New guy to motorsports needs tech help!

[Cheesegr8er]

Ok, I first got into mortorsports through D1/JGTC. I went to the "GT Live" event last December and have fallen in love with motorsports ever since (F1, WRC, Super GT, D1, autocross/gymkhana, etc.). I guess you can call me a newbie at this point. The one car that I absolutely got into was the Nissan Silvia (s13, s14, s15, 180sx, sileighty, 1-via, I love em all). The one thing I wanna do is get into drifting and autocross (maybe some circuit racing if I feel my skill has improved). I've been studying up alot on technique, but I dont know much on the mechanical side. My friends say they'll help me when I get my car, but until then, I'm on my own. So I'll probably end up posting many more threads about technical issues till I can figure all this stuff out on my own. Please excuse me if the questions seem really dumb or lame. I dont know much right know.

Anyways, I got my eyes set on a '98 240sx as my first car (Im only 17 btw). Sadly, my parents are forcing me to get an automatic (because they dont know how to drive manual). However, I got a plan to just drive the car with the stock KA engine till it dies, then replace it with an SR (maybe an RB, I dunno if it really matters tho which one I get) and convert the transmission to manual.

So here goes my first question... or series of questions.

1. How much will swapping the engine/tranny out cost me? (parts/installation)
2. At what kind of place can I get this job done (I heard by word of mouth that Gushi Auto, which is about 45 minutes from where I live, does this kinda stuff, but if any kind of auto shop will do, please let me know.)
3. At what tracks in southern california can I practice at autocross and/or drifting?

Thank you so much for any help you can provide me.

[vinhisbored]

Uh, good choice.. I'm 17, got a '98 240sx too. The problem is, my parents, like yours, got me an auto. Did a 5 speed swap, and I'm just going KA-T instead of SR though. If you plan on getting an SR, (depending on which one you get) it'll run between $2000-$3000ish (average price). I'd recommend you just swapping it yourself because you'll learn alot on your own, like about your car. Next, if you have the money, shop prices may vary widely. If you go to like Signal Auto for example, you'll be paying around $5000+ I believe. Some of the people on Zilvia might even swap it in for you because many have done it themselves. Just try to tell them to save you/them money, and get a manual. Tell them that either way, it'll be stick, blahbalhbahl... good luck.

[OptionZero]

If u have an auto, the FIRST THING YOU DO:
save MONEY, don't buy any other shit, all the parts and labor and misc shit will run you up to a $1K unless u have hookup on labor and get lucky in junkyards

if your parents don't "let" you get a swpa right away, i'd still save money, but if u wanna improve your car and yourself, go out and buy some GOOD TIRES (Falken Azenis Sport in stock SEs = the shieeet)

Then go out and DRIVE, there must be some local autoX's u can do just to get some quick and easy seat time

otherwise get ur shit swapped, i'm sorry i waited so long

[SR240DET]

when you convert a s14 to manual you need a manual ECU... the result is ecu being a chicken and running in a safe mode so to speak... so get the manual s14 ecu....

[johngriff]

heh,

Here the plan bro. Put some paint thinner in the engine via, the oil-fill. THen leave it in 1st, and go on the freeway. Just PEG IT AT 8k. When it breaks down, tell them that (where you bought the car from) is stupid. Then tell them you know this great guy john griff, and bring the car to me. Im great with parents. We'll have them cut me a $25,000.00 check, and i'll build you a D1 car.

You are gonna be so fucking cool.

I cant wait.

J/K

What you really need to do is get a fucking job, what the hell are you doing having you're parents buy you a car? Are you in kindergarden? I would be overly greatful for my parents good nature of buying me a car, and not touch it(ie:modify it) , not speed in it, not smoke in it, and especially not have sex in it (bad luck in cars btw). Then, buy you'reself a s13, and build it, take you're time, save you're money. Drive the s14 daily, be greatful that it gets you to school and work, and you wont be stressed when the s13 dosent always run or needs somthing expensive. OK

God, now get out of here, grandma said you have to leave cause you're eating all the STEAK god!!

John Griff

[BoostInnovations]

well technically he never said his parents were buying it...he just said they are forcing him to get an automatic

[vinhisbored]

Hey John Griff! I want a D1 car! Haha well anyways.. about the 'manual ecu' thing up there that someone mentioned, that's not true. I did the 5 speed swap with a couple of friends, and the car runs good, still using the AUTO ecu. It's been running like that for about 3 months already too with no problems (the only problem was that the slave wasn't pushing hard enough on the fork, thus not pushing in the clutch.. etc etc..). What I did was this.. plan what you're going to do, and buy things slowly, one by one, and not everything at once (you'll have too much money, and be tempted to spend it on other things). That's what I did, and now I'm basically just saving up to piece together a turbo kit. I started with the suspension, (coilovers/z32 brakes) and now I have a bov/wastegate/safc/z32 maf/ka-t manifold already. Good luck, and try to post something, and give us an idea about what you think/you're going doing to do.

