This is my wife's Nissan Silvia S12 1.8 ZX Turbo and I have added most of the gimmicks, gadgets and safety features that are on the one I drive.
1999 was not a good year!
My wife was hit by a Ford Orion on the front corner and the 'A' post without
touching the front wheel? The Orion had to be lifted from the scene and we drove
the Silvia home at the expense of the plastic arch guard.
The lamp post in the yard and a block and tackle were used in the straightening
process. The insurance insulted me with their first offer and further insulted
me by wanting to take the car from me!
Another wing, door, grille, headlamp top panel, clearance lamp, a bit of paint,
pin-stripe and an MOT and all was well again.
Maintained to the highest standard this Nissan Silvia S12 has
benefited from engine oil and filter changes every 2500 miles since the date of
purchase. The differential
oil, power steering fluid, brake fluid and transmission fluid are changed at 25000 miles. The
timing belt is replaced at 30000 mile intervals and the valve clearances
adjusted if necessary. The coolant has never been allowed to fall below 20%
antifreeze solution. Suspension bushes are checked annually along with the
grease to the front suspension bottom ball joints. The brakes are checked every
six months including inspection of the handbrake cables. A full under-body
inspection is carried out before each winter. The drain holes to the sills are
checked annually. More Waxoyl is introduced every 5 years and the paintwork is
polished at least every 3 months.
Rear Head Restraints:
As seen in silviagod's car. I thought it looked nice so I did it twice. Then
came the spare blue one! The high level brake light will soon be replaced with a
Rover 400 one as fitted to silviagod's and the 200SX project. As soon as I can
find one at my favourite breaker's yard.
Instrument Panel:
As silviagod's but you can see the yellow led that lights up when the positive
lock-up engages on the automatic transmission at about 55 mph.
Warning
Lamp Strip:
As silviagod's even with outside temperature display at right hand end. The
display is LCD and illuminates with the side lights. It is also wired to the
ignition so that it only operates when the ignition is on. All warning lamps
except for the heated rear window are illuminated with the bulb-check relay.
Extra Gauges:
Transmission fluid temp display with change-over switch to monitor engine oil
temp, and voltmeter. The second toggle switch turns on the air conditioning fans
in front of radiator providing cooling to the transmission radiator sited behind
the main radiator. A thermo-switch in the sump also automates the fans.
Front seats:
Both have heating elements switched by a momentary switch and are wired through
timer circuits. The seat switches off after around 12 minutes. The driver's seat
has inflating air mats for side and lumbar support. The heating elements are
from an old Volvo with the thermo-switch replaced and the air mats are from a
Bluebird Turbo driver's seat. The heated seat is Mrs silviagod's favourite
feature and as a result the timer circuit stopped working 12 months after. As I
hate electronics I replaced the circuit for the timer circuit in the time
control unit.
Passenger
Foot-bar:
As fitted to silviagod's and because I like them. No other reason.
I
ntercooler:
This
car has it's intercooler mounted in the passenger front wing. The intercooler
used
was from a S13 200SX. To protect it from mud and dirt aluminium panels were cut
and fitted. A £2.50 aluminium louvered vent from the Builders Merchant was
fitted in the wheel arch and a Metro bonnet vent (swore I'd never confess that
one) used for the air intake. The pipes were difficult to make and the
intercooler was awkward to fit. During the pipe making process an outlet was
added for the Bailey twin piston dump valve.
This unit provides interior light fade and many other functions.
It is shown in the workshop manual but says except Europe! Click on the
title to see more.
Headlamps:
I
am not fond of the later type of headlamp, I discovered that all the wiring and
plugs for the headlamp was/wipe units was present. Not an easy job to change
them, but as I did a full restoration to this one picking up another headlamp
and fitting that instead wasn't much of a problem. Even the washer motor had a
small loom that plugged from one into two. No thought or studying was necessary.
Map reading Lights:
Found
at the breaker's yard again, and yes they are from a Nissan Bluebird. They are
shown in the Silvia workshop manual, but as usual it says Except Europe!
I have come to hate that term and it has caused me to do hours of work.
