04-06-2008, 10:54 PM
Haha, what a cool title :-)
So, as many of you know that were at the car show this weekend, I have acquired yet another vehicle (this makes #14 I think). This was purchased solely with the intent on saving money at the gas pump, as keeping diesel in the truck at 16mpg (on a good week) is eating me alive.
My parameters for the car were that it needed to be fuel efficient, manual transmission, relatively fun to drive, and the price had to be right (read: very low).
I got a great deal on this 1993 Nissan NX, a close cousin to the famed Nissan SE-R; essentially the same chassis in hatchback form. Many people dislike these cars because of their looks and automatically discount them without looking at what hides beneath the skin. From the side I think they look fantastic, one of the best looking hatches around, but I will concede that the light treatment from the front and rear are both a little odd.
My particular specimen has been very well maintained and it can tell. It comes equipped with a JDM SR20DE (failed crank bearings, killed the stock motor) which is essentially no different from the original. When the new engine was installed, it received new engine mounts as well as a lightweight flywheel and upgraded clutch from JGY Customs. It is also sporting an SS Autochrome header, 2.5" test pipe, and the stock catback exhaust. A little more power is coming from the HKS intake, but the car also came with a stock intake w/ K&N filter. Handling is being controlled with a set of KYB AGX shocks mated to a set of Hypercoil progressive springs, with a little extra support from front and rear strut tower bars.
Now, every older car has its issues, and certainly this is no exception. It got into a bit of a cat fight, so the driver side door and fender need a little massaging, but it still operates just fine. As many other B13s out there, the idle surges when the motor is cold. On the plus side, the T-tops do not have any leaks and are in great shape, including their storage bag. Another huge plus is that there is zero rust anywhere on the frame, rocker panels, A-pillars, and door jambs, which are all major rust points on the B13 chassis. Finally, when the car is cold, the clutch is a little picky about engagement, which would probably be remedied by the replacement of the pilot and throwout bearings, which will also be a good chance to replace the rear main seal (might as well while you're in there).
First impression are that this car is going to be an absolute blast. I'm hoping that the fuel economy is as good as it's rated for, but it's an absolute joy to drive. The suspension is fairly compliant, while giving a moderate amount of feedback; I'll explore this further as I get to drive it more and get more comfortable. The engine is lacking in torque in the lower RPMs, but absolutely screams anywhere above 4000 RPMs; this is exactly how my old SE-R felt, except the NX feels much faster due to having more power goodies.
I don't really have any plans for the car other than keeping it maintained and enjoying driving it. It is probably inevitable that it will see some autoX time and perhaps a track day, but those aren't really where I'm focusing this car. I may add a JWT Popcharger to try to get a little extra power on the intake side, and perhaps have an exhaust fabbed up (or buy a JGY unit) to try to uncork the power being bottlenecked by the stock exhaust. The suspension is probably exactly what I want, but I'll be keeping my eyes open for good deals on a set of sway bars or an LCA brace. Fixing the door and fender would also be higher on the list, which would probably encourage me to try my hand at a homemade paint booth and spraying the car.
Anyways, that's my introduction to round 2 of my time with a B13 chassis; now on with some pics...
Coming home
![[Image: DSCI0039.jpg]](http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/93anthracite/93%20NX/DSCI0039.jpg)
Nuclear powerplant?
![[Image: DSCI0031.jpg]](http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/93anthracite/93%20NX/DSCI0031.jpg)
Mmmmmmm
![[Image: DSCI0057.jpg]](http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/93anthracite/93%20NX/DSCI0057.jpg)
![[Image: DSCI0054.jpg]](http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/93anthracite/93%20NX/DSCI0054.jpg)
So, as many of you know that were at the car show this weekend, I have acquired yet another vehicle (this makes #14 I think). This was purchased solely with the intent on saving money at the gas pump, as keeping diesel in the truck at 16mpg (on a good week) is eating me alive.
My parameters for the car were that it needed to be fuel efficient, manual transmission, relatively fun to drive, and the price had to be right (read: very low).
I got a great deal on this 1993 Nissan NX, a close cousin to the famed Nissan SE-R; essentially the same chassis in hatchback form. Many people dislike these cars because of their looks and automatically discount them without looking at what hides beneath the skin. From the side I think they look fantastic, one of the best looking hatches around, but I will concede that the light treatment from the front and rear are both a little odd.
My particular specimen has been very well maintained and it can tell. It comes equipped with a JDM SR20DE (failed crank bearings, killed the stock motor) which is essentially no different from the original. When the new engine was installed, it received new engine mounts as well as a lightweight flywheel and upgraded clutch from JGY Customs. It is also sporting an SS Autochrome header, 2.5" test pipe, and the stock catback exhaust. A little more power is coming from the HKS intake, but the car also came with a stock intake w/ K&N filter. Handling is being controlled with a set of KYB AGX shocks mated to a set of Hypercoil progressive springs, with a little extra support from front and rear strut tower bars.
Now, every older car has its issues, and certainly this is no exception. It got into a bit of a cat fight, so the driver side door and fender need a little massaging, but it still operates just fine. As many other B13s out there, the idle surges when the motor is cold. On the plus side, the T-tops do not have any leaks and are in great shape, including their storage bag. Another huge plus is that there is zero rust anywhere on the frame, rocker panels, A-pillars, and door jambs, which are all major rust points on the B13 chassis. Finally, when the car is cold, the clutch is a little picky about engagement, which would probably be remedied by the replacement of the pilot and throwout bearings, which will also be a good chance to replace the rear main seal (might as well while you're in there).
First impression are that this car is going to be an absolute blast. I'm hoping that the fuel economy is as good as it's rated for, but it's an absolute joy to drive. The suspension is fairly compliant, while giving a moderate amount of feedback; I'll explore this further as I get to drive it more and get more comfortable. The engine is lacking in torque in the lower RPMs, but absolutely screams anywhere above 4000 RPMs; this is exactly how my old SE-R felt, except the NX feels much faster due to having more power goodies.
I don't really have any plans for the car other than keeping it maintained and enjoying driving it. It is probably inevitable that it will see some autoX time and perhaps a track day, but those aren't really where I'm focusing this car. I may add a JWT Popcharger to try to get a little extra power on the intake side, and perhaps have an exhaust fabbed up (or buy a JGY unit) to try to uncork the power being bottlenecked by the stock exhaust. The suspension is probably exactly what I want, but I'll be keeping my eyes open for good deals on a set of sway bars or an LCA brace. Fixing the door and fender would also be higher on the list, which would probably encourage me to try my hand at a homemade paint booth and spraying the car.
Anyways, that's my introduction to round 2 of my time with a B13 chassis; now on with some pics...
Coming home
Nuclear powerplant?
Mmmmmmm
![[Image: guillaumebrahimi_narrowweb__300x450,0.jpg]](http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/03/28/guillaumebrahimi_narrowweb__300x450,0.jpg)
You know, I have a magazine article on budget-boosting the SR20DE for like...a grand...just FYI. Keep us updated with a log of all the weird looks/comments you get about that car!
