piknockout's Auto-x STX Spec V...now Auto-x STU STi!!!

[piknockout]

Well, I guess it's about time that I put one of these things together.


The car is a 2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V in Sunburst (aka yellow...in case you couldn't tell). I purchased the car new on December 26th, 2002 as a Christmas present...for myself! It's the first car I've purchased new and was happy to have a fun car. At the time I was looking at an RSX-S, WRX, or Jetta GLI...but for $5k-$8k less I took the Spec V. Sometime I look back and wish I had picked up a WRX...but then again it's nice being different. And money I saved up front allowed me to have more money for mods. As it stands I have roughly $7k in the car from engine mods, suspension mods, brakes mods, and wheels/tires. Nothing too crazy unlike some people on here.

Here's the progress report.


First pictures of the car, still all stock about 2 months after purchase. (Feb 2003)




It was at this point that I started to get online and get into car forums, with b15sentra.net becoming my main source of inspiration for future mods. Not having a ton of money at the time, I went with the basics (I/H/E) along with some minor cosmetic mods (red tinted tails, painted calipers, debadged, tinted windows). (Nov 2003)




Now it was time to start focusing on the handling...installed an Eibach Pro Kit along with Nismo LTB and RSB. I must say, the handling mods provided a lot more fun than the go fast mods...next project WILL start with suspension first. Not to mention the car looks better when not in 4x4 mode! (March 2004)




It was about this time that I attended my first autocross event with Philly Region and needless to say I was hooked! Got my @ss handed to me at first, but it just made me want to keep getting better and purchase more class specific mods to make myself more competitive.




Throughout the summer I added a few odds and ends, new pads and rotors, Nismo FSB, short shifter...nothing too crazy. But then in the spring of 2005 I decided to up the game a bit and replaced the Eibach Springs with a Tein Basic setup along with some lightweight Buddy Club SF wheels. (Spring 2005)





This is when I really started to get more serious about autocross and trying to make more events and learn as much as I could. The later to be wifey bought me a digital video camera, which was very useful in helping to evaluate what I was doing right and wrong. Also I got a great deal on another set of 17x7 wheels and a great deal on some 215/40/17 Falken Azenis that I could now use at autocross only wheels. Although not the exact tire size I wanted, I got them very cheap as well. Whole setup cost me $400 and was a great beginner introduction into the world of Azenis...and they made a big difference in my times also. Got bored with the silver too, so I painted them black and left the polished lip. (Fall 2005)





At this point I decided I wanted to start getting much more serious and in the spring picked up some 17x7.5 Rota Subzeros with 235/40/17 Falken Azenis. Boy do they look pretty! Rolled the rear fenders, installed an SAFC II, also replaced the entire exhaust system with an upgraded setup from the header back. And since there aren't a lot of people that make parts for the B15 Sentra, Aaron (psushoe) and I made our own rear mounts to increase suspension travel in the rear and also stiffen the rear setup. In addition to this, other suspension mods included rear trailing arm bushings, front LCA bushings (with offset for more caster), and slotting the struts to attain -1.5 camber with Zero toe.

This setup was good enough to help me win the 2006 STX title with the Philadelphia Region SCCA. Only made 7 of the 12 events (you can drop 3 events) and won the title on my last run of the year. A lot of pressure on that run, but I pulled it out! (Spring-Fall 2006)





Custom Rear Mounts




This year I haven't changed a ton of stuff, but I did raise the car a bit which has improved handling quite a bit as the front control arms are now parallel to the ground. I increase the camber to -2.0 and Zero toe, along with Aaron and I creating our own front pillowball mounts...once again since nobody makes stuff for our cars. I must say that all of these minor changes have really changed the handling dynamics of the car. I would say that I've gained an easy 0.5 seconds (possibly more) just from the new car setup.

Results this year:

Autocrosser's Inc. Event #1 - 1st STX of 8 and 2nd PAX of 95
WDCR SCCA Event #1 - 1st STX of 12 and 42nd PAX of 265
Philly SCCA Event #3 - 2nd STX of 8 and 62nd PAX of 210 (Best time included 1 cone...didn't have a clean run all day. A clean run would have put me in the top 25 PAX though. )




Custom Pillowball Mounts




Future Plans:

I plan to run mostly WDCR and A.I. this year, with a few Philly events tossed in for fun. Since moving from DE to Columbia, MD it's hard to get up to many Philly events. I plan on running in the Northeast Divisionals, which should be a good comparison test to see how I compare. My goal is to go to the SCCA Nationals in Topeka, KS in Fall 2008. I still need some more practice and need to do a few more things to prep the car for Nationals competition.

Mods for 2008:

- Ground Control coilovers with 500-600lb. spring rates (haven't decided yet)
- Koni Yellows valved to match higher spring rates - if there's money pay to have them make me some double adjustables (doubtful )
- Lightweight Battery
- Corbeau Lightweight race seats
- MaxQData GPS datalogger

I think with those additions, along with tightening the nut behind the wheel, I could have a chance at being competitive at Nationals. I know I won't win, but if I could somehow finish top 10...hell even top 15 I would call it successful. Should be a fun 2008 though. Unfortunately/fortunately (however you want to look at it) my 2007 is going to get a bit screwed up thanks to buying a new house. That was a great idea.


Thanks for looking and I will update as necessary. Below is my current mod list and a few autocross videos (more as the season goes on).


