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1986 XE S12 - Project Serenity

Started by Wonderingraven · Sep 30, 2013 · 274postsSMF 2010–26

WonderingravenSep 30, 2013, 12:31 am · #1
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Well since this was for sale and my graduating issues with my firebird and just recently firebird blown a head gasket, I picked up this old Blue Demon.

This just became my restore project thanks Mr and MS Sideways for allowing me to purchase this fine hatch, it's clean, it's nice, and it will decimate all when I put a few G's in her and overnite a few parts from Japan.

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Going to full on restore her with the ca20e for now, when I rack up on the cash next year she will get a ka24de upgrade.  0 Plans to drift this one as this is going to be my daily driver that I want to take long road trips on with.
IggyEGuanaSep 30, 2013, 12:35 am · #2

make a list of parts you need. I have the intake piping and maf for sure

WonderingravenSep 30, 2013, 12:40 am · #3

Parts in the need so far:

1) Brake Master Cyl
2) Clutch Slave ?!? I need to look at why it's just dangling down there.
3) Plug wires
4) Battery
5) eFans (because, the clutch fan is just janky)
6) vaccum hoses I should have 90% of these hoses from the inspection that I have done.
7) Lugs
8) Tires
9) Intake box
10) Extra Ehaust piping to connect from the headers to the rear end DC 4inch tip exhaust pipe. ( or might switch with my fairlady silva project. )

Need to inspect is the brake pads & rotors, transmission lines, fuel pump.

I also need to set the timing since the dizzy wasn't pushed down and it could be out of timing. Yay for my trusty timing light.

Then she will be road worthy.

edit: I was just typing that up lol.

burritomannnSep 30, 2013, 10:59 pm · #4

Nice pick up! She looks fun haha

turbo-s12Oct 2, 2013, 8:33 pm · #5

Pics of the headers? What brand?

WonderingravenOct 2, 2013, 9:48 pm · #6

Stock.

Jeremy AOct 2, 2013, 10:45 pm · #7

RIGHTEOUS.

Wonderingraven on 12:31:27 AM / 30-Sep-13
it will decimate all when I put a few G's in her and overnite a few parts from Japan.

do tell
WonderingravenOct 2, 2013, 11:43 pm · #8

Well at this point it's to get her running first, she needs to be reliable.  Don't care about the power band at the moment, lol.

I might throw in a surprise and pick up something special for this one. But I will not give out what I have in store for her.

IggyEGuanaOct 2, 2013, 11:45 pm · #9

I should have a stock exhaust manifold somewhere

WonderingravenOct 2, 2013, 11:46 pm · #10

I have the stock exhaust manifold, it is just missing that cat converter. Does it really need one though?

IggyEGuanaOct 2, 2013, 11:48 pm · #11

seriously tho make a list of all the parts and come raid these piles of crap i have

do you want it to pass smog legit? then yes. Just to drive no
Post Merge



i have a whole exhaust also. its crappy but passable until you build a better setup
Post Merge

and i might have a cat somewhere too
WonderingravenOct 2, 2013, 11:58 pm · #12

Getting classic vehicle plates, I will have to come by when you don't close and see what I can piece together.

The majority of the list is above. I have no free time this week to put it on stilts and inspect the underside.

turbo-s12Oct 3, 2013, 12:15 am · #13

Ubstill gotta do smog on a 86 in vegas that's wierd

WonderingravenOct 3, 2013, 12:16 am · #14

If classics no, unless I drive over 5k in a year in mileage.

IggyEGuanaOct 3, 2013, 1:44 am · #15

friday i'm off at 5

WonderingravenOct 3, 2013, 1:48 am · #16

Sweet so am I

sideways_s12Oct 3, 2013, 8:49 pm · #17

the slave cyl is dangling becuase I didn't hook it up it was fine when i drove it 4 years ago but should probably be replaced. I see you kept the name lol Mybe I should open my old thread and merge them.

WonderingravenOct 3, 2013, 8:50 pm · #18

LOL,  well I plan to replace all Master and Slave trying to make all new belts and hoses.

WonderingravenOct 25, 2013, 11:06 pm · #19

Update
A box full of goodies, she will fire up this weekend and idle.

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sideways_s12Oct 26, 2013, 8:18 pm · #20

awesome!

WonderingravenDec 23, 2013, 12:56 am · #21

Well seems to be more then a hassle right now, but I am slowly working on removing the master brake cyl. Working on soldering the wires for the fuel pump with a walbro 190 I have.

Just trying to figure out where what goes where in the process.  Here is a current pic of how she sits.

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sideways_s12Dec 23, 2013, 1:22 am · #22

Wish I didn't have to sell her :( but at least she is in good hands.

