s30 Update Overview
Posted on September 2, 2009 by Jesse O'Brien in In the Garage
It doesn’t feel like I’ve accomplished much these past few weeks, but apparently I got quite a lot done. More in-depth posts are scheduled for this month on the changes I’ve made.
Engine
The new injectors are installed (except the one that has a broken bolt-hole on the intake manifold) and the wiring connectors are all soldered in and ready to be hooked up. I’ve decided that I’m going to put the ECU in the driver’s footwell, along the left-hand side. Other than that, the engine hasn’t seen much work. I have yet to install the turbo and intercooler and ductwork to connect them, then attach all the wiring and cross my fingers while I start it.
Transmission
I installed the 5speed transmission I finally sourced (that wasn’t easy), but I have to pull it off the engine and reinstall it. I apparently installed the clutch throwout bearing (the part your clutch pedal actually moves to engage/disengage the clutch) incorrectly, and I’m going to have to reinstall it. I may have even used an incorrect throwout bearing, since I had a few lying around when I installed the transmission. For now I’m happy to have the transmission mounted because it holds the engine upright and makes pushing the car around much easier.
Suspension
I found a good deal on some springs at our last meet and started installing them. However, one of the nuts on the front-driver’s strut is stuck to the stud and still spins freely. It seems that the rubber bump stop that the studs are connected to is falling apart enough that this one has nothing to grab. I’ll have to just cut the nut off entirely.
I also picked up some new front brake calipers. The main advantage of these calipers is going to be consistency and response. They use two small piston to squeeze the rotor instead of just one large piston. They were a snap to mount up, using the stock rotors and brake lines. I did take the opportunity to replace the brake lines with the stainless lines I ordered awhile back, though. Stainless lines offer increased brake response as well, so the car should theoretically feel pretty snappy when the brake pedal is depressed. I have not taken the rear brakes off yet, since I’m quite sure that’ll be an adventure all on its own, and I don’t need to open that can of worms just yet.
The front wheel lugs that I installed don’t fit the lug nuts I have lying around, and apparently no local auto parts stores stock the correct 12×1.25 threads. I’ll order a new set this weekend, and should be able to wheel the car around again after that.
Body
I finally broke down and started fixing some of the body work on the s30. The plan is to give it a proper paint job when it’s back on the road. If anybody’s interested, I could write up how to perform paint prep correctly, but there’s already a lot of documentation that covers it all over the internet. No reason for me to reinvent the wheel, unless I can do it better. I’m not putting down any money saying that I can.
I picked up some new doors so I’ll be able to open them from both the inside and outside, I picked up a set of floors, and I got ahold of a hatch tray that was completely rotted. Once I weld those in, the only remaining rust spots will be the stock battery tray and the passenger’s dogleg. Neither of those are structurally problematic so I’ll most likely leave them as-is until they get under my skin enough to force me to change them.
Ideally, I’d like to finish my roll cage by the time I have this on the road. I have a lot of work left to do for that, so it’s unlikely but I’m setting my sights high and I’ll do my best to get there.
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