The Other Build - Nissan Hardbody
#1
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Not sure how well this is going to be received, but I was asked previously to post some more information on my current project so I figured I'd share.
A few months ago I picked up a cheap Nissan Pickup with 270k miles on it. It's a 1991, 5 speed, 2wd, extended cab. I've always wanted to try a super cheap turbo build to see what I could piece together and this seemed like it would make for an interesting subject.
It's a manual, 2wd, fuel injected, respond well to cheap piggybacks, and has a KA24E motor (same motor that came in earlier S13 240's) so there are plenty of cheap aftermarket parts available.
This is the beast when I got her home:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36010-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2019.jpg?dateline=1331139715)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36011-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2027.jpg?dateline=1331139715)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36012-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2028.jpg?dateline=1331139715)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36013-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2029.jpg?dateline=1331139715)
A few months ago I picked up a cheap Nissan Pickup with 270k miles on it. It's a 1991, 5 speed, 2wd, extended cab. I've always wanted to try a super cheap turbo build to see what I could piece together and this seemed like it would make for an interesting subject.
It's a manual, 2wd, fuel injected, respond well to cheap piggybacks, and has a KA24E motor (same motor that came in earlier S13 240's) so there are plenty of cheap aftermarket parts available.
This is the beast when I got her home:
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36010-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2019.jpg?dateline=1331139715)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36011-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2027.jpg?dateline=1331139715)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36012-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2028.jpg?dateline=1331139715)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36013-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2029.jpg?dateline=1331139715)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36014-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2031.jpg?dateline=1331139715)
#2
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I found a manifold, turbo, partial downpipe, and some 450 injectors that I picked up cheap off craigslist. I've tried to do some research on the turbo to figure out what it's off of, but haven't had much luck. I'd love if someone could help identify it, I can post more on it when I get home. It's a small T3, oil cooled, internally gated, "Air Research".
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36015-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2024.jpg?dateline=1331139982)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36015-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2024.jpg?dateline=1331139982)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36016-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2023.jpg?dateline=1331139982)
#4
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oh my -----ing god....I do not need to be seeing this......![vash](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/vash.gif)
I've been so tempted for the last year to turbo my frontier...2001 2door, 5 speed with a KA24DE![Party Kitty](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/birthday[1].gif)
What are your plans for the a/c line coming off the fire wall over the header? That's pretty much the only thing that's stopping me from throwing on a super cheap kit.
![vash](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/vash.gif)
I've been so tempted for the last year to turbo my frontier...2001 2door, 5 speed with a KA24DE
![Party Kitty](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/birthday[1].gif)
What are your plans for the a/c line coming off the fire wall over the header? That's pretty much the only thing that's stopping me from throwing on a super cheap kit.
#5
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Awesome, thanks man. Hopefully it will flow enough to be usefull, I'm not expecting much out of it.
I relocated that AC line and the rest of the AC components to my trash can.
I originally wanted to try to work around it, but the AC wasn't cold anyway so I just junked it.
oh my -----ing god....I do not need to be seeing this......![vash](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/vash.gif)
I've been so tempted for the last year to turbo my frontier...2001 2door, 5 speed with a KA24DE![Party Kitty](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/birthday[1].gif)
What are your plans for the a/c line coming off the fire wall over the header? That's pretty much the only thing that's stopping me from throwing on a super cheap kit.
![vash](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/vash.gif)
I've been so tempted for the last year to turbo my frontier...2001 2door, 5 speed with a KA24DE
![Party Kitty](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/birthday[1].gif)
What are your plans for the a/c line coming off the fire wall over the header? That's pretty much the only thing that's stopping me from throwing on a super cheap kit.
![Giggle](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/smilies/gay.gif)
#6
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Abuot this point I started getting distracted from boost by the horrible paint. I decided to paint the truck, which turned into a huge mess that took months. Apparently the truck had been repainted about 10 times and while sanding the paint would chip off at various levels and I couldn't ever get it smooth. I ended up stripping the entire truck before repainting it. Lost motivation several times, but eventually got it coated. It still needs another coat but at least it's white now.
I picked up some Tacoma wheels as well and put on it. I feel like it's looking a lot better already but still needs a lot of love.
I also lowered it 2 inches on blocks, which seemed to do almost nothing. Definitely would like to lower it some more but new springs are expensive, relatively speaking.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36021-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2565.jpg?dateline=1331143196)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36022-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2567.jpg?dateline=1331143196)
I picked up some Tacoma wheels as well and put on it. I feel like it's looking a lot better already but still needs a lot of love.
I also lowered it 2 inches on blocks, which seemed to do almost nothing. Definitely would like to lower it some more but new springs are expensive, relatively speaking.
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36021-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2565.jpg?dateline=1331143196)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36022-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2567.jpg?dateline=1331143196)
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/build-threads-57/36023-other-build-nissan-hardbody-100_2569.jpg?dateline=1331143196)
#10
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Are you going for a decent handling pickup? Or a rugged picked with power?
Those wheels look...wrong. I like the original ones, maybe blasted and repainted black. If you're want something that handles, that's another story though.
Those wheels look...wrong. I like the original ones, maybe blasted and repainted black. If you're want something that handles, that's another story though.
#12
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Correct, the tires that were on it killing the gear ratios. I went back to a stock sized tire. Like mentioned above, I'd like to go a few inches lower and I think it'd look a lot better.
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