TheShane's SE Build

Started by TheShane · May 13, 2012 · 37postsSMF 2010–26

TheShaneMay 13, 2012, 8:34 pm · #1

Hello all,

So I recently purchased an 1987 200SX SE. I've always wanted a car that was 2dr 5sp RWD JDM and has a big engine...BINGO! My buddy sent me a link to a CL AD that had been up for probably an hour, so I called and setup a time to look at it. I was warned it was in non running condition, I get there and it won't even crank over. After playing with the safety switch on the clutch, it starts to crank but that's all it will do. It was getting spark but no fuel so I ran out to the closest mini-mart and picked up some starting fluid and was able to get it to hit and bottle fed it for about ten seconds. At this point I assumed a fuel pump was needed. Asking price was $1,000 and we settled on $600. I bought it from a couple who purchased the car in 1989 with 15,000 miles on it, I'm the third owner and it now has 184,000 miles. I plan to daily drive it and make it reliable but also do some upgrades, cosmetic and mild bolt-on performance. Pics when I figure it out.

-Shane

cutter67May 13, 2012, 8:48 pm · #2

another SE great is it the one in your avatar if it is it looks good and you paid a great price. take it easy with the starting fluid :)

red87200May 13, 2012, 8:54 pm · #3

Welcome did you buy this car in somerset ky?

TheShaneMay 13, 2012, 9:05 pm · #4

cutter67 on 08:48:56 PM / 13-May-12another SE great is it the one in your avatar if it is it looks good and you paid a great price. take it easy with the starting fluid :)

It is the one from my avatar and thanks. Also, the starting fluid was for those ten seconds only but it has proven handy in removing some HIDEOUS stickers that were on the car though.

red87200 on 08:54:05 PM / 13-May-12Welcome did you buy this car in somerset ky?

I did in fact purchase this in Somerset, I take it you saw the AD?

Post Merge: 09:21:59 PM / 13-May-12

From the CL AD.

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Picking it up.

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Bringing it home, I dig the low stance from the tow straps.

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Bringing it home.

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Walbro 190 I bought off ebay for $85

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The reason I didn't need the Walbro 190.

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I reattached the wires that had corroded. Runs like a champ now.

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In the shed where I'll be doing some repairs.

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In the shed.

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Needs brakes.

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Pop ups work.

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Ghetto Fabulous on blocks.

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More blocks.

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The Powerplant.

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The Powerplant after a good washing.

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In the driveway after a test run down the street. (my old GS-R Teg to the left, now my little brothers)

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My Avatar, almost ready to be my daily.

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A friend did a quick photoshop of what it may look like. ( I already have the S14 wheels)

red87200May 13, 2012, 9:29 pm · #5

Yes I called to go buy it but it had already sold hope you enjoy it.

ArroMay 13, 2012, 9:34 pm · #6

Bronze on the S14 wheels: :thumbsup:

Body just needs some new grey metallic and some clear... both can be rattlecanned if you're patient.

RedneckMay 13, 2012, 10:16 pm · #7

TheShane on 09:05:55 PM / 13-May-12
A friend did a quick photoshop of what it may look like. ( I already have the S14 wheels)

You used my SE as the photoshop base picture? Hahaha. Nice.

TheShaneMay 14, 2012, 6:57 pm · #8

Arro on 09:34:12 PM / 13-May-12Bronze on the S14 wheels: :thumbsup:

Body just needs some new grey metallic and some clear... both can be rattlecanned if you're patient.

Thanks! I'm still up in the air about it, also considering polishing or olive drab for the wheels. I think bronze is my favorite though.

Redneck on 10:16:05 PM / 13-May-12You used my SE as the photoshop base picture? Hahaha. Nice.

Haha. Well, you have one clean S12! That pic of your car is actually why I bought the S14 wheels. Have any links to more pics of your car with those wheels? 205/55R16?

silvertonMay 14, 2012, 7:47 pm · #9

you gave up a GS-R Teg for an s12?? You better get checked in to a mental hospital!

Just kidding, I'm glad you got rid of the girl car, and picked up the best model of the USDM 200SX ;) Looks clean for that many miles! If the top of the fuel pump housing is that rusty, I can only imagine the chassis... better check that out ASAP and douse the entire car in pb blaster if you plan on replacing bushings and whatnot!

