irnox's s13 Build Thread
irnox's s13 Build Thread
Hi! I had recently Purchased an 1991 240sx, and I wanted to document the progress of my car. Note that I am a high school student with only a monthly drill pay budget so for now updates may not be so often but I hope that one day I'll be able to call this project complete
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
I'm not too sure how a build thread goes so I'm just going to post pictures of the car over time saying what happened with it and what not.
Here's when I first got the car. Stickers all over, No power steering, and since it is my first standard car that I got a 15 minute lesson for, I was absolutely horrible at driving it.
Sometime before January 20, 2015
1/24/2015
Started to drive the car a little more, still sucked, decided to take more pictures of the car.
A bunch of stickers and tags on the dash, nasty seats, and all that good stuff from a used 240.
The KA. (I know nothing about cars.... but i'm slowly learning some things)
Front of the car and this car is way too low for my taste, but will be fixed soon (No turn signals unfortunately, and the rear ones don't work. Still trying to figure that out.)
Here's when I first got the car. Stickers all over, No power steering, and since it is my first standard car that I got a 15 minute lesson for, I was absolutely horrible at driving it.
Sometime before January 20, 2015
1/24/2015
Started to drive the car a little more, still sucked, decided to take more pictures of the car.
A bunch of stickers and tags on the dash, nasty seats, and all that good stuff from a used 240.
The KA. (I know nothing about cars.... but i'm slowly learning some things)
Front of the car and this car is way too low for my taste, but will be fixed soon
(No turn signals unfortunately, and the rear ones don't work. Still trying to figure that out.)Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
2/12/2015
I brought the car into the school shop class cause a bunch of my friends were curious what was going on there. Also, the rear tires that were on at the time had a ton of camber wear (owner before me drifted this car a lot) and we decided to switch them out with spares that were in the trunk.
These are the coilovers that are currently on the car. For some reason the car is slammed to the ground but it seems that this setting is the highest that it can go, or at least that's what the teacher thought. The springs are useless, if you were to grab the spring, you could jiggle and twist it around the coilover...
The car has a straight pipe and it is held up with these wires, and maybe 3 bolts.. but it had about 3 holes in it. I didn't get a picture of it but one of the places where one pipe connects to the next is smashed in and also has a hole there too.
I brought the car into the school shop class cause a bunch of my friends were curious what was going on there. Also, the rear tires that were on at the time had a ton of camber wear (owner before me drifted this car a lot) and we decided to switch them out with spares that were in the trunk.
These are the coilovers that are currently on the car. For some reason the car is slammed to the ground but it seems that this setting is the highest that it can go, or at least that's what the teacher thought. The springs are useless, if you were to grab the spring, you could jiggle and twist it around the coilover...
The car has a straight pipe and it is held up with these wires, and maybe 3 bolts.. but it had about 3 holes in it. I didn't get a picture of it but one of the places where one pipe connects to the next is smashed in and also has a hole there too.
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
2/14/2015
CLEANING DAY.
It was a Saturday morning, and I had just found out that my girlfriends parents had tools that I could actually use on the car. AMAZING. so I decided I wanted to clean the inside of the car.
The inside of the car was pretty nasty. Owner before me used to smoke in the car I believe. JUST LOOK AT THIS SEAT. NASTY. Left side if the kind of clean side, and the right is... yeah... no need for explanation, and more views of the tagging on the dash
I pulled all of the seats out. well.. the two front seats, and the bottom park of the back seats, and tried to clean them as much as possible.
My girlfriend also had this carpet cleaner which I was able to use on the seats so that was another amazing thing that day
I pulled things out, and my girlfriend helped clean the seats with the carpet cleaner, and i'm glad I did. There were a lot of things that I didn't want in there like cigarette butts, high school id's, and a bunch of smoke residue.
