View Full Version : SR20DET 180sx buying tips
Hey guys,
I'm looking at a 180sx at the moment and seriously considering buying it. It's completely stripped with a bolt in cage and a fairly standard engine. It's got a turbo timer and boost controller and the engine looks really clean.
The body on the car is amazing to be honest, you wouldn't think it's 20 years old. It hasn't been drifted on track before as it's a fresh build. I've driven it and drifted it and it feels and sounds great.
The 2-way diff makes no noise and the turbo is pretty quiet on it too. Everything in the car has a great 'new' feel about it. New seats, harnasses, everything you could want for a beginner drifter.
I'm seriously thinking about buying it. I just want to know if there's anything in particular that i should look out for with a 20 year old 180, any questions i should ask or whatever. You guys are the experts, and i appreciate your help.
Thanks in advance!
slithertooth
26-04-12, 17:33
Dude use the search button and go through a few of the issues brought up, pretty sure all will be covered and you'll learn a lot about them
Everything imaginable can go wrong with them there money pits but we still love them when there goin right it's luck of the draw lad just buy it an learn from your mistakes your goin to break it sooner or later no matter how mint it is
I had a search before i posted alright and couldn't find anything slithertooth. Can you maybe point me in the right direction?
Everything imaginable can go wrong? so are they not reliable or what?
180sx drifter
26-04-12, 18:54
If you can try and compression test the engine, that would be my main worry with any car tbh
I had a search before i posted alright and couldn't find anything slithertooth. Can you maybe point me in the right direction?
Everything imaginable can go wrong? so are they not reliable or what?
if your looking for reliability ya may as well forget about drifting bud,shit will go wrong with no matter what your drifting,be it a 2jz or an owl sierra,just buy it and drift it,compression test it for piece of mind
Haha yeah obviously I appreciate that things will go wrong, but I want as little as Possible to go wrong (don't we all?).
I looked at a car and it's ridiculously clean for a 20 year old car, and it's drift ready... Going to view it again tomorrow and just want to be sure because it's not a cheap car.
Do they rust in particular places? Any particular noises to listen out for?
SR's are very reliable when they are looked after and serviced regularly.. As for lookin at a 180.. If everything is as mint as you say you shouldn't have a problem... Just go through all the gears to make sure the box is good.. Compression test it to make sure you have a fairly fresh engine.. A compression test wont tell you everything but its a help.. If all that checks out and your reasonably happy with everything else take a chance on it.. Your bound to get a few problems over time but the world of parts are available for them and you'l find a solution for any problem you come across if you ask the experts on here..
In my opinion the fun you'l have will far out weigh the problems...
Buy er up!!
Doofer that's the type of answer I was looking for to be honest. I must get a compression test done so, I don't have a clue what that entails. Does that test provide a printout or what kind of metrics does it output?
slithertooth
27-04-12, 17:26
I had a search before i posted alright and couldn't find anything slithertooth. Can you maybe point me in the right direction?
Everything imaginable can go wrong? so are they not reliable or what?
Dude, your just being lazy . put in "problem 180sx " and there are pages filled with stuff, as with google!! Doing a compression test is normal when buying any performance car , not just related to 180sx. By reading up on problems you would get a much more in depth idea about problems that occur with them.
Doofer that's the type of answer I was looking for to be honest. I must get a compression test done so, I don't have a clue what that entails. Does that test provide a printout or what kind of metrics does it output?
Bring someone that knows a bit about them with you :eek:
Biggest thing is compression/ healthy engine, body does'nt mtter if your gonna drift it. Plenty of parts out there for them!!!!
silverbullitt
27-04-12, 18:17
Compression test on SR 20
Stock No 0121, Compression test for JDM SR20 VVL - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq159rAXL9U)
I must get a compression test done so, I don't have a clue what that entails. Does that test provide a printout or what kind of metrics does it output?
Just to add to Silverbullitts post above, this video should also give you a good idea about compression testing
Compression Testing and What You Can Learn From It - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_tbksFYhl4)
Thanks for these guys. I have driven a particular car and the engine is quite basic. It feels like it's making plenty of power and it's no problem getting it sideways. Is it worth doing a compression test even if the engine feels really responsive?
Thanks for these guys. I have driven a particular car and the engine is quite basic. It feels like it's making plenty of power and it's no problem getting it sideways. Is it worth doing a compression test even if the engine feels really responsive?
Yes do compression test does'nt matter how well it runs
Cool will do thanks for the advice bud I appreciate it.
