S14 N00b Discussion

[GotFaced]

Disclaimer: I am NEW to this. Super Green. I like what i like. There will be ALOT of questions. Please Answer what you feel comfortable.
Intro:
I'm a noob.
I own a 240
S14 95' Zenki. Non-se. Auto :\
So far...
5lug converted. Drilled Slotted.
That's about it! Stock DOHC KA24DE.
Owner before me put aftermarket Greddy exhaust and straight pipe.
blahblah blah...
Currently my daily driver. However looking to take it off the road soon to start doing some major work.
Alright. IDEAS.

Engine:
Originally. 2JZ swap that s***!. Drop it in go fast! $$$ lol. Not happening :\
My 1st question issss.... Build the KA or save to swap a rb25..
What i am looking for - Something fun but still fast. I'm not a hot head trying to race every loser out there on the road. Just the honda's. Lol jp. I drift for personal adrenaline fulfillment. Going in a straight line is boring.

Also to prepare my KA for a turbo. What should i do, replace, upgrade BEFORE i purchase my T-kit.
Please list everything you think possible that i'd need or most likely would want. Brands, specifics please.

Transmission/Clutch:
Now AFTER my suspsension upgrades, probably about 75% thru... i plan on finally swapping my 5spd over. If im still KA.
What clutch kit/trans do you suggest me delving into. I have a used transmission sitting in my basement but im likely to sell it and buy something with less miles. (its s***)


Suspension:
I want fully upgrade my suspension. sways, coils, control arms, tension rods etc.. Decently high end parts here. Not sure what is worth it on the market. I hear alot of names tossed around. Tein, Megans, Stance, Isis, etc etc. Looking for a fully adjustable but all performance suspension upgrades.
Suggestions please. And Why! (details) This will be my first full upgrade. I plan on redoing my entire suspension before i touch my engine.

Cosmetics:
Time to rice it up... JK.
I don't plan on doing any bodykits, wings or anything till my b*tch is spitting that hot fyah.
But just inquiries on a few subjects...

Headlights! What options are out there.. i seen some proj headlights out there mostly. Wondering if there is not alot to change here or that is just the way to go.
Tailights - probably going to keep stock. Anything else is pretty ugly. IMO. I might do a LED mod or something but yea prob keep them stock.

Rocketbunny wing. nuff said.

KITS. What are some sites where i can get some idea's from. widebody. Looking for something SIMPLE and smooth.


Now this is my project car. A project in itself and a project for me. Because its going to be a learning process and im very excited to get started!
I have a few buddies that are willing to help me out on my journey but they have never worked with a real car (honda heads).
Don't doubt the driver just because i'm inexperienced under the hood. PLEASE be respectful and honest. I'm looking for some good feedback here so i know what direction im headed. My pockets might be shallow right now but i plan on pouring alot of manhours to see my dream come to life. Thank you in advance. I love all of you
But my zenki more

[2_Liter_Turbo]

Disclaimer: I am NEW to this. Super Green. I like what i like. There will be ALOT of questions. Please Answer what you feel comfortable.
Intro:
I'm a noob.
I own a 240
S14 95' Zenki. Non-se. Auto :\
So far...
5lug converted. Drilled Slotted.
That's about it! Stock DOHC KA24DE.
Owner before me put aftermarket Greddy exhaust and straight pipe.
blahblah blah...
Currently my daily driver. However looking to take it off the road soon to start doing some major work.
Alright. IDEAS.

Welcome to NICO. Definitely a very interesting way to do an intro thread, lol. We were all noobs at one point. Best advice is to learn to take what most people say with a grain of salt, but do analyze what the veterans have to say and use what you can. In the end, it is your car and you have to do what makes the most sense to you.

Engine:
Originally. 2JZ swap that s***!. Drop it in go fast! $$$ lol. Not happening :\
My 1st question issss.... Build the KA or save to swap a rb25..
What i am looking for - Something fun but still fast. I'm not a hot head trying to race every loser out there on the road. Just the honda's. Lol jp. I drift for personal adrenaline fulfillment. Going in a straight line is boring.

Also to prepare my KA for a turbo. What should i do, replace, upgrade BEFORE i purchase my T-kit.
Please list everything you think possible that i'd need or most likely would want. Brands, specifics please.

Engine choice/setup can depend on three main things:

1. What do you want to do with the car? Sticking a heavy cast iron straight six in the car is great for a lot of things, but it does throw the balance of the car forward a bit. Staying with the KA or swapping to an SR helps with that, but ultimate power potential is different. Not only in numbers themselves, but delivery. All motor setups have their ups and downs. You just have to figure out what you want to do, before choosing what motor setup fits that best.

