Life and Times of Garagelu: S15 Build in the Dirty South

[garagelu]

So I've been procrastinating and been planning on putting up a fresh build thread for this S15 that I bought back in June. So here it is, because I'm changing up a few things for the 2012 season. Hate it or love it...here it is.

Back in 05 I started out with this car.



And almost 7 years later, I turned it into this. Fun 400 hp, reliable, great handling car.



I always told everyone that I'd keep this car forever. I mean come on...I was the second owner of the car, 1st owner was a middle aged lady, and it was a unmolested s14. 7 years of blood and sweat, 7 years of memories, and 7 years of love is hard to let go.

But on March 20, 2011 I was browsing zilvia on my lunch break like I do every day and I see this s15 in the for sale section. I look at it and it's almost too good to be true. It was kind of funny because people were bashing the seller saying he is trying to scam someone. But come on, you'd be stupid to wire that kind of money without seeing the car. I immediately call the owner and after several emails and phone calls, I decide to buy this beautiful car. So fast forward about 3 months later I am the proud owner of my dream car... 2001 Nissan Silvia Spec R.



Here is a condensed version of what's been happening since I bought the car.

Step 1: I had to get rid of those hideous Advan SA3R on the car. Fortunately I had a set of Volk GTU that I had bought for my s14 but never had a chance to put them on. BTW, GTUs are one of my top favorite wheels.



Step 2: The wheel gap was wack so I needed to do something quick. The car sat on Ohlins struts and Espelir springs. The car handled amazing for a strut and spring setup but it had to go. I wanted something comfortable and performance oriented at the same time. I decided on HKS Hipermax 3 coilovers. Right after I purchased these, HKS USA closed down and moved back to Japan. Not a big fan of that so not sure how many HKS products I'll be buying in the future.



Step 3: Got rid of the nismo exhaust. Nismo is nice and all but it was only 2.5 inch piping. I am a huge fan of JIC Magic exhausts so I bought a JIC bullet exhaust straight from Jon at JIC. Slip fit construction and beautiful welding.



Stay tuned for the life and times of this S15!!! And finally, check out my recent feature on canibeat. Shout out to my boy Jordan Chronister. He does awesome work. Also check out his site called drivenmotive.

Storyteller: Kevin Lu's Nissan Silvia | Canibeat

[Functiontheory]

HOLY CRAP!!!!! im tuned in

[ShakotanGazelle]

nice!
in for updates.

[HiddenCharacter]

In for this.

[boyou2]

nice parts

[tuktuk23]

tuned in!!!! nice ride bro

[nickkaplz]

so nice to see a car like this in the south, are you going to have it at ia Atlanta or anything?

[garagelu]

Originally Posted by nickkaplz

so nice to see a car like this in the south, are you going to have it at ia Atlanta or anything?

Yea I'll be at IA spring meet in Atlanta for sure. It's at Turner Field this year which is 5 minutes from my house. It'll be at IA Summer meet too.

Originally Posted by STL240SXDRIFT

It sounds like it was pretty easy to purchase this S15. If you don't mind me asking...was it already in the states? Or was it imported?

It wasn't as easy as it sounds. There was definately some hurdles I had to get through. Luckily this car came with EPA, NHSTA, and bond release papers. And it was already in the states. I bought it from Seattle.

[CamryOnBronze]

You know I love this thing Kev... so cool! Excited to see the changes this year.

[John P]

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[STL240SXDRIFT]

It sounds like it was pretty easy to purchase this S15. If you don't mind me asking...was it already in the states? Or was it imported?

[hks4life]

hope the kid that has your s14 doesnt wreck it, its so nice! and cant wait to see this at turner!!

[VAs13]

i officially regret selling my s15.

[conrad_s13.5]

^ yeah,. never a good idea

[jsu1012]

damn you're lucky, one day I'll own one.

[azndan2]

Congratulations Kevin

[tricky_ab]

Originally Posted by garagelu

Step 2: The wheel gap was wack so I needed to do something quick. The car sat on Ohlins struts and Espelir springs. The car handled amazing for a strut and spring setup but it had to go. I wanted something comfortable and performance oriented at the same time. I decided on HKS Hipermax 3 coilovers. Right after I purchased these, HKS USA closed down and moved back to Japan. Not a big fan of that so not sure how many HKS products I'll be buying in the future.

If you're not a fan of that, then you won't be a fan of a lot of parts...

Originally Posted by VAs13

i officially regret selling my s15.

This made me sad, but this thread has made me happy again!

God I can't wait till these are legal...