WonderingravenDec 23, 2013, 1:47 am · #23

She is in good hands. I am taking my time slowly but surely. If at most she might get a ka24 upgrade in the future if the ca20 wants to be mean.

sideways_s12Dec 23, 2013, 2:06 am · #24

The ca should be good...

WonderingravenJan 1, 2014, 11:34 pm · #25

well still working on soldiering slowly the fuel pump main access / carrier.  seems to have broken wires at the top that might not be able to be soldered back together so might just need to drill out the holes and recreate it or locate a replacement from the junk yard.

Other then that, I kinda have lost inspiration to make this my daily driver as I had to deal with a DSM, but I finally made a choice and took over the DSM issues and towing that over on monday to get it out of the drive way and get it in the right hands with a real mechanic.

I almost wanted to do the same think with this one. But still in decision due to alot of life changing events going on right now. I really want this ride up and running and making it super clean restore project.

IggyEGuanaJan 2, 2014, 12:05 am · #26

i can help with the blue car

WonderingravenJan 2, 2014, 2:14 pm · #27

Yeah hit me up when you have extra time.

WonderingravenFeb 8, 2014, 8:56 pm · #28

Some progress finally, cleaning up the fuel delivery.

Turns out the gas is not gas anymore it is now molasses!
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It's so thick.. So siphoning this out is out of the question. Turns out the best way is to pull the tank and flush it out.

Checking out the rear suspension, defiantly stock springs with new looking shocks?
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Also I see a small leak from the rear end.
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Dropped the fuel tank.
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sideways_s12Feb 8, 2014, 10:04 pm · #29

Yeah all the suspension is the way it was when I bought it lol

WonderingravenFeb 12, 2014, 3:52 am · #30

Before dealing with my work being hacked and taken over and my personal information just got leaked to the whole world for 30 minutes.

I was able to bleed my Master Brake Cyl. till I broke one of the plastic pieces and some odd reason I Messed up the removal in the processes and was not able to finish as I had to leave to work.

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IggyEGuanaMar 12, 2014, 12:57 am · #31

Gary had the car towed to Silhouette Autosports (aka my garage) today. I went over the whole car and made a to-do list.

Some basic info
Its a 1986 low option hatch. Original CA20/5spd car. Not a bad s12 to have. In fact its a damn good one.
Heres the to-do list:
-fix rear diff leak
-flush and install gas tank
-install gas filler neck
-replace fuel lines, front and back
-replace missing driver side rear quarter glass. this apparently blew out during the tow truck ride to my house. the car was nose rearward on the truck. I thought i had one extra already but I dont. Shouldnt be a problem getting one from the junkyard.
-new windshield, its all cracked to hell. just gonna have professionals come and do it at my house. Already know its $160
-new wipers
-rewire or replace engine harness. Gary has an extra harness and ecu from an 85 ca20 car. I'll check out the wiring and see which option is best.
-clean out interior
-new drivers door window guides
-fix weather strip in several places
-remove and replace head from block
-replace timing belt kit
-replace water pump
-check all seals and gaskets
-check valve train, pistons, bores
-perform compression check
-change oil and filter
-replace needed hoses and vac lines
-simplify cooling system
-delete emissions system
-delete A/C system
-check and repair heater if needed
-service and adjust door/hatch locks and latches
-replace hatch struts
-replace fuel filter
-replace alt/water pump drive belt
-rewire fuel pump
-replace O2 sensor
-reinstall rear interior
-replace radiator hoses
-new radiator cap, wrong cap currently on rad
-install new brake master cyl
-bleed brakes
-replace missing hood prop
-reinstall exhaust manifold and downpipe
-replace missing catalytic converter (gutted)
-build new catback exhaust from extra parts I have. I'm the one that took it off in the first place.
-replace or repair broken drivers seat
-fix interior door lock actuators
-replace one missing window guide in passenger door
-replace missing exhaust mani studs
-new battery
-Alignment
-hose out engine bay and under car (leaves and spiders everywhere)
-delete clutch dampener
-flush/bleed clutch fluid
-new distributor o-ring
-replace at least 2 tires (wrong/mismatched sizes and poor condition)
-delete remaining power steering system
-depower rack and pinion (internal mod)
-replace broken radio antenna
-repair or replace ebrake handle
-replace poor condition steering wheel
-check and repair windshield washers
-check speedo cable and speedo function
-repair hatch/gas door release
-replace all lugnuts with correct Mag style 12x1.25
-replace outer tie rods
-reset steering rack pretension when modding, internal rack has play
-repack front wheel bearings
-bolt in trans mount (loose)
-tighten front bumper support
-new front brake pads, resurface rotors
-replace missing LR caliper ebrake spring
-replace rear shocks
-replace front struts
-replace rack boots
-replace missing passenger side interior A pillar trim
-check/drain and fill trans fluid
-replace missing stock airbox, duct, and filter
-replace missing interior shift boot and frame
-replace broken driver side rearview mirror
-replace missing battery hold down

I'm sure there are a few things I missed for now and theres always more maintenance that could be done but these are all the repair items I found.  After all this it'll be a solid daily driver.

