First car is S13 and advice will help

[bradturner1996]

I just got my first car, a 93 S13 hatch. I have dreamed about when I would finally get it and it's here. I plan to do an sr20 swap but am a little short on funds at the moment, any advice on anything at all really will be helpful

[Imojsimpsun]

Weld your rear end. suspension. Lots of tires. Drift car. Oh and dont do an sr, their way too overrated for the output imo. Ka-t or rb. Either way youve got some money ahead of you.

[zooopreme]

Welcome to the community where your car will either get jacked, be on jack stands 80% of you owning it, and/or your car will become your new money pit. Some dream you've got there, eh?

Originally Posted by Imojsimpsun

Weld your rear end. suspension. Lots of tires. Drift car. Oh and dont do an sr, their way too overrated for the output imo. Ka-t or rb. Either way youve got some money ahead of you.

And meh, I agree with this guy except for the welded diff. Get yourself a real differential.

[feito]

fix any leaks it has, replace all the fluids, make sure all your electronics work properly, take care of your worn out suspension including shocks and every worn out bushing, get good tires for it. Then u should be ready to drive it on the st and get used to it!

[s13ka24e]

Why go rb or sr? Get a 1uzfe easy swap plus... Its a v8 lol and will cost about the same as an sr and he is right your car will be on stands most of the day! Good luck broooo

[oni jake]

Originally Posted by bradturner1996

I just got my first car, a 93 S13 hatch. I have dreamed about when I would finally get it and it's here. I plan to do an sr20 swap but am a little short on funds at the moment, any advice on anything at all really will be helpful

Yo man, what are you planning on doing with the car? If in 5 years you see yourself driving a perfectly restored S13, then I would start by investing money to keep it running perfect for now.

If you want to drift it and be drift king in 5 years, then just get a welded rear end and get to the nearest event! From there, make friends, idolize the dudes are doing good, and buy parts that come cheap to you. If drifting is the goal, I can't stress enough to go participate in events and learn first hand what is important to you.

Keep it cool with a KA for now, when you need the motor upgrade, then look into it. SR's may be cheap, but it will nickel and dime you for so much more unseen expenses.

[bradturner1996]

Okay the car runs fine now and I drive it daily so it's in good shape. Yes I do plan on drifting so is it better to just weld the diff or is it worth it to go limited slip? And I want an sr20 because I can't afford an rb and a ka-t I've heard cant handle much past 400rwhp. Also should I start with getting coil overs and suspension or power under the hood?

[Corey121]

Originally Posted by zooopreme

Welcome to the community where your car will either get jacked, be on jack stands 80% of you owning it, and/or your car will become your new money pit. Some dream you've got there, eh?.

ISnt this the Truest statement ever, not only has my car been on ramp the major part of its life since iv owned it after i went ka-t its been nothing but a money pit, its currently been down for that last year with a new forged rebuild lol, have fun. Sr20's break rocker arms and ka-t breaks everything else but there still a blast.

[bunny13]

Originally Posted by bradturner1996

Okay the car runs fine now and I drive it daily so it's in good shape. Yes I do plan on drifting so is it better to just weld the diff or is it worth it to go limited slip? And I want an sr20 because I can't afford an rb and a ka-t I've heard cant handle much past 400rwhp. Also should I start with getting coil overs and suspension or power under the hood?

Depends on what kind of KA-T. Stock internal ones have held higher than 400 and fully built KA-T's have surpassed the 1000whp mark. As for the diff, a good limited slip will cost you a good chunk of money. A welded diff is cheap but can be noisy and eats up tires. You're just going to burn them off anyways though right?

[nissanfreak317]

Definitely focus on getting any rust taken care of, then suspension work.

As for the engine, I know that it's easy to want a super high horsepower car, but not only are they more expensive and less reliable, they are more expensive and less reliable. Figure out what you want to use the car for first, then decide how much you're willing to spend. You can have a really fun 240 with an SR with mild modifications putting down 250-300 whp and it will be tons cheaper than trying to make 600-800 whp.

[Z33dori]

ya i don't car what you wanna do with the car, or what swap you want.

Definitely start the build off replacing all of the suspension components 1st

[tougefactory]

Originally Posted by Z33dori

ya i don't car what you wanna do with the car, or what swap you want.

Definitely start the build off replacing all of the suspension components 1st

Agreed.

