Discussion
Anyone know of a good forum/OC relating to the 2.0l Sunny Gti - not the GTiR?
I've had one from new - 1994. 180,000 virtually trouble free miles later it's getting a bit tired. Still love it but need some sensible advice on costs and places to get a total overhaul.
That way I can make a considered decision on whether to keep it and spend money, or bit the bullet and buy something else.
I've had one from new - 1994. 180,000 virtually trouble free miles later it's getting a bit tired. Still love it but need some sensible advice on costs and places to get a total overhaul.
That way I can make a considered decision on whether to keep it and spend money, or bit the bullet and buy something else.
There are a fair number of forums to look at.
The GTIR Mod club has a Sunny GTI section - www.nissangtir.co.uk
The sr20forum has loads of info about the engine though it is an American site www.sr20forum.com. Plenty of guys there running silly power but also a fair few doing low cost builds/swaps ni the real world.
There is an Almera owners club though they deal with the N15 Almera rather than the N14 Sunny. None the less some of it will be relevant.
If the engine is the thing you're looking at then have a think about an SR20VE swap. That's the VVTL/VTEC version of the SR20DE in yours and should be good for 200bhp with a little work (induction, exhaust, ecu - but you'll have to do those anyway). A bloke has stuck one in his Primera and documented the results www.sr20ve.co.uk
I used to have a Sunny GTI myself and they are much under-rated cars. The suspension needs some work and the brakes could do with some upgrades but otherwise excellent. It's also work noting that most of the GTIR bits will work on them (none engine bits anyway). The bumpsteer mod and brake kits are worth having a look at. Likewise you'll probably be able to pick up a set of coil-overs in a group buy. Just make sure you go for softer springs!
The GTIR Mod club has a Sunny GTI section - www.nissangtir.co.uk
The sr20forum has loads of info about the engine though it is an American site www.sr20forum.com. Plenty of guys there running silly power but also a fair few doing low cost builds/swaps ni the real world.
There is an Almera owners club though they deal with the N15 Almera rather than the N14 Sunny. None the less some of it will be relevant.
If the engine is the thing you're looking at then have a think about an SR20VE swap. That's the VVTL/VTEC version of the SR20DE in yours and should be good for 200bhp with a little work (induction, exhaust, ecu - but you'll have to do those anyway). A bloke has stuck one in his Primera and documented the results www.sr20ve.co.uk
I used to have a Sunny GTI myself and they are much under-rated cars. The suspension needs some work and the brakes could do with some upgrades but otherwise excellent. It's also work noting that most of the GTIR bits will work on them (none engine bits anyway). The bumpsteer mod and brake kits are worth having a look at. Likewise you'll probably be able to pick up a set of coil-overs in a group buy. Just make sure you go for softer springs!
Thanks Cris. It's not simply the engine; brakes, suspension and clutch need attention as does the electrics. A bit of rust but not much.
I'm probably loking at new calipers all round, new bushes and joints, shocks and springs....
No leaks or sign of anything bad with the engine as yet other than running on/idle problems. So I'd want to leave the engine until last then the swap sounds like a fine idea.
A little perusing of forums looks on the cards over the next two evenings as I kick my heels in a Manchester hotel.
Cheers Chris
I'm probably loking at new calipers all round, new bushes and joints, shocks and springs....
No leaks or sign of anything bad with the engine as yet other than running on/idle problems. So I'd want to leave the engine until last then the swap sounds like a fine idea.
A little perusing of forums looks on the cards over the next two evenings as I kick my heels in a Manchester hotel.
Cheers Chris
Any time mate.
TBH replacing the brakes and suspension would be a good idea anyway as they are the weakest points on the car. New coil-overs can be had for £400+shipping or you could keep your eyes open for second hand stuff. Bakes are similar money with plenty of four-pot kits about. Rally Design does a set with Wilwood callipers for not a lot.
Steve Pudney (if memory serves) does the bumpsteer kit on the GTIR forums. The adjustable topmounts are a good idea if they come with the suspension kit, if not I think that Apex do a camber AND caster adjustable topmount which would be very useful. If you could stretch to a polybush kit too you have a very tidy car handling wise.
I have some old suspension topmounts and gaskets somewhere, along with pattern brake pads. Not sure why I kept them but you'll find lots of the GTIR boys will have spare stuff knocking about as they've upgraded it over time.
TBH replacing the brakes and suspension would be a good idea anyway as they are the weakest points on the car. New coil-overs can be had for £400+shipping or you could keep your eyes open for second hand stuff. Bakes are similar money with plenty of four-pot kits about. Rally Design does a set with Wilwood callipers for not a lot.
Steve Pudney (if memory serves) does the bumpsteer kit on the GTIR forums. The adjustable topmounts are a good idea if they come with the suspension kit, if not I think that Apex do a camber AND caster adjustable topmount which would be very useful. If you could stretch to a polybush kit too you have a very tidy car handling wise.
I have some old suspension topmounts and gaskets somewhere, along with pattern brake pads. Not sure why I kept them but you'll find lots of the GTIR boys will have spare stuff knocking about as they've upgraded it over time.
I mostly posted on the GTIR Mod club. I did a bit on the SR20Forum but mostly that's good for research, better for you mind as your Sunny is FWD and N/A which the GTIRs aren't. I used to on the GTIROC but they introduced fees for membership so most of the forum was read only for me...
There's a lot of crap posted as you can imagine so spend a while digging through and you'll get an idea of who spouts the most rubbish.
I don't post/look much at them nowadays as I've moved onto a bigger Datsun.
I should also suggest looking at Whiteline.com.au they do suspension bits for N14s and if you don't go down the coil-over route then their springs are very good.
Random stuff whilst I'm thinking of it:
Coil-over spring rates shouldn't be much more than 5kg front and 4kg rear unless it's a track only car.
16" wheels are a good compromise for size/handling/brake clearance/weight.
The 100NX (B13) came with the SR20DE in the USA (NX2000 I think it was called) and is very similar to the N14 Sunny GTI so body aside lots of useful info for the NXs can be carried straight across (like cheap US suspension/engine parts.
Please don't stick a GTIR bonnet on it. If you're swapping in the GTIR engine then fair go but otherwise it'll just look s
te.
There's a lot of crap posted as you can imagine so spend a while digging through and you'll get an idea of who spouts the most rubbish.
I don't post/look much at them nowadays as I've moved onto a bigger Datsun.
I should also suggest looking at Whiteline.com.au they do suspension bits for N14s and if you don't go down the coil-over route then their springs are very good.
Random stuff whilst I'm thinking of it:
Coil-over spring rates shouldn't be much more than 5kg front and 4kg rear unless it's a track only car.
16" wheels are a good compromise for size/handling/brake clearance/weight.
The 100NX (B13) came with the SR20DE in the USA (NX2000 I think it was called) and is very similar to the N14 Sunny GTI so body aside lots of useful info for the NXs can be carried straight across (like cheap US suspension/engine parts.
Please don't stick a GTIR bonnet on it. If you're swapping in the GTIR engine then fair go but otherwise it'll just look s
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