Autocross Videos
1. WDCR 4/22/07
2.



www.cardomain.com/id/piknockout

Performance Mods

-AEM Cold Air Intake
-Hotshot Header
-Megan Racing midpipe w/ Magnaflow High Flow Cat
-Stromung 2.5" cat back exhaust
-TWM Short Shifter
-Unorthodox Racing Pulley
-Energy Suspension Motor Mount Inserts
-Techna-Fit Stainless Steel Clutch Line
-SAFC II

Suspension/Brake Mods

-Tein Basic Coilovers
-Nismo Lower Tie Bar
-Nismo Rear Sway Bar
-Nismo Front Sway Bar
-B15 Motorsports Front Pillowball Mounts
-B15 Motorsports Rear Mounts
-Superpro rear trailing arm bushings
-Superpro lower control arm bushings
-Front struts slotted for -1.5 camber
-Powerslot Rotors Front & Rear
-Hawk HP+ Pads Front & Rear
-Stop Tech Stainless Steel Brake Lines
-ATE Super Blue Brake Fluid
-Buddy Club P1 Racing SF Gunmetal Rims in 17x7 40mm Offset with Kumho Ecsta SPT's in 215/45/17 for daily driving
-Autocross Wheels/Tires: Flat Black Rota Subzeros 17x7.5 45mm Offset wrapped in 235/40/17 Falken Azenis st 615's
-Alignment: -2.0 Camber and Zero Toe

Other Mods (Cosmetic, etc.)

-Corbeau 3pt Race Harness (during autocross)
-Dark Red Painted Calipers
-Red Tinted Tail lights
-Debadged Grille/Trunk
-TWM Performance Weighted Shift Knob
-Momo Racing Pedals
-20% Tint
-OnStar Antenna


And let's not forget about the new daily driver...Audi A3 2.0T S-Line 6MT.

[piknockout]

Future Space

[piknockout]

More Future Space

[06evors]

The SER Spec-V is a great car for the money. What other car for 17-18k gives you an LSD and a torquey engine. My brother has one which I drive ocassionally. Good choice and good luck.

[Chris_PA]

Originally Posted by 06evors

The SER Spec-V is a great car for the money. What other car for 17-18k gives you an LSD and a torquey engine. My brother has one which I drive ocassionally. Good choice and good luck.

SRT


Car looks clean
I like the most recent wheels the best too

[piknockout]

Thanks. The black subzeros are autocross only...I still have the Buddy Club's for daily driving though. Also forgot to post most recent pics without tint...stupid Maryland tint laws.

[06evors]

Originally Posted by Chris_PA

SRT


Car looks clean
I like the most recent wheels the best too

Ummm, the SRT starts at 21k

[Renegade_]

Originally Posted by 06evors

Ummm, the SRT starts at 21k

Eh, what?

The stopped making em and you can get em for 16k no problem....

*edit* On topic though, really nice spec. Haven't seen many at autox events.

[TTsupra911]

looking good Josh. I want to make it down this year to one of the DC events. I'd really like to make it down to one of them at Feddex Field, but we'll see.

[06evors]

Originally Posted by Renegade_

Eh, what?

The stopped making em and you can get em for 16k no problem....

*edit* On topic though, really nice spec. Haven't seen many at autox events.

16k used not new, thats what I'm trying to say, bone-stock brand new.

[TTsupra911]

Originally Posted by 06evors

16k used not new, thats what I'm trying to say, bone-stock brand new.

<--- 19K brand new out the door. Either way though both Josh and Aaron have earned my respect for the SpecV. Both cars are absolutly amazing.

[piknockout]

Except Aaron doesn't drive a Spec V. :p


Thanks guys...and enough about the SRT4, we all know it's a piece of crap...hand rolled windows in the back? Are you kidding me?

[Buster]

Awesome car. I remember you back when I still had my white 02 on the Vboard. love what youve been doing with it. Looking back, Iwish I would have kept mine. Great read too.

[piknockout]

Thanks, appreciate the feedback. :D


I do have to say I've had a lot of fun with this car. Although I can only imagine how much fun turbo + AWD is, for what it is this car holds its own...especially in the orange stuff.

[Buster]

stock for stock, ill take a Spec any day. put a few mods in and the subie is a little more fun. my Spec hand i/h/e, nismo RSB, nismo STB, Megan racing springs, and the short shift. and it felt like it held the road way better than my car does now. And that was on NeoGens.

[piknockout]

Come out to another autocross sometime and I'll give you a ride along. Gave a guy with a supercharged C5 vette a ride at Warminster and I think he was a little surprised.

[Buster]

ive been looking to get out. i went to the first one this year and got so soaked before my class that i just went home.

[NOPSTNS]

"bc im a pussy" go ahead keith say it.....jk man


wicked nice spec v bro, i see u kickin butt out there all the time, im the one in SM gettin my ass handed to me by 400 hp evos all day long.....ill be at pocono next month bc my tru love is the road course....did u plan on attending?

[piknockout]

Thanks man! And just give it time, more seat time goes a long way to getting faster.

[psushoe]

Originally Posted by piknockout

Except Aaron doesn't drive a Spec V. :p

If I did, I might actually have a decent lsd... then again, I'd have a QR instead of the SR20, though. Nice progression of pics through the years, Josh. It really shows how much has been done to the car.

Since we're on the topic of racing, has there been a thread posted up about this weekend's Philly SCCA event at Boeing? I haven't looked yet, but I hope some of you guys make it out. [/threadjack]