Fair trade for s14?

[t.mcginley.jr]

Hi guys,

I usually post on the Z32 forum, but I need some 240sx owner opinions.

Would a 1990 300zx NA but a good trade for an s14?

My 300zx has 99k original miles and I fully rebuilt the engine with new parts at 97k. I also just replaced all the suspension with KYB shocks and Tein H-tech springs. Exhaust is all brand new, has SS 2.5" catback, aftermarket headers, single cone intake, TT heads and cams, and new style injectors kit.

I'm looking to get an S14, zenki or kouki doesn't matter, as a daily for commuting to work cause the Z doesn't exactly get good gas mileage (like 17ish mpg). Would that be a fair trade?

[simmode1]

Personally, I don't think so. Z32 is superior to a 240sx in EVERY way. I mean, if the s14 was SR swapped, that would be different. But for a KA powered car? You're downgrading.

But then again, you also wasted alot of time of money doing N/A mods to that VG. If I were you, I'd line up a buyer for your Z32 and put money aside for a TT Z32 or a 350Z. S-chassis needs so much TLC that you might as well get a higher performing Z for all the money you're gonna sink in the 240 to make it decently fun.

But if MPG is all you're worried about, I'd trade for a Miata over an S-chassis, personally.

[t.mcginley.jr]

Well most of the work I did was to get it running right (it was all jacked up when I bought it) so I figured I would add some stuff while I had the engine out.

Anyway, I'm really not going for anything with big power, I just need to get to work but I'd still like to have a somewhat sporty car. I have the majority of a TT swap in my garage including an engine but I think I'll just save that for when I find a good Z32 shell and I have more cash.

I was thinking I could trade it for a decent S14 with some cash on their end. Or just straight sell it and buy and S14. S14's get like 24mpg with the KA right?

[simmode1]

S14's get like 24mpg with the KA right?

If it's been taken care of, that sounds about right.

But speaking of MPG, this reminds me of the one thing I hate most about S14 and why I can't wait to get rid of mine: They are prone to getting hairline cracks in the fuel tank and leaking fuel just to the inside of the driver's side rear wheel. That in and of itself isn't too bad. It's an old car. Replacing stuff is part of the game.

The problem comes when you try to replace the fuel tank.
1) They're becoming harder to come by undamaged. They're like $500 new & supplies are drying up.
2) Once you secure a new fuel tank, you gotta drop the whole rear subframe to do the swap, unlike the S13.

God, I hate S14's now because of stuff like that. I much prefer S13's.

[Bokeh]

S14's get like 24mpg with the KA right?

If it's been taken care of, that sounds about right.

But speaking of MPG, this reminds me of the one thing I hate most about S14 and why I can't wait to get rid of mine: They are prone to getting hairline cracks in the fuel tank and leaking fuel just to the inside of the driver's side rear wheel. That in and of itself isn't too bad. It's an old car. Replacing stuff is part of the game.

The problem comes when you try to replace the fuel tank.
1) They're becoming harder to come by undamaged. They're like $500 new & supplies are drying up.
2) Once you secure a new fuel tank, you gotta drop the whole rear subframe to do the swap, unlike the S13.

God, I hate S14's now because of stuff like that. I much prefer S13's.

Good to know about the fuel tank cracks luckily I haven't got any leaks in mine, that sounds like a pain in the a** to replace. But since I've had mine I get around 25-28 mpg on 87, depending on my highway/city miles. The motor is ~250-260k but this is after I've done most of the maintenance and replacing of parts (plugs, wires, fuel pump/filter, etc.)

[t.mcginley.jr]

Yeah that does sound like a PITA, I'll have to look out for that. Is there anything you can do to prevent it from happening?

Good to know about the fuel tank cracks luckily I haven't got any leaks in mine, that sounds like a pain in the a** to replace. But since I've had mine I get around 25-28 mpg on 87, depending on my highway/city miles. The motor is ~250-260k but this is after I've done most of the maintenance and replacing of parts (plugs, wires, fuel pump/filter, etc.)

Bokeh is your s14 manual or auto?

[simmode1]

Yeah that does sound like a PITA, I'll have to look out for that. Is there anything you can do to prevent it from happening?

Not that I know of. I believe the crack appears as a stress fracture from the straps that hold the fuel tank in place. Doesn't really seem like any efficient way of cushioning it. I'd say, try to make sure your car shakes, rattles & vibrates as little a possible to prevent that from happening. Alignments, proper tire pressure, suspension links, wheel bearings, subframe bushings, etc...

[Bokeh]

Manual

[mechanicalmoron]

S14's get like 24mpg with the KA right?

If it's been taken care of, that sounds about right.

But speaking of MPG, this reminds me of the one thing I hate most about S14 and why I can't wait to get rid of mine: They are prone to getting hairline cracks in the fuel tank and leaking fuel just to the inside of the driver's side rear wheel. That in and of itself isn't too bad. It's an old car. Replacing stuff is part of the game.

The problem comes when you try to replace the fuel tank.
1) They're becoming harder to come by undamaged. They're like $500 new & supplies are drying up.
2) Once you secure a new fuel tank, you gotta drop the whole rear subframe to do the swap, unlike the S13.

God, I hate S14's now because of stuff like that. I much prefer S13's.

Out of curiosity, have you ever seen this happen to an s13? The fuel tank is a pretty scary component to fail, and, you'd think, a simple one that shouldn't. If it's made of the wrong steel, you have to worry about the actual chassis a bit more....

I've heard tell that motorcycle tanks are repaired by filling them with water, and welding. You might see if you could find somewhere that would feel comfortable doing this to your tank, and it might be cheaper and better than a new one.

OP, sounds like you should be trading for a pretty special 240. And I second simmode: s13, because s14's universally look like they should have a lexus logo on them. (come to think of it, that would be hilarious, because I'm immature)

[simmode1]

I remember when I first encountered the leaky fuel tank, it seemed to be just the S14 that had the problem. Didn't seem to effect s13's. But even if it did effect s13's, replacing its fuel tank is much easier.

S14's look great, especially from the rear quarter view, IMO. My preference on S13 over S14 is almost completely based on this one mechanical difference though.

But I will mention this: my s14 has NEVER fouled a fuel injector & made the engine run on only 3 cylinders like my s13 used to do all the time. So both have pros and cons.

[BigNateLvHc]

Well most of the work I did was to get it running right (it was all jacked up when I bought it) so I figured I would add some stuff while I had the engine out.

Anyway, I'm really not going for anything with big power, I just need to get to work but I'd still like to have a somewhat sporty car. I have the majority of a TT swap in my garage including an engine but I think I'll just save that for when I find a good Z32 shell and I have more cash.

I was thinking I could trade it for a decent S14 with some cash on their end. Or just straight sell it and buy and S14. S14's get like 24mpg with the KA right?

my 96 s14 manual would get me about 33 mpg on the hwy and around 22 in the city, but that was just cruising and not gettin on it. all stock daily driver. it had 180,xxx miles and ran like a champ. im working on gettin a s13. love the body!