My first 240 and build

[Majik1]

**EDIT***

So today (12/17) is an interesting day...

Im sure most of you have read my previous build, what I wanted to do, the power levels I wanted, my time and budget goals. Well today I made a serious trade that blows my budget out of the water but I think it is in my best interest.

I traded my current white shell, motor and trans for a LS1!!!! (motor only)

So my new goal is about 400-425 rwhp na, my time frame is drivable by 04/2013, and my budget is now more in the 12k range.

I will be doing all of the wiring myself, I am ordering the Sikky Install kit in the next few weeks. I want to build the motor a little bit before I put it in. I am ordering a T56 transmission hopefully in Feb. Once all of the pieces are together, I'm going to drop her right in. I already have all of my paint supplies and rims and tires.

Parts list for Motor:
LS6 Manifold
230 Cam
243 Casting Heads

Suspension:
Coilovers (havent decided which ones I want yet)
Front and Rear Sway Bars

Body:
Full Cage
Racing Seat
5 point Seat Belt
Racing Steering Wheel (Quick Release)
Front and Rear Tower Bars
I already have a full 3" straight pipe exhaust

***EDIT END*** Previous info listed below

Hello everyone, my name is Majik. I'm new to NICO and new to the 240 world. I just decided one day I wanted to get involved with the 240 world for 2 things, drifting, and general style of the car. I set myself a goal, budget and time frame for the build. Goal is 350-375rwhp, budget is 9k and time frame is 9 months (hoping to be finished 08/2013).

So to begin I started serching for my car, budget for the car was 1k. Found this 1993 240sx Hatch with a rebuilt motor with 80k miles and the chasis has 196k. Got her off Craigslist for $750...


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Pulled her out of the field and brought her home. I started assesing the true damage to the car... It was much worse than I intially thought...


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I found a few other parts on CL, I picked up 3 fenders (2 driver & 1 passenger), hood and pig nose front bumper for $50. Now I cannot do frame work myself, so I got a quote from a few local shops, $3700, $3950, and $4175... Just to fix the frame and front. This is not by any means part of my budget...

So I blasted FB and texted friends asking if anyone knew some one with a shell. Found one, 90 hatch for $300. Now that is within my budget. Stripped my car and started to part it out on CL. Found a guy looking for a lot of parts (almost the whole car) so I sold him my shell with no motor, trans and harness for $250.

So I am going to pick up my shell in the next few weeks and begin my build. Right now its a stock KA24de and when I pull it I'm building it...

So I will keep you updated on the progress of my build and will add photos as my progress continues. I already have my color combination picked out so we shall see what the winter brings!

Thanks for reading! Any input or advanced knowledge or functionality of any of these parts will be greatly appreciated!

~Majik

[240hatchsx]

Welcome to nico man. Looks like you have a set plan for your dream 240 but you gotta ditch that eBay intake and exhaust manifolds. There's a guy on here named Super Doftio something and he bought an ebay intake manifold and has spent almost triple on it just so he can use it for his build. So just remember cheaper isn't always better and I'm in the middle of getting parts for my build as well so I know expensive it can get. So good luck just the same

[Majik1]

That's the kind of info I am looking for thanks! and will do. Do right once, never do it again, do wrong once, feel the forever pain...

[lax240]

You may wanna explore the option of SR20 as u can possibly make more power with less money that route. Also a stock motor is gonna be more reliable and not need any type of engine management.

[krash]

Welcome to NICO! Sounds like you've got good plans. I'm currently building my KA with Wiseco pistons as well. +1 on the ebay manifolds, its a hit or miss with those. Sometimes you get good parts, sometimes you dont. Cheapest way to go is ISIS.

You may wanna explore the option of SR20 as u can possibly make more power with less money that route. Also a stock motor is gonna be more reliable and not need any type of engine management.

Not trying to be rude, but this is kind of almost all wrong. SR20 is the easier route, but definitely not "more power with less money". Reliability is shady, since it depends on the P.O., and tuning/engine management is a must when upgrading turbos.
Ask Hoffman how cheap his SR swap was.