Fuel Tank:
2003
was year of the fuel tank for me! Many phone calls from people needing fuel tank
straps too. The tank was removed, and the exterior was cleaned and painted with
hammered finish paint. A good pair of straps were found and they too were
treated and painted. This was the only job I did not do during the restoration.
You can also see the very nice exhaust I made which sounds wonderful.
Paintwork:
As
I was constantly polishing the car to stop it fading I decided to treat the car
to a nice 2-pack high gloss finish. Marvellous paint with a high gloss finish. I
have already saved the time it took to paint the car, and the cost in paint as
the polish is not cheap.
Rear Bumper Modifications:
The
later rear light units and number plate cowl had to be replaced as I did not
like them! The bumper was then marked, and the reversing lamp units fitted in
the same manner as silviagod's car. Rear fog lamp cowls from the bumper of an
early Bluebird, and the clear lens from an early Silvia were fitted. The
addition of orange 5W bulbs painted red were also added to these units providing
extra tail lamps.
Clear bulbs were painted initially but the paint flaked off leaving white
light
portions. A reversing spot-light was also added for even better reversing
visibility. This was wired through an isolation switch with a warning lamp
installed. The rear fog lights are now the inner brake lights. When the rear fog
lamps are not in use the bulbs act as ordinary stop/tail lamps.
Low Mileage Engine:
I
managed to find a Silvia that was beyond repair but the engine had only covered
56,000 miles. As the valve stem oil seals were worn on the existing engine I
decided to have a change over. Ant, seen on the visitors page, assisted me with
the engine swap. I think this was the time when we dropped a spanner down the
exhaust! That added 90 minutes to the job.
All
the rear lamps on the car are monitored by these units, and a warning lamp is
fitted to the right of the right hand lens at the side of the instrument panel.
Click on the title to see more about this unit.
Sunny ZX Side Skirts:
A
pair of these skirts were fitted first and painted. Considerable adjustments to
the side contours and trimming around 30mm from the length was required for a
desirable fit. Then I learned how to go about making my own kits!
Silviagod's Side Skirts:
Although
the Sunny ZX skirts looked good these looked much better! Having made a mould I
ran a copy off and fitted them. They were very easy to fit using rivets and a
black adhesive/sealant called Sikaflex. Blending them in took much longer. The
thin black trim from the early Silvia was added at the top of the kit and four
20mm holes were drilled in the underside for drainage and applying Waxoyl. These
pictures were taken in February 2004.
Front Fog Lights:
Mrs
silviagod was delighted to find a pair of these in her Christmas stocking! It
did include fitting, plus we both got one of her old ones each for a slimmer
reversing spotlight unit. The warning light in the instrument panel was used for
these, and the rear fog warning lamp was moved to the left hand lens as in the
early Silvia.
Used to lift, flash and retract the headlamps with a brief touch of the control
switch. Click on the title to see more.
High Level Brake Light:
Having
painted a masked off section of the glass, mounting pads were adhered with an
expoxy resin adhesive and left overnight. On the following day the unit was
wired and fitted. Unlike silviagod's one of the pads came off not only once, but
twice! I hope it stays on as it is getting on my nerves now!
This unit is monitored by a bulb failure sensor.
Wheels and Tyres:
Made
by TSW and cost me £100 including a Silvia. I had to repaint them and the tyres
cost £380. They are 205 x 55 x 15 Michelin Exhaulto V rated tyres. These wheels
are probably my favourite. I bought self-adhesive Nissan badges for the centres
for that finishing touch.
New Air Filter:
I
made the mistake of spraying filter oil on this filter as I thought that was
what you did! It increased the CO from 2.5 - 7.0% and the only way the car
passed the MOT was with the filter off and an original one fitted. A good wash
in the sink made it possible to use. It only just fits in the space with the
pipe between the intercooler pipes.
Chrome Power Steering Reservoir:
A
little finishing touch to improve the view when the bonnet is lifted. I had one
chromed for the 200SX and one for mine, so I decided to get one chromed for Mrs
silviagod too.
Polished at last:
For
once this month I managed to see a dry flag and Mrs. Silviagod was off work. Out
came the polish and I managed to give the car a much needed polish. I also
checked the drain holes in the sills and found that three of them had become
blocked! The other two Silvias had two drain holes blocked each.
