TJcars2 S12 Project/Build - No 56k

[TJcars2]

So as some of you know I bought and S12 late in '09. I also found out the abuse it went through blah blah etc. Not to my surprise, the head gasket blew and them all hell broke loose. I tore the whole top end apart, cleaned all the sludge out of the heads, cleaned and bled the lifters, new head gaskets, the whole package. I also didn't feel like sourcing a new ECU and an uncut harness so I decided to go Carbed. So far everything is done for the conversion. I'm just waiting to buy my tbi intake manifold to modify for the 2bbl carb and then she should fire right up. And now the pics, mind you she wasn't pretty when I got her, and she still isn't very pretty. Everything is crude and function over form and it's set up how I MYSELF as the ONLY driver of the car want it. This is going to be my daily driver once I get the VG30 running again. I'm going to build a high comp VG33 to put in it when the VG30 goes bang or I'm done building the motor. Hoping to get around 200rwhp when it's all said and done.

Modified by TJcars2 at 4:27 PM 1/12/2010
Modified by TJcars2 at 7:44 PM 2/1/2010

[breadbox]

W00t S12 action!

Nice. More people need to go find these and build them.

I'm sure if NICO had a "Gazelle" forum, it would help to.

[breadbox]

is that a Goon behind it?

[TJcars2]

In this pic?? That's my old cut up volvo. Wagon to pick up cause my friend broke my back windows That got sold after I got the S12 registered.

[hbpignosePA]

wow looks like a mess

no worries mine is too

[TJcars2]

Haha yea, but atleast you have an interior to put back in. Mine didnt come with one lol

[breadbox]

Dude, that volvo looked fun to take to the beach.

Old volvos are awesome. Some guy in my hood drives one that looks like an old Mercedes.

[TJcars2]

It was actually a really great beach car.

[TJcars2]

Updates updates updates.

Almost no fuel leaks. Have one at the fuel pressure gauge. Carb doesn't need a rebuild.

Everything is wired up and working, got both headlights to work. Passenger light has a loose connection.I can't get my effing crank pulley off to change my timing belt. That's the only thing slowing me down.

Intake manifold should be here before friday....hopefully. Then we'll see how she goes from there.

[Razi]

Good luck man!Looks like a lot of work is ahead of you.

[TJcars2]

Woot no fuel leaks. Waiting on my timing belt tensioner to get here so I can put the new timing belt on. The crank pulley was a bugger to get off.Intake manifold hasn't shipped yet and my battery's now dead

Should be running before the end of Febuary. Gonna do a Q45 brake upgrade up front and maybe in the back if Z32 calipers don't mount up. Then I'm getting my diamond racing wheels, new coilovers, professional quality paint instead of my s***ty rattle can bs, some headers and a y-pipe.

Then after all that I'm gonna save for my vg37 project. If what I've heard is correct I can bore the vg33 out to 3.7l, if not I'm just gonna bore it to 3.4 and do alot of head work with some meaty cams. Head work and cams will also be done on the vg37 but there's gonna be alot more to it then that. I must keep some secrets you know.

I'll get a video of her running when I get to that point. Stay tuned for a photoshoot with mycar club too.
Modified by TJcars2 at 5:52 PM 1/27/2010

[TJcars2]

Got my fluids today. All I have left to do is pick-up my timing belt tensioner on Wednesday. And pick up the Intake Manifold and gaskets.

Keep posted for that video.

[hbpignosePA]

stupid question

if your carbed

what is running your timing/ dizzy ignition?

stock ECU orrrrrrrrrr

[TJcars2]

I'm running a 280z or 280zx magnetic pickup distributor (can't remember off the top of my head) with the vg30's distributor gear, MSD StreetFire ignition module, blaster SS coil, and a custom hold down bracket. Distributor is vacuum advanced. Plugs are gapped at either .045 or .050. 8mm plug wires.