Again, not trying to be rude, theres just no 100% yes or no kind of statement you can make like that with this stuff.

Anyway, if you do have anymore questions about KA stuff, we have a lot of knowledgable guys in the KA subforum, and feel free to PM me any time, I've learned a lot after starting my build!

[Majik1]

I thought about it of course... but wanted to do my own thing, not what everyone else does.

+1 Krash... I want this to be my car, not a oh I bought this, and just dropped it in...

SR would cost 1k-1.3k then a full turbo upgrade, and for the WHP I'm looking for I would have to upgrade ECU for fuel purposes alone...

[240hatchsx]

I thought about it of course... but wanted to do my own thing, not what everyone else does.

That's why I'm taking it a step further and going KDER myself haha

[Majik1]

Nice 240hatchsx! Yea I have done A LOT of research before even getting involved in the 240 world, then I read and read and read some more about peoples builds, what they liked and didn't like. Then I picked my path and what I wanted out of my car. Been to couple of Drift events here at the local track (Summit Point WV), and went to Drift Nirvana last weekend. WOW saw a lot of 'junk' drifters... I watched one guy pull his SR and complete a full motor swap in the parking lot... Then I came home and did some more research lol. All I can say NICO Forums and a few others have been my close friends these past few weeks

Back to my build, picked up an engine hoist for FREE on CL so I am pulling the motor out this Friday when I have the day off. Pics will follow soon!

[Lobo240sx]

SR would cost 1k-1.3k then a full turbo upgrade, and for the WHP I'm looking for I would have to upgrade ECU for fuel purposes alone...

Gotta pay to play. That's where most people cheap out is on their tuning, then wonder why they melted a piston. Do it right the first time with a stand alone + good tuner and you won't have that problem with a SR, KAT, etc.

[krash]

Oh snap Majik, sounds like you're a local! Home is in MD, but I'm in Tennessee for college.

[Majik1]

Nice, I live in Damascus, grew up in Mount Airy and work in Fredneck aka Frederick. My a** grew up at 75-80, switched to bikes (still got 2 of em), now I'm coming back to cars....

[2_Liter_Turbo]

Parts list for Motor:
Weisco 8.8 Pistons
H Beam Rods
Godspeed Intake Manifold
All new gakets

Do not get the Godspeed intake manifold. It's a cheap inferior made part. You will have to spend money (or time) to get it to work right, and even then, it was not designed with proper R&D. Honestly, just stick with an OEM intake manifold at the power level you are looking at. You'll enjoy the more power you have in the low end (What KAs are good for anyways), and be able to spend the money you save elsewhere to upgrade from other cheap parts to quality parts. Weisco are good pistons, nothing wrong there. H-Beams, Eagle or Scat work just fine. I'd recommend OEM gaskets.

Fuel:
Walbro 255lph fuel pump
High flow fuel filter
MSD Top Feed 72lbs Injectors
High Flow Top Feed Fuel Rail
Fuel Pressure Regulator

Walbro's work just fine (I've had mine for 7 years), but if you can spend a little more, the new Aeromotive stealth pump is pretty sweet. Filter, just get a regular Z32 filter. It's typically cheaper than the 240 one even. I don't have any experience with MSD top feeds, so I can't say anything there, lol. Make sure you get a good quality FPR. Get something that says "made in the USA or Japan", lol.

Suspension:
Coilovers (havent decided which ones I want yet)
Front and Rear Sway Bars

Whiteline makes a good set of adjustable sway bars. Same with Progress. I run a set of adj Eibachs on my G35, and they work well too. Coilovers.... Don't buy anything made in taiwan, china, etc. Do a little research before ordering. If you must go cheap, Apexi S1s are probably your best bet, although some KWs will be better.

