I am me, and you can too!

[Colorado S14]

My name is Blake; I live in Denver and have been a part of the Nissan scene since 2002 when I bought my car. This is the only Nissan I have ever owned. In 2002 I was driving a 1991 Acura Legend Sedan and decided that I wanted to move to a sportier car. I looked at many options and finally decided on a 1997-1998 240SX. Found this one in Atlanta, bought a one-way ticket and hopped on a plane to go get it and drive it back. I want to preface everything that will follow by saying that outside of some help from great friends with pulling motors etc. every ounce of work on this car has been done by me.

Had the car for a few years and did mostly suspension and brake mods but I got the itch for more power. The SR was of course a popular choice, but the cost/performance ratio is just not what I was looking for so I decided on KA-T. The Greddy turbo kit came out and I took the plunge and was one of the first to buy the kit, at its best I made 288whp/285tq. Well the Greddy kit is mediocre at best, there are major boost creep problems and the 20g turbo did not stay healthy long. The boost creep finally caught up to the tired 100k+ mile KA and I ultimately cracked the ring lands on the 2 and 3 pistons. I made the choice to do a full rebuild on the car, but I refused to buy parts using anything but cash (responsible I know). So, the car sat for a year while I put aside enough money to buy $2200 worth of engine internals and rebuild parts, $3500 worth of new turbo setup, and a couple thousand of other parts. I bought the internals eight months after the blow up and sourced a new motor to rebuild. I then waited a few more months to finish moving in to a new house so I did not have to move a half built motor.

Once I finished my move I began the slow process of a total rebuild. I tore down the new motor and had it blueprinted, balanced, bored .020 over, honed. I did the assembly myself and replaced every seal and put in new gaskets for the entire engine and transmission. I went to work on the engine bay, replacing a bit of rust on the passenger wheel well, removing all un needed brackets and hardware, re-spraying the bay and applying heat shielding to the firewall and master cylinder. I dropped in the new motor and proceeded to rebuild the wiring harness (full ground up harness coming with Haltech in 2010). I redid the interior adding gauges and other stuff. Redid a ton of suspension stuff, a ton of brake stuff, a ton of body stuff. Had it running for a bit a month or two ago to break it in a bit and work out some tuning kinks. But pulled it back apart for the winter to add more fun stuff and fix a major boost leak caused by a phenolic gasket.

Yesterday (11/29/2009) I polished the intake manifold and media blasted it to smooth it out a bit. Ordered new gaskets and more Earls AN plumbing for a de-aeration system I am adding to the cooling system. Need to bleed the brakes again, put the mani back on, dilute the crap fuel in the car with some fresh stuff and finish some other things, but I look forward to an official re-birth of The Black Pearl in the spring. Looking for over 400whp with nice spool and RELIABILITY!



Engine:
KA24DET
Arias Pistons
K1 Tech. Rods
Calico Bearings
Cometic HG
ARP hardware
PeakBoost Exhaust Mani
Garrett Turbo (57 Trim T3/T4)
Tial WG
Custom FMIC
Greddy BOV
Turbo-XS BC
RC Eng. Injectors with Proj. Nissan fuel rail
Koyo Rad.
Altima Fans
South Bend Clutch
Remote Oil Filter
Enthalpy ECU w/eManage support (going Haltech in 2010)
Full Earl's Swivel Seal AN plumbing with Pro-Lite hoses ($700 sigh)
Remote oil filter with pressure probe
A/C, Cruise Control, Windshield Washer delete
More I can’t remember

Ground Works:
JIC FLT Coilovers
Whiteline Bushings
Susp Tech sway bars
JIC Camber, toe, traction arms in rear
Greddy F/R Strut bars
Nismo Power Brace
Tein Tie Rods
J30 VLSD (HLSD in 2010)
5Zigen FN01R-C 17x8/9 (18”x 9”/10” in 2010)

Brakes:
Z32 Front and Rear calipers (front caliper bracket for VR4)
12.4” DBA front rotor, Brembo blank rear
Z32 rear E-Brake
Z32 MC
ATE Super Blue Fluid
Stainless Lines
Axxis Ultimates
Russel Speed Bleeders
Ducting if Need be

