Mike's S14.5 Build

[mn011890]

Hey guys. I joined this forum a few years back when i thought I was buying an S13, but that fell through and I stopped visiting shortly there after. However...today i just finished up the paperwork on a black 1995 SE. It was in a crash and the old owner had started to rebuild it, but just didn't have the time or patience for it anymore. Most of the damage is cosmetic except for the air box, radiator and radiator support from what I could tell. As soon as I get it transported to where I am storing it the tear down is going to begin and I will know the full details of what is needed. The shop it was at had checked out the frame and other crucial things liek that and everything was good to go and the title is still clear. Not 100% sure what direction I want to go with it yet so for now the focus is getting it back to working order. I only have 2 pics of it right now, but should have more soon. Any suggestions, comments, and help during my build will be greatly appreciated

[S13AL]

good luck on the rebuild.

[mn011890]

thanks dude. the only real issue that i can see is the radiator support....i know what to do, just never done it before

[mn011890]

thanks! i am actually toying with the idea of doing some sort of front end conversion considering all of those parts need to be replaced anyway. i figure either put it back to how the zenkis always look, convert to kouki, or convert to S15 are my top 3 options. i will need to do some reasearch first. as far as motors go i am definitely leaning in the direction of an RB. i want to get the KA thats in it running first though so that i dont have to trailer the damn thing when i need to move it. just soooo many options for these cars i really dont know what to do with myself

[J14cm7]

Just remember... all the cool kids have kouki conversions

[mn011890]

i love the look of both the kouki and S15 front end...but there are plenty of koukis around here where i live and i think at least 1 kouki conversion. i really like to be unique and stand out from the crowd, so im pretty sure i am going to start reasearching and saving for an S15 front end conversion...ive see na couple on S13s here on the forums so hopefully ill be able to find plenty of help and tips

[Buck01]

I just finished my rebuild,.. almost the same exact thing happend to my 240 but a little worse you do have alot of options as far as the front goes but each one of those fronts vary in price range. When i crashed my 240 i went for the kouki front and im really happy the way it cam out, it was very expensive though but it was a 5-month process of saving up and working on the car little by little...Check Out My Build Thread Under My Signature That Should Help Ya Alot..Good Luck!

[J14cm7]

It doesnt matter which front end you decide to go with you are going to have to replace the core support with an S14 core support regardless. Unless you plan on going custom made S15 fenders which will cost alot if you want them done right.

[mn011890]

ill definitely check that thread out. i appreciate it you pointing me in that direction. and as far as the front end, i really want to go S15 with it. the car isnt my daily driver so i have all the time i need to save up and do it right. my camry was easy to stand out from the crowd in simply because it isnt a common build platform (despite sharing its drivetrain with the scion tC), but the 240sx is a rather common platform. i want to stand out and i figure going with an S14.5 type of conversion is a good way to do it

[Buck01]

It doesnt matter which front end you decide to go with you are going to have to replace the core support with an S14 core support regardless. Unless you plan on going custom made S15 fenders which will cost alot if you want them done right.

Yeah exactly,..since i was doing the kouki front i bought a Kouki Core Support from nissan which cost me alot!, But it was worth it because it saved me from some custom fabrication, and everything lined up pretty nicely.

[mn011890]

Yeah exactly,..since i was doing the kouki front i bought a Kouki Core Support from nissan which cost me alot!, But it was worth it because it saved me from some custom fabrication, and everything lined up pretty nicely.

if you dont mind me asking, about how much did you pay for your core support? i found a brand new OEM S15 core support on ebay. not 100% sure if it was from nissan directly or if it was custom fabbed. it was around $300 shipped.

[Buck01]

My Kouki Core Support Was Like $440 New From Nissan Local.. So if it's from nissan thats not a bad price at all.

[motoman399]

i am doing a front end fix too. mine is a stock kouki though. not a huge fan of the s14.5 i really like the look of both s14 front ends. if i were you i would stay with the zenki. but to each his own. good luck with the build.

[J14cm7]

Ok jsut to clear up confusion there is no difference between a s14 zenki and an s14 Kouki core support. Same part number from nissan. Rather than pay 440 from nissan just go to a junk yard and cut one off a zenki for 50 bucks if you decided to go that route. Unfortunatly my build thread goes way to in depth on this subject which has a link at the bottom of my sig as well.

[Buck01]

Ok jsut to clear up confusion there is no difference between a s14 zenki and an s14 Kouki core support. Same part number from nissan. Rather than pay 440 from nissan just go to a junk yard and cut one off a zenki for 50 bucks if you decided to go that route. Unfortunatly my build thread goes way to in depth on this subject which has a link at the bottom of my sig as well.