I was kind of disappointed that the carpet cleaner did nothing to the actual carpet of the car, but It's okay. At least i'm not sitting on as much human slime as I was before. I was both intrigued and disgusted at the fact that you could visibly see the carpet cleaner suck up s*** brown liquid from the seats, even after 5-10 passes.
The trunk/hatch.. idk. of the car was completely stripped, and there were a bunch of things in there that I could not identify, for example that metal thing on the left side. At this point, I had never put anything back here in fear of them falling out through the hole where the spare tire should be. The rear speakers, turn signals, and reverse lights don't work, and if the hatch wasn't propped up by that... prop, then It would try to smash your head into the car if you weren't careful.
CLEANING DAY.
It was a Saturday morning, and I had just found out that my girlfriends parents had tools that I could actually use on the car. AMAZING. so I decided I wanted to clean the inside of the car.
The inside of the car was pretty nasty. Owner before me used to smoke in the car I believe. JUST LOOK AT THIS SEAT. NASTY. Left side if the kind of clean side, and the right is... yeah... no need for explanation, and more views of the tagging on the dash
I pulled all of the seats out. well.. the two front seats, and the bottom park of the back seats, and tried to clean them as much as possible.
My girlfriend also had this carpet cleaner which I was able to use on the seats so that was another amazing thing that day
I pulled things out, and my girlfriend helped clean the seats with the carpet cleaner, and i'm glad I did. There were a lot of things that I didn't want in there like cigarette butts, high school id's, and a bunch of smoke residue.
I was kind of disappointed that the carpet cleaner did nothing to the actual carpet of the car, but It's okay. At least i'm not sitting on as much human slime as I was before. I was both intrigued and disgusted at the fact that you could visibly see the carpet cleaner suck up s*** brown liquid from the seats, even after 5-10 passes.
The trunk/hatch.. idk. of the car was completely stripped, and there were a bunch of things in there that I could not identify, for example that metal thing on the left side. At this point, I had never put anything back here in fear of them falling out through the hole where the spare tire should be. The rear speakers, turn signals, and reverse lights don't work, and if the hatch wasn't propped up by that... prop, then It would try to smash your head into the car if you weren't careful.
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
2/15/2015
I decided that I like taking pictures of the car, so here are a couple.
This was after I waxed the car, so I was surprised that It looked this much better than before. I wasn't expecting much from the condition that the body was in but then again.. I am a car nooblet. And yeah, the rubber seal is falling off but that's no biggie.
The solution to the trunk space problem! And I was also able to find screws that fit where the privacy cover is supposed to hang from so that was a big plus!
I decided that I like taking pictures of the car, so here are a couple.
This was after I waxed the car, so I was surprised that It looked this much better than before. I wasn't expecting much from the condition that the body was in but then again.. I am a car nooblet. And yeah, the rubber seal is falling off but that's no biggie.
The solution to the trunk space problem! And I was also able to find screws that fit where the privacy cover is supposed to hang from so that was a big plus!
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
2/20/2015
I locked myself out of the car... I'm very glad that I had bought two spare keys. I need to buy more.
2/23/2015
First purchase for the car!
I reeeeeeeeally needed a bumper that had turn signals on the front because searching online for the pignose lights was a PITA. Assemblies would have cost me $50+ for one side, and besides that, all the places that sold them didn't ship to Hawaii, so I searched on Craigslist and found this bumper for $60. I thought it was a pretty good deal considering that I get the bumper AND turn signals for the price. One thing that I thought was pretty cool was that the person I bought the bumper from had actually owned this car before the person I had bought It from, and basically the owner before me had messed up the car. How unfortunate. That's okay. I'll build this 240 and do my best to restore it to a clean car. It'll take a while though.
2/24/2015
Since the bolts for the license plate weren't the same size as the holes in the bumper, I had to drive with the it on the dashboard the night before. I read that I would get pulled over for that so I was desperate for a solution to put the plate on the bumper, so of course the solution would be zip ties.
