Like a squirrel I've been working hard and storing up all my nuts preparing for winter. My version of nuts would be an ignorant collection of car parts.

My project for last winter was my z32 brake swap and 5 lug conversion. That simple project turned out to be the biggest headache I've ever had on any of my car projects. The headache was so large I didn't get to do any track events in 08 because I spent most of my time chasing brake gremlins. I did get to hit up some 1/8 mile drag strips and a few autox's near the end of '08. Hopefully this project will turn out better. I believe it will. My goal is to get all the suspension knocked out over the winter and be ready to do several track events in 09 (minimum 06).

Goals:

FMIC
Oil filter relocation & oil cooler setup
Coilovers & suspension arms
Sway bars, and bushings (mainly spherical, some poly).
Full race alignment with corner balancing.

I'm going to start the build soon, but here is a collection of parts I've collected.

Greddy Intake manifold (only reason I got it was because I got a helluva deal):


Brand new IACV to help fix my fluctuating idle:


GReddy LS Spec FMIC (used for a great price)

The previous owner painted the end tanks and piping black. He also had the little small pipe for use of an OEM BOV welded shut. Since these kits are discontinued, I jumped on the sale when I saw it.

Circuit Sport intake manifold spacer/gasket


Oil filter Relocation & oil cooler setup.

This is also a used setup that I got at very good price because I bought it with the FMIC setup from the same seller. Comes with a Setrab oil cooler, and nomex lines. It will do for now, but at some point I'd like to redo the lines so they aren't so long.

S14 Oil pickup

I'm going with a GReddy oilpan as well. I heard this was recommended upgrade and luckily not too expensive. Oil pan to be ordered soon.

Nismo Power Brace

I got a great price on this when Live.com was running a 20% BUY IT NOW purchases on Ebay. Sitting at my house for months now.

Battle Version Tension Rods.

A gift from my friend. QUALITY!

S14 Front Lower Control Arms
My front LCA's are shot. Upgrading to these because they are slightly longer, and you end up running more negative camber. I need to put in new ball joints, and Whiteline polyurethane bushings. I'll probably have these powdercoated lime green or something silly.

Z32 uprights

Had these for over 1.5 years. Bought 'em for a steal at $40 shipped.

Braille lightweight battery

Bought it used for less than what an Odyssey battery goes for. Hopefully it holds a charge well. I risked it.

A few months ago I bought a used wingless wiperless hatch. Had a friend paint it. I finally got rid of my silly foam wing. It looks so much better now



I've got quite a bit more planned and quite a bit more on order. KTS coilovers with z32 mounts. They should be here tomorrow. I"m going to order up my GReddy oilpan this coming up week.

Along with all the parts for the suspension build I'm going to try and so some small modifications as well. I'd like to powder coat the rear subframe lime green, and the front and rear uprights a bright orange. I'm also planning on sending my throttle body to RC engineering to have it bored out to 64 mm, and then port match the GReddy intake manifold to the new throttle body. All of this really depend on my cash flow during the project.

My latest big upgrades for the car were my rims and tires. Those go hand in hand with my suspension plans.

More pix found here:
Project EVA - The Track Package
Project Eva - FÜTWERKS! (rims and tires)

 

everything looks straight forward enough that you shouldn't run into the same problems as your previous winter project.

good luck.

 

is there anything bad about the greddy intake manifold? I thought about getting it, but people tell me that it's poorly made or something...

 

I dunno. I've heard it's a good piece. I mean it's cast, I don't know what more to expect from it.

 

i.ve heard complaints about the way it fit's, or doesn't is more like it. idk for sure thought.

 

could knock out most of that in one day with a few friends

 

yeah. the big slow down will be the bushings i want to replace. Sending parts out to get powdercoated will slow down progress as well. The alignment too.

Mainly it's going to be getting the $ to buy the parts i want that will slow me down the most.

 

off topic, but bumnah, do you drift and what part of va are you in?

 

no i do not drift. have you seen the tires i put on the car?

i'm in central virginia, charlottesville.

 

good luck with the project, i hope it goes better then your last winter project.

 

Update 01:

After being told from the day I bought my car that I need "coils". Well I finally got 'em! Not my first brand preference, but I've heard good things while researching online. I also went with this brand because I wanted to deal with one company for all my suspension parts. These coilovers offered everything I wanted, priced reasonably, and it allowed me to purchase some more parts I need for my car.

After everything is all done, the biggest handicap for the car will be the driver more than any coilover suspension I could have. Hopefully my skills will improve enough to warrant the purchase of some primo coilovers.

I'm looking forward to the install of the bushings the most. The ones on my car are shot, and it leaves much to be desired when it comes to driving feel.

Next up for purchasing: GReddy Oil pan, and gauges.

Pix:

My UPS man and I wave to one another when we see each other around town. He left me this today:


Open the box and found these babies:


Kept opening up boxes and found these: SPL rear toe arms. Chrome


These guys were hiding in there as well. SPL aluminum rear subframe bushings.


Some of my biggest purchases have been made. Lots of small things to get still. I can't wait till I put all this together. >=]

More pix can be found here:
Project Eva - The Track Package

 

i have a quick question that you hopefully know the answer to otherwise winter build might take a bit longer. i don't believe the z32 uprights are an exact fit on the s-chassis, so my question is what chassis did you get the coil overs for? that is unless the coil overs solve that fitment problem. i don't know myself so hopefully you can fill me in.

 

Good question.
The z32 rear uprights require you to have s13 coilovers with z32 bottom mounts on them. Because I wanted to run z32 rear uprights, it limited my coilover options. My first choice for coilovers were KW V3s. They don't offer what I need to run their offerings.

So to answer your question, you need s13 rear coilovers, using z32 bottom mounts. Some people have used oem shocks by cutting off the s13 bottom mounting, and welding on the z32 bottom mounting bracket.


Here is my rear coilover, notice the z32 mounting bracket on the bottom.

 

I'm pretty sure they sell the z32 bottom mounting bracket separately, i'll try finding it on google...

edit: meh nevermind only for megan coilovers: http://www.festivegarage.com/rear-lo...598-p-834.html

 

also on the subframe collars they dont look cut so unless you plan on removing the entire subframe id cut the top ones so u can drop it a little then slid it in.

remember s-chassis has a stud coming from the chassis that slips into the subframe and u put a nut on it. also another note ive heard the subframe studs on a s13 can break and if any do brake you might as well throw away your chassis because its no longer any good.

my recommendation is to spray lot of rust penitrant/lube like PB blaster let it sit spray it down again get it real soaked then break the bolts lose by hand no air tools. use a big breaker bar. anyway good luck hope everything turns out fine