Exterior:
Version Select V1 Body Kit
Charge Speed vented hood
JDM Kouki Aero wing (APR GTC-300 with full under aero in 2010)
JDM Clear front corners
Proper Detailing

Interior:
Alpine Deck w/iPod
Infinity Perfect 6.1
Infinity 635i
Momo shift knob
Custom leather boots
OMP Racing Pedals
JDM 180kph gauge converted to 180mph
Gauges
Greddy MSS
Seats and Cage in 2010

Blown old motor:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Motor%20Build/IMG_0518.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Motor%20Build/IMG_0524.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Motor%20Build/IMG_0529.jpg

New parts and a build:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Motor%20Build/IMG_0066.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Motor%20Build/IMG_0547.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Motor%20Build/IMG_0699.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Motor%20Build/IMG_0763.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Motor%20Build/IMG_0756.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Motor%20Build/IMG_0865.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Motor%20Build/IMG_0979.jpg

Old Exterior:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Exterior/WashFront.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Exterior/IMG_4795.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Exterior/febdyno2-1.jpg

New Exterior (will be painted by me in the spring):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Exterior/IMG_2280.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Exterior/IMG_2312.jpg

Other pics and what it will look like painted (kinda, same kit and color):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20S%20and%20B/IMG_2418.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20S%20and%20B/IMG_2396.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Interior/IMG_0811.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/Other%20Car%20Stuff/tempura4.jpg

[87sleepr]

^ FREAK SEXY MAN HOLY CRAP, you know much about the vg30et's for the 300zx

[ABishop]

WOW that is one sick car!!! Can't wait to see it close up!

[87sleepr]

dude thats what im sayin, i love the look of the car, the rims are SWEET

[Citrus]

Clean and simple, I bet its a blast to drive too!

[Cesium]

Thanks for not going widebody like everyone seems to be doing these days.

And damn that is one long-*** build. Let's race when you're finished. :)

PS I need to make a "mod list" for my car. Seems so ricey but a fun thing to do whenever I'm bored next time.

[zmegoby]

Sorry Blake....this forum is for Nissan that actual run. C'mon hommie....get it running you are so close. I am tired of seeing it on jack stands.

[shift_broke]

damn bro, your car has really come together over the last few years. Member it lookin stock to now, looks beyond bad ***. Congrats on the sweet ride bro, it's been a long time in the making but definitely looks well worth it!

[NicholsZ]

Slow and steady wins the race... right?

aha. that will be an awesome S14 sir, my kudos.

[FinkenS14]

****, Im truly jealous

[Turbo24sxt]

we still aint done with this thing?? and i hope everyone isnt thinkin that last pic is your car lol .. it is just what it will somewhat look like :-D

[Colorado S14]

Indeed the last pic is not mine but a black car with the same aero.

Here is what I finished this week, now my buddy who is a much better welder will pick it up and tig it all up for me.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/IMG_2385.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/IMG_2387.jpg

Mani, turbo, and recently finished IC piping
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/IMG_2390.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/IMG_2391.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/IMG_2392.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/IMG_2393.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/IMG_2394.jpg

The workspace in need of a good cleaning after all the metal fab.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/IMG_2395.jpg

Rear brakes, and new traction arms.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20S%20and%20B/IMG_2397.jpg

[Turbo24sxt]

lookin good man ... didnt realize you were completely doing everything all baller ... lol AN fittings everywhere ... keep it up .. whats the eta of it running and tuned?

[Colorado S14]

Few weeks I think, I need to get the new valve cover powdercoated and finish some wiring plus a few more items

[Cesium]

Few weeks in Blake-glish means a few months. Or a few seasons.

[Cesium]

PS I envy your harness. I need to wrap mine in that heat shield stuff. That's cool.

[Foxxzee]

That is the epic hottness

[Colorado S14]

PS I envy your harness. I need to wrap mine in that heat shield stuff. That's cool.

Next winter I will rip it all out and relocate the relays inside, plus I think I am going haltech, which will be fun as hell I cant wait to build a ground up harness.

[NicholsZ]

Next winter I will rip it all out and relocate the relays inside, plus I think I am going haltech, which will be fun as hell I cant wait to build a ground up harness.

