ArchiveFebruary 2007

Introduction

We all draw lines for ourselves and I knew that I was crossing one when I bought a welder. It seems to be an unspoken code among enthusiasts but an untrained welder and a project car do not a match make. And quite quickly, I realized that I was in way over my head. But as with pretty much everything in life, we can choose to sink or swim. I chose the latter. The decision to start welding was an...

Tein Basic Coilover Install

Although I have seen people do this procedure using just a tire jack, I generally think that is a bad idea. To replace your shocks, do it the right way and put your car on a lift or place your car on jack stands. Furthermore, all 4 wheels will be removed during this install so go ahead and loosen (not remove) the lug nuts at each wheel so that the wheels can be easily removed once the car is...

240sx Subframe Spacer Install

Installing subframe spacers is an easy mod that will eliminate the wheel hop present in the 240sx. However, it is necessary to place your car on jack stands before beginning. Furthermore, you will need to loosen, but not remove the lug nuts on your rear wheels before lifting as these wheels will be removed once the car is in the air. There are several companies making subframe spacers for the...

Whiteline Adjustable Rear Sway Bar Install

Replacing the rear sway bar can be performed with the car parked on a level surface with the parking brake applied. However, it is a much quicker and easier install with the car lifted so I recommend placing your car on jack stands. Removing the factory sway bar Locate the stock sway bar’s connecting rods on the lower suspension arms and completely loosen them from the arm by removing the...

Whiteline Adjustable Front Sway Bar Install

Replacing the front sway bar can be performed with the car parked on a level surface with the parking brake applied. However, it is a much quicker and easier install with the car lifted so I recommend placing your car on jack stands. Remove the factory sway bar The factory sway bar (stabilizer) is connected to the suspension at the tension rod brackets and the control arm (transverse link...

Placing your Car on Jack Stands

Placing your car on jack stands is a simple process that will allow the average enthusiast to perform lots of work on their car from the comfort of their garage. Tools required 4 jack stands set at the same height (same brand and model for all 4 stands is highly recommended) 1 hydraulic jack 1 2x4x2 wood block Procedure Find a flat, clean surface to park the car on. Once parked, shut the car off...

Part 3: Making it Stick (Installment A – Bounciness be Gone)

(All items discussed in this entry will have full install walkthroughs posted in the Tech and How To’s page) This car has seen better days and after driving it back from Georgia, it is quite clear that most of the original suspension has remained on this chassis during its 170,000 mile existence as a commuter car. As a future drift machine, these have got to go. Removing wheel hop One thing...

Part Deux: Swapping in the CA18DET

Background For most the formula is simple, stock motors are replaced with SR20DET’s. End of discussion. But then you have the guys that do things different. There are the RB guys, the KA-T guys and finally the CA18DET guys. So why, when the majority says SR20DET would this car receive a CA18DET, a motor already down .2 liters and almost 20 hp to its younger brother? Although reasons vary...

Part 1: Locating the Perfect Chassis

As gear-heads, we all get the itch. It starts innocently enough. A fleeting thought of grandeur, of building something unique, something powerful and yet simple. Over the course of the day these thoughts begin to dance around in your head, growing and multiplying until they pervade every waking thought. And then the research begins. You spend more hours on ebay auto and the classifieds then you...

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