Jorge's S12 Of Doom

Heres my car. Im getting more and more familiar with her, so I thought that you should too. 1988 Nissan 200SX XE with the run of the mill CA20E.

when first bought



as she stands now




Never really had any interests in car performance or maintenance. Having high exposure in California to imports, I've always been partial to them but the "scene" or the ricer way of life is what kept me away.

When I moved out of California, I was in search for a car. One day I came across a 1987 hatchback Toyota Corolla. Nostalgia instantly hit, as my first car was a 1987 hatchback Nissan Sentra. So I was set out to search for a boxy 80's hatchback and I that's when I found my 88 200sx. Wiki'd for more info and found out the chassis code and that's how I came upon club-s12.

So this will be my first car with me doing anything and everything myself or more so without the help of any dealership and mechanics of that sort.

I didn't realize how much these cars run for and I basically overpaid for the condition I bought it for. But in the end I don't care much cause I really like my car and am doing everything I can to make her better.

So far, there have been quite a few things I've done and I have much more planned for the distant future.
I've got my own place now and bought tools and stuff and am on my way to be a regular ol grease monkey.



Recently:
Leaky fuel injector

fix'd

Oil change w/ Semi synthetic motor oil



replaced brakes w/ semi-metallic brake pads
various lights in gauge cluster, instrument panel, & license plate replaced

near future plans: suspension!
wheels, lowering springs, struts & shocks and other sorts of  maintenance
fix leaky power steering fluid

distant future: engine swap!
not decided yet but so far its between ka24de or ca18det
paint the car in awesome color

Any comments, constructive criticisms, or blatant shouts of hatred and ill-will are welcomed (though not recommended)

should track down an SE kit, tint the windows, install a good stereo system, and do a good round of routine maintence. change the spark plugs, wires, belts, flush the rest of the fluids, and put in a new air filter, such as a higer performance k&n that will fit the stock air box.

i just think its kinda funny that the hub caps have a 5 bolt look but the steel rims that they covered are 4 bolts. at least you got a nice straight looking car, a nice paint job could'nt hurt but i've seen far worse. i have the same tool set, it sucks when you pick it up by the handle and all the sockets fall out of the there spots, does'nt it, i sit there for like 20 minutes or so and put everything where it is labled to go and that happens everytime, i just give up now and don't even bother anymore

YEA USE A KN FILTER FROM A NEWER ALTIMA A QR25 POWRED ONE TRIM THE SIDES DOWN THE RUBBER EDGING TO FIT THATS WHAT I DID WORKS LIKE A CHARM. CAT BACK EXHAUST IF U WANT.

julieshould track down an SE kit, tint the windows, install a good stereo system, and do a good round of routine maintence. change the spark plugs, wires, belts, flush the rest of the fluids, and put in a new air filter, such as a higer performance k&n that will fit the stock air box.

sinestroi just think its kinda funny that the hub caps have a 5 bolt look but the steel rims that they covered are 4 bolts. at least you got a nice straight looking car, a nice paint job could'nt hurt but i've seen far worse. i have the same tool set, it sucks when you pick it up by the handle and all the sockets fall out of the there spots, does'nt it, i sit there for like 20 minutes or so and put everything where it is labled to go and that happens everytime, i just give up now and don't even bother anymore

EightySix200SXYEA USE A KN FILTER FROM A NEWER ALTIMA A QR25 POWRED ONE TRIM THE SIDES DOWN THE RUBBER EDGING TO FIT THATS WHAT I DID WORKS LIKE A CHARM. CAT BACK EXHAUST IF U WANT.

not a bad looking s12 i love the look of the mk2 hatch but love the mk1 notch better

i decided to use my weekend to clean my car up a bit. mostly in hopes to get rid of that old car and grease smell.





as anyone is able to tell, it needs a little bit of a vacuuming.
i did so. thought it came out quite nice.



while the seats were out, i also went through the trouble to hose them down a bit
before:


and after:


i put her back together (sorta) and am quite happy with the results



unfortunately, i think i stripped a bolt that goes to one of the seat brackets and was unable to put it back in.



pro-tip:
1. random gauge cluster shot

2. random cat picture

3. gunk

4. ???
5. PROFIT

Ok man I will say this you did an amazing job cleaning up those seats! What did you use?

I'm going to use your center console pictures for some reference info... from what I see there, what I want to do, I can do now.

IggyEGuanahttp://www.ka-t.org/

ArroOk man I will say this you did an amazing job cleaning up those seats! What did you use?

I'm going to use your center console pictures for some reference info... from what I see there, what I want to do, I can do now.

Yea, Great job cleaning the carpeting and seats up. Damn its clean as hell unlike mine which is stained and cracked past revival. But shit looks immaculate

Sometimes, I just take the seats out, soak them solidly with whatever cleaner I've chosen, and then hit it HARD with the hose, usually that will work as well.  Interior looks terrific, too, btw.  Gotta love the southern state cars, rust free and usually decent paint, all you gotta do is clean it real good.

Looking at your pics, I'm not so sure that the panels I have for you are going to work, as you have manual windows and the panels with the bulge covering the speakers are for power windows (as in, the bulge outward holds the pw switches).  I thought this might be a problem, but forgot to ask you.  I'll look at the panels tomorrow and think about it.

your car


power windowed car


I don't think thats going to work because you would have to extend the shaft the crank goes on, and then the surface is still angled on top of it.

::NEWS FLASH~!::

One not-so-broken gauge cluster
 

There's some other stuff that I'm trying to do. Like, change my tranny fluid but, this drain bolt is seized pretty bad on there.


looks like i stripped it, but if i had an impact tool, think i could take it out?

looks like the trans plug isn't too bad. You'd think somthin' like that would have a complete circle in the center before the drive would slip in it. Try a different driver?

Try a torch.

And is the Gauge cluster out of a V6? That might be why.

EternalSwapTry a torch.

And is the Gauge cluster out of a V6? That might be why.

They are

go find one of those cheap tool stores like harbor freight and grab yourself a 1/2 drive "big" breaker bar thats how i got all my drain plugs off.  its the biggest breaker bar ever i love it.