[garagelu]

Originally Posted by tricky_ab

If you're not a fan of that, then you won't be a fan of a lot of parts...

Well when you just spent around 2000 dollars on coilovers, find a defect in the product and can't get in touch with the manufacturer, you'd probably be frustrated as well.

[garagelu]

I stopped by the place where I store my car tonight to get a few things done. I wanted to show you guys some of my garage neighbors. There are some dope ass cars here. This place is pretty sick for car guys. You can store your car here and included in the monthly membership fee, you get access to 3 lifts, tools, car wash, TV, internet, fridge, bathroom, shower, and some other things. Its got a full security system and a ventilation system. Considering that I just recently bought a condo with NO GARAGE (probably a big mistake on my part), this place definitely is definitely well worth it. Plus majority of the members are big into road racing and some are even instructors so I am considering on tracking my daily TSX this spring.

Theres 2 E30 M3, 600 hp E46 M3, a couply E36 M3, a couple 330s, Brian Fuller (2 guys garage) built 61 Impala, Year One built 67 nova, Shelby Mustang, 60-something Cuda, and more.

[s14unimog]

Originally Posted by garagelu

I stopped by the place where I store my car tonight to get a few things done.This place is pretty sick for car guys. You can store your car here and included in the monthly membership fee, you get access to 3 lifts, tools, car wash, TV, internet, fridge, bathroom, shower, and some other things.

I've heard about this place; seems like a cool place but how do they ensure your car isn't pillaged or taken by another member or member's friend?

Did you buy that S15 from Bryant? I love that gold Kouki.

[garagelu]

Originally Posted by s14unimog

I've heard about this place; seems like a cool place but how do they ensure your car isn't pillaged or taken by another member or member's friend?

Did you buy that S15 from Bryant? I love that gold Kouki.

Well there's a full security system with cameras everywhere so it would be tough. You need a code to get in the door and you also need to enter a code in the box once you walk in to disarm the system. Some of the cars in that place are quarter and half a million dollar cars so I feel pretty safe with them. And pretty much all the members are older guys and probably could care less about my rice bowl. They are all into beemers and muscle and they all have pretty baller jobs. You won't find a 18 year old kid storing his honda civic there. What I'm trying to say is that these guys will repect your property as long as you respect theirs.

And no I don't know who Bryant is. I bought this from a guy in Seattle. Thanks for the compliment on the gold car. I miss it a lot. The kid that bought it is local and he said he'd let me drive it sometime so I am looking forward to it.

[kyles1988]

Looking forward to this Kevin!

Glad to hear you were kidding about selling this thing haha.

[blueshark123]

damn do i love that gt500. You should pull a gone in 60 seconds moment on that car haha.

[killer240]

i like really like that kouki, so clean. if S15 will be legal in Cali, i'd snag one in a heart beat even if im broke ill sell my kindey

[MadScientist]

Good to see who bought this... I was the other buyer, glad you got it because I still have my Kouki and a Nismo Frontier now.

Oh and so everyone know this is a Grandfathered in U.S. Legal Motorex S15.... and it sold for hella cheep compaired to what some other non legal S15 owners are asking!!!

keep up the good work...

[turboshoebox]

Originally Posted by MadScientist

Good to see who bought this... I was the other buyer, glad you got it because I still have my Kouki and a Nismo Frontier now.

Oh and so everyone know this is a Grandfathered in U.S. Legal Motorex S15.... and it sold for hella cheep compaired to what some other non legal S15 owners are asking!!!

keep up the good work...

Lucky guy to have this car but I'm confused did Motorex claim they crash tested S15's too and brought this car to US compliance? If that was the case wouldn't this car now have rear reflectors?

I'm not here to start a legality batle but if it's 100 percent legit I'm super jelly

[Om1kron]

ah the gold kouki ka-t now I know who you are, haha. So many random car friends on facebook. You gave me a lot of helpful advise on ka-t.net or whatever it was. Never did build a ka-t obviously.

[garagelu]

Originally Posted by Om1kron

ah the gold kouki ka-t now I know who you are, haha. So many random car friends on facebook. You gave me a lot of helpful advise on ka-t.net or whatever it was. Never did build a ka-t obviously.

Um, sorry wrong person. I've never had a KA-T and never will. However, I am friends with you on FB.

[OBEEWON]

Originally Posted by garagelu

Um, sorry wrong person. I've never had a KA-T and never will. However, I am friends with you on FB.

Smart man. Cool cars.

[CleanAndLegit]

Luckily this car came with EPA, NHSTA, and bond release papers.

so does this make it full state legal?