What car is it someone might know it already
This one here: http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/rallycars/2625184
nikkisixx69
29-05-12, 19:29
This one here: http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/rallycars/2625184
that car has been for sale for nearly a year now if im correct. its overpriced imo as the spec isnt great , also i dont get whats so "professionally built" about it?? it has basic mods and a body kit , also looks like it has cheapo no name bucket seats in it.
if you hold out dude you will find something with better spec and a better price :) ( i know its hard when you have cash burning a hole in your pocket haha)
Thats for sale for the guts of a year at this stage!
I know it's overpriced. The seats are Cobra. He has put very little effort into the ad to be honest. The ad says it doesn't allow people to test it or anything, very offputting. Plus he's in Kerry and the pics are shocking. It has very few mods yeah, exactly what i want.
If I was to build one (or at least pay for it) I would get it done like this pretty much.
Would be interested if anyone has gone to see it other than me... I've been looking at others too and have been tempted, but I want something that I don't need to modify.
seanie R.33
29-05-12, 19:47
that predator motor sports car biggest gangsters out there!
I know it's overpriced. The seats are Cobra. He has put very little effort into the ad to be honest. The ad says it doesn't allow people to test it or anything, very offputting. Plus he's in Kerry and the pics are shocking. It has very few mods yeah, exactly what i want.
If I was to build one (or at least pay for it) I would get it done like this pretty much.
Would be interested if anyone has gone to see it other than me... I've been looking at others too and have been tempted, but I want something that I don't need to modify.
For a road car or track car??
seanie R.33
29-05-12, 19:49
why not buy sean180sx rb25 s14a in sale treads 1k cheeper and you can put on road if wanted!
why not buy sean180sx rb25 s14a in sale treads 1k cheeper and you can put on road if wanted!
Yeah that's a beautiful car alright. I did consider it, but I'm looking for something with a cage, fully stripped, buckets, harnasses, fire extinguishers, etc. No interest in putting it back on the road, I have a 520d as my daily. Doesn't work out any cheaper, I'm not too worried about the price.
I know about Predator's reputation. They sell good cars from what i read, although generally expensive. I've heard and read that their work can be over budget, and over time. Lots of people especially pissed off with the after sales service, he's very difficult to get ahold of.
dermot-r32
29-05-12, 20:35
that predator motor sports car biggest gangsters out there!
quoted for the truth!!! man you'l get a much better track car if your willing to wait
sean180sx s14 would be the car to get and strip it and do your own touchs to it imo!
quoted for the truth!!! man you'l get a much better track car if your willing to wait
sean180sx s14 would be the car to get and strip it and do your own touchs to it imo!
I know i probably can get something cheaper, but I don't have a shed to work on the car as I'm renting at the moment. I've been looking for the last 2 months, every day on donedeal and on here.
Nearly bought a n/a supra, Looked at ps13s, onvias, etc, and even looked at getting a V8 monster. Looked at american, 350z, 300zx, mx5s.
I'm getting a decent deal on it too, so don't worry about the finances.
The way i see it, if i start pumping money into a car i'll never stop. If i buy a car that's pretty complete, it will be less dangerous for my wallet in the long run :)
Thanks for the advice though guys, I hope this wont bite me in the ass but i don't really see how it could. I don't know how predator could have let it get this far that everyone dislikes them.
nikkisixx69
29-05-12, 21:23
The way i see it, if i start pumping money into a car i'll never stop. If i buy a car that's pretty complete, it will be less dangerous for my wallet in the long run :)
your gonna end up pumping a lot of money into that car so!
your gonna end up pumping a lot of money into that car so!
I don't really follow...
Cheers for the advice anyways.... I know a guy who will do all the work on it, including compression testing it.
I don't really follow...
Cheers for the advice anyways.... I know a guy who will do all the work on it, including compression testing it.
Ill give it to you straight my 180sx cost me around €2500 2 years ago pretty much bog standard, its still not finished and its probably standing me 10K plus when its mapped and sprayed maybe more, its been driven 3 times in 2 years haha :rolleyes: if you have deep pockets and more money than sense buy that 180sx, its by far cheaper to buy a car with spec than build a drift car, If its a full on track drift car and you have cash learn to be patient :wink: the money mine stands me is without labour and favors where done on things like diff and extra lock hubs and if it wasnt for derk tommy and the rest of the lads helping out it would have been broke long ago!!
Thats all the advice i can give you fella, up to you if you choose to pay any attention to it, theres a 180sx drift car on here for sale frankie owns it, by far a better buy if you have money in ur pocket, there was a ps13 for sale in cork last week fella on here owns it, was decent spec all bits you need to start out for 3.5k
Essay over haha
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3401792
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3380179 Silly spec for the money and a gearbox you wont need to replace every few drift days
Finished car http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/rallycars/3322362 tip away as you need when it breaks sumthing!
:) Good essay though to be fair!
