nlzn
15+ Year Contributor
- 353
- 4
- Feb 7, 2006
-
Louisville,
Kentucky
I've been out of DSM's for several years. I used to own two 1G's, 1 with a n/a 4g63. (ya you can guess it's why I bought a turbo one.)
Anyways, I got tired of constantly spending money, I was younger and didn't know a ton about cars. Literally it was too much of a hassle for me so I tossed it, said DSM's were junk and didn't look back. I've had several cars since then. First came the 96 civic ex. It wasn't fast, but it was great on gas and was 'slightly sporty'. Then I got into a s13 (92) and got into road racing. I think it was the 240 that got me back to my mechanic roots. (now my pops was a mechanic so I knew how to do basic maintenance like oil changes, brakes etc.. but nothing like building motors.)
My s13 was where I learned everything, I swapped 2 motors in it and rebuilt more than my fairshare to help other local Nissan guys. My desire of self accomplishment coupled with an already good basic understanding of motors led me down an irreversible path that has lasted six years so far. Performance and nothing less. While I loved the 240 I ended up getting it out the door and getting into some muscle with a 95 z28 (lt-1). I wanted a drag car as I always loved it more than autocross. I spent a year modding the z28 and it ended up being a pretty quick straight line monster.. but it was annoying to drive everyday (8mpg on the tune). Plus at the same time a good friend was finishing his 2g build and ended putting over 700 to the wheels when all was said and done. He let me drive on the race gas tune, and that was it, back to DSM's in the mindset. 3 weeks ago the z28 was retired and traded for a beat up 1g awd.
All I can say is the kid I traded the car had gotten the DSM for a decent price and the person before him did a good job rebuilding the 6bolt. But this kid had no clue how to take care of the car. I say kid because he didn't look a day over 18. The exterior was beatup pretty bad. He added to it's dismay by painting the gunmetal wheels solid white (which doesn't look good on black car's IMO.) He removed the hood latch and added hood pins on a stock hood (which I consider un-needed). He even mis-drilled the hole what appears to be twice. The gauge pod on the A pillar was held on with 1 screw. Headliner was in pieces. He had a FMIC for it but never installed it. TurboXS FRL blow off that wasn't recirculated. The resonator? tube from the intake was just wide open. The car barely idled. Front wheel bearings were shot. The 16g was running on 10lbs since he lost the pressure screw for the manual boost controller. He had a wally 255 hooked up to an FPR (aeromotive) with 550s but with no fuel management. The clutch engaged at the floor. The down pipe had one screw only. I almost thought the car was beyond hope.
But I decided there wasn't a damn thing on this car I couldn't fix. So, against my better judgment I decided to trade the Z for it. As much as my wallet regrets it the car is now a symbol of my skill as it's completely different and almost perfect in my restoration. First thing I did was get it to the garage and started plugging intake leaks. It's amazing that some people won't even go that far. What a surprise, after plugging the leaks the idle shot to almost 3grand (hell of a leak right?). Welded a bung for my wideband. Pulled my afc2 out and hooked it up. I fixed the boost controller. Compression check results were awesome. Next I took care of the front wheel bearing problems. It was a PITA to say the least. Then I took out that universal FMIC kit and spent the better part of a night fighting it with a hacksaw and some couplers but in the end I did achieve victory. Changed the plugs, brakes, cleaned it up under the hood. Got rid of that RFL BOV and got an HKS on there. Adjusted the clutch pedal. Redid the headliner and started fixing the interior trim that was ripped. A buddy of mine that paints cars helped me paint the wheels with a satin black fix, and man do they look sexy. Next week we're gonna paint the car with a fresh coat of jet black after we do some glassing in. I spent 3 nights street tuning with the sAFC on 20lbs. This weekend she's gonna get a new fully ported head with over sized valves, double springs and titanium retainers underneath of some webcam 264/274 cams. I get the head back from the machine shop tomorrow. I'm hoping my metal HG and BSE kit will get here tomorrow so I can get this done this weekend. All I need to do is change a caliper that's seized and she's back in business. I can't wait to get back to the track. It's an addiction I've been dealing with for too long. I took it to the track last week and was running good launches with 1.8ish 60/ft's but I could never get the car into 2nd (combo of bad trans fluid and the clutch engagement at the floor) so I couldn't get it out of the 9's/10's in the 8th.
But that's ok. My car is taking shape, and the best part is that it's ALL my work. I transformed it from a beatup cliche junk DSM to a respectable good looking car that can hold it's own at the track. I will get it dyno'd this week. I will be looking for over 300 to the wheels. I will take it back to the track. I will be looking for high 7's. It will be respected.