[TJcars2]

Got all my gaskets. Intake manifold is coming tomorrow. Then I just have to make my adapter bracket for my carb.

[TJcars2]

Woot! It lives! haha. I just have to get a new seal for one of the intake manifold coolant line connections and tune the carb and timing. My timing was so advanced the first crank over that I had a small carb fire. I'll get pics in the morning.

[xX RB Xx]

mmmmm vg30.

[brandonDavid]

need a hand? i'm moving back on friday. lakeworth, and 441.

but it's looking good man.

[TJcars2]

I may in the future when I do my swap but by that time I may be in Miami. Hopefully I'll be going to tomorrows meet up tho.

[TJcars2]

Got my base tune done today. Car pulls hard up to the 5500 limiter. Gonna finish tuning tomorrow then I'm bumpin the limiter to 6k or 6.5k. I did promise pics but I was so busy I didin't have time. I might get some later or tomorrow.

[TJcars2]

Update. Finally got the vacuum leak sealed, tuned my carb, and adjusted my timing. Car pulls hard from 2500 all the way to the 6k limiter. This is the final engine setup until I get my VG34 build and put in. I'm probably gonna stay carbed but I'm getting a 500cfm cause this carb will run out of room with the 8k limiter I'm gonna be running with the new motor.











Next upgrades I'm doing are probably either getting my new fenders and hood or my Diamond Racing steelies.

[TroubleBound]

Ooo Those diamond racing steelies are going to look so nice on that car. Sick ride man can't wait to see the finished product. I want an S12 minus the whole carburetor dealio lol.

[TJcars2]

Yea the carb sucks in the cold. Need to hook up my choke cable.

[TJcars2]

Fixed my leaking valve cover yesterday. No more smoking engine bay.

Disconnected the vacuum advance for the distributor. For some reason it runs smother without it.

Need to figure out why the carb is going rich as hell under full throttle. Literally, On my digital fuel gauge, it will go from say 35% to about 30% or less from a 10-30 second pull.

Wish I could find an S12 hatch shell in the area. Need a ton of stuff. Does anyone in the area have knowledge on all the swappable parts between z31/s12 and s13/s12? I need to get my suspension and brakes done before I do my motor swap.

Slow and steady is the pace of this build. Daily AND project car FTL.

[TJcars2]

Getting my plexiglass rear window tomorrow. Sold my 360 just so I could get something done on the car.Still slightly rich under full throttle. Need to re-jet the carb.

Workin a bit now so I'll be gettin carpet and custom door panels after the rear window's in. Getting a new steering rack soon too cause mine's shot.

Once the interior's done and the body work's done I'm savin for the VQ swap. Probably gonna get the VQ30 out of the Maxima and use the Mckinney mounts and crossmember.

[TJcars2]

Got some small things done. Fixed my headlights, made a functioning hood scoop for some nice ram air , got a new passenger side mirror, put my wing back on, got some plastic for the back window cause my plexi-glass guy is no where to be found, did some touch up painting, aired up my tires to 35psi.

Not much of an update but I did figure out why my car was bouncy. My coils are fine but Cusco Zero 2R coilovers and 25psi tires = the bounce. They're so stiff every thing's being taken by the tires. Might bump the pressure up to 40 (44 is the max for my tires).

I should be buying all new poly bushings and mounts for everything once my check comes in. Gettin a new radiator soon to cause mine has a wee pinhole.

I promise this will start turning into a major build once I get all the maintenance done. Pixors to come.

[TJcars2]

Ok so....I'm ditching this project for something better. I need something with more after market support so I'm gonna attempt to sell or trade this for something. Any Florida guys want an S12 project?? lol

Goodbye S12, hello question mark.

[JustDriftMore]

bummer.

[crakin]

lol why not work your way up? s13???

[TJcars2]

I want a vert or one with a sunroof. Next car has to have that. S13 or whatever it's gonna be. Open air ftw