Sock's Big 240sx Project Thread

[Sockington]

crap if your worried about the weight then go ca18det. hehehe sorry to put down your 2.3l ford engine but i'm not a big domstic fan. lol

No, I was averaging cost vs. weight.

The 2.3T was free, so it's hard to beat that deal. Also, 300WHP 2.3T's can be done for well under $600 worth of modifcations.

Again, price cost vs. gain. A 2.3T makes more than enough grunt for what I'm using it for, and let's face it, it being free really compliments the project as a whole.

[mkory]

Great point of view on that, Sock.

How much boost do those pull stock? I thought it was something like 10 or 15 lbs.

[Sockington]

Great point of view on that, Sock.

How much boost do those pull stock? I thought it was something like 10 or 15 lbs.

15psi on a head that flows like a brick through a drink straw. There's tons of room for improvement in the head.

[S13 240SX]

keep the pics coming. : )

[eds13]

wow you have a lot of patience and love for your car

[DJButton]

Don't you see, it's becuase Sockington is the shiznit! I wish I had the time to do similar stuff to my poor rusted S13 body.

wow you have a lot of patience and love for your car

[KoupeDaVille]

WOW, Sockington big ups to you. I thought my 240 was rusty but yours is 100x worse, I thought my car was a lose 'til I saw yours... I don't think I will sell my 240 now

[Sockington]

Jesus, it's been hard to get time off work to get things done on the car. Today's work was basically try and finish up some work on the driver's rocker panel.

Some parts back from the blasting booth.

Some lightweight filler on the rocker panel.

Finishing up the wheel well. It's finally done in there.

More rocker panel work.

The inside of the wheel well

Trying to get some body lines to be straight once again

Closed up for the night.

I only got two hours to work on it today, and 30minutes of that was spent getting supplies. Monday is a holiday, so I'll probably put four or five hours into finishing that damn side.

I can't wait to start turning wrenches again.

[Tulsa_S-13]

Wow, I actually read this whole thread, and the Moderators need to make your car "Nico's ride of the month" when your done. Freakin' awesome that you have been so dedicated.

Yes, the 2.3L turbo Ford engine is pretty kickass. Not only do they have quite abit of potential but they are cheap, although personally I wouldn't put one in my 240 (KA24DE-T all the way ). Before I bought my 240 I drove what appeared to be a very very clean Merkur Xr4ti. The only problem that I found was that apparently the wastegate actuator was stuck shut because the overboost buzzer went off when floored but let me tell you it was extremely fast. I floored it a couple times only barely allowing the buzzer to go off and the car was extremely fast.

Once again awesome project and keep us informed.

[frsh13]

Props on undertaking this whole project and saving a 240 from certain death. Things look like they are going great so far and I cant wait to see when the motor is in there!

Keep us updated, im lovin the pics

[s13jus10]

you, sir, are a SOLDIER

[smokey240sx]

I love this thread. Great job

[Leash]

God man what a rust nightmare! I would never have that much patience to work on a project like that. I commend you.

The ford motor is different though. I like unique ideas

[Sockington]

Thanks for all the praise.

If any of you happen to have some AGX's kicking around or the like, I'll be in the market soon

[Sockington]

Alrighty, today I got four hours in on the car.

First off, finishing up some more rocker work.

What low spots?

I decided that all this body work was driving me nuts, so I went up to remove some brake lines.

I found this weird little "black goop" pile on the fender. After I pulled it off, I found this little hole the previous owner covered up. Interesting, they left holes the size of footballs on the outside, but this little hole needed attention? Grinded smooth.

I figured since some of the inter-panel sealer/glue was missing, I'd weld up the panel.

More rocker panel work!

Looks way better than at the start.

Putting a re-inforcement along the subframe carrier rail.

More lines ripped out.

Now here's an odd problem. The original Nissan motor ran the exhaust down the driver side in that big "dent" area. The Ford motor runs the exhaust down the passenger side. I'm going to run all the fuel and brake lines down the driver side and hopefully be able to hide a 3" exhaust on the the passenger side.

Closed up for the night.

Overall, I think I'm making some pretty good progress. I've never done body work before, so I think I did a fairly good job on that rocker panel. I've got lots more work to do - and that's an understatement.

[Sockington]

Still hasn't moved much since last time.

Rust holes that need to be fixed - The comprehensive list

Driver's trunk area.

