how i saved a trashed east coast vert (with bonus KA24DE issues)

[thermogod]

fuck it, here's some more updates on what i don't know if you'd really consider a "build".

the r34 looks like this now. I sold the Model 7s and picked up a set of much more aggressive GMR 06's. i had to run 3? up front to fit them so i also picked up some GKtech FUCAs and honestly had to modify them (safely) to even run this much camber. they have way more outward adjustability than inward interestingly?





but a few weeks BEFORE i picked up the new shoes, i had a few things to take care of. first i drove to another state to swap my trunk for another guys' trunk because he wanted my wing and i wanted his wingless...



and on the way there and back, i encountered a recurring "A/T error" light that kept killing whatever gear i was in at the time. all sorts of google told me it was my transmission A/B solenoids, which were hundreds of dollars and had only one shitty youtube guide on how to replace them on an Xterra.

yeah nope. it wasn't my solenoids.



it was my transmission filter. 158000km without a replacement (idk, blame the previous 2 owners) will do that to ya. those genius aussies at SkylineAustralia reminded me that if that filter was impeding fluid flow, then it could have similar effects to faulty solenoids. i took the chance and only picked up a new filter, pan gasket, 12 liters of D Matic trans fluid, an electric pump, permatex, and some fluid lines. and that resulted in...



the most nervous i've ever been working on a 5-figure project car with the potential to grenade the trans right before car season. drained i think 7 liters of basically brown fluid, flushed 5 liters through it and added the remaining 7. and then instead of test-driving it i fixed MORE things.

repainted the fender brackets.



realizing my timing belt was fucking fucked and was probably about to split on the way home:



holding the harmonic balancer in place to tighten the crank bolt after swapping the belt out...and swapping the cam cover for a clear one because it's cool, although an auto N/A RB isn't really that cool...




$30 worth of new rubber radiator supports to replace the old garbage.



along with the trans filter from the UAE, i ordered a new Air Spencer from the uae (Greenbreeze, the best one, because i found a used one in the car and i love the japanese corporate office smell)...



my friend told me to get rid of those yellow ass headlights, which i did....



and THEN i started it up for the first time in two months for a test drive. i kinda forgot it's a great-condition RB and not a KA 240 with shoddy wiring and misbehaving ignition switch.

started right up, no belt squeal, no coolant leak, no timing issues, and on my 50 miles to my girl's house to do THIS, it was no longer shifting at 2700rpm and had no more A/T warning light either...





heard of this "parade of lights" type of thing and we decided to enter it. Painters Tape on everything, and Command Hooks onto the painters tape, and lights on the command hooks. it worked really well and didn't leave any damage. it was kinda badass.

at this point i picked up the GMRs and sold the Model 7s and here we are.



like a week later i found even MORE rep wheels on marketplace. no i don't know why the only real wheels i've ever ran were the Enkeis on the 240...lol

$240 later....need to refinish them and see how they look.



anyways. then it started snowing so we're all screwed now.



thanks for reading this again. the only thing i feel like i'm really missing is a turbo and a manual. i've been looking for C35 laurels, even though every single one of my friends is telling me to stop looking for other cars. i want some shit that is on the ground on 19" chrome big-face wheels. what's ACTUALLY going to happen is....i keep this car for the next 1-3 years and THEN i trade it for an actual turbo manual sedan.

for now though....literally not a single thing left to fix outside, inside or under it. just in time for it to snow every week.