I think this fits in here. It's gonna have fox c/o's and get jumped a lot, so I think that fits in the category of Desert Racing. Here's the score:

$2300 craigslist special
1992 Nissan SER 190hp 2100lbs
SR 20 motor
Nismo header, injectors, computer, head, cams, and some other ricer crap.
KYB coilovers all around
KYB sway bars
Brembo brakes front and rear
Momo seat & wheel
Toyo Proxes track tires

Car came with a ton of spare parts, and spare SR20 motor and tranny to boot.



After buying the car, we took it to a track day and ran it at Buttonwillow. The thing is a rocket. It ran with M3s all day long. We literally did nothing to it, bought it, put it on a trailer and took it to the track. Awesome car. Completely dialed for the track, easy to drive, forgiving, and just stupid amounts of fun. A great first road racing car.

Unfortunately, while someone else was in the drivers seat, the car made some contact with a 350Z and ended up tweaking the front end pretty good. Regrettably, the new 350z took some considerable damage to the drivers door and rear fender. Everyone walked away unscathed though.

Now the plan:

Fix the front end damage and make the necessary modifications to enter it in the Gorman Ridge Rally at the end of the month.

Since we are on a bit of a time crunch, the car will not be fully finished before it's first race but I've got some big plans for it suspension wise for the rest of the season. Enough talk for now, here's a couple pics:

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030516.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030518.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030509.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030517.jpg

As you can see we've already torn into it and started making progress to getting it rally ready. I'm pumped on this thing and have been wanting to get into rally for years, so I'm pretty excited to get it buttoned up and in the dirt. This should be a quick build with a lot of updates so stay tuned.

-Rob

I hate you.

I had a '94 we were thinking about doing this to. It had a stock 1.6 and it was still pretty quick. Good luck, they are fun little cars.

That should be a blast! Cool project.

Looks like a cool project! keep us informed,,,

Be careful, JOSH

subscribed...:grinpimp:

I bought a 1992 SER brand new for $7500. Best car I ever owed, damn was it fun to drive! It handled incredibly and was exceptionally tight.
I think the stock 2 litre was rated at 140 hp, but you could twist the crap out of it.
It was a take off from the BMW 2002.

Good luck with the project Rob, looks like fun!

Ya this is gonna be a fun project for sure. It's so nice working on cars. Everything is so small and light. I can't remember the last time i removed a vehicle from a car with one arm haha.

I'm also finding it very difficult to not waste time watching rally videos on youtube.

Anyway, here's a few pics from today's progress and friday nights.

Got the car up in the air and redid the exhaust per nasa rules and added a cat, muffler and rerouted the whole system to the rear of the car. Not the prettiest exhaust ive done but it was quick and free.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030524.jpg

While the car was up on the lift, we pulled the sway bars and stitch welded a bunch of the lower control arm mounts.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030525.jpg

My navigator spent last night making a sweet tow hook, again mandatory per rally rules.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030526.jpg

Today i made a sweet lil skid plate to cover up some of the exposed fuel / brake lines under the car. Sorry for the crappy pic, forgot to snap one while it was on the lift.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030529.jpg

And spent the rest of the day finishing up the passenger door bars and adding to the cage to meet rally standards. Still needs a few gussets, but that's the extent of the tube work. Also made a door panel as you can see in the pic.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030527.jpg

More to come tomorrow.

-Rob

I hate you.

x2

Get back to work on the Zuk

Quit exceeding your bandwidth, We want pics!!!! :eek:

I bought a '91, right off the truck, and autocrossed it for about 5 years. Super cool car. Been looking for one for the 24Hours of Lemons.....

I used to autocross an NX2000- same chassis etc, but uglier body, way back then. Those things are the best fun for the money on wheels.

Ya, I'm definitely a fan after driving this one. In fact, I've been looking for a clean one to pick up as a DD for myself until I finish my rock crawler DD.

Sorry about the pics. Car is getting close to completion. Been working on it every day. Will post up some new pics in a day or two.

I'm ready to see some videos of this thing in the air!

I started looking for one to mod too, but can't find any that old that still work or aren't rusted out. Still looking... updates?

We need to leave for Gorman Friday morning. Been so busy working on the car, I haven't had much time to update any threads. I'll throw some updates up asap.

Have a great time. My neighbor isn't racing so there is no pressure.

Now this looks like a cool cheap fun toy! :laughing:

I got to see it in person yesterday. Nice work Rob!

Good luck in Gorman!

All stickered up and ready to Race.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs424.snc4/46748_470386645469_68918275469_6881243_3661204_n.j pg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs404.snc4/46748_470386650469_68918275469_6881244_3867509_n.j pg

Dave just owns the side of anything you race, doesnt he?