AND brakes, a good set of brakes will come in handy from time to time haha. On any of my personal cars I always start with the brakes, you'd be surprised by how much confidence in your car you will have once you get some decent braking power.

[MrSanchez925]

maintenance, maintenance, maintenance!!!

get your car running properly and reliable first. then start modding it.

whats the point of having a cool looking/modded car if it doesn't run?

[bradturner1996]

The car runs fine, and there is no rust. Im thinking of getting coilovers and 300zx brakes, is this reccomended? and Im most likely going KA-T simply because Im 16 and between school and sports I dont have time for a full time job

[s13ka24e]

Yeah get 300zx brakes with a 5 lug swap and you'll be balling! Make sure you rebuild your ka before you turbo it

[bradturner1996]

Should I go ahead with forged internals?

[s13ka24e]

Yeah if you're looking for serouis power if you're gunna run like 7psi the kade internals should handle fine.
KA-T.org - The Home of 1000+ whp/7 sec Turbo KA's go here! Should have all the awnsers to your questions good luck and dont blow the engine up haha

[TwistnItSideways]

before drifting it get used to daily driving it to get the feel of the car, then weld your diff get coilovers and beef up your KA its a great motor to learn the basics on.

[bradturner1996]

Alright, how would y'all reccomend how to learn how to drift?

[Junior x]

Seat time. Seat time.seat time.
That's the only way

[Umbys]

Originally Posted by bradturner1996

Alright, how would y'all reccomend how to learn how to drift?

You can start by drifting in gran turismo .......... They obviously told you to go to events in the past few post ....

[Darren]

KA has plenty of grunt to drift, especially with a welded diff...

If you modify your engine, and make it unreliable, you won't get any seat time and you'll be a sad DOMO....

Listen to the others...

1. Maintenance items - oil & filter, distributor cap & rotor, ground leads (very important), spark plugs, other fluids, etc..
2. Coilovers & sway bar links (20+ year old car, they're always toast)
3. brakes - j30/q45 calipers with z31 rear brackets / s13 calipers & altima rotors
4. adjustable suspension arms
5. If you plan on drifting it... and driving it on the street, you may want to spring for a decent 1.5 / 2 way aftermarket differential, that way you won't be dragging your ass all over town and attracting unwanted attention (cops), otherwise if cost is an issue (it usually is), then just weld it.
6. Bucket (Bride, Sparco, etc) seat for at least driver
7. Bushing replacement (rear subframe, suspension points, etc)


Of course you want to be checking & replacing all the little things you find wrong while you do all that... like electronics, etc.....

Then, and only then, once you've got control over the car and can slide it with confidence, do you need more power...

Good luck, young padewan

[bradturner1996]

Does anyone know any good road courses in NC that I can even get seat time in because I sure don't know any

[240sxluver4life]

Best advice. Buy another car. Its impossible to do what you want to your daily.

Also if you want to drift. Put a v8 in it. Torque is king.

5.3 vortec engines can be had for 500-1000 dollars with harness and ecu.

And the final piece, stop wasting your time and everyone elses posting threads like this. If you want to do something do your own research since almost everything has been covered, use your local dealerships as a resource for wiring diagrams and other stuff you need since the dealership will always be right.

Forged Ka-t $3,000 by the time you get the longblock built.
Plus turbo, wg, etc etc and on 20 psi hope for 400whp. And you'll still blow it up

Lm7 with harness ecu all shit (I paid 700 for mine)
T56 6speed 1500
Ls manifest and misc parts and a cam. 800
Torque for days. Clutch kick in 4th and get wheelslip.....

Idk you choose but I've gone both routes

[fliprayzin240sx]

Originally Posted by bradturner1996

Does anyone know any good road courses in NC that I can even get seat time in because I sure don't know any

Driftwater in Myock NC. Look into VADriven and see when the next event might be.

[bradturner1996]

I'll definitely check out driftwater thanks

[1fastser]

Learn how to drive well before you go out drifting into curbs and walls...repair leaks/electrical, add some 300z brakes and suspension bushings...daily drive, go to school, and save your money!

[itsjustdaphne]

Originally Posted by zooopreme

Welcome to the community where your car will either get jacked, be on jack stands 80% of you owning it, and/or your car will become your new money pit. Some dream you've got there, eh?

Almost made that my sig.