BattleFairyMay 17, 2012, 3:24 pm · #10

silverton on 07:47:10 PM / 14-May-12you gave up a GS-R Teg for an s12?? You better get checked in to a mental hospital!

TheShaneMay 17, 2012, 6:39 pm · #11

silverton on 07:47:10 PM / 14-May-12you gave up a GS-R Teg for an s12?? You better get checked in to a mental hospital!

Just kidding, I'm glad you got rid of the girl car, and picked up the best model of the USDM 200SX ;) Looks clean for that many miles! If the top of the fuel pump housing is that rusty, I can only imagine the chassis... better check that out ASAP and douse the entire car in pb blaster if you plan on replacing bushings and whatnot!

Haha, I miss the Teg from time to time but I'm thinking once I get the S12 straightened out I won't be missing it anymore. I'm VERY surprised how clean this car is, the chassis is mint given the miles and age, very little rust. Only real problems as far as that goes are dried bushings...everywhere.

Post Merge: 06:50:47 PM / 17-May-12

Glad the forum is back up, I was lost yesterday. I picked up the car from my parents house two days ago and drove it to my house which is about 100 miles North on the Interstate. I hit the key and she fired right up and drove it 100 miles at 75mph and it didn't skip a beat!!! To give you an idea of how impressive that is, the oil change (according to the sticker in the window) is due in 400 miles OR on 4/17/2006 if that gives you any idea on how long it has been sitting. Of course I changed the oil before the maiden voyage, as well as the plugs and wires.

NOW I drove it to work the last two days and when I go to start it it cranks for 30 seconds before it ever hits and when it does run it is ROUGH with missing and running super rich but then I can milk it enough and get it going for about .5 to 1 mile (below 2500rpm) and it starts to smooth out and runs fine with just a slight miss around 2000rpm. So I guess now the fun begins...

RedneckMay 17, 2012, 6:57 pm · #12

TheShane on 06:57:36 PM / 14-May-12Haha. Well, you have one clean S12! That pic of your car is actually why I bought the S14 wheels. Have any links to more pics of your car with those wheels? 205/55R16?

Well it was fairly clean. Now it is rotting in a junkyard totaled because 6 months ago a lady decided to pull into my lane out of no where and I t-boned her. I was pretty depressed after it happened but luckily I still have my Mk1 hatch with a ka24de. Yeah they were 205/55/16 tires. Normally I feel like I am thread jacking if I post up pics of my car in someone elses thread but since you specifically asked here are a few old ones I found:

At the golden gardens 09' meet with my old mans riced out z31:

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In the Cascade mountains:

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At the Washington coast:

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Now all I have left is my Mk1 ka24de hatch. I miss owning both :(.

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silvertonMay 18, 2012, 12:45 am · #13

Everytime I see your car, I think it's mine! ROFL. You still wouldn't believe the double take I did when I saw it across the street in my rear view mirror!

As for the issues... it could be the MAF, cylinder head temperature sensor (CHTS for short), maybe the fuel filter or fuel pump?

TheShaneMay 19, 2012, 7:01 am · #14

Ok so I think I may be onto something, given that the car takes a LONG time to start I thought it was either starved or flooded. Based on the smell and smoke I'm pretty sure its getting flooded. So I did some research and it seems as though there is a recall on fuel injectors BUT I called three Nissan dealers AND Nissan of North America and none of them said my car had any recalls.

Which brings me to something I forgot to mention. The PO of the car apparently never changed her timing belt and it snapped and she had to get a new engine. She said she had it done at a Nissan dealership (on the side) and what they did was put a 300zx engine in it. So its very possible that the recall was done on my car on the original engine and when it was replaced they could have put a VG30 that had never had the recall. So now I'm considering replacing the injectors of having them rebuilt (leaning toward rebuilding) but I don't know if my injectors are 200sx or 300zx or if it matters.

Where can I find the serial number on my block to look this up?
Do you think the injectors NEED to be replaced if there was a recall or do you think a flow, cleaning, and rebuild would be sufficient? It seems like they failed due to leaks, if I had them rebuilt they would get new o-rings.

