Well, I picked up my first FD this morning! I'm super excited, as I've always wanted one of these cars since I was a kid. I was a huge Gran Turismo fan growing up (I've played them since the first one) and it has been a goal of mine to have my very own "Gran Turismo" garage with all the cool cars I enjoyed racing in the game. I've mostly been into Nissans over the years, and currently have an R32 GTR, S14 race car, and an S13 I haven't decided what to do with. But an FD has always been one of the top cars on my list to own (and keep). I had an opportunity to grab a project for pretty inexpensive, so I made it happen, especially with prices seemingly going up lately.

The car is a '93 hardtop base manual with no engine/trans or front bumper (hood needs repair or replacement). Lots of parts missing, and even more parts removed but thrown in boxes; or in the car itself. Previous owner was planning on painting the car soon, but they decided they needed to focus on other priorities, so they sold it to me. I want to keep the car a rotary, so I am looking into a new 13B-REW setup to throw in (used or new, really depends on what I can source). My goals are fairly modest, about 350whp give or take (just a ballpark, I don't set exact power goals) on a single turbo, mild cosmetic upgrades w/ new paint, great suspension/tires/brakes, and just enjoy it in the mountains and street class track days. I road race my S14 so I don't really need (or can afford) two full-on race cars. Also, I'm knee-deep into my S14 build right now, so the FD will sit for a bit until I get that car on the track.

Anyways, here are some initial pics of the starting point:

 

Nice find. It looks really clean. Sounds like you have your life together. This car is going to love it's new life with you. 350hp is so easily obtained with a 13brew it's crazy. You can almost just put a catback and be at 900whp.......... exaggerating of course. A gt35r would be perfect. Then just do the supporting mods and you're on your way. You'll find very quickly that people here like to suggest the latest and most cutting edge parts for even the simplest of builds. If you have the coin then efr/gtx but it's soooOOo0ooOoOo unnecessary. Seems as though you want modest and reliable power. A gt35r as the foundation for a build plan will put you right where you want to be.

My other fd had ia gt35r and 350whp is what it put down on 14lbs. Lots of fun and the boost was always there when i demanded it. From 3k to when i decided to shift was boost. Even though it's going to be a while before you work on the car, you may want to get a plan together for what direction you want to go with everything.

 

Thanks! I hope I can give the car the new breath of life it deserves!

I do have the tendency to overbuild my cars for their use, which is why they take forever to finish, but I've never had major failures with that mentality and my cars always perform better than expected; so there is some truth to that build philosophy. It just takes additional time and money unfortunately.

I am trying out an EFR on my time attack car, so my personal verdict is still not out if they are worth it, but I do like what I hear from other racer's feedback. If I go the EFR route I was considering a 7670, but I'm still doing some research. I know rotaries have a lot more exhaust energy so I need to learn how to size turbos correctly all over again.

If I go Garrett, I'll definitely look into the GTX35 series. I used to tun a GT3071R TS on my old S13, and it was a solid turbo, especially for old tech. On terrible Arizona gas, heat, and elevation, it still put 400rwhp at 19psi (give or take). That car was soo fun to drive that I'd like to replicate it with the FD (but better, lol).

 

Car looks straight and clean. Great blank canvas.

 

Nice starting point! I only have one suggestion if you can afford to do it: Paint and body work now.

Since it is nearly completely disassembled now, finish taking it apart (including under the hood) and get a killer paint job. Then clean/detail/paint EVERYTHING as you put it together. This way you only do this ONE time. I've done a few cars, and this is by far the best way. If you paint later, then you get overspray, opportunities to chip and scratch, etc.

That and as CR-REX said, lay out a plan for it now. Then you only buy stuff once. Do plenty of research and don't be afraid to ask for advice. Some of the guys here (like cr-rex) have been doing it for a while and done it multiple times.

Good luck and post some pictures of your other rides!
Vince

 

I checked the engine bay according to the body manual and all measurements were within 1/16 of an inch (most right on the money). So it's pretty straight for an old car! Just a couple small dings and dents.