Took a few pics to show the starting point for me.

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WonderingravenMar 12, 2014, 2:26 am · #32

Yeah what he said, sinuses are killing me right now... but damn that was the window he talked about, I knew I forgot to tape that window down before I left.
There is a few parts that I still have in my garage as I thought I grabbed it all, such as the upper rad hose and other misc small parts.

Red car is still out there and should have some more extra parts if needed, I will start with the order from Rock auto on the extra parts in that list. Will get that battery this weekend or after Sunday atleast, ideally I wanted to toss 5 new tires on all 5 rims and toss out that doughnut.

That fuel pump came from the red car, it looked alright not sure if it works though, the other one that came with the blue car fell apart as soon as I touched it all the wiring is nearly dead. I also have a walbro255 (not 190, even though paid for the price of it) brand new but that idea was for the sev6 for future modifications ie if I end up going turbo vg33e in the future with thought of just swapping the sev6 fuel pump into that blue car. I got to find that shift boot though, I think the red car had it out there but different color, I could of sworn I had the blue one in the car, if not I will search the garage too.

I also have an exhaust DC muffler that is either 3 1/2" or 4" big that we can swap the turbo thrush on the sev6 with that on the blue car for the turbo thrush muffler.   

That list looks legit though, 2/3 is what I had in mind as well. More and more I looked at this more it felt a bit over my head and hopefully this also sets with my brother in his car and get his dsm to trev tech soon or keep listing it for $1500 to get rid of that terrible car.

I can't wait till this is done it's exciting news!  it's going to not only look nice, but drive nice too (being optimistic) and on the humor side I will finally stop getting random people asking to buy it.

Don't mind that seat, I have the driver seat that should be there that is currently installed on my sev6 till I can find a bucket seat replacement.

sideways_s12Mar 12, 2014, 2:41 am · #33

What's wrong with the head why remove and replace it I just had it machined at fultz machine shop. Also the granola are brand new oem Nissan .

WonderingravenMar 12, 2014, 2:51 am · #34

Might have been forgotten, but will know more tomorrow.   Granola?

EternalSwapMar 12, 2014, 3:48 pm · #35

He got that Nissan OEM granola for his yogurt

IggyEGuanaMar 12, 2014, 10:05 pm · #36

auto correct WIN! haha thanks Jason. one less thing to worry about.

sideways_s12Mar 13, 2014, 2:34 am · #37

Headstuds stupid auto.correct

WonderingravenMar 13, 2014, 3:54 am · #38

Autocorrect ftw... lol

WonderingravenMay 25, 2014, 6:01 pm · #39
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Starting to come together nicely, thanks to the red hatch picked up from Insane Speed for some spare parts and of course Silhouette Autosports for the help. The body is straight on the red shell so it might look good for my sev6 replacement shell if I end up wrecking too so I can keep this one as my daily / show car.

It is getting closer, Next is engine harness swap and wiring in the ignition system.
sideways_s12May 25, 2014, 10:01 pm · #40

Why you change the name?

WonderingravenMay 25, 2014, 11:01 pm · #41
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She still the blue devil!
sideways_s12May 26, 2014, 1:18 am · #42

It was Blue demon but it's cool lol

WonderingravenMay 26, 2014, 1:29 am · #43

Blue demon leveled up to Blue Devil

sideways_s12May 26, 2014, 8:35 pm · #44

hahaha ok

WonderingravenMay 28, 2014, 3:23 pm · #45

Ironically my blue hatch is the same color with the same turbo mesh wheels.
I ordered a set of these for her.

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Should be here in the next 2 weeks.

sideways_s12May 29, 2014, 3:34 am · #46

Sweet!

WonderingravenJul 6, 2014, 6:30 pm · #47
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and installed
sideways_s12Jul 6, 2014, 8:13 pm · #48

Nice

WonderingravenAug 12, 2014, 12:22 am · #49

More progress is going on, my sev6 2" exhaust is now fully bolted up,  filled with oils and clutch has been bled. Engine is dressed up a bit nicely. some tires addressed to the rims and starting to really look like a normal clean s12.

Next is to finish up bolting up the last few pieces and start it up and troubleshoot any possibly glitches in the wiring that is left.

sideways_s12Aug 12, 2014, 6:19 am · #50

Nice!