Keep Your Cool!

Hey guys, Matt here with another update!

So I've been focusing a lot on reliability mods lately before chasing more power and the key parts I've determined needing attention are:

Radiator
Coolant
Oil Cooler
Intercooler

Right, so let's get stuck into it shall we? After looking around and reading other user's experiences, and having friends run the very same radiator I purchased an ASI 52mm aluminium radiator kit along with upgraded top and bottom rad hoses.

So out with the old rad (which is really worryingly thin for a stock item!)

After discussions with my mechanic Andrew of MBL Motorworks Newtown, and advice form Motorsport Connections, I decided to invest in a complete Evans' Waterless Coolant system (check them out here http://www.evanscoolants.com.au/) The beauty of this system is that it lasts for virtually the life of the engine, and most impressively doesn't boil at an average coolant's boiling point, thus removing pressure from the cooling system. Additionally, it isn't water-based so for the aluminium-block SR20DET this removes the possibility of corrosion.

Full coolant flush, running the Evan's prep fluid which absorbs any residual water and slotting the new rad right in. Fitment was great, however note due to increased thickness, the rad fan shroud was pushed back a few mm and couldn't be screwed into the IC crossover pipe. I didn't worry about that as this part will be replaced with the FMIC anyway.

I've also been looking at Greg Kruse's shop (www.gktech.com.au) for some time and I'm slowly becoming a fan of his products. I just finished installing his Cooling Plate and I am quite a fan of the product. Fitment was pretty much straight-forward, and same with plastic screw-in bolts.

Here's the before-install pic

The kit itself:

Bolting it into place:

Next up will be the much-needed Oil-Filter relocation kit! The stock filter location is a real pain to get to so hopefully this will help fix that issue. Stay tuned!


-Matt

Bride Zeta III Install

Hey guys, Matt back with another update!

Well I've been busy collecting parts for the S15, the most recent was a lucky find on a forum I frequent, I was unhappy with the stock seats so I had been hunting a while for a solution. After talking with my engineer regarding the legalities of a seat swap, I had learnt that ADR approval and FIA-approved seats are both legal.

And so began the search for a suitable seat! So I had settled on the Bride ZETA III series for looks and price and after sitting in a couple I knew I was on the right track! Next step was finding a seat rail! After some hunting around and researching I had learnt that a Bride FO-type rail would suit, and so it did!

Here's the result of the install

Initial impressions.....wow! I cannot over-emphasise how much of an improvement a proper bucket-seat makes to a car, the difference is night and day! You feel at one with the car, and gain a considerable amount of 'fee' for the car and what the chassis is doing. An essential upgrade for anyone who enjoys driving,

Next up, ASI 58mm radiator upgrade and Evans Waterless coolant!

Headlight Restoration

Hey guys, it's Matt back with another update! This time I'm going to do a little write-up on Turtle Wax's awesome headlight restoration kit.

When I originally purchased the car, the body was in overall pretty clean condition except fir the headlight lenses, which had gone to a yellowish foggy colour. I thought this was one area that let the car down, so after a quick drive to the local auto parts store I picked up Turtle Wax's Headlight Lens Restorer kit for a nifty $30 I also picked up a pack of Painter's Green tape from Bear, in hindsight I think I should've picked a better sticking tape, but this did the job.

As you can see from the pics below, the headlights were pretty yellow!!

So after a read of the instructions and getting some music going I got stuck into it. Paying special to the sanding back and spraying the lubricant evenly onto the lenses.

The process is 4-stage, where you sand back the lenses using 2 double-sided sandpaper pads which are progressively finer and finer grit.

All taped up:

After the sanding process I was a little dismayed at the lack of clarity in the lenses, but after a final application of the Lens Cleaner and waiting patiently for the Lens Base Coat to dry, they really began to clear up! After applying the Lens Sealer I was pretty stunned at how well they turned out!

Check it out:

It's amazing how much of a visual impact restored headlights look! I couldn't stop admiring the design of them, personally I think they're one of the signature design features of the S15.

Stay tuned for more updates!!

-Matt

New Year, New Parts!

Happy new year everyone! I haven't posted much because the car stayed stagnant for quite some time. I spent time generally enjoying the car sensibly and in mostly-stock form....which turned out to be super boring!

SO! Time to up the ante this year. I'll be taking a bolt-on approach with longevity and reliability mods first, then moving onto power hikes and so forth!

To start off, I've just serviced the car:

Penrite 10-50W Fully Synthetic oil

K&N Pro Oil Filter

OEM plugs

Brake fluid flush

And the main part that was missing from my exhaust system...a 3in Blitz front pipe!

 

I've also got a few other goodies coming in the mail...stay tuned!

Low Life!

It's been a while since the last update, nothing much has happened to the car, I'm gathering some service parts for a 60,000km service. Gave it a thorough wash/wax/polish over the weekend :)

Really loving the S15, it's proved to be a capable car both in the looks and performance departments, the close ratio 6-speed gearbox is fun to row through with the SR20DET on boost. One thing that has to be changed is the passenger-side headlight..it's got some condensation in it..so I might as well change both to keep things consistent.

Here's some pics of the car:

Cheers

Matt

S15 Life

I find that owning an S-chassis vehicle has its own charms, lifestyle...an'aura' if you will of what the car is all about. It's debateable whether the car itself brings out those feelings or if it's the culture surrounding the car, but the 15 to me at least, brings its own personality compared to the GTR, it's a light-hearted, fun, capable RWD sports car that doesn't take itself too seriously and doesn't look like it'll bite your face off.

Combined with the excellent SR20DET in RWD configuration, it's not the ultimate iteration of this classic motor as found in the GTI-R, however in JDM guise, it's still more than capable of putting a smile on your face :)

I don't have any updates on the car as yet, but I am looking at sourcing a new pair of headlights from Nissan, and addressing the braking system with something a bit more effective...perhaps a new set of slotted rotors and some new brake pads, more research needed!

Stay tuned!

- Matt

The Good Stuff!