The driver's inside rear quarter panel - by the muffler.

And the passenger side one too.

Passenger's rear wheel well.

Passenger's Rear Sill/Rocker panel.

Driver's front rocker area - below the door.

Now, on to some good stuff. The repaired (just about done) driver's rocker panel.

The driver's rear wheel well.

The subframe mount.

Passenger frame rail at rear.

Opposite view as last picture. This is from where the bumper would be looking toward the passenger seat.

Rear bumper removed. Look at all that white. I think I'm going to "re-white" the car.

My new floor jack with jack stands.

Piles of S13 related crap.

Ditto. Also, spare Altima motor.

Inside randomness

Turns out the tiny little stock IHI turbo on the 2.3 is smoked. I never really looked at it since I assumed it was ****, but now it's confirmed.

Tiny little turbo.

Closed up. Although, I never really started today - just took pictures.

[amolao]

You should be made an honorary member of the Bondo users club......something like a poster child....

[continental_drift]

someone should sponsor you.

[smokey240sx]

have this car ever been submerge?

[roplusbee]

This is my first time reading this thread. OMG!!! This guy is for real. We have actually found McGuyver. I salute you. You are doing the things that I am paying a shop to do (I don't have anywhere near the quantity of rust though). As far as your turbo, there are plenty of options to go with if you plan on replacing it. If I had to guess though, I would say you would rebuild it somehow. Don't give up. You have done most af the hard part. Looks as is you are in the lst 3rd of the restore. Keep going dude.

[j-z]

this is my first time looking at the entire thread as well and HOLY SHLT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! damn man, im getting sick just looking at these pics. i wouldnt want to lay one finger on that car, but props to you for putting in all of those hours of hard work. i feel for ya BIG time. good luck and great job with the pics.

[eds13]

any dates as to when you think your gonna finish?

[Atown 240]

Less time taking pictures and more time working!

[Sockington]

As far as your turbo, there are plenty of options to go with if you plan on replacing it. If I had to guess though, I would say you would rebuild it somehow.

The turbo is garbage. The litle IHI RHB5 is well out of breath from the factory - the motor runs 15psi stock. I'll probably be running a T3/T4 combo or go with the mighty Holset HX-35. Either way, the turbo is crap from the factory given how much boost the motor will be running.

As for spend more time working on the car, I'm putting in 72hours/week of work so I can afford the fancy bits.

[Sockington]

someone should sponsor you.

I wish.

In anycase, I got a delivery today - it excited me.

What ever could be in this innocent box?

Getting closer.

Closer again.

BAM! Coilover time.

Stock mounts are for wussies. Bonus camber adjustment!

Both front coilovers.

Bam! All four.

I hear they're expensive.

Again, no rubber mounts.

So, I'm pretty pumped. Also, I cut out the big rotten section that on the driver's rear quarter area. Now I just have weld in the new section.

[Logan76]

keep us posted, i really like the work its awesome how much of a project u have undertaken.

[Sockington]

New coilovers vs. old setup.

They look purdy in their new home.

What ever could that pile of rusted metal be from?

Well, remember this mess?

It's now become this.

I look forward to welding in the new material (actually, not at all).

[Sockington]

Something came in the mail today...

What ever could it be?

Yes. Finally.

Also, I sitched in some new panels in that little trunk rust patch. I'll grab some pictures tommorow.

[Sandy sx]

Wow, I've never seen anybody put up with as much if not more rust than I have. My hat is off to you. My previous rust encounter : 1985 Chevy Monte Rust-o SSKeep up the good work. Can't wait to see it done.

[Sockington]

Time for some pictures I'm far from proud of.

Patch #1.

Where patch#1 meets #2.

Patch #2.

Where patch #2 meets original metal.

Making top panel.

One piece welded in. Jesus, it was hard not to burn through.

A pair welded in.

And number three.

Then I used long-hair over the patch to seal it from moisture.

I got tired of body work for today, so I decided to attack that rear suspension to get some of them bushings ready to install.

Hello rear upper control arm.

Where did it go?

I got to wondering if I ****ed up the body harness when I removed the motor and wiring - turns out, everything is fine.

So, Mr. Bushing, you think you're so tuff that you need to be pressed out?

Experience fire! That'll learn ya.The bushing just slid right out after that little meeting with the flame.

I'll leave the other side for later.

Sealed the new patch up with some undercoating.

That's it for now.