Page 1 - Silvia / Hope
November 4th, 2008 - I did my civic duty and voted in the election for the 44th president of our great United States of America, and also took delivery of my 1987 Nissan 200SX SE
From Shitbox to Super Coupe
The S12 (known as the 200SX in America, the Silvia in Japan {and the Gazelle in Oz}) was produced from 1984 to 1988. For the 1987/1988 model year, Nissan shoehorned the powerful VG30E engine into this lightweight four cylinder sports coupe. Borrowed from Nissan's flagship 'Z-Car', the 300ZX, this advanced V6 engine produced 160 horsepower and 174lb-ft of torque in the lighter and nimbler S12 platform. Available only in the fastback body style, with a factory ground effects kit (including a bulged hood to clear the new engine) and a durable 5-speed standard transmission, this package was dubbed the "SE" and was the most powerful S12 ever produced. More accurately a 300SX because of its 3.0 litre displacement, Nissan decided to keep the 200SX moniker to avoid confusion with, and cannibalization of sales from the more expensive top-shelf 300ZX. Furthermore, only in America did 200SXs receive V6 motors in 1987 and 1988 with a very limited production of around 5,000 examples. In 1989, the 200SX was succeeded by the less powerful, truck-engined S13 (240SX) and never again did a Silvia chassis have a V-6 from the factory.
Anyway, twenty-two years later, I found this car on an online auction. Despite a few problems and 230,000 miles, the car was running and the body was straight with minimal rust.
Main & minor problems culminated in three 'Rejected' stickers attached (NY, PA, & NJ) to a windshield sporting a hairline crack from the mirror to the cowl. Also, at some point, the catalytic convertor was removed, and a test pipe put in its place. An old trick that uncorks the VG30's exhaust and adds a little more power in the top-range, but virtually ensures failed emissions. That and the APEXi N1 universal muffler make the car loud. . . really loud. And FLAMES shoot out the back just like in Gran Turismo, which would be really cool if it didn't happen when a police car was behind me at a red light.
To open up the VG's breathing, the stock pixie stick intake tubing and restrictive airbox were tossed, (along with an additional 40 pounds of Air Conditioning components that were in its way) for a custom-made Spectre Performance intake with a reusable cone filter. Someday, people will learn that oiled filters clog MAF sensors. . . but until that day, I'll just replace the Mass Air Flow (or Air Flow Meter) sensor and put on a new AEM dry cone filter. Also note the new distributer and the NGK wires & plugs
I'm planning a comprehensive rear overhaul for the winter. Primarily, the small amount of rust on the car, concentrated on the rear cradle, must be stripped, cleaned, and primered away. New cradle mounts included as part of an entire Prothane polyurethane bushing kit. The picture below is the ideal of what Im shooting for (cr: asparagus' build thread S12 forum)
That, combined with the front and rear Addco swaybars, the lowering springs, and four new KYB GR-2 struts will vastly improve chassis dynamics by lowering the center of gravity reducing body roll and providing sharper response during cornering
Two decades of the tri-state bump n' grind had destroyed most of the black rubstripping around the car, revealing the yellowed-foam underneath. Here are some pix during the prep for the respray. Also, the fender shows the ONLY rust on the entire body. Its a debate that will have to wait - whether to replace the whole fender or to do a bang-up bondo job on the affected area.
Thats some hillbilly parts removal right there. . .
And here is Sasha getting all taped up. Probably (definitely) a little overkill, but the painter has a reputation for mixing vicodin and vodka while on the job. . .
. . . and I have a reputation for mixing flannel and gloss enamel. . .
The black trim came out looking better than it has in 20+ years; and the anal-tape-masking ensured not so much as a speck of overspray
Here she is after trim-spray & wash!
