180sx CA18DET Drift Build

[jameshendricken]

Never done a build thread before so here goes nothing…

Started off drifting with a 323 e36 coupe. Had 2 or 3 very near misses at auto heroes a few weeks before I was due to do a fitness test for my new job so that was my queue to give drifting a rest for a little while. I sold the e36 and in February '17 I bought a uk spec 200sx. It came with a few nice bits on it like Tien coilovers and driftworks/ ikeaya formula adjustable suspension, a full turbo-back exhaust, over fenders etc.
So that got delivered to my house the day I stared the new job which for the next few weeks was going to be 9-5 so all work will be done at the weekends.


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On closer inspection the whole shell, being a uk spec, was full of rust. Time for a plan B…

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[jameshendricken]

I came across a relatively clean 180sx shell on facebook which had a full idc spec weld in cage and the front cut for tube framing. There was only minor surface rust on it with no structural rust at all. Managed to pick it up for a few hundred quid.

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I transferred the doors and boot lid across from the 200sx to get the interior water tight. I then got to work treating the rust in the engine bay and with some light sanding I had the rust gone and gave it a quick lick of Halfords appliance white.

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[jameshendricken]

I started working on getting the shell rolling. I dropped the rear subframe out of the 200sx in one go and wheeled it up to the 180sx thinking it would be a straight forward bolt on affair. It was not. The subframe had aluminium bushings and with all the arms and hubs still on it made it a nightmare to line up and manoeuvre into place but after a full Saturday I managed to get the rear subframe finally bolted up.

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On the sunday I pulled the full front running gear out of the 200sx. I just dropped the engine down on the subrframe with everything attached. Bit awkward lining everything up but worked much easier than the rear.

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[jameshendricken]

Picked up a body kit for it, painted the roof black and picked up a set of +25mm front wings.

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Big dirty front mount and braided clutch and brake lines.

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[jameshendricken]

Picked up a welded 3.6 (I think) diff and shafts.

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Tracked down a clean bonnet in matching white. Painted up the body kit and blue door to match up with the rest of the car.

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Cars loaded up to be sent to Andrew Kenna (Cant recommend enough) to get the tube front end done. Got him to fit the bonnet pins and modify and fit the exhaust while he had it there.

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Picked up a five stud conversion. S14 fronts and r32 rears. Front knuckles modified of course!

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[jameshendricken]

Car came back from Andrew Kenna and It was looking More like a drift car. Couldn’t have been happier with it.25.jpg
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[jameshendricken]

Made up some brackets for the rear anti-roll bars and a switch panel.

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[Ptank]

Nice build. I have to say I like the idea you kept the ca. You can blow up. Quiet a few of them for the price of an Sr20

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

[lady89]

Liking this build! had a good few giggles whilst reading it too ha

Think its a cool idea to keep the CA! I used to have a 200sx for a while too and loved the CA in it, can take some abuse too (considering there is oil in it ha)

[jameshendricken]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Hoping to have the car ready for auto heroes in a few weeks.

Just a quick update on the car while I'm bored in work.

Fitted the new lights there the other day. Some cheap b&q brackets and some Epoxy and I had them on briefly. In hindsight the epoxy was a bad choice as it was too rigid and just snapped off. Bit of double sided tape held them on way better than the epoxy. You live you learn...

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There was a slight coolant leak which on closer inspection seemed to be coming from the water pump. So for the sake of 30 odd quid on Micksgarage I grabbed a new pump and a new thermostat while I was at it so at least the cooling system is all freshened up.


Now to address the slop in the steering. I swapped out both tie rod ends for new ones just for the sake of it as one side was totally wanked, or so I thought. To my joy, the slop was still there. So after a quick panic about thinking I needed a new rack I had another look. My drivers side inner tie rod was shot. Back to micksgarage so. I had nice Ikeya Formula tie rods on it but I couldn't find a replacement inner joint so I picked up an oem spec for 12 quid. Best bang for buck in my opinion as the s14s are around 3 times the price, and Id rather by 3 12mm inners at 12 quid and just wait until they all break. Kind of like the ca to sr thing really.

Steering is now the tightest I've ever seen on any car. very precise. Just needs good alignment now and it should be good for Mondello.

If anyone wants to see a few more photos and a few videos of the car my instgram is Jamesh2501. Give it a follow if you feel like.