with what it has and go from there.

Option #4 Get a RB25 long block and swap it out for the RB20 block.

The only thing that concerns me is that I'm quickly approaching my break even point. I still have less than what I think I can get out of it in a very strait 96 s14. I plan on selling it when I'm done and don't want to lose to much on it. My goal is low 12s and then done. A set of MT e/t street radials and welds also crossed my mind. Any suggestions would be great.

sorry to jump off the topic but where did you get info on the wireing for that swap. i'm doing the same thing (96 rb20) and cant find any info at all. unless its the same as the s13, then i'll feel like a jack ***.

[clovers525e]

Instead of buying something for me, my wife just gave me $2000 and said have fun. The problem I keep running into is that's just enough money to get stuck at the end to a big upgrade. What I already have is a rb20, collared crank, n1 oil pump, greddy timing belt, garrett t3/t04e 50 trim, 440cc injectors, emanage blue w/ support tool and harnesses, fmic and custom piping, 3" custom down pipe, three angle valve job on the head, aem fpr, walbro 255, xtd clutch, and Q45 maf w/ stillen intake. So here is what I've been thinking.

Option #1. Forged pistons, head gasket, arp head and main studs, acl bearings and I'm out of money. Which means waiting till I can afford manchine work and the rest of the parts.

Option #2 Port and polish, head gasket, cams, arp head studs, and dyno tune.

Option #3 Get it tuned with what it has and go from there.

Option #4 Get a RB25 long block and swap it out for the RB20 block.

The only thing that concerns me is that I'm quickly approaching my break even point. I still have less than what I think I can get out of it in a very strait 96 s14. I plan on selling it when I'm done and don't want to lose to much on it. My goal is low 12s and then done. A set of MT e/t street radials and welds also crossed my mind. Any suggestions would be great.

sorry to jump off the topic but where did you get info on the wireing for that swap. i'm doing the same thing (96 rb20) and cant find any info at all. unless its the same as the s13, then i'll feel like a jack ***.

[jdmser]

search post body for "Wulfgang wiring" in the archived content and the rest is up to you

[jobestudios]

yeah, back on topic.

Weld your diff if you're only dragging.

[BoostFab]

put $150 to take the wife to a fancy rommatic restaurant and what left upgrade turbo, fuel management, and clutch.