Mechanic near Manassas, VA?

[Vegeta]

I have a 91 240SX fastback. I've had it since 91 and I love it to death.

I need to do some work on it. Exhaust and brakes. I've always used stock parts but now looking at aftermarket parts. Is there anyone near Manssas, VA that has done some upgrades? Can anyone recommend a good shop? Or maybe, if I buy the parts, are there any experienced people on here that would be willing to help me install? I could make it worth your time.

[Dattebayo]

Im not a mechanic, but I am very experienced with working on S13's.

You could email me at [email protected] if you have any questions, and I will help as best as I can; even though manassas is a little far from kensington/bethesda area.

[ETTInnov04]

To what extent are you planning to upgrade? Just swap out to better pads and a free flowing cat-back exhaust? Or are you planning to swap to 300zx calipers and rotors and a set of headers, high flow cat and a cat-back? I'm a little south of richmond so I'm about an hour and a half away from you. I'd be willing to meet up sometime and give you opinions and discuss if you'd like. Let me know my email: is [email protected]

[HashiriyaS14]

I live in Arlington, VA, and I work in Tysons Corner.

As 2BN_S13 can attest, I don't know a whole helluva lot about actually fixing/installing anything, but I can always lend another set of hands and another set of eyes.

Good to know about another 240 owner in the area, that pic is a recent shot of your car? It is *very* clean, I've never seen that "Twin Cam" sticker on the side of an S13 before, was that a stock item?

[ETTInnov04]

Are any of you guys on midatlanitic240sx.com? There is alot of 240sx owners up in NOVA area on there.

[Vegeta]

Wow, I didn't expect a response this quickly! Yeah, I was thinking about just a cat back. I've been checking out BRM. I don't think it would be too hard to put on, but I live in a townhouse and have no space to work.

And for the brakes, not sure what brand I want, just tired of stock. I have some rust and I'm getting that awful WOOMMPP!!! noise when I'm in reverse. I've checked around and it seems other 240 owners have experienced this noise.

I don't plan on racing. I'm just worried about passing inspection. It's do soon.

[Vegeta]

Oh, by the way. That's the original paint. Everything about the car is original. I take good care of it. The only thing I've had to replace are brakes and clutch (well tires and oil too), but it's all Nissan stock replacement.

[ETTInnov04]

Sounds like your rear caliper is sticking, mine is as well. Like someone else stated above I'm no mechanic but I do have a good amount of expirience with the 240sx. I could bring a jack and a few stands if you need them

[hannibal]

Do those Twin Cam stickers come on HICAS equipped cars?? Thats definitely a rarity.

I'm on MidAtlantic. I go by 'hannibal' on there (and every other forum). There are plenty of local guys with good experience. Working with friends/acquintences is so much better than paying a shop. Your car gets fixed and you learn how to do it properly.

So many guys on NICO enjoy doing this stuff, you'll have no problem finding someone to help you along.

[Vegeta]

Yeah, my car has HICAS.

[Dattebayo]

Yeah, we need to get rid of that HICAS for you.

But your car is awesome because you have a stock VLSD and other goodies. Your first mods should be HICAS eliminators and a ABS-to-regular brake swap.

[HashiriyaS14]

Think you could post some more pics of your car?

I think that's probably the nicest, most original S13 hatch I've probably ever seen outside of promo photos and such. How many miles are on it?

I'd love to see this thing in person at some point.

[ETTInnov04]

Sounds like this is shaping up to be a meet at your house for random Q&A, tech, brake swap, exhaust swap, etc. lol.

[Dattebayo]

umm, who's house?

[ETTInnov04]

Vegeta's house.

[SeVa-S13]

Yeah, we need to get rid of that HICAS for you.

But your car is awesome because you have a stock VLSD and other goodies. Your first mods should be HICAS eliminators and a ABS-to-regular brake swap.

Please don't ruin the car like that. Vegeta-- only disable HICAS if you plan on "drifting" alot. And ABS never hurt anyone. I'd rather drive from Chicago to buy the car from you if you really destroy a rare car for fanboi purposes. Think about it, I'll be able to pick it up in maybe a month and a half?

[Vegeta]

Here's what I'm looking at. Anyone done any of this?

Magnaflow CatBRM dual-tip exhaustBremba or Rotora Brakes

Anyone used Z32 or Q45 parts in their 240?

And here is another pic of my car.

[Vegeta]

Nah, I ain't gettin rid of nuttin...especially the HICAS. No rice for me. I love my car like it is. Just want to replace some old rusty OEM parts.

[SeVa-S13]

Z32 and Q45 brake upgrades are common and easy. Do a search on it and you'll end up with more info and opinions that you'd ever want.

[MAXIMUS Nismo]

click the link in my sig for my BRM install. It's the same thing for the dual tip design.

[Vegeta]

Nah, I ain't gettin rid of nuttin...especially the HICAS. No rice for me. I love my car like it is. Just want to replace some old rusty OEM parts.

[ETTInnov04]

I've done the Z32 30mm on the front of my '89. I know it's not BRM but I put on my GReddy exhaust. I usually do all my own stuff, minus welding, painting, etc. Limited on resources where I live. If you need anything you've got my email.

[Vegeta]

Nah, I ain't gettin rid of nuttin...especially the HICAS. No rice for me. I love my car like it is. Just want to replace some old rusty OEM parts.

[Dattebayo]

if you really destroy a rare car for fanboi purposes

Antilock brakes cause more accidents than they make up for. In a case where you really need to stop hard they suck, end of story.

As for the fanboi thing, kiss my tookis. HICAS is ultra scary to drive, and if it was so important and great for handling, how come it still isnt being made today? Not because of engineering costs, thats for sure. I say remove it becuase it will cost you lots of money in the future and could cause danger for the driver.

[Vegeta]

Just wanted to let you guys know that I got my brakes done at B&T Motorsports in Lorton, Va. (http://www.bandtmotorsports.com/)

I had them install Brembo rotors with Axxis pads. The terrible noise I used to hear in reverse is gone (yeah!!) but, after about 300 miles my brakes are starting to make a clacking noise. Anyone else experienced this?

I still need to get the car inspected this month. I'm a little worried about the emissions part. I've been thinking about getting a new cat and exhaust. Other than that, the car runs like a champ. I've been reading a lot of good stuff about the BRM cat-back.

[Dattebayo]

The clacking noise is because you did not have brake shoes installed with your pads.

It should be that simple.

[Vegeta]

I'll check on that. Thanks.

[Dattebayo]

np