Also today the car was making a weird screeching, rumbling noise on the road, so I thought that maybe restarting the car would make it go away. BAD IDEA. The car would not start in the middle of a busy road at 4:00 when people are trying to get home from town. Luckily, I got help from some good Samaritans who helped me push the car into a nearby parking structure. After a couple minutes of freaking out and not knowing what to do, I tried to start the car again and YES! the car had started again, but i'm afraid that this may happen again in the future.
I locked myself out of the car... I'm very glad that I had bought two spare keys. I need to buy more.
2/23/2015
First purchase for the car!
I reeeeeeeeally needed a bumper that had turn signals on the front because searching online for the pignose lights was a PITA. Assemblies would have cost me $50+ for one side, and besides that, all the places that sold them didn't ship to Hawaii, so I searched on Craigslist and found this bumper for $60. I thought it was a pretty good deal considering that I get the bumper AND turn signals for the price. One thing that I thought was pretty cool was that the person I bought the bumper from had actually owned this car before the person I had bought It from, and basically the owner before me had messed up the car. How unfortunate. That's okay. I'll build this 240 and do my best to restore it to a clean car
. It'll take a while though.2/24/2015
Since the bolts for the license plate weren't the same size as the holes in the bumper, I had to drive with the it on the dashboard the night before. I read that I would get pulled over for that so I was desperate for a solution to put the plate on the bumper, so of course the solution would be zip ties.
Also today the car was making a weird screeching, rumbling noise on the road, so I thought that maybe restarting the car would make it go away. BAD IDEA. The car would not start in the middle of a busy road at 4:00 when people are trying to get home from town. Luckily, I got help from some good Samaritans who helped me push the car into a nearby parking structure. After a couple minutes of freaking out and not knowing what to do, I tried to start the car again and YES! the car had started again, but i'm afraid that this may happen again in the future.
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sx moneypit
- Posts: 8911
- Joined: Wed Aug 26, 2009 2:54 am
- Car: 2010 Nissan 370Z
1986 Toyota MR2 - Location: Memphis,Tn.
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
Looks like a good base for your project!
Welcome to Nico!
Welcome to Nico!
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
Thank you very much! I'm glad to be here. Now I just gotta figure out my way around this site haha.sx moneypit wrote:Looks like a good base for your project!
Welcome to Nico!
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
Not more than 5 minutes ago, I just purchased used drop springs, shocks, and struts for $80. Pictures to come.
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
Well... The pictures of the suspension aren't gonna be up for a while. The car now doesn't start so that is going to be something I want to address first.
On 2/25/15, After turning off the car and taking the keys out of the ignition, the car started to make this horrible grinding, whining sound which lasted for 20 minutes and gave off a burning smell. I have no idea where the sound was coming from, and since the car does not start (no clicking, cranking, or any sounds at all) I can't figure out what part would be making the sound.
The battery works fine. All electronics in the car work. Back ends of broom sticks, and a jack wrench metal thing were used to try and hit the starter to start the car to no avail.
On 2/25/15, After turning off the car and taking the keys out of the ignition, the car started to make this horrible grinding, whining sound which lasted for 20 minutes and gave off a burning smell. I have no idea where the sound was coming from, and since the car does not start (no clicking, cranking, or any sounds at all) I can't figure out what part would be making the sound.
The battery works fine. All electronics in the car work. Back ends of broom sticks, and a jack wrench metal thing were used to try and hit the starter to start the car to no avail.
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kornmanz
- Posts: 2926
- Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 5:01 am
- Car: 89 240sx Hatch SR Powa'd
- Location: Santa Fe, NM
- Contact:
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
Looks like the car needs some TLC that you're going to give it. Good luck and keep the dream alive dont give up!
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
My car getting towed to a safe place because at the time it was parked in a prohibited spot and got a ticket because I wasn't able to move it.
As it sits now (had to duct tape the hatch as you can see it is raining)
Just today I had purchased another starter for the car and can't wait to put it in.
Thinking back on my drop springs purchase, one of the strut mounts are missing two bolts, so that's going to be a trip to Home Depot.