We'll remind you when you end up wanting to strangle yourself with said harness.

:D

[NisilS14]

will you just finish your car already?

[203CT240]

So this the ride I heard so much about. Looks good blake well worth the wait. I want a ride when your done and we need to go for a cruise.

[Colorado S14]

Thought I would update.

I got it fired up this last week, and it sounds pretty good but a bit rough right now. It is defiantly super rich at idle but I can tune that out really easily. Now I have new issues though. The brand new caliper I bought for the front left has a leak so that has to be replaced before I can drive it, sigh. Hopefully things will go faster now that I am more motivated. I will snag some video here today.

[SPECial Sauce]

Oh ****... my pants. Welcome, and hand me a tissue.

[nismo200sx]

dude this s14 is the s*** running or not it beats a lot of the cars that have been up for cotm he's got my vote for sure when he puts his car up

[z32tt]

That is one sick looking ride.

[Conrad283]

I'm glad I checked out this thread. Your avatar picture is so mysterious!

Definately an awesome build.

[Colorado S14]

Figure I will update this. Car has been running but another setback has postponed the finish a bit. The car would run and drive but ran like crap, it seemed that no tuning would affect the AFRs or timing and I was really at my wits end. Well I assumed that my ECU was crap and actually placed an order for a Haltech. Well then I got in touch with Enthalpy tech support and they informed me that my ECU was bad and is not reading from the EEPROMs correctly, well that went in the mail two days ago and should be back soon, let's hope that works. In the mean time here are some shots of the finished bay (until I relocated the fuse box), and the new steering wheel.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/IMG_2566.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/IMG_2567.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/IMG_2570.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Interior/IMG_2573.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Interior/IMG_2582.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Interior/IMG_2583.jpg

[hattrick3518]

damn don't know how i missed this, nice work, good luck on getting it back up and running nicely

[Colorado S14]

Pay better attention! lol. I want my hub to show up so I can install the wheel.

[lectritian]

Kudos for not ricing her out OP. Excellent build, and an over-all beautiful S-14. You make anyone who builds cars proud. See kids, thats how you do shit right!

[balyon85]

Kudos for not ricing her out OP. Excellent build, and an over-all beautiful S-14. You make anyone who builds cars proud. See kids, thats how you do shit right!

+1, that bay is super clean, glad you took a little time and made it look like the wads of cash you put into it.

[NisilS14]

nice to see this is finally put together blake! How do you have the breather setup? I see that one of the lines you tapped the stock bleeder port.

[Colorado S14]

Same as stock really, took of the stock breather bung welded a -8 fitting on there, then run that line to a catch can and then back into the intake tube.

[balyon85]

I like where you put the catch can, where did you get all the lines for it at?

Assuming you custom did the lines.

[Colorado S14]

I used all Earls Swivel Seal and Pro Lite hose on the car, I order all of my plumbing from anplumbing.com.
Setup includes:
2-aluminum -8 bungs male weld-on bungs $11
2-aluminum -8 to 3/8npt fittings $8
2-90 degree -8 SS fittings $42
1-45 degree -8 SS fitting $21
1-Straight -8 SS fitting $9
6 feet of -8 ProLite hose $41

Honestly, the Swivel Seal is pretty over kill for a car like mine, the Auto-Fit stuff is great too and probably would have saved me $100 on the whole plumbing setup, I am thinking I have maybe $600+ in to hoses and fittings alone.

[balyon85]

In the end it looks good though.

[hattrick3518]

thats a chunk of change

[maximus]

Awesome car for sure. Everything looks well thought out and and done very well. I love it.

And hey, We have the same shiftknob~! lol. Expect that little rubber MOMO to go BYEBYE eventually when heat from sun and driving gets to it tho :/ reglued it on twice and eventually said screw it =D

[Colorado S14]

Trying to get this up and running 100% getting close but still some tuning issues, and I need to paint the body kit. Here was my afternoon.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Exterior/IMG_2588.jpg
Click for Video:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/th_MVI_2586.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v98/ColoradoS14/240SX%20Engine/?action=view&current=MVI_2586.mp4)

[NisilS14]

fenders... sell them to me! they're off the car anyway. :D