Yeah that's the problem around miami area, if you dont have a honda good luck finding parts, your lucky to see 1 s13 in our junk yards down here i've never seen an s14 in a junkyard yet!, but there is a slight differnce with the core support, for instance where the headlights go there are holes for the projector lights to extend through, and the head light brackects mount different on the kouki opposed to an zenki.

[Buck01]

i am doing a front end fix too. mine is a stock kouki though. not a huge fan of the s14.5 i really like the look of both s14 front ends. if i were you i would stay with the zenki. but to each his own. good luck with the build.

Yo Moto i finished up my build you can check it under my sig,..and whats the update on yours?

[mn011890]

we have the same problem here with finding parts. if i wasnt having to order every part i need i would probably just stick with zenki or go kouki just because i could drive down the street and have the parts in hand. there are no S14s, but like 5 or 6 S13s in the junkyards here and even those are mostly 89s and 90s. o well. and as far as the S15 support, the guy has a 99.8% buyer satisfaction rating and he seems to sell mostly those core supports and other items he lists as being OEM nissan parts. so im thinking after holiday spending is done im going to spring on one of those and get the ball rolling on this build

[motoman399]

Ok jsut to clear up confusion there is no difference between a s14 zenki and an s14 Kouki core support. Same part number from nissan. Rather than pay 440 from nissan just go to a junk yard and cut one off a zenki for 50 bucks if you decided to go that route. Unfortunatly my build thread goes way to in depth on this subject which has a link at the bottom of my sig as well.

Yeah that's the problem around miami area, if you dont have a honda good luck finding parts, your lucky to see 1 s13 in our junk yards down here i've never seen an s14 in a junkyard yet!, but there is a slight differnce with the core support, for instance where the headlights go there are holes for the projector lights to extend through, and the head light brackects mount different on the kouki opposed to an zenki.

this is true. the kouki one has cut outs behind the headlights. but i dont think they are needed. i believe its for easy access to the headlight bulbs. and also i think to fit the s15 headlights you will have to trim the core support even more in the headlight area. (not positive in that)

buck01, im headed right over there man.
ps, my build hasnt gone very far. all i have done is welded on new frame rails. i have been broke. but soon i will start on it again.

OH and please get rid of those wheels ASAP!!!

[Buck01]

buck01, im headed right over there man.
ps, my build hasnt gone very far. all i have done is welded on new frame rails. i have been broke. but soon i will start on it again.

OH and please get rid of those wheels ASAP!!![/quote]
Yeah man i feel ya the last 5 months i have been broke completing my build,..and don't worry after paint i'll work on the wheels Lol!!

[Buck01]

we have the same problem here with finding parts. if i wasnt having to order every part i need i would probably just stick with zenki or go kouki just because i could drive down the street and have the parts in hand. there are no S14s, but like 5 or 6 S13s in the junkyards here and even those are mostly 89s and 90s. o well. and as far as the S15 support, the guy has a 99.8% buyer satisfaction rating and he seems to sell mostly those core supports and other items he lists as being OEM nissan parts. so im thinking after holiday spending is done im going to spring on one of those and get the ball rolling on this build

Oh yeah don't worry bro i bought all of my parts brand new from cali soo i understand that but, I'll be checking in to see how the build goes for sure and if you got questtions you got us on the forums so GL

[motoman399]

Yeah man i feel ya the last 5 months i have been broke completing my build,..and don't worry after paint i'll work on the wheels Lol!!

not you ya dork lol. your wheels are fine. i was talking about the OP's 3 spokes... eww

[Buck01]

Yeah man i feel ya the last 5 months i have been broke completing my build,..and don't worry after paint i'll work on the wheels Lol!!

not you ya dork lol. your wheels are fine. i was talking about the OP's 3 spokes... eww

Oh lol yeah i agree get some stocks like mine they at least look decent

[mn011890]

not you ya dork lol. your wheels are fine. i was talking about the OP's 3 spokes... eww

ooo trust me i know. i absolutely hate them. but i dont think im going to mess with them until it comes time to put w/e wheels i choose for the build on there and i dont think im going to worry about that until the body work is done and repainted....i might spray them flat black or give them some red targets or something in the mean time

[SR Meister]

GO MIKE! GO MIKE! GO GO GO!!!! hahaha
-you can do it man, ill help you when i can and when im not working. always txt me if you need any help or have any questions.

[mn011890]

GO MIKE! GO MIKE! GO GO GO!!!! hahaha
-you can do it man, ill help you when i can and when im not working. always txt me if you need any help or have any questions.

haha will do man! speaking of which sometime early next week i should be able to get the car moved. i doubt the tow truck will be able to fit between the building and the fence enough to be able to unload the car straight into the unit so i might need your help then. ill let you know for sure