Most of my experience with fuel is on a '78 VW Bus with twin two barrel carbs. Fuel injuction is new to me, haha.

Thanks, folks.

Post Merge: [time]08:02:54 AM / 19-May-12 [/time]

The company I would go through for the rebuild would be injector-rehab.com as they have good reviews and seem reputable.

RedneckMay 19, 2012, 10:29 pm · #15

Before you send your injectors out for a cleaning, which can be kinda spendy, you should make sure to test the basic fuel stuff first (fuel filter, fuel pressure, fuel lines, etc). It also won't hurt to look over the ignition system as well and see how the cap, rotor, plug wires and plugs look if you haven't done that already.

ArroMay 19, 2012, 10:58 pm · #16

It's spendy if you go with a spendy company like RC. If you go with an alternative company such as WitchHunter Performance, you'll save a bundle and get excellent workmanship.

But do all the inspections Redneck mentioned first. Failing that, send them off to WitchHunter.

TheShaneMay 23, 2012, 8:17 pm · #17

Redneck on 10:29:14 PM / 19-May-12Before you send your injectors out for a cleaning, which can be kinda spendy, you should make sure to test the basic fuel stuff first (fuel filter, fuel pressure, fuel lines, etc). It also won't hurt to look over the ignition system as well and see how the cap, rotor, plug wires and plugs look if you haven't done that already.

So far I've done a basic tune-up, plugs, wires, fuel filter. I think before I send anything off I'll continue to eliminate the easy (read: cheap) stuff first. Cap and rotor will probably be next then cleaning MAF TPS and possibly a coil.

Arro on 10:58:24 PM / 19-May-12It's spendy if you go with a spendy company like RC. If you go with an alternative company such as WitchHunter Performance, you'll save a bundle and get excellent workmanship.

But do all the inspections Redneck mentioned first. Failing that, send them off to WitchHunter.

injector-rehab.com has good prices and seems to know what they are talking about but the FAQ on their site makes them sound like assholes so I'll probably go with WitchHunter (seems like a cool guy) if/when I go that route. I'm worried about coil windings now, apparently these injectors are prone. So it could be easier to just replace.

Post Merge: 08:32:54 PM / 23-May-12

Also, I'll now add some photos. Everyone likes photos.

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I did a little "drift nasty" yellow H4 conversion. I know. I know. Its not for everyone.

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More yellow.

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And again, yellow.

So before I do any "performance" mods I understand I should probably get the brakes in order. So I purchased the following:

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Akebono Ceramic pads for the front

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Brembo rotors for all 4 corners.

I went with NAPA Ultra Premium pads for the rear since there really weren't any great performance options and most of the braking is in the front anyway. Shouldn't have a problem stopping now. If only the e-brake worked... Guess that's next, was looking into hydro brake but I hate bending, flaring, and bleeding so I'll pass for now.

Heres another wheel option on Rednecks S12. Again, it needs to be a shade darker and thats not quite olive drab.
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cls12vg30May 24, 2012, 7:55 am · #18

Very nice SE. I really like what you're doing with it. I think I see what you're trying to do with the wheel color.

This might be a strange way of illustrating it, but I have an old Czech pistol in a grey finish with custom Olive Drab grips that seems like it might be similar to the color contrast you're going for:

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TheShaneMay 27, 2012, 9:47 pm · #19

cls12vg30 on 07:55:02 AM / 24-May-12Very nice SE. I really like what you're doing with it. I think I see what you're trying to do with the wheel color.

This might be a strange way of illustrating it, but I have an old Czech pistol in a grey finish with custom Olive Drab grips that seems like it might be similar to the color contrast you're going for:

No, thats perfect. Just about the route I want to go. Thanks! Glad you can see it.

Also, love the website. I saw the pics from "The Dragon" Nice! My fiance and I recently went down there for a small vacation and had a blast, she has a 2001 Civic EX that I dropped on Tien springs and Tokico Struts as well as a few other things.

