Project: MAYHEM FairLadySX is about to commence (lots of text and ugly pics)

[fayceoff]

Alright, here's the deal: I have an '89 hatchback with 215k on the odometer that I bought for $250 because the guy's son ran it hot and blew the headgasket. I purchased a replacement KA24E from a local guy for $200 and put it in, along with some Altima fans which I Sawzall'd and Dremel'd to fit and hard-wired a toggle for them. It now runs okay. The body (while not beautiful in any way other than the fact that it's a hatch) is sound and the frame is straight and both are mostly rust-free. A while ago, I saw 180sxfaktory's post about putting a VG30DETT into an S13 and contacted him via e-mail. He's in the Navy, stationed in the Middle East and he has strong ties with a shop in Bahrain, where that work was done. Recently I was transferred from New Jersey to Bahrain and I decided to bring my car with me and have the VG30DETT swap performed. The car is here and I'll be picking it up tomorrow (June 2nd) and taking it to the shop to get started. I've already put down a deposit on a Z32 front clip, which should be here in about three weeks from Malaysia along with my S15 seats. Here is my detailed plan for the car and some "before" pictures. An "X" denotes something that's already done. DISCLAIMER: I know that some most of you guys will say that some of the things I want to do are 'rice' (the door conversion) or 'gay' (leaving it "auto-tragic"), and to you I say you are welcome to your opinion, but this is my car, I've put a lot of thought and research into it, and I have my reaons for wanting to do these things. I promise you I will not make you pay for anything or force you to drive my car, so feel free to keep flaming to a minimum. However, if you have a constructive idea or suggestion, by all means, share! I am not set on most brand names - if you know of something that works better than something else, please tell me what and why. So without further ado - here is the very beginning....

PROJECT: MAYHEM FAIRLADYSXEngine__ Engine code – VG30DETT__ Engine type – Nissan Z32 3.0 Liter, V-6, twin turboX* Nissan Altima electric cooling fans w/dual fan controller

Transmission__ Nissan Z32 4-speed automatic w/custom drive shaft__ Level 10® rebuild kit (torque converter, valve bodies, & seals)__ Twist Machine® paddle shifter__ Nissan Silvia (S15) helical limited slip differential

Suspension__ Suspension Techniques® sway bar set (front & rear)__ Energy® polyurethane bushings (red graphite embedded)__ KYB GR-2® adjustable shocks/struts with Eibach Sportline® springs

Brakes__ Z32 conversion (front and rear including e-brake)__ Stainless steel braided brake lines__ Slotted rotors



The motor after it was replaced...



Couple of exterior shots...



Manual Seatbelt swap - I couldn't stand the automatic one's; for some reason they really irritated me!



The Altima fans after being cut to fit...



I got bored - took all the paint off and painted the letters blue - see above pics...



Couple of interior pics, excuse the dust, they were taken as I was cleaning... ****Update 4June07****So... I pick up the car from the vehicle shipping place and take it to the Ministry of Traffic and after inspecting it, they say they won't register the car because of the two rust holes in the frame. They say even if I have the frame repaired, it's still considered unsafe. Dale from 180SXfaktory says that's crap and that he'll help me get it fixed and then take it to 'his guy' and get it inspected. Honestly, I don't care if the car is illegal here as it looks legal and I'm able to drive it at least sometimes as it's being brought around to my vision, I'll be okay. I can buy an island beater and sell it when I leave here. So, the car will be towed to the faktory this evening and we'll go from there.

****Update 9July07****Got word from Dale today that the front clip has cleared Customs and will be delivered to the shop the evening of 10July (tomorrow). I asked him to take pictures of it because I only have one and it's of the exterior, so hopefully I'll be able to add those pics to the thread. If not, I'll be back over there Thursday and I'll go to the shop this weekend to help out and take pictures.

Also, the ostrich leather I ordered came in today, and I feel a little violated. Guess I need to take geometry again, because I thought 8 square feet would be about 50% bigger than the piece I got. I suppose that explains the low price... Ah well. I'll get more.


Modified by fayceoff at 1:09 PM 8/6/2007

[srpowered240sx]

looks like a fun project. just not a big fan of the two pedal action.

[le_ryan]

bout time ..

lookin foward to the progress man, good luck

[tjmhillz]

yo wats up.. im glad to see your going to go ahead with wat you said you was going to do.. i sold my coupe and got a hatch now.. i got some things planned for her lol.. keep us updated on this project. good luck man

[glitched]

go with coils somthing a little better than tein basics tomegans, apexi, KTS, or Stance.

get rid of the toggle switch for the fans and git a DIF controller from our sponsor:http://www.frsport.com/DIF_Dua....html

don't know what those wheels look like...

also not a fan of autotragic.