Yup, paint and body are going to be the first thing that are done to the car. I may get the engine set beforehand, but not installed. I haven't quite set my mind on just '99 spec or if I want to do a clean JDM kit. I'm a fan of OEM or close to OEM clean exteriors. I'm open to suggestions if people want to add pics of their favorite kits, ha ha. I do my best to do my own research, but sometimes you do have to ask. I try to remember that when I'm helping fellow enthusiasts with Nissan stuff since I've been doing those cars for so long. It's weird being a noob again! LOL

At the moment, my racecar is mostly just a shell. Doing the engine build soon (myself) as well as a full custom solid state chassis harness. Pics are fairly underwhelming:





My Skyline is a bit more pretty to look at, ha.









I currently daily drive an '07 Subaru Legacy Spec B but I'm going to sell it soon:

 

Your other rides are pretty sweet. The license plate on the Skyline is fantastic. Sounds like you have a good plan for the car, carbur wait to see your progress here.

The only advice I have on going 99 spec is either pick a good aftermarket one like Shine or the OEM bumper. I have the plateless urethane one and it leaves a lot to be desired in the different category.

Vince

 

Thanks! I definitely want to do the car justice. If I did a 99 spec look, I'd want a plateless for sure since my state doesn't require it at all.

 

Where abouts in AZ are you roughly? Ive seen a guy driving around a r32 here in Mesa once or twice

 

I probably know who you've seen (I run the SW Skylines FB Group), but I haven't been driving the '32 for about 18 months, lol. It's down for work right now. I'm in Queen Creek/Gilbert normally.

 

Gotcha, I think the one I saw was dark grey but I figured I could have been mistaken-not sure how many r32s are in the area lol Welcome to the club though, its nice to have more FDs people in the area

 

Thanks! There are quite a few '32s around. Last BBQ meet we had about 25 cars show up. What part of the Bay Area you from? I used to live in Marin for a number of years.

 

25?! Jesus...I had no idea there were so many. My friend has been looking at r32/33s but I always talk him out of it lol Im from Walnut Creek, I moved here ~4 yrs ago and my gf came shortly after (shes from Napa).

 

Yeah, there are more than that around, but getting them all in one group is a challenge, LOL. And nice, I haven't lived in the BA since 2003, but moved to AZ about 4 years ago as well (from Oregon). Skylines are fun cars, but like FDs, are older and require lots of attention to keep up. They are more expensive than FDs to work on as well, LOL!

 

My gf actually went to college in Oregon, a private school next to U of O, she transferred out here when I moved here. Its like I found my doppelganger LOL I actually have a s14 back in cali,...and some more rx7s.. and stuff lol Im going to remember you said FDs are less expensive...bahaha

 

Skylines are to FDs like FDs are to S Chassis. Let's just put it that way, LOL. Just in terms of how expensive they are to modify. Not performance or anything, ha! That's funny you also have an S14. I'm sure I'll see you around one of these days. I need to actually get something running so I can stop driving my beater truck every day. So boring...

What made you move out this way?

 

Yikes. Lol I ordered a 2017 mustang gt with PP from the factory at the end of 2017 for my DD. I became tame when I hit 30. Lol I worked at some shops at Sonoma Raceway after HS for awhile, but I wanted to finish college so I went back and studied behavioral neuroscience and transferred to ASU. I had family out here so I went here, I could have stayed in the bay but I wanted a change of scenery. Traded trees for cacti lol

 

Not a bad daily at all. My normal daily is a legacy, so I've became pretty ordinary for my daily as well (35 here). I needed something good for the kiddo. That's a good reason to come out here! I did for a job opportunity. I love it here though.

 

I hear you, I had to get a suv just to haul my children around..by children I mean 2 German Shepherds lol Yeah its definitely grown on us here, plenty to do and if I want to fish the lakes are only ~25min away, Roosevelt an hr and a half. If you ever need anything or have any questions let me know, happy to help.

 

Definitely, and AZ has so many cool spots that you can't find anywhere else. Makes for some awesome car photography! And of course, appreciate it! For now I have to let the FD sit, but eventually I'm going to need quite a bit!

 

Sitting a RX7 in favor of a S14....shame...shame...shame...

 

Ha ha! The S14 is my time attack car, and I've been in the middle of the build for about a year and a half or so. I JUST got the FD

...and the wife says I have to finish what I have on my plate before I can have dessert.... LOL

 

Excuses.. Im a dessert first kind of guy though, so probably do the smart thing and listen to the wife lol