How I got hooked

 on the 240sx
I have always been a front engine, rear wheel drive (FR) car enthusiast because of their handling characteristics. My first FR car was a 1984 (Z31) Nissan 300zx turbo but it was an automatic haha. After that I drove a Porsche 944. It was a great handling FR car but it had poor reliability and extremely high maintenance costs. Since I still wanted an FR car I bought my first 240sx. It had 944 handling combined with Japanese reliability.

In 1998 I thought I outgrew my 240sx (NOT) so I traded it in for a Nissan Maxima. (BIG MISTAKE) I soon discovered that FF cars are BORING and just don't handle like FR cars do (Turning radius on FF cars is really big because of the CV joints) Having regretted trading in my s13 I started looking for another 240sx. I also wanted an s14 and was fortunate enough to find a really nice one (which is now heavily modified). Here's a picture of my S14:

Click HERE to see my s14 cardomain page

I still wondered about my old s13 since it was my first 240sx (And tho 240sx that I fell in love with) I went to the Nissan Festival in November 2003 and I saw my old s13 and took these pictures! I also met Dave, the owner of the car at the time. Dave sold the car to his brother Ralph who then sold it to his friend Nhang. I hear the car now has an sr20det black top. At least my first 240sx has an sr now, which was something that I always wanted to do back then. Unfortunately back in 1993-1998 no one was importing front clips.

An updated pic of my first S13. Thanks Nhang!

I guess it was destiny because I found another S13 very similar to my original one! She's a Sandstone Grey Metallic base model (Exactly like my 92 except that it's a 93 with an aftermarket sunroof) with 156,xxx miles.

I always hated that black stripe so I quickly removed it:

Lowered with used KYB AGX and Eibach Sportlines for $100 thanks to the guys at Signal Auto in Torrance:

"JDM tyte yo" clear/amber turn signals:

Polished valve cover and CUSCO front strut bar motor shots. STOCK KA24DE. Fear me?

Another INCREDIBLE coincidence happened! I found a (used) set of Racing Hart Type C's (EXACTLY like what I had on my first s13/240sx)in the same size: 16x7 and 16X8, but with a +25 offset all around! (The first set was +35 all around) These rims have a 2.5" lip out back.

I also replaced the KYB and Eibach suspension with used old skool CUSCO Comp Zero-1 coilovers so that I could lower it some more and take her out on the track. Talk about reliving the past...but with the coilovers and more aggressive offsets it's better the 2nd time around =)

Before:

After:

Converted to 5 lug and upgraded to Z32 brakes and z32 master cylinder. Removing the rear hubs required unbolting the RUCA, Traction rod, shock mount and Toe link so that the knuckle could be swivelled around on the ball joint to gain access to the rear of the hub to remove the bolts. The bolts are 19mm and I used a 1/2" drive ratchet with extension:

Picture of the bolt and a picture of the knuckle without the hub. The axles have a little "dimple" to allow access to the hub bolts. Just turn the axles until you have enough clearance:

Sadly, I had to ditch the Racing Harts because I upgraded to the Z32 brakes and master cylinder. The racing Harts wouldn't clear the z brakes and my philosophy doesn't include running spacers. So on went my stocke wheels for now:

Test fitting the Meisters on the s13:

I talked to RBMotoring.com and they said that they could now custom make Work Equips to whatever sizes and offsets the customer wants. Equips are a VIP style rim. Very classy "Exotic Gangster Jewelry"

Unfortunately, the right front camber plate on the CUSCO coilovers went out so I ended up getting used TEIN Flex coilovers in excellent condition. I never really considered getting TEIN coilovers but after testing them out these coilovers are PERFECT for daily driving and occasional track use. They are soooooooo comfortable and fully adjustable. The icing on the cake is that TEIN is in Downey, CA so getting them rebuilt/revalved is no problem.

I found some 180sx manual seatbelts with panels so I decided to ditch the auto(tragic) seatbelts:

New Gangsta window deflectors, mudguards and Apex exhaust:

I like this picture because it shows the depth of the rims:

Here's an updated interior shot:

New (used) exhaust from RRR in Gardena. Apex RS (Racing Sports) 75mm to 85mm piping:

Upgraded suspension with SPL Parts T/C Rods, RUCA and Rear adjustable Toe Links:

Also got a used CUSCO 2 way LSD. Thanks to Edward at RnD Factory!

"My space angle" shots (Not that the car needs them haha):

180sx sr20det blacktop swap

Thanks to Marco Vargas at www.sr20store.com, the circle is now complete:

Most recent pictures:

Safety 21/Cusco 5 Point roll cage installed with full interior:

See page 2 for a summary of completed modifications