Installing Silva front end on 94 'vert

[.white240.]

I'm considering buying a Silva (Rectagonal headlights=kouki?) front end off of a local guy in my area, and would like to know if anyone has any warnings, tips, advice, ramblings......anything at all to share about this swap. I know there is a couple convertibles done with it, and have always thought it looked super clean.

Any advice is appreciated,

Mark

[ishkabibble]

The rectagonal headlights are typically called "bricks".

Silvia verts look nice with full OEM aero, GT-R grille and no rear spoiler.

[.white240.]

Yeah, thats what I had planned to do. I've got r32 rims, and a full z32 brake conversion on it, so I think the front end would look good. Plus swapping out the vert doors for coupe doors.

I'm not much for gaudy body kits, so I'd prefer to keep things looking fairly clean. 'JDM TYTE YO!'

[USDM240]

its pretty staright forward. unbolt stock front end, bolt on Silvia front end. the only thing ive had to do with both of my Silvia fronts is extend the wiring for the drivers corner light. its just a hair too short. a pic of mine is in the sig. im going to try to get some more pics of it as things progress. mine is now wingless too.

[masterteque]

Usdm240 you beat me to it... I just said the exact same thing. Here's a pic of mine. It has the Aero bumper, bomex front lip, kouki 180sx side skirts, and a buddy club rear bumper with no spoiler on the trunk. I now have the door pillars gone with all brand new interior but I don't have any new pics yet.

[USDM240]

^wow. :O

hella clean.

[.white240.]

Haha, thats so funny. USDM I literally JUST saved a picture of your car to show my girlfriend what it will look like. White vert with a silva front end.

Masterteque- wow. So, so clean. That color is rad too. Did you remove the door pillars, or just swap the coupe doors?

[masterteque]

Masterteque- wow. So, so clean. That color is rad too. Did you remove the door pillars, or just swap the coupe doors?

Thanks for the comments...I removed the door pillars and installed the rear seat belts in the rear quarter panels. I located another set of vert rear belts for the back....I'll get some new pics soon......

[USDM240]

Haha, thats so funny. USDM I literally JUST saved a picture of your car to show my girlfriend what it will look like. White vert with a silva front end.

Masterteque- wow. So, so clean. That color is rad too. Did you remove the door pillars, or just swap the coupe doors?

share the pics. i feel kinda famous now.

im going to try to get some more pics here soon. things are a little hectic right now, so not much time to take any, or do any more work on the car. im going to be removing the black pinstripes from the sides sometime this weekend and hopefully, i can get the car lowered soon as well.

[.white240.]

I've got to take those same stripes off too. I hate 'em. However, I think I'm going to wait till right before my car goes in for paint.... I don't want them to peel off paint. I think I'm going to pick up my front end today.... so hopefully it will be on in the near future.

Labour wise, how long did it take you to put yours on?

[USDM240]

I've got to take those same stripes off too. I hate 'em. However, I think I'm going to wait till right before my car goes in for paint.... I don't want them to peel off paint. I think I'm going to pick up my front end today.... so hopefully it will be on in the near future.

Labour wise, how long did it take you to put yours on?

taking the stripes off shouldnt peel off any paint. worst case scenario,it will just leave some sticky residue that youll have to use some goof off on. beware of the bumpers though. they are the biggest PITA.

it took me about 3-4 hours to swap the front ends. keep in mind i was talking to a friend and also drinking a beer or two.

[.white240.]

So checklist for install: NO beer, NO talking.....should be done in a couple hours. Haha. I really appreciate all the advice, its definitely been helpful. I'm sure I'll have another couple questions when I actually start the install, but so far its been perfect.

[USDM240]

keep us all posted on your progress. i know im willing to help with any q & a that you may have.

and btw, darn you for getting the bricks! thats what i really wanted, but the place i bought my front end from only had the projectors.

[GoinTopless240]

actually is a pretty straight forward swap... i had to extend a few wires for side markers. I'm gonna go back and probably connect the blinker to alternate with side marker... I have the triple projector set up and did the quick and easy (knowing I would add a switch later) but my yellow projector is on with the low beam.. and off on high beam..[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

minus the slushbox and boat anchor[IMG][/IMG]

fenders and bumper are pretty straight forward... there is a bolt you may miss behind door and at top of fender... kinda hidden .. and another way in (go through the fender well and long extensions.. have a LONG breaker bar or air tools for the front bumper bolts at the frame.. take the fender well plastic out carefully (can't get them anymore and keep fenders from flappin in the wind... what bumper at you getting J's, Q's or K's? You might want to make some louvers in the drivers fender plastic on front side... Silvia bumper has cutout for SMIC on drivers side... JDM plastic has louvers in it so air can flow out from the front bumper... Good luck... It does draw looks from people that know what you have...

[.white240.]

I actually am not sure what bumper it is technically classified as....maybe you can tell me? This seems to be a trend for white 'verts to get the conversion....I will be three?

This is a fairly trivial question, but what type/gauge of wire did you use to extend the wires? I'm just trying to get everything ready to go when I actually take possession.

Thanks so much for the pics and the write up! its invaluable to me, especially because I often jump into things completely blind. Its nice to feel at least a little informed before getting into it. Haha. Thanks again.-Mark

[USDM240]

thats the Q's/J's bumper. notice there are no extra holes for a sidemount IC. the K's bumper has a vent on the lower left-hand side for the stock SR sidemount IC. the Aero bumper (rare these days) has two larger vents on both sides.

as far as wiring, i used 18 gauge wire to extend the wires. i had a bunch left over from an old cut up KA wiring harness.

hope that helps.

[masterteque]

the Aero bumper (rare these days) has two larger vents on both sides.

I found my Aero bumper complete for $350.00.....

[.white240.]

Weird. Duplicate post.

Regardless.......thanks again for the info. Yet again the 'vert forums come through in the pinch.
Modified by .white240. at 7:49 AM 7/31/2007

[USDM240]

I found my Aero bumper complete for $350.00.....

i want one, but im just not willing to pay that much for it right now. it loooks sick on your car though. but for now, ill stick with my K's bumper.

[bone_stock_240]

Woah cool. Make sure to post pictures when it is all finished. How are my Z32 brakes working for you??

[.white240.]

Beautiful. Stops like a champ. I ended up getting brembo rotors on all four corners, and a matching pair of z32's in the rear. ( I got a really good deal on the rotors, so I figured why not all four) AND, since convertibles only came with automatics.... my (larger than standard) brake booster seems to be doing a pretty good job stopping it, even with the stock MC.

Hopefully I'm going to get my front end tonight! Pics will be up as soon as its done!

[USDM240]

i want to see pics!

[FalkenDrift]

wow the4 green vert is beautiful. im in love.

[masterteque]

wow the4 green vert is beautiful. im in love.

Thanks...I just finished my new interior last night...I'll try to post some pics real soon.....

[USDM240]

Thanks...I just finished my new interior last night...I'll try to post some pics real soon.....