2. Legality. Where do you live? Where do you plan to live. If you live in California, you are in for a world of headache. If you live in a state with zero emissions, then who cares, lol. Finding out your local emissions laws will also help you choose an engine platform.

3. Cost. What can you afford. Can you save up for the ultimate engine swap or do you want to piece it together as you go? This will help deciding as well, lol.

Transmission/Clutch:
Now AFTER my suspsension upgrades, probably about 75% thru... i plan on finally swapping my 5spd over. If im still KA.
What clutch kit/trans do you suggest me delving into. I have a used transmission sitting in my basement but im likely to sell it and buy something with less miles. (its s***)

If you are planning for more than 400whp, then upgrading to a beefier transmission is always a good idea (if sticking with KA or SR). A Z32 trans is a popular choice for this. If you are doing an RB25, 2JZ or LS1 swap, their transmissions are stronger than the factory ones, but all have their limits. There are a lot of good clutch companies out there, but even more terrible ones. Just remember you get what you pay for. Doesn't mean you have to go out and buy a $1500 clutch, but the $100 FX clutches off of ebay are just plain garbage.

Suspension:
I want fully upgrade my suspension. sways, coils, control arms, tension rods etc.. Decently high end parts here. Not sure what is worth it on the market. I hear alot of names tossed around. Tein, Megans, Stance, Isis, etc etc. Looking for a fully adjustable but all performance suspension upgrades.
Suggestions please. And Why! (details) This will be my first full upgrade. I plan on redoing my entire suspension before i touch my engine.

If it is made in China or Taiwan, it's not the greatest. Yes a lot of people use these products and they work for awhile. But they are made out of inferior materials and manufacturing processes. They will fail eventually, and is that something you want out of suspension components? A lot of people have varying opinions on different suspension products and brands. But ISIS, circuit sports, Megan, Stance, D2, Sport Max, etc etc are all made by the same group of manufacturers out of Taiwan and China. Different colors and names, same parts. Some are assembled here and have custom valving, so they are a tad better, but still the same stuff in the end. SPL and GKtech are a couple great brands for adjustable arms and other suspension bits. KW or custom Koni/GC setups are a good route for "coilovers" just to name a couple of the cheaper routes (not cheap compared to taiwan products, but cheaper than the big boys).

Cosmetics:
Time to rice it up... JK.
I don't plan on doing any bodykits, wings or anything till my b*tch is spitting that hot fyah.
But just inquiries on a few subjects...

Headlights! What options are out there.. i seen some proj headlights out there mostly. Wondering if there is not alot to change here or that is just the way to go.
Tailights - probably going to keep stock. Anything else is pretty ugly. IMO. I might do a LED mod or something but yea prob keep them stock.

Rocketbunny wing. nuff said.

KITS. What are some sites where i can get some idea's from. widebody. Looking for something SIMPLE and smooth.

If you want quality, stick with OEM or some Japanese stuff. Most everything else is garbage. I'm not big into this stuff, so I won't be saying much, lol. I rarely do anything other than OEM made stuff, that we may have not gotten here in the US.

Now this is my project car. A project in itself and a project for me. Because its going to be a learning process and im very excited to get started!
I have a few buddies that are willing to help me out on my journey but they have never worked with a real car (honda heads).
Don't doubt the driver just because i'm inexperienced under the hood. PLEASE be respectful and honest. I'm looking for some good feedback here so i know what direction im headed. My pockets might be shallow right now but i plan on pouring alot of manhours to see my dream come to life. Thank you in advance. I love all of you
But my zenki more

We have all started out as broke noob kids getting into our first cars. I think the biggest piece of advice I can give, is to be patient and spend you're money on a few good parts, over a ton of mediocre or pure garbage parts. I started out going the cheap route and I am still regretting it to this day, because in the end, I still spent more than I would have if I just broke down and bought quality stuff right off.

[GotFaced]

AHhh my hero..
I was expecting make a weeks worth of noob bashing before i had got some constructive advice. For that I thank you!
And thank you for the welcome!
I wanted to start an open discussion thread so i could get idea's and advice from different angles and styles. And come back as sort of my cheat sheet to really nail down my next step in progression.

