Thread: New '91 Classic Owner - new to Japanese, low on funds, in need of advice

Ben, Thanks so much! I'm very amused by the use of kitten to demonstrate the massive lip in one of those pictures. I suspected that cheater lips were precisely that, and it appears I guessed correctly. Also I did some more reading and they're 5.25" in the front. I just realized that my Blazer has 6.5's up front and they push pretty decent bass, and they are definitely bigger than the speaker grilles up front in the SE-R. I'll maybe reconsider having some 6.5's in the rear with a nice little amp, if it's anything like what the Blazer's Bose system would do, that should be plenty and save me room and money, methinks. Finally, thanks for the tip on the CEL codes. Now I just have to figure out where the ECU is (damn, I really am a newbie).

Thanks Shawn! It is definitely a great place and Ben is the ****, as some may say where I'm from. I was hoping I wouldn't have to feed Texas' shady inspection sticker practices and actually have it clear nicely (there's pride in having a nearly-20 year old car pass inspection without a hiccup). I'll look into seeing how much a setup with some replacement stock springs, GR2s, and that rear sway bar will cost, and depending on the result I'll see how soon I'll jump on that. I think the order of operations right now is finishing the tune up (including flushing radiator and tranny, maybe diff?), killing that CEL, lubing the crap out of everything I can (it was sitting 2 years, remember?), tackling the audio, then suspension, wheels (and tires if it takes THAT long, right now I've got maybe 90% tread on all four), and paint (I've already got some ideas). After that, who knows? I may end up boosting it if I'm doing really well financially and have the time and money to do it. Unfortunately, this whole process is going to take months, if not a year or two or probably more, as funds are limited.

I do appreciate the warm welcome, your words are kind. I feel I've made a good impression, I can only hope I don't screw it up over time lol.

Thanks! I'll be posting some soon. I've got 2 jobs and am finishing my last semester doing 15 hrs, so finding time during daylight hours is a bit tough.
I'd better watch it, I don't think the FDA's approved a B13 patch yet.

Gracias hermano! Por ser el rey de los chingones eres muy amable! I'll definitely look into the Road Magnets and Hypercos, they're the only one's I've seen recommended at all in my couple of weeks or so of poring through this forum. I'm thinking of just finding either stock or stock-like springs for now, I'm definitely not making the cash for that GB in time . I'm thinking of doing stock springs and getting some GR2s with that rear sway bar Shawn mentioned, and then maybe doing front and rear strut tower braces. Koni's sound like they're pretty amazing, but I have many many other possible uses for that much cash together, sadly.

there are a small group of us around DFW area. Some are very helpful. If you need anything, head over the Southwest section of the forum.

Where in DFW are you>

Great! I'm in Irving, pretty close to TX Stadium. I see you're in Arlington, is that where most everybody out here is located? In the meantime, I'll be checking out that side of the forum, thanks!

PICS! Faded factory white paint, faded and grimed-out B14 wheels with no center caps to be found. Broken fog light lenses, many other character-building details inside and outside. I'll take some more in better lighting when I've got more time. Enjoy! Let me know what you think.

My friend, you seem very intelligent, you are not arrogant or biased like many that join forums with a non import educated background.

I think you will do right by this car, and that is all you need to get every bit of help you can ever need here. I hope you enjoy the se-r!

Looks like these guys have a pretty good handle on pointing you in the correct direction. I mostly wanted to say welcome, and I look forward to seeing you around the forum. Keep us all updated with the progress, perhaps consider starting a "build" thread, when you get some projects in line you can work on. For one, I would recommend re-painting those b14 rims, and calling it a day, they tend to look great when properly finished, you can spend your hard earned cash in many other places right now. Like some well made lowering springs (hyperco, road magnets,ground controls..etc), would make the car handle great paired with a decent set of new struts (and it would look even better on those b14 rims).

Best of luck,

Dudeman

First of all, thanks for the warm welcome and the words of encouragement. I look forward to being around here a lot. As for the wheels, I have a penchant for the gloss black face/silver lip thing, fad or not I've always thought it was pretty cool, especially BBS mesh type wheels with a decent lip. But then, to me the B14 wheels look an awful lot like the B15 Spec V wheels, which I think are pretty sick for factory wheels. All I really need are center caps, some free time, and some paint.

I actually want to do a build thread for different things, like how-to writeups. I think those are awesome when people do that on forums, and I would be more than happy to contribute. I'll definitely be posting pics and updates as I go along. I'm hooked already, too bad the first one isn't free.

Just a quick update: Thanks to Nismo SE-R I've found out how to check my codes and I'm throwing a 35 (which is because of the EGR, or lack thereof, I'm going to try what I found in another thread about getting rid of that one) and an 11, which is a crank-angle sensor. I've never heard of such a thing but I know how to get to it thanks to my Haynes manual. Other than that, there's a soft but solid clunk from my front left axle when I start off in first at parking lot speeds, which I suspect may be an indicator that it's time for a new boot, but I have no idea as I've only ever changed the oil on a FWD car, and have no real experience in that department. Oh and there's a small leak in the cracked out rubber hose running between the metal piping from the filler neck and the gas tank on the ventilation tubing. Getting on replacing that ASAP, as I parked on a hill last night and my car took a piss. I'd noticed a faint fuel smell sometimes getting out of my car from time to time but this is bull****, and explains why I've been getting such ****ty mileage. That's about all for now.