Vehicle Specifications:
Electric windows with one-touch operation on driver's window.
Remote mirrors.
Headlamp wash/wipe.
Wing mounted intercooler with air intake cut into the bumper.
Additional shielding above the
exhaust manifold.
Boost bleed valve.
Free flowing induction system.
Standard T2 turbocharger.
2.75 inch diameter straight through exhaust system with one silencer to the rear
and a 4 inch polished aluminium tail-pipe.
Bailey twin piston dump valve.
Conservatively estimated 185 BHP.
Colour coded front strut brace made from solid steel.
Standard rear springs, that are lower than those fitted to later models with
Monroe gas shock absorbers.
Astra GSI bonnet vents, side skirts with door panels, CitroenXM rear spoiler and air
intakes in front bumper.
Colour-coded mirrors and wiper arms.
Towing bracket with sensor.
Reversing spotlight and tail lamps in rear bumper.
Level sensors to coolant and washer
bottle.
Ice warning system.
After-market 15 inch alloy wheels with Michelin tyres.
Factory sunroof.
Front fog lights.
Higher specification air conditioning system.
Immobiliser and full closure alarm system.
Front seats with heating elements and inflatable air mats to
driver's seat.
Bulb failure warning system monitoring all the exterior lamps to the rear of the vehicle.
Rear head-restraints.
Passenger foot-bar.
Clarion head unit with CD changer with more powerful speakers and added ones to
each side of rear seat.
Interior light fade with added step and foot-lights.
Twin map reading lamps.
Additional warning lamps and gauges.
High level brake light.
Hammered finish paint applied to underside including arches and using different
colours to suspension parts.
Waxoyl rust inhibitor injected into sills, chassis members, box sections, backs
of doors and rear quarter-panels.
Water
Pump Trauma:
Mrs. silviagod came home yesterday with the car making an awful rumbling racket.
She stopped the car and plumes of steam were shooting from under the bonnet. I
explained to her that she shouldn't have been driving it in that condition and I
was worried about the head or it's gasket. I replaced the water pump this
morning and all was well again. She has been out and about this afternoon and
all is still fine. I didn't have a gasket and used 'Hermetite Blue' instant
gasket so I was a little concerned. I also regret not having a new timing belt
handy as it would have only added another 30 - 40 minutes to the job being
stripped down already.
I was correct in my concern as it leaked again! That is all fixed and a new
timing belt has been fitted. The radiator now needs replacing as I replaced the
cap as it's seal was defective. The pressure increase found a weak spot in the
radiator.
Non Start Problem February 2005:
After many hours of tests and trying different components I found the cause of
the non-starting problem on Mrs. silviagod's car. Initially I thought it was the
fuel pressure regulator as there was a spark and there was fuel. It looked like
there was too much fuel, so I replaced the fuel pressure regulator. That didn't
solve the problem! I ran the ECU self diagnosis and that didn't show any faults.
I tried another ECU and still nothing! I did a compression test and the engine
was perfect so I drained the fuel and got two gallons and put that in. I tested
all the high tension leads and tried a different ignition coil in case the spark
wasn't strong enough, I changed the distributor cap and the rotor arm and
eventually I changed the distributor. After fouling up a new set of spark plugs
I replaced them again too and at last the car fired up.
The problem in the end turned out to be the crank angle sensor that is situated
in the body of the distributor. I have never had this problem before and that is
my excuse for taking so long to find it.
Unfortunately with all the turning over of the starter I managed to wear it out
and that had to be replaced too before the car could go back into service.
To add to the trauma the MOT ran out and the tax was due for renewal.
Fortunately I was able to book it in on the last day of February and the car
passed with perfect emissions, but nearly didn't on a spot of rust on each rear
brake pipe. The road tax was bought with two minutes to spare before the post
office closed and a couple of days after I attended to the brake pipes and
fitted a new fuel filter.
Extra space:
I have thrown up another little site with the intentions of improving it and
adding more pictures. My web skills are only limited but I am trying to learn
with the limited time I have available. Please have a look and feel free to
offer suggestions.
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/silviagod/
This Nissan Silvia S12 Page will be updated regularly.