[kuramaya]

Man whenI was 17 I was riding a Vision Gator

Your a lucky kid have fun and before you start modding the hell out of a car, go to a driving school so you dont kill yourself or someone else...drifting, gymkhana, and all other forms of motorsports arent as easy as left right, square, triangle, and circle...classes are available all over the states I think..
late
daryl

[SochBAT]

dude, don't get azenis on SEs. Go out n get crapass tires with like, 80% tread left, and learn how the car reacts, manuevers, and handles. Learn learn learn.

Oh, and do the 5speed swap yourself. Read up on it, tinker, and learn about your car. its an S13, cheap ass parts and are plentiful.

And don't mind the mean people.

[OptionZero]

I guess you could learn on shitty tires, but you could find your level of grip to be sorely lacking

there are few mods better for the money than azenis sports in 16inch

[Cheesegr8er]

Originally Posted by vinhisbored

Good luck, and try to post something, and give us an idea about what you think/you're going doing to do.

Well, I dont want to go all crazy with the car. I mean, not like ripping out the whole interior to lessen the weight and boosting the car up to 500hp. I just wanna be able to take it to like... drift day and take a lesson or two from one of their drift instructors (The "drift bible" obviously isnt enough). So rule out me trying to get into d1 driver search or formula D. I just want to enjoy drifting.

So far what I've heard is save up some cash, get an LSD, rims, tires, coilovers, suspension arms... then after that start tinkering with the engine and junk. (Actually a guy from drift day told me this, I think his name was taka or something) I guess I'll be going that way in terms of tuning (thats a couple grand right there im guessing. The less I have to do the better.) After that I plan on heading over to a drift day.

Well, I guess that's what I want to do. I guess I'll take it a little further once I can get a better paying job, but for now, I think after these mods, the rest of my money that's devoted to drifting will go to tires =)

On that note, erm... well, there are so many brands out there to choose from for all these parts, what's the best brand to buy? Or does it not matter, any brand will do? I know of a place or two where I could get parts, so that's not a problem.

btw thanks for the help

[OptionZero]

coilovers and suspension arms should be low on your list

The 5spd is your primary goal.

If you're on a budget:
Fuck expensive rims, get some free steelies, or if u are 5 lug, some SE's, mount shitty tires on them so it's easier to "drift", and get a WELDED DIFF when you're capable

When you're a big balling drifter with skills is when you go reverse and get grippy tires and adjsutable suspension

Don't ask us what brand is good. SEARCH for whatever part you have in mind, i.e. "coilovers" "tension arms" "tie rods", etc...but don't wory about that shit for now

For now, it goes like this:

5-spd swap > Driver Skill/Technique > Parts

[SochBAT]

Starting out, i personally crapped everythin 2gether, just to learn the ropes. 5speed, then a welded diff.

Learn basic techniques, sidebrake, clutch kick, up/down shifts, etc, and then how the car reacts to each technique. Once you have a grasp on the basics of the basics, upgrade suspension parts. Rims are for losers that wanna show off how much money they have, stock SEs will suit you just fine.

I'd say a few good entrylevel parts would be MR coilovers, Tein Rods n ends, SPL subframe bushings, and some kinda bracing for the chassis. 240s aren't structurally rigid as it may seem. Instead of welding together the frame piece by piece, they used some kinda crap enamel to hold it all 2gether. It works and all, but not as stiff as you'd like. some kinda Cpillar bar would help.

[Cheesegr8er]

Um... I got another newbie question. I sometimes hear people referring to their engines as "black top" or "red top". Is there a difference between the two? I mean, besides the color thing.

[kuramaya]

Originally Posted by Cheesegr8er

Um... I got another newbie question. I sometimes hear people referring to their engines as "black top" or "red top". Is there a difference between the two? I mean, besides the color thing.

yes there are differences, like HP, year, chassis it was in..etc..somehwere on this site there is a specs for all the SR's

[OptionZero]

red top = older SR
black top = newer SR

do NOT even think about an engine until you can drive

[SochBAT]

/whip

learn 1 thing at a time, more effective, and less troublesome. find a buddy that welds n have him make bracer bars

[BrandC]

Welcome to the Car world! Don't worry about finding shops to do work on your car, do it yourself. Find a junior college and take some basic automotive classes and it will grow. It's an exponential experience, so don't be afraid to ask questions and tackle modifications you're not familiar with. Have fun driving, and make sure to network, nobody is too cool to say wuts up. Spend time getting to know your car in stock form, it will be a fun journey...no rush to have the coolest car.

[BrandC]

Welcome to the Car world! Don't worry about finding shops to do work on your car, do it yourself. Find a junior college and take some basic automotive classes and your skills will grow. It's an exponential experience, so don't be afraid to ask questions and tackle modifications you're not familiar with. Have fun driving, and make sure to network, nobody is too cool to say wuts up. Spend time getting to know your car in stock form, it will be a fun journey...no rush to have the coolest car.

[Rezlo]

Originally Posted by johngriff

and especially not have sex in it (bad luck in cars btw).

No wonder my car is fucked, pardon the pun...



JUST KIDDING

[chlatboy]

DUDE, no questions and SEARCH!!!!