Greetings from Gunma!
I'm Ren Kashima, 19 going on 20 some time this year. Gunma native, near Mount Haruna in particular, and studying mechanical engineering at Gunma U while working part-time at a nearby tuning shop. My handle was taken from some foreign movie trailer (I forget if it was an actual movie) I found online a few years ago.
My first car--well, not the family's first, that'd be my dad's ER34 Skyline--is this late-model Nissan 180SX. I forget if it was a Type S or a Type X, but I don't think it can even matter at this point since it's basically a rolling chassis.

Not exactly in running condition, as you can see. Clean, yes, but engine-less. Got it for about... V$ 7,400, which isn't too bad for a well-maintained S13 chassis, actually. Should make for a good time and money sink in the meantime.
I'm thinking of filling that engine bay with something soon enough so I can get it registered, maybe give it new wheels, coils, brakes, and a repaint while I'm at it. I'm still curious as to what I should put in there... Tried and true SR20, or perhaps a Honda K or F? Decisions, decisions...

You have been scammed with the price, I bought a Type X in pristine condition for about 8000 if I'm not mistaken, but outside of that, it's a very good project, I agree with what skip said, although there are several alternatives, here are the that I recommend, from the most economical to the most expensive.

- SR20DET: Easy to install, and very economical in ebay are for 3500 dollars (I have placed this option first although the following two are cheaper, because it is the easiest to install)

- 2UZ-FE: Toyota V8 engine, they are very cheap but they are more complicated to install, but it can be a good base, I have already installed one in an s13 and it is somewhat complicated, but also not very difficult, they are from 1000 dollars

VQ35DE: The motor of the 350z, is a good option for a project, and they are not expensive, they are from 2500 dollars

- K-Series / F-Series: These types of engines are quite reliable, they are high rpm engines, and since they are N / A engines, they are a very good base and are not at their limit, so they can be modified a lot, although the K-Series are fwd, so you would have to change the box, but the f series are already rwd.

The k-series are from 1000 dollars, but with high mileage, above 3000 dollars there are less mileage and with all their pates ready, and the f series are from 4000 dollars, they are already rwd, so there will be no convert it

- 1JZ-GTE / 2JZ-GTE: They are quite more expensive than the previous ones, but they are highly recommended, The 1jz-gte and the 2jz-gte that are vvti are a little more economical because they are less desired by the enthusiasts (because the 2jz -gte no vvti hold more than 900hp with stock internals, but the vvti hold 500-550)

The 1jz-gte are from 4000 dollars with manual gearbox, and the 2jz-gte are from 3000 with automatic box of an aristo, but the manuals are more expensive, I recommend you buy the automatic and place a box of 5 speeds of a 2jz-gte, it's cheaper than buying the 6-speed

- RB20DET / RB25DET / RB26DETT: This is one of the most expensive options, but it is not for much either, The rb20det can be a very good option and it is not as expensive, like the rb25, but the rb26 is very complicated to deal with because it's awd with a very complex system, and converting it to rwd is fucked up, so you'll have to buy an already converted one, which is even more expensive
The rb20 are around 2500 dollars, the rb25 are between 3500 dollars and 5000 dollars, and the rb26dett are from 6500 dollars already converted to rwd

LS: It is a very popular option in usa, although in Japan they are more expensive, they are for about 8000 dollars or more, but you already get a v8 engine with 505 hp factory, rwd, it is a good option

VR38DETT: The most expensive and complicated option, but if you want to stick with it, do it, the vr38dett is a twin turbo v6 engine with more than 400hp, with integral traction, it is the engine of the Nissan GTR R35, they are from 15000 V $, I would not recommend it, but if you prefer, go for it!

I would say that you should go for F series engine from S2K, also don't forget the fact that stock internals are good up to 500HP if not more, a lot more than SR20 can take, so it is up to you to decide. And as for the parts, check out UpGarage.com , a lot of cool parts at decent prices, also they have a lot of shops around Japan. Good luck man, will be interesting to see what will you do with it.

# Mr.Stance : Maybe a 3SGE Beams will work ...

I'm not quite sure where I could get a BEAMS 3S, though. All I know is that an FR version can be taken off an early-model Altezza...
(( Basically I don't have a 3S-GE mod ))

Anyway, sitrep: got various parts to put on the 180SX, like these 17-inch Work Seeker GX wheels (should be nice if I want to get bigger brakes in the future), HKS Hipermax coilovers, swaybars, Bride recliners, and a Vertex steering wheel. I got some other stuff too which will be installed later, like a carbon rear garnish and some D-Max clear blinkers, but that's gonna wait until I decide on a paint job for this guy.



This is how it's sitting now. Had to roll the fenders to fit the rear wheels snugly. Good thing there's a fender roller where I work at.
That said, I'm considering either plain black or any non-black color with a black roof for the 180SX, but I thought I'd ask you guys first for your thoughts.

Ahh.. I was really hoping you will go for F series instead, but I guess I want to see it done more than you do it yourself haha. I have built 3S engines before, even swapped one in my friends E30, so all I can say that it will depend on your end goal. Turbo or NA ? Because while building my 3S I spent like 8000$ if not more on engine parts to make it 260HP Race Spec engine with redline over 9K, only two good things from that engine are crankshaft and OEM titanium valves, only those things can take power and are decent, everything else will need to be replaced imo. You can read about my 3SGE build here X30 Build. Maybe you will get some ideas.

K-Swaps are getting a lot of attention lately and especially in RWD applications. So i mean if you want all motor power id go for the K Swap. And Colour scheme depends on what youre wanting from the build.. Missile or nah? <- basically decides if you paint it or not lmao

Finally got around to painting the 180SX, and I decided to go with good ol' black. I've always liked the color black, and this shade is based off a Honda OEM color.



Got myself some R33 Brembo disc brakes too off Yahoo Auctions. Might be a bit overkill, but I think more stopping power is always useful.
(( Actually had to use similar-looking '00 Stang Cobra R Brembos ))



Obligatory interior photo.



And now to look for an engine...

Place a 4AGE!
They are economical, there are many aftermarket parts, and it is a high rpm engine!

Daaaaaamn !
Hotboi af

Fabbed up the exhaust setup for the 180SX. The exhaust sides between the K-series and the SR20 being on opposite ends made it a touch more difficult, though. Decided to go with a burnt dual-tip exhaust, similar to what the S13s got stock.




Picked up a Vertex shift knob too, which shows a 6MT shift pattern. Seems the shakedown is coming closer and closer.



While I was looking for intake options, I decided to test-fit an intake manifold designed for an S2000. Points the right way, but...



...intake piping would go straight through the radiator. Welp. I guess this really is the project car life.

This sounds interesting! Can't wait to see the results!

Yeah, I'm actually considering ITBs even more now, since I can't just adapt an S2000 manifold. Thing is, most of them cost a fair bit, so I've got to wait for a while for money to roll in...