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

Having driven beaters all my life, I'm familiar with the affair. It seems it may not be as bad as could be. At least it's not a beemer. My buddy bought a 2003 330ci, and already he's blown over $350 just tuning it up. Poor bastard.

I'll be looking into getting dum dum ASAP. Thanks for the tip. I looked back there and there's nothing between the plastic and the metal at all.

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to send him an email about finding the hex head bolt that joins the low side A/C tubing to the top of the compressor. Some how that is completely missing, as I discovered after essentially dumping 2 cans of R134 onto the pavement. All I need is that and an O-ring and I should be able to have A/C! Score! And I'll be on the lookout for some dum dum ASAP. I just hope it stops raining here soon.

Thanks for the warm welcome. Small world - I'm from Waco and I live near TX Stadium in Irving. That's nuts. It'd be cool to do that. Let me know what's up. I was thinking of planning a sort of meet-n-greet in July for DFW area SR20 folks, have like a barbecue at a park someplace up here. Once school's out I can start doing that more actively but for now I'm just pitching the idea.

I look forward to it. Right now the plan is a sweet NA DD with all functioning creature comforts, a nice audio setup, the highest mpg I can get, etc., and then once I have a better job and another DD, maybe a boosted gorilla-stupid-fast road warrior that'll leave everything from Si's to STi's wondering what the hell happened. I get ambitious sometimes.



Knowledge and money not wasted are awesome things.



That sounds really cool. I'd definitely need some more info on how to do that. I've been looking into getting a short shifter, but if I don't have to pay more for it that'd be kick ass!



I have suspicions you could safely add a 1 before that 5. I'll be doing this soon.



As soon as I have access to a timing light gun I'm doing this too.



It's a tricky balance between lightweight and budget-mindedness. Ideally I'd get some 15x6.5's that look more or less like these BBS-style wheels. Actually, in looking for pics, those don't look half bad. I just might have to keep an eye on those. 16.3 lbs isn't THAT bad for $109 a wheel. In the meantime, I found the B14 centercaps online for about $25 shipped.



That's what I'm hoping to do soon. I'm thinking of planning a DFW area picnic/meet-n-greet for us SR20 forum folk sometime in July, but it's an idea at this point. Hopefully once school's done I can do that in earnest.

I hope that B15 tranny's a very satisfying upgrade. My first truck's tranny crapped out right before I got my license, I know how that sh*t can be frustrating. So, does that mean you'll have one gear more than us common folk with only 5? If so, I may plan on doing that later myself. Waaaay later, but still. Not many can say they have a 6-speed.

I keep reading good things about GSpec and GregV. I'll have to bother him soon looking for parts.

Thanks for the tip about the dum dum. I'm on the lookout for it but time is really short these days. I just hope it'll stop raining so i can have dry things in my trunk again.

Just like when I walked into a bookstore looking for Kant and had a double take followed by "I'm sorry WHAT? from the girl behind the counter. I chuckled. Thanks for the heads up. Should I use those yellow laundry gloves then?

Revised page 1. Man, I've got more planned out for this car than I realized.

As far as I know the fix is new hinges. They will last another 5-10 years and sag again. Replace, rinse, repeat.


As far as I'm concerned there was only one option for a short throw shifter.
Quik-Shift Adjustable and Short Throw Shifters

Until recently?
Since I learned about the free, mod-your-own technique, it's a completely viable second option. You've already been told about it.


Why? Is there anything wrong with yours? I wouldn't think this needs replacing ever.

If you're not going turbo there is almost no need for an upgrade, or upgrade to the NX2000 radiator.


Vadim showed me that 14" fans fit best. We both got these but there are better ones out there.


I'd be thinking NX2000 front brakes while you're at it if you're going through that expense.


You sure you like the rubber pyramid style boot (1.6L cars) over the stock leather one? Just checking...

I'm partial to the Momo Competition Black but there are countless options out there.

BMW e30s have the same bolt pattern as us. You can get some cheap BBS or basket weave style wheels from that crowd. Can I suggest you consider a better option? Let them grow on you...

Let me know when you want to step up to a real tire.

That's the plan.



The diy mod exactly what I wanted to investigate. I know next to nothing about shift linkages, therefore, I'd need more info on how to do this. Is there a writeup on it somewhere? Free and designed by Nissan already sounds better than aftermarket.



I'm throwing a CEL for it (11, I think). I know next to nothing about this either. I did just find an electronic FSM I'll be reading through soon to learn as much as I can.



Good to know. It seems that what the NX lacked in more refined styling compared to the SER (at least in my eyes), it made up for with cooler stuff. Center console, better brakes, better radiator. I am thinking of boosting in later years. Maybe I'll just wait on upgrading the radiator until I'm in a position to do that.


Sounds good. I based my plan off reading that 12" fans help the A/C work better. I'll be doing further reading when I'm looking for these.


Thanks for the tip. I'm guessing they bite and hold better?


For whatever reason, I've always thought the pyramid thing was pretty cool. That and my current boot is in sad, sad shape, worn out like it had been used as a wind sock on the antenna, and I'm not 100% sure it's the stock one. I'll consider my options if I can make one myself for cheaper than it would cost to rustle up the pyramid. I'll consider replacing the e-brake handle with something a little more stylish if I do that, too.


That'd be perfect. I'm basically looking for something black, leather or suede, three spokes, clean and simple. This'll again see further research when it comes time to buy it.


I've been poking around, but I haven't really been too convinced by what I've seen as far as E30 wheels. Those wheels look pretty nice, man. Would they have those in 15 x 6.5? It's a bit more per wheel than I'd be looking for, but they're probably better quality and lighter weight.


Haha thanks. I'm thinking of spending around $475 or less for a new set. If I can do a real tire within that price range, let me know.

HA!! Exact same thing i said when i 1st bought my old 94 SE-R...


Congratulations sir, you just bought a riding heroin car, and trust me it's addicting.

it seems like i never stop modding my car, but when i hear "wooooosh!" it makes it all worth it...


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