What's up guys, my car is done now but I never really did document anything during the build process while I was building it. It was way past the forum era but I was very much inspired by the Zilvia build threads. I have tons of pictures I can post and maybe catch up to the current state of the car. I have so many people to thank who helped along the way and am here to help and answer any questions regarding all the stuff I did along the way. Let's be honest, these builds are never really done so I'll keep posting more small updates I do along the way.
Here is the most recent picture I have of the car from the DLux event at Thunderhill Raceway.
This is exciting. I feel like being into 240s in Cali in the 00's must have been magical.
Up next was bodywork! Honestly, I had no clue what to do how to start or anything about bodywork for that matter but an uncle of mine was experienced in that and helped us tremendously with that aspect of the build. My dad and I did everything we could to help along the way but we pretty much just followed his lead and let him guide us throughout the bodywork and paint process.
After the KA dual cam swap, I was able to get the car running reliably and it honestly was a great daily. I rocked it pretty much as it was when I got it and finished up high school in that car. Looking back on it now that car was ugly and not pleasing to the eye but damn I thought I had it all haha. I was just happy to be driving my dream car. All these times playing Need for Speed Underground and modifying the 240sx in-game was a reality now and I was super inspired to continue modifying mine in real life.
V1 Look throughout high school.
Sourced a set of 180sx Kouki valences and a couple more aero bits before starting the bodywork.
180sx Chuki sides and Origin roof wing.
And last but not least the Pignose front bumper and lip combo.
Decided to cut out the vents on the bumper to make them functional.
Well, let's start from the very beginning. Back in 2008, I was just about to graduate high school and my dad offered me a new car or a car of my choice that we could build together. A car that I could start commuting to and from college and since I had just gotten my license it was nice to start driving everywhere. As you can see, I went with the car of my choice, a 1990 Nissan 240sx. My dad found it at the local recycling plant on a tow truck that was about to drop it off for $200. My dad asked the truck driver if he had a title for the car, he said yes and offered him $250 to drop it off at our house! He knew exactly what I wanted, I've only been bugging him about 240sx cars and drifting throughout my teenage years haha.
Here are the first documented pics I have of the hatch from day one.
The car came with a single-cam KA that was super worn out with like 300k miles. Engine harness was all messed up and I knew then and there a dual cam swap was the move.
Had a bit of body damage and was a salvage title but it was nice to have my dream car at 18. I didn't care that it was different colors and not running I was just happy I had a 240sx to work on.
The car was an SE model with power windows and a sunroof! I had it good and didn't even realize it lol.
The Interior was pretty clean and it came with mostly everything I just had to install everything back in. But before all that I stripped everything and degreased and cleaned the interior before putting everything back on.
The first order of business was sourcing a dual cam and dropping it in. I went with an s14 dual cam from a local dismantler. not sure of the mileage or what specific s14 it came from but I knew it was in better shape than the single cam it came with.
Pulled out the engine as soon as we could and worked on it pretty consistently until my dad and I got it running.
We dropped everything in and got it about as complete as we could before dropping it off at a local shop. Keep in mind I had no clue what to do for wiring and stuff since it was my first swap and I was 18 and still learning about cars but Zilvia.net helped me a ton and gave me the the confidence to take this on. My dad would always look at me all crazy when I would tear into this car with no hesitation lol.
Im excited for this one 🫣
Definitely one of the most immaculate builds around. Can't wait to see all the details you snuck in there!