I'm only a beginner, want something safe, want something that looks decent (i know that wont last), something with enough power to get me sideways (200-250bhp).
I don't need anything that that car doesn't already have, that's why I reckon i'll only ever 'need' to spend money replacing bits that break. I know that i'll put my stamp on it over time, I just reckon that this car is perfect as I don't have a shed and I want to get started ASAP. I've been pretty patiently watching the market for the past 2 months.
I don't have a circle of friends who live locally who can help me out easily (I live in Kerry). I think over time that will become easier.
I think I am paying attention to advice, other than the car being overpriced and the obvious warnings about the seller, I think it's a good solid car that suits all my needs.
That finished car is unreal, but over my budget, and surplus to what a beginner like me could handle i'd say.
As i said, very tempted by the RB25 S14 but it would need additional investment to make it the way i want it.
i think your goin down the right road to start with like all the boys on here are saying no matter wat you do drifting will cost you but if you start like you are starting buying a reasonably built car with seats cage harnesses hydro and boost controller and turbo timer and a standard engine you should have somthing to learn in that will cost dam all over a year or so until you decied to start modifying it but a standard 180 is plenty to start with and when you need more power you can slowly build up a few things like feul pump turbo and after market management slowly or as funds allow then fit it and get the yoke mapped. as for things to watch for noiesy diffs dodgy gearboxes make sure it takes all gears easyly and is not hopping out of any gears as for the engine do a compression test if it is a red top or a non vvt black top make sure the sump is straight with no dents as the oil pick up is very close to the bottom of the sump and a dented sump can restrict oil pressure and cause big problems find out is it mapped for irish feul and if not you will have to use a good octane booster in your feul or get race feul for it till you get it mapped for irish feul i think jap yokes are set up for 101 or 102 octane feul and irish is 95 doesnt sound a lot but it means a lot to have it right when the car is flat out on track after that its just up to you to keep it maintained well well serviced with good oil like titan pro r 15w50 previously silkolene thats what i use good plugs the likes of ngk platinuim or iridium plugs not sure of plug codes but can find out hope this helps
fantastic advice too man thanks a lot.
It's mapped for octane boost, but I have budgetted to get it mapped after i buy it. Again, taking the reputation of the seller into account, I think that I need to have a good map on it. It's probably fine, but i want to be sure. I think i'll map it for normal 95 octane. Getting huge power isn't of major concern to me... yet... :)
The diff is very quiet on this, it's brand new. Gearbox feels smooth and takes hard accelleration in its stride, as well as downshifts so not worried about that. Haven't checked the sump specifically, although when i had a look under it it all seemed in order.
Again really great advice, thanks guys...
fantastic advice too man thanks a lot.
It's mapped for octane boost, but I have budgetted to get it mapped after i buy it. Again, taking the reputation of the seller into account, I think that I need to have a good map on it. It's probably fine, but i want to be sure. I think i'll map it for normal 95 octane. Getting huge power isn't of major concern to me... yet... :)
The diff is very quiet on this, it's brand new. Gearbox feels smooth and takes hard accelleration in its stride, as well as downshifts so not worried about that. Haven't checked the sump specifically, although when i had a look under it it all seemed in order.
Again really great advice, thanks guys...
Mapped for octane boost :confused: You really should take someone off here that knows these cars with you fella, throw them a few quid im sure the kerry lads would help you out, that particular car is way over priced for todays market and has small enough spec for the money.. Your budgeting for mapping so thats €690 for a nistune or about €800-900 for pfc you'll get around 270-280 bhp with the T25 turbo.
Makes the other cars i linked look far better again, the RB S14 would have that power without touching it, franks car is the finished thing for prob 1k-1200 more with all the bits you could need.
Im far from handy at working on my own yolk fella and without the help and advice ive gotten off mates/certin lads on here id be forking out a fortune to do what ive done.
If your not handy at working on cars it'll break your heart and wallet to build that 180, and if you get fed up with it you will lose easily 2000 euro or more when you sell it :eek: I know im going on here but you should really consider the money involved in drifting/building a yolk if you cant do alot of the work urself/with mates, id hate to see any lad lose a chunk of cash just cause a car looks nice, it wont after a drift day or 2 either way :cool:
Also the handling is every bit as important as bhp, adjustable arms all round, good coilovers, modifying the subframe hubs wishbones ect for lock.
Dunno if this is still for sale http://www.driftireland.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28306
Best of luck with whatever you go for!
dermot-r32
30-05-12, 13:21
its fairly obvious you have your heart set on that 180 man.
the boys here are giving you the best info ive seen in a very long time.
its up to you what you do with your money and what you buy BUt if it was me.id be taking stevos advise very strongly!
best of luck whatever you decided to do and get a build thread up :p
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