Finally, some lighting upgrades came in.
1156 led bulbs for the reverse lights (I have no idea if they'll work at all)
and some new headlight lamp assembly things because I could not see ANYTHING with the previous lights at night which was pretty scary driving down Kalihi Valley...if anyone here lives in Hawaii, which is basically a dark, narrow winding road with many hills.
As it sits now (had to duct tape the hatch as you can see it is raining)
Just today I had purchased another starter for the car and can't wait to put it in.
Thinking back on my drop springs purchase, one of the strut mounts are missing two bolts, so that's going to be a trip to Home Depot.
Finally, some lighting upgrades came in.
1156 led bulbs for the reverse lights (I have no idea if they'll work at all)
and some new headlight lamp assembly things because I could not see ANYTHING with the previous lights at night which was pretty scary driving down Kalihi Valley...if anyone here lives in Hawaii, which is basically a dark, narrow winding road with many hills.
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
Alright! Today was a pretty good day for me. Some things that went right were that the car STARTS! I was very happy when it did, the rear turn signals and hazards work (unexpectedly), and I was able to install the new headlights.
Sorry. Not to many pictures today.
So to start off with the starter..
I found it off craigslist and got it for $60 instead of $100. Yes it was used. I wanted to put it in as soon as possible because I missed driving the car even though it's only been a week.
After installing the starter, we went straight away to trying to start the car again. This was the moment of truth, the time where you find out if the work you have done was worth it or not. And yeah I know that it's just a starter but this was the first engine part I have ever replaced so I still thought that it was pretty exciting.
So we turn the key. . . . IT CRANKS. then it dies. s***.
Second time around. Okay maybe it just needs to get settled in or something. Turn the key aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand. Click. Click. Click. "s***. what's wrong now"
So after a couple tries of that and having the engine not start each time bummed me out pretty bad. I was so sure that the car would start after replacing the starter and to top it off, a couple of the fuel lines (please correct my terminology if i'm wrong) became loose and started spraying gasoline around the engine. I turned the key and my girlfriend started to shout " SOMETHING IS SQUIRTING" with the smell of gasoline in the air. We quickly got that fixed and the engine still wasn't starting so we decided to bring back things that we ruled out in the beginning. One of the more simpler ones to test was the battery.
We jumped the car, and tried to start it again. SUCCESS. Looking back at my other post, I guess the battery could have been one of the big problems also.
Oh hello there starter.
(I apologize for my very bad story telling. A for effort?)
Next up are some simple light upgrades.
Sorry for no before and after.. I was too excited to get them in.
The old headlight with the broken housing. Previous owner probably tried to pry it straight off.......
New LED lights that were originally supposed to be for the reverse lights.
Originally I ordered the bulbs for the reverse lights, they unfortunately they still don't work. I then decided to try put them in for the turn signals to see what would happen and very surprisingly they actually work! I was very happy with that because I don't have to use hand signals out the window anymore.
Tip of the day: After testing bulbs, they may be VERY HOT. Let them cool down before trying to switch them out.
Sorry. Not to many pictures today.
So to start off with the starter..
I found it off craigslist and got it for $60 instead of $100. Yes it was used. I wanted to put it in as soon as possible because I missed driving the car even though it's only been a week.
After installing the starter, we went straight away to trying to start the car again. This was the moment of truth, the time where you find out if the work you have done was worth it or not. And yeah I know that it's just a starter but this was the first engine part I have ever replaced so I still thought that it was pretty exciting.
So we turn the key. . . . IT CRANKS. then it dies. s***.
Second time around. Okay maybe it just needs to get settled in or something. Turn the key aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand. Click. Click. Click. "s***. what's wrong now"
So after a couple tries of that and having the engine not start each time bummed me out pretty bad. I was so sure that the car would start after replacing the starter and to top it off, a couple of the fuel lines (please correct my terminology if i'm wrong) became loose and started spraying gasoline around the engine. I turned the key and my girlfriend started to shout " SOMETHING IS SQUIRTING" with the smell of gasoline in the air. We quickly got that fixed and the engine still wasn't starting so we decided to bring back things that we ruled out in the beginning. One of the more simpler ones to test was the battery.
