My '02 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V (Daily) & '06 Nissan Pathfinder (Adventure Rig)

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CodeRedR51

CodeRedR51

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My other thread is out of date and one of the cars is gone, so starting a new one. Admin feel free to delete the other one if deemed necessary.

Picked up this 2002 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V in November of 2024. At the time it had 203,000 miles on it. I do not know if the engine has ever been changed as Nissan didn't put any identifying numbers on it. The VIN tag on the transmission matches the car, so I at least know that is original. It was repainted at some point and it looks great in photos, but it has some flaws and could use a good buffing. They didn't put the Spec-V badging back on after paint, so it just has the SE-R badges at the moment. It is definitely a Spec-V though as it has a 6-speed manual and the regular SE-R came with a 5-speed manual. It was sold new in Arizona and has remained in the state since then, so it is extremely clean underneath with ZERO rust. Super clean interior minus some scratches in the dashboard plastics.

It came with an eBay exhaust header (normal fix for these cars to avoid the catalytic converter breaking apart and getting sucked back into the engine), BC Racing BR Series coilovers, aftermarket wheels, and an upgraded stereo.

So far I have added:
  • 2J Racing 2.5" resonated midpipe
  • Stromung 2.25" axle-back exhaust
  • TDMI 5-lug conversion
  • Parts Shop Max Z32 replica front calipers (with eBay S13 brackets)
  • 2012 Maxima front rotors (rear brakes are stock with 2J Racing conversion rotors)
  • StopTech S13 to Z32 front brake lines (TDMI rear lines)
  • 2J Racing 10mm traction spacers
  • Ultra Racing 4-point lower tie bar
  • 2J Racing 25mm rear sway bar
  • AVID1 AV26 5x114.3 17x8 +35 wheels (hyper black)
  • Nissanity grounding kit
  • 2J Racing shifter bushings
  • Redline Tuning hood struts
  • 2026 Infiniti QX60 borderless & auto dimming rear view mirror
  • Kenwood speakers
  • Full sound deadening treatment (roof, floor, inside doors)
The car is my daily driver and currently sits at 226,000 miles. I have big plans that will not be realized until probably 2028 as the car will be stored for 6-8 months in 2027 while I go on a big adventure with my Pathfinder. Here's a brief overview of said plans:
  • Swapping the 175hp QR25 engine (100mm stroke) for a 140hp QR20 (80mm stroke)
  • Adding Jim Wolf Technology camshafts, valve springs and retainers
  • Garrett GT2860RS turbo setup on low boost
  • Goals are 230-250hp to the wheels, 7500rpm redline
It will remain a daily driver until I can find a good deal on a 2017-18 Elantra Sport to replace it, and then I may end up going full on track car with the Sentra. We'll see. I will update this thread whenever I make any changes.

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And my 2006 Pathfinder that I picked up in November 2022. It was a 2-owner survivor with 68k miles on it (first owner put 34k miles on it in ~14 years) and it currently has 106k miles. Just had to have the timing system serviced because the chain guides were worn and it started sounding like I had a supercharger installed. It came with pretty much zero mods, aside from some a poor choice of using plasti-dip on the wheels, emblems, etc.

Current modifications:
  • Alldogs Offroad 2" spring lift with Koni shocks (terrible for off roading BTW)
  • Z1 Offroad front upper control arms
  • Z1 Offroad lower control arm lockout bolts
  • Raceline 952MC 16x8 wheels (Milestar Patagonia XT 285/75R16 tires)
  • SF Creations 1.5" body lift
  • ASFIR transfer case and fuel tank skid plates
  • Z1 Offroad engine skid plate
  • Coastal Offroad front bumper (with Badland 12k winch)
  • Coastal Offroad rear bumper with spare tire swingout
  • Coastal Offroad rock sliders
  • 1st generation Nissan Titan M205 front differential (V8 Pathfinder CV axles)
  • TRE electronic locker inside ^^^
  • Z1 Offroad hood struts
  • BS Customs molly panel setup with shelf
Parts I have purchased, waiting to be installed:
  • AlloyWorks aluminum radiator
  • 200 amp Titan alternator conversion
  • Z1 Offroad tie rod ends (with new OEM inner tie rods)
  • OME HD rear springs with OME shocks (same lift, stiffer to hold more weight)
  • Nomadik Overland custom storage system
  • Replacing the Coastal Offroad rock sliders with a custom set that fit better
Also doing a bunch of maintenance stuff like rear differential bushings, seals, u-joints, etc in preparation for a big road trip I have coming up in 2027. Where I will be taking 6 months minimum to do a big loop through all of the western US states west of the Rockies. If you would like to follow along with the pre-trip preparation and the trip itself, check out my YouTube channel here:


Here is what it looked like when I bought it.

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And here is pretty much what it looks like now.

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Last edited:
CodeRedR51
2017-18 Elantra Sport to replace it
Click to expand...
Oh god, don't. Why would you ever subject to a daily with a rare engine that will pop and leave you and your bank out for a real adventure. Otherwise - clean Sentra, keep shining the turd especially since it works as any daily should!
 
Skv012a
Oh god, don't. Why would you ever subject to a daily with a rare engine that will pop and leave you and your bank out for a real adventure. Otherwise - clean Sentra, keep shining the turd especially since it works as any daily should!
Click to expand...
I had an Elantra Sport before and it was a great car. Modified like crazy (with bigger turbo) and I beat on it all the time and it never gave me any problems. I regret selling it. Also I'm not replacing the Sentra entirely, just replacing it as a daily driver. The Elantra would be the new daily, and the Sentra will probably get stripped, caged, and turned into a barely street legal racecar.

Said Elantra:

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