OFFICIAL: NicoClub's Rally 240SX, by Finnish Fury Rallysport

[IanS]

I opted to leave my HVAC stuff out. Just an FYI, my car w/ two stock seats, factory front belts, full glass, etc but sans hvac, dash, and the rest of the interior weighs 2380 lbs.

Good info, I plan to weigh mine as soon as its got everything in it.

I personally would never pull the HVAC stuff. For one thing, it gets cold at night, some races are run at night, and some rallies are even run during the winter. No heat equals no go. Even for events like yours, I would keep it. Its essentially a second radiator that can help take some of the burden off the cooling system. Not to mention, racing gets really tough when the windshield fogs over, which tends to happen when it rains, even in warmer climates. If I were you, I would keep just the radiator, and the ducting for the defroster. Just tape over all the other outlets. Use a toggle to run the blower, and lock the blend doors, in fresh air mode.

Anyways, on to the update. Its a smally but a goody.

All the wiring and steering column in. I plugged the cluster in to check it.



Plugged a battery in, and holy darn.



And taillights too.



Key on, hey look, the clock even works.



And the best news of all. It cranks over. All I need to do is install the fuel tank, fill it with gas, and plug all the fuel lines, and it might just fire up. Everyone cross your fingers. So far, I am believing that that SOHC and DOHC engine bay harnesses are the same, or at least very very close. Everything I have plugged in works, even the power windows, which my coupe did not have, weird.

I also got a surprise visit from Dave(Ajax), and he came bearing gifts. I now have a clean set of spare rear LCAs, and 2 clutches. I really hope they wont come in handy, but the way I drive, they probably will. Thanks Dave. Hopefully you can get your stuff sorted, and maybe make it to Omaha.

[lbreevesii]

None of our stuff will be in the cold, or at night. We are going to set up a solution to handle fogging if it occurs, but we should be fine.

I've still got those gauge parts if you need em.

Good to see progress!

[motoman399]

ya man its looking good. did those power windows just plug in? or did you need the full dash harness?

[IanS]

None of our stuff will be in the cold, or at night. We are going to set up a solution to handle fogging if it occurs, but we should be fine.

I've still got those gauge parts if you need em.

Good to see progress!

Cool cool, just thought I would throw it out there.

Heck yah Ill take em, Ill pm you my address.

Its Christmas for ME.

I picked up 6 lightly used Michilin gravel tires in the medium compound.







Thank you Sisu Rallysports.

[lbreevesii]

Sweeet. Thats some knobby goodness.

Probably a silly question, but have you driven a 240 in the dirt much yet? For something so tail happy in the wet i'm amazed what a set of M+S tires will do. I can't wait to see this thing run.

also: sisu Rallysports. PERFECT name. that is all.

[Razi]

Haha Sisu.
Glad all the electrics work, Ian.
Hope it turns on!

[DMan II-40]

Sweeet. Thats some knobby goodness.

Probably a silly question, but have you driven a 240 in the dirt much yet? For something so tail happy in the wet i'm amazed what a set of M+S tires will do. I can't wait to see this thing run.

also: sisu Rallysports. PERFECT name. that is all.

I believe he drove is hold S14 in dirt.

[Gcustoms]

badass build

[tycoonist]

good job with the wiring harness situation. im crossing my fingers for the nico rally car

[S13AL]

For something so tail happy in the wet i'm amazed what a set of M+S tires will do.
also: sisu Rallysports. PERFECT name. that is all.

Thats what I was wondering.. are any of the stages going to be exceptionally slick?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Looking good man... I'll definitely have to check this beast out in Omaha...
maybe go for a ride-along?

[IanS]

Sweeet. Thats some knobby goodness.

Probably a silly question, but have you driven a 240 in the dirt much yet? For something so tail happy in the wet i'm amazed what a set of M+S tires will do. I can't wait to see this thing run.

also: sisu Rallysports. PERFECT name. that is all.

Ive rallycrossed my S14, as well as bummed around on backroads more than I want to talk about. Couple that with all the time Ive spend driving these cars around in the snow, and I think I will be ok.

In truth, S chassis cars are very stable compared to many other RWD vehicles, and Im hoping that will translate to some decent stage times. That is, if I can actually teach myself to drive fast, instead of just make the car look cool.

And as for slick conditions. Anything is possible, Ive seen it all.

Looking good man... I'll definitely have to check this beast out in Omaha...
maybe go for a ride-along?

I will be doing my best to give rides to anyone who wants one, with the exception of Torry. He is never getting into any of my cars, EVAR.

And as for an update, Ill just leave you guys with this.



It fired up on the first crank.

[DMan II-40]

It fired up on the first crank.

