New to Cars, New to TST

[Kiro]

Name's Brian. 21, attending Rutgers University for Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering. Currently working part time as a system administrator.

I've been into cars for as long as I can remember, starting off with the Batmobile, matchbox cars, R/C, etc. Wasn't until two years ago that I got my first car: 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback. Unfortunately, it met an untimely end when it got spooked by a deer and hid in a ditch.



While I did have a daily driver, though, I bought my first project car: a 1988 Toyota MR2. Rear Mid-engine RWD relic of a car, an old school Toyota wedge. Ran when I got it, but needed some parts replaced to get it back on the road. Above pic was taken before I installed TRD springs. Other than that, it's completely stock. It's my current daily driver.



As chance would have it, I lost my Subaru before I could make my MR2 road worthy. My extended family stepped in to help, and I ended up with my cousin's JDM SR20DET swapped 1995 Nissan 200sx. Wilwood front calipers, 11" slotted rotors, Eibach Pro-kit springs on AGX's, etc. My cousin had put a lot of time and money into this car, but after he got a BMW, it had sat rusting in the garage for several years. It currently has cooling system problems among others, but it was enough to get me by until my MR2 was ready.

My parents, being parents, feel that my MR2 is a deathtrap, being as small as it is with few safety features. Since I can't afford a decent daily driver, my only feasible option is to fix up the 200sx. Aside from swapping out parts, I know next to nothing about maintaining, fixing up, and tuning cars. That's why I'm here.

Goals for Spring 2011
1) Fix up the 200sx's mechanical problems
2) Fix up the 200sx's cosmetic problems
3) Research more about chassis and suspensions
4) Implement solutions to improve the 200sx's handling
5) Learn how to use the boost controller and timer effectively

[TalonTsi97]

wow surprised you just fell into a boosted sentra that looked to be pretty well cared for. Do you have more pics and specs on it? There a lot of people on here that can easily help you learn a lot about the car if your willing to learn and can provide info on the setup.

[anarchyperf]

Wow that looks really clean. Need some engine bay shots ;)

[DexterZX2]

That 200SX isn't a bad looking car to be a daily driver. You should probably just fix the few things that it needs, and use it for daily use and as something to learn more about modding.

[Foolinaround]

Nice daily,looking for an updated one?

[CrazylilPunk]

200sx is hot, sr20 is probs one of the most widely known tuner engines, good one to start out with.

[BlkWhtTSI]

On here you can learn a lot about that sr20... and fast.

[Matt@R/Ttuning]

It is tough to find an AW11 in good shape but I love when people spend the time to fix them up right. Bite off small pieces here and there and fix that baby up.

[Godofelru]

Nice mr2 and 200sx. Love me some turbo B14's.

[Kiro]

Thanks for the welcome. ^_^

Foolinaround: Not at this time. The mk2 and mk3 are great cars, though. If I had a mk2, I'd probably get hit by the mod bug pretty hard. XD

Matt: I'd really like to, but keeping two cars on the street just isn't financially feasible for me atm. Once the B14 is ready for daily driving, I'm putting the AW11 up for sale with a much lower price for current MR2 owners. Definitely coming back to them in the future. Great car, great community. If I remember correctly, Erik has a mk3.

1995 Nissan 200sx

The pics make the car look a ton better than it really is. There's surface rust in every crevice, rot on the driver side rocker panel, significant body damage on the RR fender, rear bumper needs work, and faded paint all around. It was used for drag racing (13.9 @ 101mph) and was probably tossed around quite a bit on the street. The 16x7 Enkei RS5's have some pretty significant curb rash on them.

Handling is pretty terrible, definitely the most understeer I have ever encountered in a car. From what I've been reading, the Eibach springs reduced suspension travel too much and are too soft to prevent it from hitting the bump stops; they were the best available at the time, but B13 and B14 owners got HyperCoil in mid-2000's to make some within spec (rare and discontinued). Next best option are Road Magnets. Ideal economy suspension set up seems to be shortened Koni's with Ground Control coilover sleeves, and the rear beam bent to zero toe (fronts are independent, rear is beam). Chassis stiffening is always an option.

Known Major Mods
SR20DET from a W10 Nissan Avenir (T25 @ 7psi)
SR20DE 5-speed Manual Transmission with ACT NX9-XTSS Clutch
JWT Reprogrammable ECU
Greddy ProfecB Spec II Boost Controller and Turbo Timer
Eibach Pro-Kit Springs on KYB AGX's
Magnaflow Catalytic Converter with 3" Apexi N1 Exhaust
Wilwood Four-Piston Front Calipers, Maxima Rear Calipers, 11" Slotted Rotors, Altima Master Cylinder

There are a few more, but they aren't really important.

Known Problems
Clutch line rubs against intercooler piping and snaps periodically. Needs reroute and adjustment
Coolant leak
Exhaust leak (downpipe suspected)
Needs alignment (uneven tire wear). Have replacement tires
Needs bodywork and paint
Overheats after an hour of driving with heater on. Replaced radiator fan and thermostat. Need to flush radiator
Radiator fans linked to A/C system. Won't turn on unless A/C is on
RR suspension rattles over bumps

Some items are hanging around in the engine bay that look like they should hook up to something. Will need to find out what they are. Will check for vacuum and boost leaks. Should clean up corroded electrical grounds.



Rust and Body Damage
Left Door Jamb - surface rust
Left Rocker Panel - rot right through. Has a hole now and is spreading rapidly
Right Door Jamb - surface rust
RR Fender - sealed with body filler
Rear Bumper - needs work
Trunk - surface rust

Pics were taken last summer when I first got the car. Except for more rust, not much has changed since then.

[99showaltima]

welcome....nice build

[Kiro]

I didn't have anything to do with it, but thanks.

You're from Hillsborough? I live like ten minutes from you.