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| Current best dyno power figure: |
| 218.7 kw @ rear wheels |
| Current best quarter mile: |
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15.0 seconds @ 98mph |
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| Current best dyno power figure: |
| 218.7 kw @ rear wheels |
| Current best quarter mile: |
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15.0 seconds @ 98mph |
| Advertisement: |
The exterior of the 180sx is something constantly changing, therfore this page seeks only to provide the latest photos of the car and describe changes made.
Upon Purchase
The car came with no bodykit or even aftermarket wheels, instead equipped with a set of CA18 model S13 wheels, at 15x6 inches with very nasty 195/65R15 tyres.
Fitting of Wheels Previously on the Silvia
Saved for the new car, the wheels went on a treat, complenting the lines of the car nicely.
Removal of the Rear Spoiler
This was the first step taken towards the end goal of a complete respray. First the factory spoiler was removed to reveal some nasty corrosion, which was cut out with an angle grinder. Next the holes were filled with bog from both sides and sanded smooth until flush. It was discovered at this stage that the factory high rise brake light and the rear window wiper had been previously deleted.
Fitment of an Aftermarket Front Bar and Side Skirts
Next came a very aggressive front bar from www.japanesemotorsports.com.au named the "Cat Scoop" was chosen over a Nismo copy front bar due to its large front opening perfect for a large front mount intercooler. This retails for $495 new and is made from fibreglass, as are the s13 side skirts purchased new for $250. JMS threw in freight for free too. Initial fitment was overwhelming as the front bar was the fattest bumper ever seen! Trying to get it out the driveway soon showed that it was way too low to ever be driveable, so the angle grinder was produced and some trimming performed. An old can of green spray paint was found to cover the bumper, boot lid and sideskirts until the entire painting of the car was commenced.
Further Trimming of the Front Bar
Unfortunately the front bar was still too low and was damaged several times resulting in cracks and missing pieces. The decision was made to cut off the rest of the protruding lip. It was hoped that the 180sx would then regain its former smoothness around the front quarter but retain some of the aggressiveness of the aftermarket bumper. I am glad to say that I feel this was achieved. The first row of pictures show before and after.
Switching Back to the Factory Bumper for the Intercooler
The factory front bar was reinstatd in an effort to achieve a more subtle and tough Japanese look that I felt the car ha lost with the aftermarket front bar. so the factory item was reinstalled with the appropriate trimming neccessary to fit over the intercooler. The non factory opening already in the bumper was enlarge with an angle grinder to allow the best airflow to the core. Also to encourage a clean look the two bottom opening were modified with the angle grinder to remove the flat faces where the factory trimming vents normally sit. The number plate was bolted up onto the left hand side where it sat on the 'cat scoop' front bar, and the right hand side opening with form the basis for a cold air induction pickup.
One annoying thing is the missing plastic panel panel that sits just in front of the front wheel, shown below by the black area where the part is vacant. A strange occurance too was that the factory bumper did not want to fit at all onto the original mounts at the front of the car. In the end the only way was mount it was to use spacers to lift the entire thing. Still as can be seen from the panel gap between the bonnet and the bumper, it is not sitting right.
The Matt Black Paintjob
The first stage...
Side skirts painting.
Front bar painting.
This is what happens when you hook up a compressed air feed to the paint feed on the spraygun while somehow managing to have the nozzle pointing at the item you are painting...
The new silver guard was obtained from MYS013 from SilviaNSW, as well as the piece of trim on the opposite side. Thanks very much James for your honesty. The right hand picture is of the lower mounting point of the guard. Mangled is a nice way to describe it, I had to beat it partly straight just to unscrew the old guard. Things like this are proof of the cars authentic drift heritage.
And that how it looks at the moment, and will so until my next break from uni. At least the intercooler looks good...
New Rear Wheels
Thanks go to DumHed from Silvia NSW for his generosity in the price for these wheels. They are 16x7 inches and are marked PIAA. If anyone has further information on these then please email it to me. Unfortunately they would not fit on the front so no go for all four, the tyre fouled on the spring of the coilovers. One day I will get around to actually washing the numbers from Eastern Creek off the window...
Proof of Not Having an Accident
Maybe pointless but here is a pic that proves the silver guard was not acquired because of an accident. The old green guard is here in the condition that made me want to swap it, how it had always been.
