Restoration/Upgrades: Where should I start? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

DeFeKT · 05-28-2004, 10:31 AM

Searched a bit and couldn't really find specific guidelines that would help.

I recently got into an accident, hydroplaning over a curb. At that moment I came to understand how important a good set of tires is, properly maintained brakes, maybe even suspension bushings (Going out a limb, but I'm sure worn parts are of no help).

So I'm working this summer to make all the repairs on my car (S13 fastback, auto, stock). My question is, in what sequence should I restore/upgrade my car? Mind you, I am considering getting into drifting sometime in the future, maybe by the end of summer.

My car could really use a new set of tires, new pads/rotors, possible head rebuild (maybe even the whole KA24DE, not sure), possibly new suspension (I'm sure everything is shot to hell), and possibly transmission work (laggy auto, could just need an ATF change). Also, I'm getting low gas mileage (Approx 16 mpg daily driving).

I guess the ultimate open-ended question is: Where would you start? What specific parts would you upgrade and in what order? And how much of this do you think the average guy can do outside his house? Keep in mind, I'm on the same budget as every other college student.

My end goal is to have a reliable beater in good-enough condition so I wouldn't be afraid of taking it to a track for entry-level drifting.

NismoSilvia270R · 05-28-2004, 10:33 AM

start with whats broken. what is broken?

DeFeKT · 05-28-2004, 10:37 AM

Yeah I left this out because this is first priority regardless. A tension rod is snapped, and a control arm is bent. There might also be rack and pinion damage. These are getting fixed starting tomorrow.

What I'm interested in is what I should do once the car is back in running condition.

NismoSilvia270R · 05-28-2004, 10:51 AM

same thing happened to me twice.
im doin the hicas rack and stock replacement arm. most likely rack damage in your case, happened to me

NismoSilvia270R · 05-28-2004, 10:52 AM

BEWARE: the first time the frame brace?(tension rod mount) was fine, but the second time it was the first thing to go

MakotoS13 · 05-28-2004, 10:55 AM

1- replace the broken
2- replace the worn
3- replace the aged

example:

after i fix my hub i'll install a strut then begin to replace bushings while i get the body ready for paint.

Nismo240SX · 05-28-2004, 11:07 AM

i'd go ahead a start re-placing whats broken with a few upgrades. Get the Tein tension rods which are afforfably priced and will give you some added performace. and coming from another s13 auto owner (soon to change) don't expect more than 22 mpg. i'd change your fuel filter, o2 sensor, air filter, and plugs and you should see around 20+ mpg. i used to only get 17-18 and now i get about 21-22. I know thats not alot, but with these damn gas prices, i guess it levels out.

aznpoopy · 05-28-2004, 11:16 AM

like everyone else said, start with what's broken. once that's done...

brakes and tires are expensive but important. get brembo blanks, some perf or near OEM quality pads, replace your brake lines and bleed your fluid. get new quality tires.

after you get back on the road do a full tune up. air fuel oil filters, oil change, spark plugs, plug wires, rotor & cap, etc etc. after that u should do repairs on problems as they come up and preventative maintenance. leaky seals, upper chain guides, stuff like that. get a factory service manual! check your timing, check your a/f mixture, clean ur fuel tank, etc etc.

after you've squared that away, you can look into doing some non-neccesary performance upgrades. typically its a good idea to upgrade to aftermarket as things break b/c oem is so damn expensive anyway.

oojpeeoo · 05-28-2004, 11:29 AM

maybee if we knew wut was broken we could help u out more

DeFeKT · 05-28-2004, 11:33 AM

Well, like I said. Most of it is just worn or aged. What's broken as of right now is a single tension rod, a single control arm, and probably whatever is associated with the rack and pinion. But so far, this is exactly what I was looking for in responses. If you guys, please keep them coming. Thanks a lot.

DeFeKT · 05-28-2004, 11:59 AM

Also, do you think it's worth pitching out $200 right now and getting TEIN tension rods all around instead of $35 for a junkyard part? Is there a noticable difference for the price? Do tension rods wear out?

D1champ · 08-15-2005, 01:04 PM

If you going for OEM spec restoration, you can get OE tension rods or get some used ones in good shape.

***FaLKoN240*** · 08-15-2005, 01:13 PM

If you really care about bushings, your OE ones on your tension rods were shot, and chances are, the $35 dollar tension rods at the junkyard have shot bushings too. Either get NEW bushings pushed in, or just upgrade to pillow ball joint tension rods.

aznpoopy · 08-15-2005, 01:18 PM

been over a year... hope he's farther along then that.

420sx · 08-15-2005, 08:38 PM

muahaha wheres Doug when u need him....

MakotoS13 · 08-15-2005, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archangelprez

1- replace the broken
2- replace the worn
3- replace the aged

example:

after i fix my hub i'll install a strut then begin to replace bushings while i get the body ready for paint.

i've already said my piece.

