Need help deciding where to start with my 200sx se

[240sx_dreams]

Hey guys i am looking to make my daily driver my project car it currently is a 1996 nissan 200sx se i have thought that maybe the suspension would be a good place to start as i dont yet have the money saved up to do a complete engine swap or a tranny yet either (its currently an automatic) I think it would make a very rare tuner as i dont see too many of these that have been modded. I am also wondering if anyone knows where i might be able to acquire the leather interior out of a 200sx se-r as i really think it would make a nice touch. I would like as much feed back as you could possibly give. I f possible as well i would like to have a list of some good yet reliable dealers of jdm and aftermarket parts. Guys i really need your help i am very green to the whole car scene again any advice you could offer would be great!!!!

thanks, matt

[GuessWho]

Sell it!!!

[SampaGuy]

Sell it!!!

x2

[Maniac1]

Suspension, simple bolt-ons, tranny/engine swap...

there you go.. unless you've been under a rock for the pass 7 years i don't see any reason why you wouldn't have known that.
haha, good luck with your project though.

[240sx_dreams]

thanx for your help guys i still need additional advice on like where to start with the suspension, but one little problem i just had it in the shop because the rack and pinion went out, along with the motor mounts, and i had to replace the seals and now the driver's side axle went out too. i have no idea how much that will cost?!?!?!? But the other things cost me 1100 dollars which really dipped into my modding money. write me back with any helpful hints!!

~matt

[mocha latte cupcake]

thanx for your help guys i still need additional advice on like where to start with the suspension, but one little problem i just had it in the shop because the rack and pinion went out, along with the motor mounts, and i had to replace the seals and now the driver's side axle went out too. i have no idea how much that will cost?!?!?!? But the other things cost me 1100 dollars which really dipped into my modding money. write me back with any helpful hints!!

~matt

being that i'm basically the only real ACTIVE 200sx member owner here i'm jump on this...

ok sorry to hear about the problems but it comes with the territory on older cars.. ok well check it out, the rack with set you back yes, and as far as the engine goes i really do NOT recommend spending any money on the GA16DE as its basically a waste if you plan on going SR20DET on it. i actually have a SR20DE (my cars old engine which i'll let go for a good price) the manual from auto swap isn't bad @ all actually. if you know how to do some basic things.

quick run down with (short sighted goals)

Handling: DO NOT buy springs... people will tell you they are just as good but look if you're going to spending 650 on a EIBACH/KYB strut and spring combo, might as well spend the 750 on a set of TEIN basics. just saving you the frustration and wasted money, i have this set up now and i kick myself every day for not just spending the extra 100-150 for a FAR superior suspension

Power: Buy a SR20DE (instant 25+ wheel HP and a better platform than a GA16DE) you can always turbo later and since i previously had a NA SR i can tell you with a good driver and some basic mods it will handle itself well enough to have good fun basically anywhere but don't go looking for fully bolted GSR's and expect to win unless you've done some work to it.

JDM: see my car's blog or check my myspace. it will give you the basic idea on how a JDM (SUNNY LUCINO) looks. nothing on my exterior is NOT jdm, save the fact i couldn't justify the $1000 price for a JDM front end with a set of fog lights i couldn't use anyways b/c of my intercooler piping. but yeah with the lights, grille, badges, mirrors, fender lights, rear moulded fog light, you'll be looking @ spending about 1300+ or so in parts/labor if you don't wanna do it yourself.

Interior: also no SE-R came with Leather to my knowledge. now the SE-L might have but i think you are thinking of an interior swap (similar to what the honda kids do) except you would be using the interior out of a P11/P10 (infiniti G20 from 94-00) you can also use SE-R Spec V front seats with a little minor work.

Wheels: look @ a set of Enkei Evo 5's i've had 7 sets of wheels on mine (b/c i'm a wheel whore and i can't stand it if someone has the same set i do, stupid hondas ruin everything!) anyways, those were probably the wheels i got the most compliments on.

NOTE: DO NOT BUY CHEAP STUFF! you will always get what you pay for just remember that. so don't expect to buy a header and think its a great deal cause it was 120 brand new... think about it. buy quality parts and it doesn't hurt to ask questions. rather look like a new guy to the scene with a ton of questions then not to ask any @ all and look like yet another RICER!

-purejdm

[240sx_dreams]

thank you very much for your help yea i want to stay away from ricing it out as much as possible. the axles are going to be bad to but there is nothing i can really do about it. gotta get it fixed. so you dont think suspension would be a good place to start huh. ny the way where is a good site to get good quality jdm exterior and interior parts?

~matt

[AnthonyF]

springs/wheels/tires are a good first. They change the look of the car with very little effort.

[1SOL2NV]

Engine bay first .... then everything else .... get the big stuff out of the way then add on lil by lil .....

[speedminded]

Engine bay first .... then everything else .... get the big stuff out of the way then add on lil by lil .....

lol *sigh*

[mocha latte cupcake]

do your suspension first, get your car driveable. THEN start with the engine... a SR20DET or just SR20DE swap would be the way to start. then from there you can go on to smaller things... accessories are nice but for the price of 5 accessories you could have 1 of your BIG things done and off the list. PM me if you need anymore info http://www.gspec.com/ <<<< good site to get things from

[slow_hatch]

Doesn't the SR swap require alot? You have to swap out alot of parts correct??

[mocha latte cupcake]

its a little work, but not much worse than a honda swap... a little easier honestly.

GA16DE to SR20DET swap

[afwfjustin]

I agree with getting the big stuff out of the way. If you do little things here and there you won't ever get around to the big stuff. You'll be busy with school/work/girlfriends/things in life that are actually important and never have the money to do what you want because you've spent 2-3 grand on little 100 dollar parts here and there like hood dampers and bolt ons.

Just keep the car as is and wait until you have the cash for the sr20det swap. Until then, just be happy with the car as is

I had a del sol s automatic around 10 years ago and I always wanted to put a b16a2 into it but I spent thousands on wheels, suspension, full bolt ons (pullies, cam gear included) and after all was said and done it was years later and I just ended up selling the damn thing because it was just a mid 16 second car.

[wunquikser]

get rid of that gay16..im mean ga16 and get a jdm sr20de for 500 bucks...get everything you need to do the swap and just sit it to the side then go after the looks and stuff..wit a sr swap you should be dusting stock geezers and Si's..if you need more info heres a great site to start..sr20forum.com Good luck yo..

[mengus200sx]

If u are going for the speed, then get a sr20ve. better then the jdm sr20de or usdm. plus it already come with lsd tranny.