We jumped the car, and tried to start it again. SUCCESS. Looking back at my other post, I guess the battery could have been one of the big problems also.
Oh hello there starter.
(I apologize for my very bad story telling. A for effort?)
Next up are some simple light upgrades.
Sorry for no before and after.. I was too excited to get them in.
The old headlight with the broken housing. Previous owner probably tried to pry it straight off.......
New LED lights that were originally supposed to be for the reverse lights.
Originally I ordered the bulbs for the reverse lights, they unfortunately they still don't work. I then decided to try put them in for the turn signals to see what would happen and very surprisingly they actually work! I was very happy with that because I don't have to use hand signals out the window anymore.
Tip of the day: After testing bulbs, they may be VERY HOT. Let them cool down before trying to switch them out.
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
New (to me) rear shocks installed.
Comparison of the old (green) and new (blue)
Took a bit of effort to get everything to line up properly
All I need now is to install the fronts, then goodbye to scraping everything in my path.
Comparison of the old (green) and new (blue)
Took a bit of effort to get everything to line up properly
All I need now is to install the fronts, then goodbye to scraping everything in my path.
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
My only problem with the rears is that I need to figure out how to adjust the camber because one side has more than the other.
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Boone_Timer88
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat Apr 25, 2015 4:32 pm
- Car: '95 240sx se se
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
Looks like the car has its stock upper arms. (The hoop your coil is going through.)
you need to buy adjustable ones. It sucks that youre in Hawaii man, everything cars there is rediculously overpriced. The coils may have an adjustable camber plate that may tweak your camber. But in the end you need adjustable upper control arms. Commonly called RUCAs.
you need to buy adjustable ones. It sucks that youre in Hawaii man, everything cars there is rediculously overpriced. The coils may have an adjustable camber plate that may tweak your camber. But in the end you need adjustable upper control arms. Commonly called RUCAs.
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
Ahh I see. For now I'll just have to look and see if there are any adjustment settings on the coil.
Well I guess if ordered online, the prices are okay still but what kills it is the shipping. I was planning to purchase the turn signals for the pignose which cost $50, but then the shipping was also $50 which made me sad.
Well I guess if ordered online, the prices are okay still but what kills it is the shipping. I was planning to purchase the turn signals for the pignose which cost $50, but then the shipping was also $50 which made me sad.
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
I'm stupid. One has more camber than the other because I didn't tighten down the lug nuts.....
Re: irnox's s13 Build Thread
More word updates.
Two big problems that I have came across since the last posts
1. Clutch is not fully disengaging. I have replaced the slave cylinder, extended the push rod as far as it can go, and the clutch is bled. I'm not too sure about what to do next.
2. Trying to install the front springs. The struts that I have are KYB gas struts, (I need to go look at the name again). They are the wide style of struts, unlike the rear shocks that I installed the other day. The problem about trying to install these are that the struts seem too long for the place where you are supposed to mount the two bottom bolts. I am not sure if I am supposed to just muscle the suspension down and try to install the struts that way or if i'm supposed to loosen something?
Two big problems that I have came across since the last posts
1. Clutch is not fully disengaging. I have replaced the slave cylinder, extended the push rod as far as it can go, and the clutch is bled. I'm not too sure about what to do next.
2. Trying to install the front springs. The struts that I have are KYB gas struts, (I need to go look at the name again). They are the wide style of struts, unlike the rear shocks that I installed the other day. The problem about trying to install these are that the struts seem too long for the place where you are supposed to mount the two bottom bolts. I am not sure if I am supposed to just muscle the suspension down and try to install the struts that way or if i'm supposed to loosen something?