Stoked to come pit for this tomorrow. We better be THAT TEAM hahaha

You guys picked up the car with all the racer parts and spare shit for $2300? That's a great score if thats the case.

now post up jumping or big air pics. :grinpimp:

Shhh, racing.

Just heard 4th in class, 9th overall

Great job!

Just heard 4th in class, 9th overall

Great job!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs403.snc4/46615_1586898318386_1413654472_1592992_3096578_n.j pg

More pics

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/EricAnderson03/misc/53a5a3fd.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/EricAnderson03/misc/e087e305.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/EricAnderson03/misc/cc70f7a4.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/EricAnderson03/misc/c66f3abb.jpg

http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc238/EricAnderson03/misc/787481cd.jpg

another

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs403.snc4/46615_1586898318386_1413654472_1592992_3096578_n.j pg

I didnt know the gave out 9th place ribbons Gaylord...

J/K
Looks like a blast! How long of a course is it and where in Gorman do they do it? It looks like your near the motocross track.

It was like 16 stages of around 2-5 miles each, i forget the exact areas, but some were right near the entrance near the Frazier Park exit, then back near the Lower scrub oak campground, then powerline road.

The rally was 120 miles total. About half of that was transit. The other half, timed stages. 9th overall, 2nd in class. Not bad for being on street tires and lowering struts. Gorman is the roughest rally of the California Rally Series.

We are doing the Seed9 rally in Nevada next. November 5th - 6th. Shooting for a first in class finish and top 3 overall in 2wd.

Are there any other rally's in SoCal?
Is Rim of the World still around?

I think it's still around. I'm just trying to run the full California Rally series for our first season. I think there are 4 rallies in the series that are in California.

Go to http://www.californiarallyseries.com/Home/index.aspx for a list of the races. Your hoopty jeep should finish at the back of the pack somewhere. :flipoff2:

I'm gonna slam it on the ground Yo...

I cant afford the racing I do now, deffinitely cant afford another kind.
If you guys have one thats down south like Gorman again let me know. I'd love to help and check it out first hand.

Definitely. I coulda used the help this time around. I only had a 2 man pit crew for this race.

It'd be almost impossible to convert another racing vehicle to Rally. They are so strict with their cage requirements and FIA regulations that just getting this car a rally logbook was half the battle in building the car.

more

Ugggh, Rally is so addicting. I'd advise no one to try it out because once you do, you will loose all desire for other forms of dirt motorsport and just want to go rally racing.

Anyway, since I slacked on the update pics while building the car, here's a pic of it cleaned up and stickered up before leaving for Gorman.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030655.jpg
The hood sticker lasted about 5 min down the freeway before it flew off. Damn spray paint doesn't adhere too well.

And here's a few more pics of the car cleaned up after the rally.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030672.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030675.jpg

Cockpit:
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030666.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030665.jpg
And of course, our trick fire extinguisher mounts worked great as usual. Thankfully we didnt need to use it, but it's so nice to be able to get to the extinguisher easily and without fuss.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030663.jpg

-Rob

Definitely. I coulda used the help this time around. I only had a 2 man pit crew for this race.

If one of the "members" is wearing flip flops....I don't think he counts as a full crew member...

If one of the "members" is wearing flip flops....I don't think he counts as a full crew member...


Open toe crew member forum's.... There's gotta be one somewhere.

Ugggh, Rally is so addicting. I'd advise no one to try it out because once you do, you will loose all desire for other forms of dirt motorsport and just want to go rally racing.

Anyway, since I slacked on the update pics while building the car, here's a pic of it cleaned up and stickered up before leaving for Gorman.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030655.jpg
The hood sticker lasted about 5 min down the freeway before it flew off. Damn spray paint doesn't adhere too well.

And here's a few more pics of the car cleaned up after the rally.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030672.jpg
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030675.jpg

Cockpit:
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030666.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030665.jpg
And of course, our trick fire extinguisher mounts worked great as usual. Thankfully we didnt need to use it, but it's so nice to be able to get to the extinguisher easily and without fuss.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030663.jpg

-Rob

I'm always impressed with how other Rally teams build ... This SE-R is a high quality build.


I've been a crew cheif for T-Hanson Motorsports Rally-America (http://t-hanson-motorsports.blogspot.com/) for 6 years now... we did the x-games 14 and 16...
http://www.teamilluminata.com/Racing/sponsorships/Hanson/38673_411505222059_611777059_5143397_5508703_n.jpg

<object width="960" height="745"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q5VY-2n8kK4?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q5VY-2n8kK4?fs=1&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="960" height="745"></embed></object>

Now we are back looking for 2011 Sponsors.

Were you guys at this weekends rally? Must have been the Oregon race as my neighbor rented a truck and trailer.

Back at it again. First race of the CRS is in about a month. Looking to do the whole series this year.