[corey240]

got me all excited, i thought it would have a z front end swap have fun with it

[forksquared]

i dont htink staying auto is so ghey if you are going to have padle shifters

[Neejay]

Subscribed. Finally, someone willing to take the dive. People will probably ***** about staying auto, but I mean you'll already be beating a ****load of cars with the engine in a light-*** hatch, especially with it being TT. That Torque converter upgrade will do plenty. Not everyone wants to shift their cars.

Definitely keep us updated.

[mxkid54]

I wish you good luck on your project. You have a plan and that is a very good way to start. On a side note I noticed that you included that you will do the e-brake conversion with the brake upgrade. I just finished the brake upgrade with e-brake this past weekend and have not hooked up the cables yet. Having an manual I need to address this asap but I sure wish I had an auto for right now. I would probably just forget about the e-brake all together.

[turbo_dreams]

What year altima did those fans come off of? And what are the advantages from them? Because my 92 s13 has them but i'd like to know the advantages since a friend of mine has a altima sitting around

[glitched]

i dont htink staying auto is so ghey if you are going to have padle shifters

YES! do the padle shifters! I know ive seen a thread or 2 with auto 240's with a readily available paddle shifter installed...

[tjmhillz]

i dont see anything wrong with being auto. hes going to have a paddle shifter so its basically a manual.. just wit paddles lol..

[fayceoff]

Thanks for the support, guys. TJ - the coupe was hot; I'm stealing your paint scheme and I honestly think it's going to look a lot better on the hatch... You don't see any two-tone hatches.

bout time ..

What can I say? Had to wait for my Uncle (Sam) to pay me and send me and the car over here... Being the one of the Interior Kings, what do you think of that part of the plan? Any suggestions?

get rid of the toggle switch for the fans and git a DIF controller from our sponsor... don't know what those wheels look like...

Yeah, the controller is in the plan. The SportMax 504's are the wheels that srpowered240sx has and these are the R-1 GTR-4's (think I did that right - I suck at posting pictures).

turbo dreams - I don't know for sure, I think the guy I got them from said it was a '97, but they were cheap and I had time, so I didn't care. I just thought it would be better to get rid of that loud-@$$ clutch fan, and I figured the less weight that pulley had to move, the better. Since I had already done a Quest alternator swap, the electrical power wasn't as much of an issue (at least in my feeble mind...)

[fayceoff]

Updated first post...

[sr20fan]

damn man, wish i hadmoney. i want a swap so bad. anyways, GL with everything. keep the updates coming.

[fayceoff]

Thanks. But hey, don't get the wrong idea - I'm not rich or anything, but I hadn't really had a car of my own since I had to get rid of my last one in 2002 for family's sake. So I'd been saving and dreaming and waiting for everything to fall into place until I laid hands on my current beater a year and a half or so ago. And, you do have two cars - you could sell one and put that money into the remaining one. Blasphemy, I know... Just a stupid idea.

[sr20fan]

i ihave actually considered selling the 93, but it was my first car. and i bought it with my own money, and have since spent more money on it than its worth. 500 dollars to a shop that said they fixed it and then wouldnt even look at it a week later when i said is was still screwed. dont run right at all. selling it would make me cry, not to mention lose me money.

[fayceoff]

Quick update - I had to come back to the States on short notice for Emergency Leave (my son is very sick with cancer as some of you know), but I left the car in the capable hands of Dale and the guys. The Level 10 rebuild will obviously be completed prior to executing the motor/trans installation to prevent having to rip everything apart again later. The Z32 front clip is expected to arrive there any day now.

My S15 seats are in that container as well. I've already bought black ostrich leather and alcantara suede for my interior which I will mail over a day or two before I leave to go back to Bahrain. I've asked Dale to update the thread with pictures as things happen in my absence, but I know he's very busy, so I'm just pretty much keeping my fingers crossed on that.

As an aside, I got back over here to find that my 18-year old had wrecked my wifes's Lexus GS300 and I have to find money to fix that or I may have to junk it and get her something else.

[amolao]

Sorry to hear about your son, may God give him health and a speedy recovery. Hang in there, man....good luck with the project.

[180sxfaktory]

UPDATE from Dale...

We're almost finished with the 180SX Faktory Projekt 200SX. Making room in the garage for your car. Your car is currently at my home under Black Sunshine's custom car cover.