05-28-2004, 10:31 AM	#1
DeFeKT Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 24 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Restoration/Upgrades: Where should I start? Searched a bit and couldn't really find specific guidelines that would help. I recently got into an accident, hydroplaning over a curb. At that moment I came to understand how important a good set of tires is, properly maintained brakes, maybe even suspension bushings (Going out a limb, but I'm sure worn parts are of no help). So I'm working this summer to make all the repairs on my car (S13 fastback, auto, stock). My question is, in what sequence should I restore/upgrade my car? Mind you, I am considering getting into drifting sometime in the future, maybe by the end of summer. My car could really use a new set of tires, new pads/rotors, possible head rebuild (maybe even the whole KA24DE, not sure), possibly new suspension (I'm sure everything is shot to hell), and possibly transmission work (laggy auto, could just need an ATF change). Also, I'm getting low gas mileage (Approx 16 mpg daily driving). I guess the ultimate open-ended question is: Where would you start? What specific parts would you upgrade and in what order? And how much of this do you think the average guy can do outside his house? Keep in mind, I'm on the same budget as every other college student. My end goal is to have a reliable beater in good-enough condition so I wouldn't be afraid of taking it to a track for entry-level drifting.

05-28-2004, 11:07 AM	#7
Nismo240SX Zilvia Addict Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marion, Virginia. Age: 39 Posts: 855 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i'd go ahead a start re-placing whats broken with a few upgrades. Get the Tein tension rods which are afforfably priced and will give you some added performace. and coming from another s13 auto owner (soon to change) don't expect more than 22 mpg. i'd change your fuel filter, o2 sensor, air filter, and plugs and you should see around 20+ mpg. i used to only get 17-18 and now i get about 21-22. I know thats not alot, but with these damn gas prices, i guess it levels out. __________________ 1990 Nissan 240sx:s13 blacktop, s13.5 front

08-15-2005, 01:13 PM	#13
*FaLKoN240* Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: SoCal Temecula Posts: 16,893 Trader Rating: (73) Feedback Score: 73 reviews	If you really care about bushings, your OE ones on your tension rods were shot, and chances are, the $35 dollar tension rods at the junkyard have shot bushings too. Either get NEW bushings pushed in, or just upgrade to pillow ball joint tension rods. __________________ Best way to do business with me? Make your best offer FIRST.

08-15-2005, 08:38 PM	#15
420sx Post Whore! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Texas Age: 42 Posts: 3,960 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: 420sx Feedback Score: 0 reviews	muahaha wheres Doug when u need him.... __________________ hydropgrahics! ls1......

05-28-2004, 10:33 AM	#2
NismoSilvia270R Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Clarksville Age: 39 Posts: 510 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	start with whats broken. what is broken?

05-28-2004, 10:37 AM	#3
DeFeKT Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 24 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah I left this out because this is first priority regardless. A tension rod is snapped, and a control arm is bent. There might also be rack and pinion damage. These are getting fixed starting tomorrow. What I'm interested in is what I should do once the car is back in running condition.

05-28-2004, 10:51 AM	#4
NismoSilvia270R Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Clarksville Age: 39 Posts: 510 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	same thing happened to me twice. im doin the hicas rack and stock replacement arm. most likely rack damage in your case, happened to me

05-28-2004, 10:52 AM	#5
NismoSilvia270R Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Clarksville Age: 39 Posts: 510 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	BEWARE: the first time the frame brace?(tension rod mount) was fine, but the second time it was the first thing to go

05-28-2004, 10:55 AM	#6
MakotoS13 BANNED Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Texas Age: 42 Posts: 4,205 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	1- replace the broken 2- replace the worn 3- replace the aged example: after i fix my hub i'll install a strut then begin to replace bushings while i get the body ready for paint.

05-28-2004, 11:16 AM	#8
aznpoopy Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Jersey Age: 44 Posts: 5,013 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	like everyone else said, start with what's broken. once that's done... brakes and tires are expensive but important. get brembo blanks, some perf or near OEM quality pads, replace your brake lines and bleed your fluid. get new quality tires. after you get back on the road do a full tune up. air fuel oil filters, oil change, spark plugs, plug wires, rotor & cap, etc etc. after that u should do repairs on problems as they come up and preventative maintenance. leaky seals, upper chain guides, stuff like that. get a factory service manual! check your timing, check your a/f mixture, clean ur fuel tank, etc etc. after you've squared that away, you can look into doing some non-neccesary performance upgrades. typically its a good idea to upgrade to aftermarket as things break b/c oem is so damn expensive anyway.

05-28-2004, 11:29 AM	#9
oojpeeoo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: san jose Posts: 538 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	maybee if we knew wut was broken we could help u out more

05-28-2004, 11:33 AM	#10
DeFeKT Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 24 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well, like I said. Most of it is just worn or aged. What's broken as of right now is a single tension rod, a single control arm, and probably whatever is associated with the rack and pinion. But so far, this is exactly what I was looking for in responses. If you guys, please keep them coming. Thanks a lot.

05-28-2004, 11:59 AM	#11
DeFeKT Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 24 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Also, do you think it's worth pitching out $200 right now and getting TEIN tension rods all around instead of $35 for a junkyard part? Is there a noticable difference for the price? Do tension rods wear out?

08-15-2005, 01:04 PM	#12
D1champ Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 408 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If you going for OEM spec restoration, you can get OE tension rods or get some used ones in good shape.

08-15-2005, 01:18 PM	#14
aznpoopy Post Whore! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: New Jersey Age: 44 Posts: 5,013 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	been over a year... hope he's farther along then that.