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Just finished a month-long project with my '93 240sx convertible. Going against the grain of popular wisdom, I actually de-turbocharged the car. Yep, no more boost for the KA24DE.
The turbo setup (done by the previous owner) just had too much monkeyness going on to ever be reliable or make real power. So, I've temporarily ditched it.
A host of other changes have gone down over the winter, too. Here's the pics:
Dig the Watanabe 8 spokes. I have wanted a set of these wheels for a looooong time, and scored this used set from Japan back around Christmas. They have some scuffs/curbage, but that didn't matter: I got them for only $500, about one-fourth of what a new set costs via Takumi Project.
I sanded them down and hit them with some muted bronze paint. I like the combo.
They are 16x8 in the rear and 16x7 in the front, +30mm offset all around. The FastBrakes setup wouldn't clear the spokes of the Watanabes, so I added some 5mm spacers along with ARP extended wheel studs. $44 total for the spacers and longer studs.
Bye bye mister turbocharger. The previous owner did a monkey-filled T3 setup on the car, and I just had enough of chasing leaks, etc. So, I bought some nice, cheap NA hardware like this CAI and a 'stainless' steel header. I replaced the King Monkey RRFPR with an Aeromotive unit I had on the shelf, and sealed up all the oil and water lines.
I will turbo this car again, maybe as soon as next month. With a proper manifold and fuel control, it will be fun. Unlike the King Monkey T3 setup...
No more fart-can exhaust. The 3" mega-bling-eBay-craptacular exhaust was another area of monkeyness with the car. They welded up EVERY single flange on the thing, so it had to be cut off, in pieces.
On went this nice, quiet 2.5" setup from -wait for it- Pacesetter of all places. It's actually a pretty nice exhaust setup for the price ($200 shipped). Best of all, it has flanges and real hangers that mount up to the factory locations, unlike the Monkey Exhaust.
For now, it's a nice, quiet cruisemobile. Which is what I've wanted it to be all along. S13 convertibles are too heavy and flexible to be autocross or track cars, so why not put the top down and cruuuuuuuise?
Up next: Some AGX struts and decent springs to lower the car about 1.2 inches. Then, it'll be juuuuuust right.
Fresh paint will come later in the summer, along (maybe) with some seats.
Then, we'll probably re-turbo the car for some iron-block goodness.
Nice work GP. i really dig the wantanabe rims and especially the color. once you get that drop on there you will be all set. whats up with the se-r sitting back there all lonely and stuff? it reminds me of those people that just appear in the backgrounds of photos you take and are just looking for attention lol.
__________________ THE WHIP:
91' SE-R on 15's, they look like 20's though
I just think your a sissy and can't handle boost. Your old T28 is still kickin ass it even kicked my tranny's, cracked it in two places. So I've been driving my 240 (I'm a Greg P wannabe) and it's growing on me. Good luck.
Beautiful Greg, just beautiful. I want those wheels in the worst way...
I'm curious - what springs are you thinking about? I know that for myself I'll never buy another set of Eibachs for a Nissan after the rock-hard ride in my SE-R and P10. I've really liked the KG/MM setup on my S13 but they're not easy to find.
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2002 Mazda Protege ES, mildly-modded daily driver
1990 240SR - the DET has landed. Kent's Funkay Disco
Greg, I'm really liking the car. The paint looks good, and the wheels are nice. Without seeing up-close pictures of anything, it appears you did a good job on the refinish.
I personally had the Tanabe GF210 springs and loved them.
They dropped the car 1.5" front and rear (with an SR in the engine bay, so might be more up front for the KA), and stayed that way after 3 years, so no sagging at all.
They have a linear spring rate of 2.9K front, and 2.7k rear, so with a good set of sway bars and shocks, that combo should give you a nice ride and your car will corner much flatter in the city.
Take the speed up though, and you may get some roll, but this is your cruiser, so no worries about that stuff
Glad to hear my old T28 is kicking your B13's ass, Paul. It's a baaaaad boy turbo in a B13, and I miss it sometimes.
Kent, I'm thinking about the Tanabe GF210s that SoSideways mentioned. I don't want to go *too* low, just about 1-1.5" maximum. The Tanabes always get good reviews. I also don't want to up the spring rate any more than I have to. The factory spring rates are pretty good, IMHO.
I've also read good reviews of the Megan Racing springs, but need to do more research. No more Eibachs for me, either. I'm staying away from Tein S and H Techs, for now.
Andy...the car does need paint and will get it this summer. Just two tiny rust spots where the 'verts always rust. That's also a new top on it, which makes a WORLD of difference on a convertible. Like getting a new car...
Realized the thermostat is stuck on it last night, so I have to replace that tonight. Then, it will be driving time. Gotta' break in the Kumho Ecsta SPTs.
Definitely go with something like the AGX for the Tanabe GF210, as the stock shocks or even the GR-2s will not do much to dampen the "shock" when you hit bumps, thus will give you a jarring ride.
Also, pillowball upper mounts for the front and rear help tremendously.
Too stiff? I have S-Techs paired with AGX's on my hatch.
IIRC, yes, they are too stiff. It's been a while since I researched them. I've been laser-focused on the Tanabe and Megan springs recently. Don't know why...
SoSideways...I'll put pillow ball mounts on my list. I *really* don't want to go too far on the suspension on this car. I've got the dreamy SE-R when I feel like riding in a track-only car. I gets tired of 350 lb/in rates sometimes...
IIRC, yes, they are too stiff. It's been a while since I researched them. I've been laser-focused on the Tanabe and Megan springs recently. Don't know why...
SoSideways...I'll put pillow ball mounts on my list. I *really* don't want to go too far on the suspension on this car. I've got the dreamy SE-R when I feel like riding in a track-only car. I gets tired of 350 lb/in rates sometimes...
I understand this isn't your track car, but still, the pillowball upper mounts will enable your springs to sit up against metal parts and will eliminate all the slop out of the stock suspension.
I believe that, hat slop translates to ride harshness, as your springs/struts/shocks will just kind of cushion against the rubber parts on the stock upper mounts, and so your springs and struts/shocks won't be compressing at that time. It'll feel more jarring.
With the pillowball upper mounts, the springs and shocks will travel and absorb the bumps, and with those springs, it should be a very smooth ride that will be a little firmer than stock, but still very livable over bumps and gaps and such.
I replaced the t-stat and actually drove the S13 around today. Wow, what a fun car it is again. Even if it has stock power levels.
The Pacesetter exhaust actually sounds respectable. Much quieter than the 3" setup on it previously. And, I don't look like I own a 17 year-old's car, according to my wife.
With a proper manifold and fuel control, it will be fun. Unlike the King Monkey T3 setup...
Your old T28 is still kickin ass it even kicked my tranny's, cracked it in two places. So I've been driving my 240 (I'm a Greg P wannabe) and it's growing on me. Good luck.