Next week, your car will make the trip to the garage where we will start removing the KA and associated stuff not needed. While on the lift, we will assess the extent of the frame rot that has plagued the car. Pictures to follow to FAYCEOFF (your choice to post them). Extent of the rot will determine how long it will take us to fabricate replacement pieces, and then it will go to the fabricator's shop while we start dismantling the half cut of the parts we need to do the Z32 swap. One offs take time, and time is what this car needs right now. Earliest completion time is still on target for August. In the interim, anything you are wanting to install on this car, get them now while you have the opportunity in the USA. Yes, take care of family first and take care of your head... ok, bro?

[fayceoff]

Thanks for the prayers, amolao... Every one helps. He's 16, and we've been dealing with this for nearly four years, but in keeping with the warrior mentality I try to put into my kids, he says "It's always too soon to tap out." He's my hero.

I'm looking forward to the pictures and other updates, Dale. Thanks. I can't wait to get it done and have it back over here next year... Let me know if there's anything you think I should source while I'm here and send to you.

[Logan76]

So sorry about your son, I think cancer has affected everyone in someway or another, its a terrible thing...My prayers go out to him, you, and your family.

[Ali 556]

hay man....about the regesterition (SP?) just to let you know you can register the car IN SAUDI ARABIA witch is ~ 50 miles from bahrain....

the guys @ the register are idiots...alot of bahraini guys who swap LSx's in there mustang's register there car's in SA...

as you know the GCC is one know so if register your car in SA you still can drive it ANYWAHERE in the gulf....

my friend's '95 LS2 S14 registerd in saudi plates...also alot of 2JZ-swaped 240sx's in qatar-bahrain-and some time UAE are registerd in SA...

think about it and LMK ok...?

Regards,

Ali

[Zee]

That is so sad.

i hope everything goes well for your son. You will all get through this because I believe good things happen to good people and you are among the best. Good Luck and stay strong.

[tjmhillz]

hey man sorry to hear about your son man. my prayers go out to you and your fam.. cant wait to see update pics of your car!

[180sxfaktory]

hay man....about the regesterition (SP?) just to let you know you can register the car IN SAUDI ARABIA witch is ~ 50 miles from bahrain....

the guys @ the register are idiots...alot of bahraini guys who swap LSx's in there mustang's register there car's in SA...

as you know the GCC is one know so if register your car in SA you still can drive it ANYWAHERE in the gulf....

my friend's '95 LS2 S14 registerd in saudi plates...also alot of 2JZ-swaped 240sx's in qatar-bahrain-and some time UAE are registerd in SA...

think about it and LMK ok...?

Regards,

Ali

Ali, yes, that would be an option, but FAYCEOFF would have to have an SA work visa or some justification to do that. The US military/civil service people I know who work in SA are the only ones who can register their cars with SA plates. That also precludes us from driving through SA. I found that out a few years ago when I had the wild idea to drive to UAE. I was told I could not pass through SA.

Yes, the idiots at Isa Town registration office are pretty ignorant. Some days they pass a car fairly easy. Other days, it's not the case. That guy named Sayed gave me such a hard time with my 180SX. I had to use my wasta.

[Ali 556]

^^^ damn you shour talk like a saudi....lolol...WASTA...hahahaha...sory for that your friend can't register his car in SA....

Q : did you saw the BDRC 7th round LAST week?...two of my friend's won the ''street V8'' and the ''super street V8''.....maybe we can meet up when i go to bahrain...?

BTW i'm in SA....

thanks

[180sxfaktory]

^^^ damn you shour talk like a saudi....lolol...WASTA...hahahaha...sory for that your friend can't register his car in SA....

Q : did you saw the BDRC 7th round LAST week?...two of my friend's won the ''street V8'' and the ''super street V8''.....maybe we can meet up when i go to bahrain...?

BTW i'm in SA....

thanks

Yes, wasta and baksheesh are the necessary evils. I sound Saudi? Hahaha!

Nah... I didn't go. I don't like going unless I'm participating. Besides, it was too hot! better to watch it on Ba7rain TV. Congrats to your friends! Whenever you are here, look us up in Demestan over by Madinat Hamad.

[Ali 556]

damn know you sound more saudi then ever.....wasta . bakshesh,and ypu spell bahrain as ba7rain.....lololololol....

also can you let me know about the ''level 10'' upgrad on the z32 auto trans....b/c i'm thinknig of buliding a 700+ RWHP ka-t....so please all the info you have e-mail them to me here:

[email protected]

thanks and keep the gooood work ya 7abebe...lol

Ali

[fayceoff]

Again, guys - thank you for the prayers and encouragement - I'll pass them on to my son. He's the only one in my family who I've shared all my plans for the car with and he wants to be the first passenger when I get it back over here.

Ali - Just google "Level 10 transmission" or "bulletproof transmission" and you should find plenty of info. That's where I found it. salaam.


Modified by fayceoff at 2:42 AM 6/28/2007