1992 RMKS13 restoration/build

[mav1178]

This post will be edited as I add to thread.

What it looked like when I took delivery of it on September 10, 2020:



After being away from the 240SX for several years, I picked up a low mileage, good condition 1992 240SX w/ Super HICAS in the middle of 2020.

This thread will serve as my restoration + build thread. Not really building anything, but there's a lot of small things to fix...

• 1992 Model Year
• Canadian-spec vehicle
• 92,601km (57,875mi) upon entry into California
• RMKS13 - 240SX SE hatchback w/ handling package (Super HICAS, VLSD, etc)

Current list of problems to fix on the car include:

• Original owner of the car purchased the handling package w/ automatic transmission, however the second owner of the car did a manual conversion sort of half-assed. It's not done well and I am in the process of fixing it all.
• Surface rust on suspension components and subframe need to be cleaned up.
• Rear hatch spoiler needs to be fixed.
• Three spots of rust need to be fixed, one is next to strut tower in engine bay. Other major one is battery tray.
• Cassette head unit does not play cassette tapes.

More pictures to follow...




Added Aug 15:

Finally got around to resizing and uploading some pictures.

The car was low mileage, but being in a snowy climate it was not immune from surface rust on suspension/drivetrain/exhaust, as well as a couple of common rust spots.

3-ish places of rust needs to be fixed, and it is my intention to do it right all the way through.

Rust spots:

• Under rear hatch spoiler
• Driver's side strut tower (spot rust under body seam)
• Passenger side rear wheel well edge
• Battery tray

My friend Makito at Seven Apple (body shop) is confident he can fix all the areas without having to remove/repaint other major panels. I will probably have him fix the paint/respray/refinish the exterior but it's mostly as needed as we go along. Will leave it as-is for now, the rust isn't spreading and I haven't driven the car in months.





November 18 2020:

Installed Hella H4 conversion headlights. Still the best mod you can do upgrading from stock 6054 halogens...



Before...




After...


November 20 2020:

Replaced the 30 year old tension rod bushings with Nismo units, since that's what is left. Will swap to actual Nismo S13 tension rod later when I am ready to do the remaining suspension work.







December 4 2020:

As you can see, there's a fair amount of surface rust on the underside. Thankfully the chassis overall is good, every rust spot is an area where I can clean it up or fix.

• Replaced the Luk clutch kit + unknown flywheel that was on the car with a factory Nissan unit (resurfaced) and Exedy OEM replacement clutch
• Also replaced with all new hardware for flywheel/clutch pressure plate bolts.
• Replaced original downpipe/catalytic converter with a cleaner unit off a donor S13 convertible.
• Replaced rusted stock exhaust with a cleaner, mostly rust-free unit purchased locally.

Replaced stock downpipe gaskets + catalytic converter gaskets.



Stock exhaust rusted vs a cleaner version:


March 28, 2022:

A few things done since the last update:

Ordered a VIS Racing OE replacement rear wing. I plan on using this as a base to restore the factory rear spoiler, and also fixing the rust. The VIS Racing wing is surprisingly close to stock in terms of shape:








Also had the stock injectors cleaned and had new hardware installed. These are now the most perfect flowing factory injectors I have ever owned...

[Thursday7]

This is going to be good.

[tuzzio]

Looking to see what you do with this, with the resources you have at hand.

[S13project]

Gotta be cleanest interior I've ever seen

[s1421]

In for the updates

[gzus9]

cant wait to see the progress.

[DiscountPirate]

Fixing up the manual swap should be easy, all the info is out there. If the cassette doesn't play it could just use a good cleaning of the motor and full logic buttons.

[Alex Mcknz]

It looks clean, seems like the previous owner knows how to take good care of a car.

[mav1178]

I can finally start this project... submitted paperwork for California DMV foreign import process the first week of November, plates issued this week!

[Persona]

Man oh man, cant wait to see updates. This thing looks clean!

[brndck]

wow. total dick move teasing us with just that one interior pic

[mav1178]

Finally got around to resizing and uploading some pictures.

The car was low mileage, but being in a snowy climate it was not immune from surface rust on suspension/drivetrain/exhaust, as well as a couple of common rust spots.

3-ish places of rust needs to be fixed, and it is my intention to do it right all the way through.

Rust spots:

• Under rear hatch spoiler
• Driver's side strut tower (spot rust under body seam)
• Passenger side rear wheel well edge
• Battery tray

My friend Makito at Seven Apple (body shop) is confident he can fix all the areas without having to remove/repaint other major panels. I will probably have him fix the paint/respray/refinish the exterior but it's mostly as needed as we go along. Will leave it as-is for now, the rust isn't spreading and I haven't driven the car in months.





November 18 2020:

Installed Hella H4 conversion headlights. Still the best mod you can do upgrading from stock 6054 halogens...



Before...




After...


November 20 2020:

Replaced the 30 year old tension rod bushings with Nismo units, since that's what is left. Will swap to actual Nismo S13 tension rod later when I am ready to do the remaining suspension work.







December 4 2020:

As you can see, there's a fair amount of surface rust on the underside. Thankfully the chassis overall is good, every rust spot is an area where I can clean it up or fix.

• Replaced the Luk clutch kit + unknown flywheel that was on the car with a factory Nissan unit (resurfaced) and Exedy OEM replacement clutch
• Also replaced with all new hardware for flywheel/clutch pressure plate bolts.
• Replaced original downpipe/catalytic converter with a cleaner unit off a donor S13 convertible.
• Replaced rusted stock exhaust with a cleaner, mostly rust-free unit purchased locally.

Replaced stock downpipe gaskets + catalytic converter gaskets.



Stock exhaust rusted vs a cleaner version:


More updates later as I sort pics and clean up things.

[mav1178]

A few things done since the last update:

Ordered a VIS Racing OE replacement rear wing. I plan on using this as a base to restore the factory rear spoiler, and also fixing the rust. The VIS Racing wing is surprisingly close to stock in terms of shape:








Also had the stock injectors cleaned and had new hardware installed. These are now the most perfect flowing factory injectors I have ever owned...