Post Merge: 09:55:15 PM / 27-May-12

So I had the day off and tinkered on the S12 today:

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Took a few things off to clean up the tail. I CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO REMOVE THE REAR BUMPER!!! LET ME KNOW IF YOU KNOW, THANKS! I spent forever trying to get the bumper off to paint it (the right way) but gave up after I broke the (shitty) weld on my muffler, so now its loud as Hell... in a good way.

Anyway,for your viewing pleasure. I removed and polished the rear plastic between the tails and also painted the metal trim pieces below the tail lights (may be ordering the decals from "Kevin" on here). Would have done the bumper too but like I said...

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BEFORE. From earlier in this thread.

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AFTER. I think it looks tons better.

Thanks, all!

TheShaneJul 29, 2012, 10:38 am · #20

OK, so I haven't been keeping up with my build thread. Mostly because I've been working 65+ hours at work and well....building my car. So I'll upload some photos now. Some of the things I've done are:
-Silvia Decal (It's awesome!)
-Painted front and rear bumpers black.
-Got an Apexi N1 axle back installed, mild performance improvement but major sound improvement.
-DROPPED the rear on KYB AGXs and Canuck springs and managed to drop the car on my legs in the process so I decided not to tackle the front that day even though I have AGXs and springs for it, instead I cut the stock springs for now so I wasn't sagging the rear.
-Also, FINALLY painted my S14 wheels (chickened out and went black instead of army green)
-Fitted said S14 wheels with Hankook Ventus V12 tires in a 205/55R16 which is damn close to a stock SE tire height.

So...now that I'm getting the car where I want it here are a few photos. Again, sorry for the lack of documentation as I have been quite busy.

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Silvia Decal and Apexi peeking out. (I have since tucked the Apexi up more after cutting out the tow hook) I'll get close ups of everything to post up later.

This is sort of the "Final Product" I'm really pleased how it is turning out.

Kinda gives you an idea of how the muffler and bumper came out.

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I actually have been pulled over three times now over those lights, but was not ticketed any of those times. But to save myself from all the hassling I have a set of clear lights on the way.

Hope you guys like it. I'll get close ups of the shocks and muffler. I had to trim the bumper to get it to fit and I think it looks legit.

silvertonJul 29, 2012, 11:51 pm · #21

Solid improvement! Keep up the good work, she's coming out looking great!

anthony92stevensJul 30, 2012, 8:05 pm · #22

Dumb question: You went with S13 coilovers right? Pics?

Ju_S12_TurboJul 31, 2012, 12:14 am · #23

Next time its running my try hitting the ecu lol, sounds funny but its a good test. My is going out and I have to hit it every so often now, still works though!

TheShaneApr 12, 2013, 9:52 pm · #24

UPDATE!

The running issue went away with two tanks of gas uninvited the recommended amount of Lucas fuel injector cleaner. I usually don't do mechanics in a bottle but I figured what the hell.

In other recent events:

Got a new exhaust tip:
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Kidding about the exhaust tip...

New wheels for cheap:
I refinished them with stainless steel duplicolor paint

Got some MORE wheels, painted them army green. Ugly ugly Mitsubishi wheels though...

Worst offset ever for this car...they were free though.

New timing belt and radiator. Radiator was for a 1G eclipse, fit amazingly though.
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Also got some goodies:
Southbend clutch:

JWT lightweight flywheel:

Yellow fogs since I had to pull the yellow headlights (Kmart and made in japan! Sweetness!)

Spacers for the rear 25mm:

Kinda gay but always wanted a Crown shift boot:

FINALLY got around to doing the front struts and springs.
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That's all folks! Hopefully ready to try out my first autox this Sunday in the 12.

TheShaneApr 14, 2013, 9:16 pm · #25

Couple pics from the auto-x today:
Pretty much was right on par with the S13 guys with mild suspension setups and street tires that were out today.

"512 RTU" get it? get it? Apparently nobody at the auto-x knew these are S12s:

Also, forgot to mention while I was doing the front struts I purchased the ES S13 front control arm bushings and they were PACKAGED WRONG! So that was going to set me back a few days and I just said screw it and put on the left side so for now the right side is still the stock bushing til I get the wrong ones warrantied out. They sent me 3 of one style and 1 of the other instead of 2 and 2, probably use Prothane from here on out.

