Project S14 Zenki

Yeo · Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:13 am Post subject:

wtf!?

(and so Jahling's kill-count climbs) Laughing

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Jahling · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:41 pm Post subject:

Picking up from where we left off...

Around last September or so, I managed to install a new B&M short shifter along with a new Momo leather shift boot. The shifter has a beefy design and can be used on both the stock KA gearbox as well as the SR20 gearbox. The original shift boot was vinyl and disintegrating so it needed changing. A pardnuh had a brand new Momo shift boot for a VW Jetta that unfortunately was in an accident so he offered the boot to me. A little modifying and it was a perfect fit.

Old busted boot:

New goodness:

Old sloppy shifter:

Torn upper seal causing gear box oil vapors to constantly infest the cabin:

New B&M shifter:

I really like the new shifter. I was a bit worried when first drove it. Throws are very short and takes a bit getting used to, especially after the worn out stock shifter. Also since it is so direct, some gear noise is transfered into the cabin. But fortunately it is pretty quiet in 5th.

Somewhere along the line I also had enough of listening to the factory radio's dry rotted speakers and replaced them with 2 pairs of these:

The battery finally gave out so in went a red top Optima sealed battery. Its been performing well so far. I forgot to take pics of it though.

Then the cold weather rolled in and that was the end of everything. I took off the summer 18's, slapped back on the original 16's and parked the car for most of the time.
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Jahling · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 10:57 pm Post subject:

So after a winter's hiatus, we rejoin our heroine on her journey. The cold season has not been kind to her, involving a broken driver's side headlight, a shattered passenger side corner light and a dented bonnet. But with a set of JDM headlights straight from Trini and a used bonnet from an idiot here in Queens, she looks close to her old self again. At least what you can see of her under the bodysuit of city dirt and pigeon sh*t. Soon she will be washed, the 18's with summer tyres will be swapped on and attention can be focused on installing the Energy Suspension poly kit. So far I have only managed to get the front swaybar bushings on. Maybe I'll get to the rear soon.

Energy Suspension Poly Master Kit:

Front and rear sway bar bushings:

Changing the front bushings. Old on the left, new on the right:

End link bushings (before)

End link bushings (after)

I have not driven the car much since so I can't honestly say if I noticed a difference. I'll see when I get the rear ones installed. As soon as I can find a driveway to jack her up and crawl under.
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Fuzz Windu · Jedi Hopeful Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 219

how much yuh get the bushings for thinking about doing that since the car gonna be jacked up

Jahling · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:10 pm Post subject:

I got the master kit from Courtesy Nissan when they were on sale for $100 plus shipping. That includes front and rear sway bar bushings, front and rear lower control arm bushings, front tension rod bushings and tie rod end caps. The sway bar bushings are relatively easy to get in. The lower control arm bushings require removing the arms completely, pressing the old bushings out and pressing new ones in - better let a shop do that. The tension rod bushings are easy to put in once you press the old ones out. I won't be using that part of my kit since I am planning to put on a pair of SPL adjustable tension rods. The tie rod end caps are basically useless unless you happen to rip one of the stock ones.

Also consider changing your steering rack bushings. Those are not included in the master kit. They are sold separately. But be warned, there is a fitment issue with the energy suspension S14 steering rack bushings. They fit the S13 rack but not the S14 even though the company claims that they do. I have the Nismo ones waiting to be installed. I'll take pics when I get around to it.
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Fuzz Windu · Jedi Hopeful Joined: 07 Apr 2005 Posts: 219

nice nice prolly gonna end up changing the shifter also once the tranny goes in

Jahling · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:57 am Post subject:

I finally got her washed this past Monday. Hopefully the wheels will be on sometime next week. Also I managed to pick up a clean set of OEM S14 Kouki side skirts. As soon as I go and buy a drill, I'll get those on as well.
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MG Man · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 5:39 am Post subject:

nice the things you can do when you can find off the shelf stuff for your car
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Jahling · Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject:

I finally got a chance to put back on the G35 18's this past Wednesday. I took her for a run to Connecticut on Friday in the middle of a rain storm and she felt back to her old self again. The winter tyres are a bit worn and I had an episode of hydro-planing with them at 60mph which did not leave me too pleased. Next on the agenda is to do the rear sway bar bushings. Then after than, the steering rack bushings and dust boots have to be replaced as well as the tension rods.

Yes the aftermarket support for this car is excellent. That was a big reason I chose this platform. After fighting up with unavailable parts for the Morris and unaffordable parts for the Peugeot, I wanted a more realistic project.

Now that parts are available, I don't have a place to work on the car. Jacking up in the street eh cutting it. So in order to do what I want with the car, I need a garage as well as a second practical car to be the daily driver. This will allow me to disassemble the car without worrying how to get to work the next day. That means I need to buy a house and an Evo IX then turbo the S14. Who knew this project would be so complicated.

Reminds me of a quote by J. P. Donleavy:
"When you don't have any money, the problem is food. When you have money, it's sex. When you have both, it's health. If everything is simply jake, then you're frightened of death."
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MG Man · Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 6:41 am Post subject:

my own quote is 'well it's an english car......money is a myth but sex is not a problem cuz you're f**ked anyway'
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hmph · Pumpum Conqueror Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 5

only had time to skim through ur build...but nice Very Happy

u should pick up this mag: Project Car (not sure which issue).

they did a build very similar to urs including the SR20 swap. check it out, it would be nice for u to have some reference material to work with. it also has prices to go along with it so u can plan ur budget.
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Jahling · Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 2:58 pm Post subject:

MG Man · Posted: Sat May 24, 2008 9:04 pm Post subject:

yup
urban concrete is the worst
the Mini Cooper's sunroof is rattling, along with all sorts of odd squeaks Sad

I agree with your thoughts on the PC engine swap......
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hmph · Pumpum Conqueror Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 5

Jahling · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

Nothing to really update. Progress is slow. Need to change the oil this weekend. I am planning on taking a drive upstate next week so I need to do it before then. I just ordered a cordless drill from Craftsman so I'll try to install the sideskirts in a few weeks. As soon as I get that done, I'll post the pics.
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