Nice. I wish it went that smooth when I tried to fire up the old jet ski I just bought. Tried it a couple times then I'm guessing gas leaked into the exhaust and then it backfired and ignited the fuel in the exhaust. Huge pop (at least it was just coupled rubber pipes) and made my ear ring for quite some time.

[lbreevesii]

Sweet, glad to see its running!

btw, what I was really getting at was that for something that does get tailhappy knobby tires really settle the 240 down on dirt and it grips amazingly well. With good camber i've taken a RH 3 on gravel at 50 while giving it the beans and barely even stepped out the rear end.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I will be doing my best to give rides to anyone who wants one, with the exception of Torry. He is never getting into any of my cars, EVAR.

That is a good plan. You DID see the thread where he blew chunks all over my Prelude, right?

[breadbox]

Nice. I cant wait til it gets to an event. Make sure to take a "photographer".

[IanS]

That is a good plan. You DID see the thread where he blew chunks all over my Prelude, right?

THAT is why he is never riding in my cars.

[gmac708]

Looking real good Ian.
Wish I could go to Omaha and check it out. I can't believe it is running . The next few weeks should be a blast. Keep the pictures coming.

[motoman399]

did you get it running better? sounded very retarded.. and that was one hell of a screech at the end of the vid lol

[IanS]

did you get it running better? sounded very retarded.. and that was one hell of a screech at the end of the vid lol

hahaha, yah. I tweaked the timing a little, and it runs freaking awesome now. It also didnt like having no coolant, and no exhaust.

The screech was me, I was excessively excited. I screamed IT RUNS, in my funny high pitched voice.

[motoman399]

haha i know the screech was you. i would have done the same!!! glad to see you got it running. so when does the turbo go on??? haha i know you dont have a turbo for it but you should

[IanS]

haha i know the screech was you. i would have done the same!!! glad to see you got it running. so when does the turbo go on??? haha i know you dont have a turbo for it but you should

Not for a while, I need to stay NA for my class. I actually have 1 or 2 T25s that wouldn't be missed, though one of them badly needs a rebuild. I dont think Im going to go that route with this car though. I miss having a boosted car, but I have bigger plans.

Turbos add complication, and reliability suffers. I want to build a high compression NA I6. Ideally I would love to have the money to tweak an RB30 from a Stagea. It would be simple, stout, and torquey as all get out. I think the car could really scoot.

[motoman399]

whats NA 16 (i know what na is but whats the 16?)

yes 2 t25's would be cool. i have been talking with my friend about the rb30. he has a 25 already with a sweet setup. wish i lived closer to you so i could help out. i love doing custom stuff like this.

[IanS]

Almost forgot. I picked up a race suit. A friend of mine bought it, tried it on, then never ended up racing. It sat in its box in his closet for like a year. Its mint, and in brand new condition. He let me have it for a steal, and Im looking forward to using it. So if you see a goofy guy wandering around at Omaha wearing this, chances are its me.



It even came with a rally America patch on it.



A big thanks to Tom for excelling at awesomeness.

[Speedy7_7]

I wish I wasnt so short and unusually fat. I want to get a race suit. All in due time, I will beat you with your own car mwahahaha

[IanS]

I wish I wasnt so short and unusually fat. I want to get a race suit. All in due time, I will beat you with your own car mwahahaha

Cant race anything without windows, better get to sucking.

[mattblancarte]

Nice suit! Been wearing that same style for a while now and I love it. Super comfy, and keeps me warm when I'm waiting around for my run-group.

[IanS]

whats NA 16 (i know what na is but whats the 16?)

yes 2 t25's would be cool. i have been talking with my friend about the rb30. he has a 25 already with a sweet setup. wish i lived closer to you so i could help out. i love doing custom stuff like this.

It was an I, not a 1, this font just does not add the lines on the top and bottom of the I. I as in inline 6. Those are just my pipe dreams though. I will likely destroy this car long before I get the money for a sweet engine. The way I look at it, every penny I spend making it fast, could have been spent getting seat time with it the way it is. Right now I need to get behind the wheel more than anything.

In rally, car prep is important, but racing blindly through the woods on roads you have never driven before tests drivers in ways no other motorsport really does. Right now, I am the weak link in the equation.


Pre update. Im setting a goal for myself today, I will drive the car, windows or not, it will move under its own power.

[motoman399]

ya i see now lol. i was like HUH... thought i was stupid. turns out im not completely stupid... it think haha. thats a good goal for you.im sure you can do it. and i understand about the engine issue. the more seat time you have the faster you will be. if you get that rb30 though ken block wont have s*** one you haha.

if you ever make it over to southern oregon or northern cali hit me up i would love to go jump it lol

[S13AL]

I will drive the car, windows or not, it will move under its own power.

I smell determination.