Jeremy AApr 14, 2013, 11:35 pm · #26

Nice man, those silver wheels that you painted look really good, they look good with the silver of your car. And that is trippy, "made in japan for kmart" hahaha.

Dude, that is LAME that you got a botched set of prothane LCA bushings, I just installed a set of those on my car and they made a huge difference.

sideways_s12Apr 15, 2013, 2:42 am · #27

damn you made a lot of progress with this project. I don't know how I missed this thread lol. Welcome btw....

EternalSwapApr 20, 2013, 5:25 pm · #28

Gray SE's FTW! Looking good man!

ArroApr 23, 2013, 5:43 pm · #29

I didn't know DSM used the same 5x114.3 pattern as us.. I had always assumed they were 5x100. Wow interesting, proof is in the pics tho! The offset is designed for FWD of course, but I like the wheel style and with some spacers I think it would look sweet.

sideways_s12Apr 24, 2013, 2:27 am · #30

Evo 8 rims anyone they are the same 5 lug Pattern....

TheShaneNov 29, 2014, 9:44 am · #31

I'll try and update everything in chronological order here. I have done a lot to the car since I last updated here! It's such a pain in the ass to take and upload photos with my current computer/phone setup. Anyway...

The PO had an engine installed at a Nissan dealer in the 90's, wish I could figure out the history/mileage on it.

Upgraded to a Z31 ECU and MAF after I caught mine on fire:

At some point I also upgraded to an MSD Digital 6-AL and coil, I'll post pics of that later.

I also installed some hood risers and went to a cars and coffee event:

More to come: LSD install and valve cover painting...

Post Merge

OBX Helical LSD Install:
Its supposedly a Quaife knock-off and a shitty one at that. IF YOU BUY THIS DIFF YOU WILL NEED TO "REBUILD" IT AND REPLACE THE SPACERS INSIDE!!! I had to do this AFTER I had already installed it...

READ THIS FIRST IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING AN OBX: http://rbryant.freeshell.org/obx_washers.htm

New Unit:

Old unit:

I had it welded and sucked on the street:

OBX guts:

Broken belleville spacers/washers:

Broken gear in the inside, hairline crack:

Setting up the new diff, checking with prussian blue:

Cleaned up the diff cover while I was at it, need a finned unit from a Z:

So far so good with the OBX unit, just make sure you OPEN IT UP AND CHECK THE WASHERS INSIDE AND REPLACE THEM!!!
Post Merge

Purchased an ASCO ( Acadiana Sports Car Orphanage ) intake manifold spacer (http://store.acadianasportscars.com/in056-0002) and block off plate kit, which I foolishly have no pictures of during the install. I feel like I'm doing them an injustice because they're stuff is amazing and they are great to deal with. Check em out if you haven't http://store.acadianasportscars.com/

Pulled the intake:

Found a bunch of gunk:

Figured while I was this far I might as well pull the valve covers and paint them...

Painted them GOLD!!!
Then baked them in the oven to cure, I'm lucky I'm still married...

Sanded the intake top cover plate, came out VERY nice if I do say so myself:

Final product:
Look at the uncluttered intake with the ASCO delete kit.

mcNov 29, 2014, 10:52 am · #32

...looks good! i plan on going with a OBX after i'm done dicking around with this PhantomGrip...did you have to readjust the shimming of the gears??

TheShaneNov 29, 2014, 11:00 am · #33

mc on 10:52:37 AM / 29-Nov-14...looks good! i plan on going with a OBX after i'm done dicking around with this PhantomGrip...did you have to readjust the shimming of the gears??

I had to shim the ring and pinion, which was a pain in the ass. But I also played with the belleville washers to sortof set pre-load on the engagement. I'm pretty happy with it for now, I'd like to play with the washers some more but its just such a pain pulling the whole diff again.

Post Merge

Bought some Z32 TURBO wheels, wasn't positive if they would fit but thought I'd give it a go anyway. ITS LIKE THE REARS WERE MADE FOR S12s! They fit amazingly. The fronts need an 8-10mm spacer to fit which I kinda knew they would going into it.