In the end it's not a DSM. It's my DSM and it's something I say I built and be proud of
Anyways, I got tired of constantly spending money, I was younger and didn't know a ton about cars. Literally it was too much of a hassle for me so I tossed it, said DSM's were junk and didn't look back. I've had several cars since then. First came the 96 civic ex. It wasn't fast, but it was great on gas and was 'slightly sporty'. Then I got into a s13 (92) and got into road racing. I think it was the 240 that got me back to my mechanic roots. (now my pops was a mechanic so I knew how to do basic maintenance like oil changes, brakes etc.. but nothing like building motors.)
My s13 was where I learned everything, I swapped 2 motors in it and rebuilt more than my fairshare to help other local Nissan guys. My desire of self accomplishment coupled with an already good basic understanding of motors led me down an irreversible path that has lasted six years so far. Performance and nothing less. While I loved the 240 I ended up getting it out the door and getting into some muscle with a 95 z28 (lt-1). I wanted a drag car as I always loved it more than autocross. I spent a year modding the z28 and it ended up being a pretty quick straight line monster.. but it was annoying to drive everyday (8mpg on the tune). Plus at the same time a good friend was finishing his 2g build and ended putting over 700 to the wheels when all was said and done. He let me drive on the race gas tune, and that was it, back to DSM's in the mindset. 3 weeks ago the z28 was retired and traded for a beat up 1g awd.
All I can say is the kid I traded the car had gotten the DSM for a decent price and the person before him did a good job rebuilding the 6bolt. But this kid had no clue how to take care of the car. I say kid because he didn't look a day over 18. The exterior was beatup pretty bad. He added to it's dismay by painting the gunmetal wheels solid white (which doesn't look good on black car's IMO.) He removed the hood latch and added hood pins on a stock hood (which I consider un-needed). He even mis-drilled the hole what appears to be twice. The gauge pod on the A pillar was held on with 1 screw. Headliner was in pieces. He had a FMIC for it but never installed it. TurboXS FRL blow off that wasn't recirculated. The resonator? tube from the intake was just wide open. The car barely idled. Front wheel bearings were shot. The 16g was running on 10lbs since he lost the pressure screw for the manual boost controller. He had a wally 255 hooked up to an FPR (aeromotive) with 550s but with no fuel management. The clutch engaged at the floor. The down pipe had one screw only. I almost thought the car was beyond hope.
But I decided there wasn't a damn thing on this car I couldn't fix. So, against my better judgment I decided to trade the Z for it. As much as my wallet regrets it the car is now a symbol of my skill as it's completely different and almost perfect in my restoration. First thing I did was get it to the garage and started plugging intake leaks. It's amazing that some people won't even go that far. What a surprise, after plugging the leaks the idle shot to almost 3grand (hell of a leak right?). Welded a bung for my wideband. Pulled my afc2 out and hooked it up. I fixed the boost controller. Compression check results were awesome. Next I took care of the front wheel bearing problems. It was a PITA to say the least. Then I took out that universal FMIC kit and spent the better part of a night fighting it with a hacksaw and some couplers but in the end I did achieve victory. Changed the plugs, brakes, cleaned it up under the hood. Got rid of that RFL BOV and got an HKS on there. Adjusted the clutch pedal. Redid the headliner and started fixing the interior trim that was ripped. A buddy of mine that paints cars helped me paint the wheels with a satin black fix, and man do they look sexy. Next week we're gonna paint the car with a fresh coat of jet black after we do some glassing in. I spent 3 nights street tuning with the sAFC on 20lbs. This weekend she's gonna get a new fully ported head with over sized valves, double springs and titanium retainers underneath of some webcam 264/274 cams. I get the head back from the machine shop tomorrow. I'm hoping my metal HG and BSE kit will get here tomorrow so I can get this done this weekend. All I need to do is change a caliper that's seized and she's back in business. I can't wait to get back to the track. It's an addiction I've been dealing with for too long. I took it to the track last week and was running good launches with 1.8ish 60/ft's but I could never get the car into 2nd (combo of bad trans fluid and the clutch engagement at the floor) so I couldn't get it out of the 9's/10's in the 8th.
But that's ok. My car is taking shape, and the best part is that it's ALL my work. I transformed it from a beatup cliche junk DSM to a respectable good looking car that can hold it's own at the track. I will get it dyno'd this week. I will be looking for over 300 to the wheels. I will take it back to the track. I will be looking for high 7's. It will be respected.
In the end it's not a DSM. It's my DSM and it's something I say I built and be proud of