So to start, every motor mount on the car was either broken, melted or completely disconnected from sheared bolts and or bolts falling out. Motor was just dangling in there, being held up by the removable cross member that runs under the car.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/P1040510.jpg

Skidplate saw more grinds than a pair of Ventures. It's toast. Might hang it up in the reception area at the shop.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/P1040514.jpg

Oil pan got severely dented in due to the lack of motor mount cooperation. So I pulled it off, straightened it out and welded a 3/16" plate onto it. Jack is there because I'm lifting the motor a few inches to get a little more ground clearance between the oil pan and Terra firma.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/P1040509.jpg

Been sealing up the cockpit to avoid being dusted out by the monsterous P195/65/15s which are also shot. Currently working on solid mounting the motor to the chassis to avoid the drivetrain / vehicle separation again.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/P1040506.jpg

Lots more to come soon.

-Rob

Ugggh, Rally is so addicting.

Cockpit:
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030666.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1030665.jpg

-Rob

How are the seat for asorbing impacts, etc?

Also poly needs to start selling those gussets. :smokin:

The seats are awesome. They are still a suspension seat but man are they nice. I wasn't hurting at all even after beating the hell out of a car with 5" of travel. And believe me, it was very rough.

Which gussets are you referring to? The taco gussets? If that's what your talking about then don't worry, they are in the works as we speak.

When's the next race?

The seats are awesome. They are still a suspension seat but man are they nice. I wasn't hurting at all even after beating the hell out of a car with 5" of travel. And believe me, it was very rough.

Which gussets are you referring to? The taco gussets? If that's what your talking about then don't worry, they are in the works as we speak.

Good info on the seats. Yep the ones in the door bars. Best imo design for gussets and I don't like making them myself. :D

I'm always impressed with how other Rally teams build ... This SE-R is a high quality build.


I've been a crew cheif for T-Hanson Motorsports Rally-America (http://t-hanson-motorsports.blogspot.com/) for 6 years now... we did the x-games 14 and 16...
http://www.teamilluminata.com/Racing/sponsorships/Hanson/38673_411505222059_611777059_5143397_5508703_n.jpg


Now we are back looking for 2011 Sponsors.

Are you still crew chief? If so, awesome result this past week. Snow is the great HP equalizer, and talent shines through. Boy did you guys rock.

well done.

Any chance the PolyPerformance Sentra is going to show at the olympus Rally in April? Come enter the MaxAttack series and qualify for LSPR later this year. We should be out in WA with two cars this year.

awesome project

When's the next race?

March 3rd-6th in beautiful Blythe CA. Come out, bring your prerunner, I need a Reccy vehicle.

http://www.desertstormrally.com/


Couple updates. Started solid mounting the motor.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1040532.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1040531.jpg

And finished up the upper radiator mount since the combination stock mounts / zip ties wasn't cutting it.
http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1040533.jpg

-Rob

Is there any problem fully hard mounting the motor to the car? There doesnt need to be any small amount of vibration damping in it for longevity?

What do you mean those zip ties weren't cutting it?!

Is there any problem fully hard mounting the motor to the car? There doesnt need to be any small amount of vibration damping in it for longevity?

What do you mean those zip ties weren't cutting it?!


Yes, your ingenious ziptie to the overflow tube mount that ripped off said overflow tube on the following stage did indeed need replacing.

Got some input from another rally forum that the solid mounts might not be a good idea, so ended up redoing them with bushings. Feel pretty good about them, went together quick too. Turns our our PPM-4300-150 bushing assemblies are the exact width of the Sentra motor mount brkts on the chassis. Worked out nicely. Here's a couple pics:

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1040560.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1040565.jpg

Also, reinforced our lower strut frame / H-brace dealio and re-skid it. Should hold up much better this time around.

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1040562.jpg

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/P1040564.jpg

And last but not least, I'm stoked to say that we are sponsoring the upcoming Desert Storm rally and throwing up some prize money!!

http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/desertbound85/Rally%20Car/rally-contingency.jpg

Also got new doors on the car, and started mounting our light bar. 9" Solteks anyone? Hoping to drop the car off to get tuned on Wed and get our new tires by the end of the week.

-Rob

Looks like you guys are having fun with this one. Subscribed :D

Race pics from last weekend...

what are rallye requirements?

i find this could be entertaining

more pics.

YouTube - Desert Storm Rally 2011 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O4eaRWxFfQ)

Nice, from a previously built '92 SE-R owner.

Those engines will really take a beating, just don't overrev it.

Nice, from a previously built '92 SE-R owner.

Those engines will really take a beating, just don't overrev it.

Yea, that SE-R take a good beating!!!

More race pics.

more pics

Next time you have a somewhat local race and need a prerunner out there to either prerun or for recovery let me know. I work in Fresno, live up near Oakhurst.