I found the rears on craigslist and they came with 255/50R16 MickyTs on them which I wasn't planning on using but I'm pretty sure I could have with a small spacer. The sidewall of the tire rubbed just a little bit on the control arm. I'll post pics for proof, I was skeptical.

I plan to run a 245/45R16 on the rear and haven't decided if I'm running 215s or 225s up front. Might have to get a bigger spacer for 225s.

From the Ad:

255s ON THE CAR:

Fronts with NO SPACER and I think 225s:

Threw some 10mm spacers on the front and 25mm spacers on the rear (wouldn't need them if I were running a 245 in the back, 225s looked too skinny without a spacer) and added some used tires I had laying around:
I believe the sizes on the car now are 225/50R16 and 205/55R16:

TheShaneDec 4, 2014, 9:30 pm · #34

Well...another belated update. This happened on my way to work on 6-12-14.

I got about 2-3 miles from my house and was just sitting at a stop light and then the idle dropped and the car started to shake and stumble and then POOF a HUGE cloud of WHITE SMOKE came rolling from behind me. I just knew this was the big one, head gasket time. All those times I beat the shit out of the car were coming back to bite me! And I had just bought new wheels and purty-ed up the engine too! So I limped it back home and started to disassemble it after work.

Look Ma, no hood! Always liked the "no hood" look for some reason.

Pulled the plugs. Number 1 (top right) was soaked in coolant...

My PCV had dumped coolant/water into the intake which seemed odd.

But much to my (semi-pleasant) surprise, I found a DESTROYED lower intake gasket. That was dumping coolant right into the intake.

Cyl #1

I should note I took the opportunity to delete the A/C, replace/upgrade all of the hose clamps that I could, and put on an S13 throttle body.

Unfortunately she stayed just like that for the last few months, I only recently started working on it again. My Nissan broke down on a Thursday and I was involved in a pretty bad accident on the following Monday. I was driving my cherished and first car to work that morning, a 1978 VW Bus. When some IDIOT decided to blow through a red light and basically hit me head on. I was trapped in my Bus for 45 minutes while they cut me out, I had major trauma to my left leg/foot and as a result had to have it amputated. So I have been out of the S12 for six months now but I started working on it again and I ALMOST have it back together again.

I'm not even sure I'll be able to drive it after all of this. I fully intend to though, I may have to adapt the clutch pedal somewhat but I plan to get back to auto-x and maybe a track day in 2015.

rednucleusDec 5, 2014, 12:30 am · #35

Hope your healing and rehab get you back in the S12 soon. Sounds like you have the great attitude to do anything you want despite your injuries.

vegasS12Dec 5, 2014, 1:20 am · #36

I have a set of SE rear pods for sale. If interested

TheShaneJul 21, 2015, 8:09 pm · #37

*****UPDATE*****

Well, as promised I got my car back together after my accident. I've just been too busy enjoying it to post on here.

Pics, because I know you're only here for the pics.

Going back together:

Damn CHT gave me fits!!! It wasn't even acting up, just thought I would do it as a preventative thing! I guess better to now than later.

First time running again!

Cleaned up the engine bay, relocated the coolant bottle and some other stuff:

RACE RUBBER!!! Got 205/55R16 Front and a whopping 245/45R16 Rear with no fitment issues!!!

Painted the Z32 Turbo wheels, hopefully powder coat them in the future. Just wanted to clean them up for now. It was cold, hence the heater.

Attempted to roll fenders but the rust was causing problems so I ended up just cutting them. Maybe flare them in the future.

Z32 wheel with 205/55 on the front and a 10mm spacer, its close!

Busted its chops at a track day on the new Corvette Track in Bowling Green, KY and got some decals...thoughts?

Did a little weight reduction:

Went to a few Autox events, even got me a trophy at one of them:

Took it to Import Alliance Summer meet in Sparta, KY and got showcase parking. I wasn't worthy...but I'll take it!

Grabbed this pic offline that I saw, don't know the dude in it.

My coolant gauge is pretty much staying here at idle now and It's driving me crazy!!! It get just a smidge past half waywhen cruising....???

Hope you enjoy!

All of this without having to modify my clutch pedal at all! (If you didn't read my above post, I had my left leg amputated below the knee a little over a year ago.)