Rebuilding my 02' Spec-V - Winter Project

Mr-Moo · #1 (**permalink**) 10-18-2010, 11:15 PM

Hello Everyone,

Pleasure to meet you all, and hopefully we'll have a long lasting relationship while I build up my current Nissan.

Last year I purchased a rebuilt 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R SPEC-V. for $5,000. I paid cash, and it only had 44k miles on her (call her Kelly). She now has 60,000 miles, but I would like to build her up now. This is my daily driver, so I would like to keep things semi-street (i'm not taking out the seats, putting in cage, etc..) and maintain this as a reliable daily driver.

I used to own a 91' Mustang Foxbody GT and I spent 3 years building the engine up. Had it running 10.5's at the track (400 RWHP). Must admit... Nissan's are REALLY different than US cars, so I am in dire need of the communities assistance.

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At the moment, the entire Sentra is stock. The only thing I've done was pull the plugs and replace them with NGK and replace the air filter.

I would like to build her up during the winter (Turbo, gears, clutch, suspension, cam, pistons, etc..) and need assistance during the process.

So some friendly questions for the community

* What websites do you recommend purchasing parts from?
* What is the best plan-of-action to begin my project? Start on suspension first? clutch? turbo right away? replace fuel injectors? swap out engine (LOL j/k).
* any other tips and recommendations you have for me?

I'll check back later tonight and ask some more questions, hopefully some of you have responded by then.

Cheers,

// Edit //
While doing some googling, I came across a nice road test performed on my model car. 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R Road Test Review - Sport Compact Car Magazine for anyone who was interested, was wondering if that was very accurate.

I've raced a 2005 Honda Civic vtec (special edition something?) and I won. He put on a CAI and a full exhaust w/ headers and I still beat him by about 1 car. I've raced a few automatic mustangs and win. I've raced a 2001 Ford SHO and lost (but I think it was due to 3rd gear grinding on me

)

TUKO · #2 (**permalink**) 10-19-2010, 02:11 PM

Id swap in a vq35 in your car. With just the swap you have a 12 second or low 13second car. Id also swap out your first gear. Its very short and makes it hard to put the power down. Id swap it with the first gear from an 03 and up sentra or any other 6speed manual since they all have the same first gear. The only desireable thing about your tranny is the higher final drive.

Before the swap decide if your going all motor or turbo.

Mr-Moo · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010, 12:41 AM

I don't think I want to do a full motor swap... actually, I'm fully sure I don't want to do that.

I would DEF like to turbo this thing (in the future when I get money) but again, that's down the road.

I need the basics down before I go tossing in a new engine or bolting on a turbo. I appreciate all advice to my initial questions still

Thank you, looking forward to some responses.

superbad · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010, 01:23 AM

first things to do is get rid of your pre-cat and loctite your butterfly screws
pre-cat has a tendency to fall apart and kill engine and your butterfly screws tend to come loose and kill the engine also. so i would start there

Mr-Moo · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010, 01:26 AM

This car still requires emissions testing (in my wonderful county). That is why I got rid of my mustang.

They run mirrors under the vehicle to check if the car has cats. So i'm not sure removing the cats is the best idea. Would you recommend picking up an after-market catback exhaust?

Also, which butterfly screws are you talking about?

superbad · #6 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010, 01:30 AM

your car has two cats one attached to the header and another farther down. you should be ok with gettin rid of the one attached to header(this is the one that causes issues) but not sure how strict your state is but this is a major issue that nissan never recalled.

Mr-Moo · #7 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010, 01:37 AM

Thanks Blackout,

I'll probably do that tomorrow (just replaced the rear rotors and calipers today). Check engine light came on... I have a feeling it has something to do with emissions. If I pull that cat out, will the check engine light stay on?

Any tips on removing it? anything to keep in mind?

P.S. - I know I sound stupid asking all these questions, but i'm not a big mechanic, only a hobbyist. V8 engines is all I really know.

superbad · #8 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010, 01:42 AM

easiest thing to do is just buy an aftermarket header.
some people use ebay or you can just search internet

superbad · #9 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010, 01:44 AM

nothing wrong with asking questions
its a good way to learn especially if your not familiar with the car

Mr-Moo · #10 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010, 01:45 AM

Sounds good

Once the cash comes in the Header/Exhaust was the first thing I was going to swap out. Any recommendations? I'm looking to keep it as least-ricey as possible. I like the sound of Skylines (but obviously mine won't sound like it). I like the deep pitched growling (not obnoxiously loud). I don't have a lot of money to spend, so I'd like to do the whole header/exhaust for under $800.

superbad · #11 (**permalink**) 10-20-2010, 02:01 AM

from all the exhaust i heard for the spec i really think the stromung exhaust sounds the best. a little pricey i think its about $650. it comes in 2.5in or 3in. plus if you like the sleeper look it looks almost exactly like the stock exhaust. as for headers most people just go cheap and buy XS header, not sure the price. $800 should be easy to stay under