I live in Jersey. It's not Cali but i still can't get my car inspected with the straight pipe i have on it now lol.
Good thing i only drive to and between work. The local police are aware of my project car that i daily to work. So they don't bother me too much.
COST. Always a factor.. but I am a patient kid who works for his money. So while i don't have endless pockets to reach down and dish out for the 2jz... i am willing to work with what i have now and pull the extra jobs here and there to get it done. With that being said, yes i am broke bastard Lol. BUT this is whyyy i come to find advice FIRST before i start slapping on ebay parts and having to replace them before i get to the next step of my build. I want to BUY RIGHT the first time. So i can save myself the headache down the road. NO CUTTING CORNERS. Quality parts but im not trying to Paul Walker my way in... slapping on the biggest and baddest, and gold plated to boot. (Obviously i was trying to make a joke, too soon? Paul Walker thing? Sorry if i offend)

End result - I prob want to Top out around 400 420HP.... Much later down the road of course.. then i can deem my car complete-ish. Baby steps for now! In terms of getting a new transmission, i just wanted some idea's. My first focus right now is getting my underbelly done and taking out the wooden block suspension and sit her nice and pretty on some new shiny springs.

What do you suggest for a suspension setup? Talking to a few heads via Life Invader(Facebook) and local gear heads. All i hear about are the D2s Isis Megans and the Stance coilovers... What are some other brands i can look into that are more durable and reliable products?

We have all started out as broke noob kids getting into our first cars. I think the biggest piece of advice I can give, is to be patient and spend you're money on a few good parts, over a ton of mediocre or pure garbage parts. I started out going the cheap route and I am still regretting it to this day, because in the end, I still spent more than I would have if I just broke down and bought quality stuff right off.

This is exactly why I came here first. I don't want to take that cheap route, having to backtrack and rereplace parts because i decided to save some money here and there buying Ebay or garbage parts.... But i know its a learning process regardless of finding out what works for me.

I want to thank you for the great response. 2_liter_Turbo

[2_Liter_Turbo]

AHhh my hero..
I was expecting make a weeks worth of noob bashing before i had got some constructive advice. For that I thank you!
And thank you for the welcome!
I wanted to start an open discussion thread so i could get idea's and advice from different angles and styles. And come back as sort of my cheat sheet to really nail down my next step in progression.

I live in Jersey. It's not Cali but i still can't get my car inspected with the straight pipe i have on it now lol.
Good thing i only drive to and between work. The local police are aware of my project car that i daily to work. So they don't bother me too much.
COST. Always a factor.. but I am a patient kid who works for his money. So while i don't have endless pockets to reach down and dish out for the 2jz... i am willing to work with what i have now and pull the extra jobs here and there to get it done. With that being said, yes i am broke bastard Lol. BUT this is whyyy i come to find advice FIRST before i start slapping on ebay parts and having to replace them before i get to the next step of my build. I want to BUY RIGHT the first time. So i can save myself the headache down the road. NO CUTTING CORNERS. Quality parts but im not trying to Paul Walker my way in... slapping on the biggest and baddest, and gold plated to boot. (Obviously i was trying to make a joke, too soon? Paul Walker thing? Sorry if i offend)

End result - I prob want to Top out around 400 420HP.... Much later down the road of course.. then i can deem my car complete-ish. Baby steps for now! In terms of getting a new transmission, i just wanted some idea's. My first focus right now is getting my underbelly done and taking out the wooden block suspension and sit her nice and pretty on some new shiny springs.

What do you suggest for a suspension setup? Talking to a few heads via Life Invader(Facebook) and local gear heads. All i hear about are the D2s Isis Megans and the Stance coilovers... What are some other brands i can look into that are more durable and reliable products?

We have all started out as broke noob kids getting into our first cars. I think the biggest piece of advice I can give, is to be patient and spend you're money on a few good parts, over a ton of mediocre or pure garbage parts. I started out going the cheap route and I am still regretting it to this day, because in the end, I still spent more than I would have if I just broke down and bought quality stuff right off.

This is exactly why I came here first. I don't want to take that cheap route, having to backtrack and rereplace parts because i decided to save some money here and there buying Ebay or garbage parts.... But i know its a learning process regardless of finding out what works for me.

I want to thank you for the great response. 2_liter_Turbo

No problem man! As for suspension, I honestly am not the one to ask. I'm more of an engine/trans guy, ha ha. But I will say that you can't go wrong with KW clubsport coilovers or a nice set of Koni's in custom housings with ground control hardware (you'll have to do some research as to the specifics for these). You'll spend close to $2000 for the latter (After it's all said and done), and the KW's can range quite a bit as to what series and where you get them. $2000-$2500 is a good ballpark. If those kinds of prices are totally out of your budget, then I would at least take a look at Feal over any of the rest of the taiwanese stuff. This is because while the hard parts of the shock housings are the same taiwanese parts, the valving is done here in the US and they use Japanese swift springs. It's a more "middle road" setup. That's the absolutely cheapest set I would ever go with personally. I think they are about $1500.