Turbo Kit:
Garrett GT30
Top Mount Godspeed Trubo Manifold
Z32 MAF
Tial 40mm External Waste Gate
Greddy Type S BOV
Godspeed FMIC (2.5" piping)
3" Custom Downpipe
Steel Braided Oil Feed and Drain lines

Just curious why a GT30 (not saying they are bad, I have one, lol)? For the power you want, there are a lot of other turbo options out there that will work better. Again, godspeed is garbage. Don't bother. It is made of low grade stainless and it is not an "engineered" manifold. Not saying go with a Full-Race or anything (although they are nice ), just don't go with godspeed, megan, etc. They suck. Same with the FMIC setup. ETS makes some decent FMIC setups for the KA24DE(T).

Thanks for reading! Any input or advanced knowledge or functionality of any of these parts will be greatly appreciated!

~Majik

I wish you good luck with your build, it's great fun. I've been messing with these cars for almost 9 years now, and I still can't stop, lol. If you have any questions, let me know.

[Majik1]

Good input 2 Liter. And thanks for the product experience. I will definately stay away for Godspeed then, and I had already heard about the megan product line... I was talking to one of my buddies and has talked me into the JGS Exhaust Top Mount Mani, so I am going to order one within the next few days. I haven't heard of this Fuel Pump 'Aeromotive stealth', I will have to look into that. And the reason for the GT30 was because I found one that was a reasonable price, was not used, and was pretty much there for the taking. I trust the Garrett name and know that it should be a decent turbo for the projections I am looking for.

Got my engine hoist yesterday, guy asked for me a case of Coors light... couldnt pass that up. Ordered all new OEM gaskets and ARP studs on Saturday. so they should be here within the next few days. I am starting the removal of the Engine harness and ECU tomrrow evening, and then the motor pull hopefully by this weekend.

[SX APPEAL]

I thought about it of course... but wanted to do my own thing, not what everyone else does.

Not to be rude or anything, but you're going to have to spend A LOT more than $10K to "do your own thing, not what everyone else does."

SR, KA-T, KA-R, CA, RB, AWD RB, 1JZ, 2JZ, LSX, SBC, BBC, VQ, VH, VK, 302, Ford 4.6, rotory, They've ALL been done.

To "do your own thing" you're basically talking about the VR38DETT out of the GT-R or exotic race engines like the VRH, basically anything that's actually worth doing as far as cost vs. bhp, has already been done, most a hundred times over.

If any of us got into this chassis to be original, we did it for the wrong reason lol. Honestly, if I could do it all over again, I'd go with an LSX over my GT30 set-up every day of the week, so much more easy, usable power for roughly the same budget. Not to mention that swap would probably be running by now, as opposed to the KA-T, which still isn't after over two years.

[Majik1]

New Build info posted. Please read original post for new LS1 information!!!

[SX APPEAL]

**EDIT***

So today (12/17) is an interesting day...

Im sure most of you have read my previous build, what I wanted to do, the power levels I wanted, my time and budget goals. Well today I made a serious trade that blows my budget out of the water but I think it is in my best interest.

I traded my current white shell, motor and trans for a LS1!!!! (motor only)

So my new goal is about 400-425 rwhp na, my time frame is drivable by 04/2013, and my budget is now more in the 12k range.

I will be doing all of the wiring myself, I am ordering the Sikky Install kit in the next few weeks. I want to build the motor a little bit before I put it in. I am ordering a T56 transmission hopefully in Feb. Once all of the pieces are together, I'm going to drop her right in. I already have all of my paint supplies and rims and tires.

Parts list for Motor:
LS6 Manifold
230 Cam
243 Casting Heads

Suspension:
Coilovers (havent decided which ones I want yet)
Front and Rear Sway Bars

Body:
Full Cage
Racing Seat
5 point Seat Belt
Racing Steering Wheel (Quick Release)
Front and Rear Tower Bars
I already have a full 3" straight pipe exhaust

***EDIT END*** Previous info listed below

Personally I think you'll have a lot less headaches and a lot more fun with the LS, wish it wasn't too late for me to change my mind lol.

[Majik1]

Well I'll tell you my best friend said he wouldn't help me with my build, he said he didn't think it was worth the $$ vs power ratio... I told this news today, and he said when we getting started lol. I reall think this was a lucky sign to go LS that it just happened to fall into my hands. So I am getting the motor on Thursday, and going to grab my other shell either this weekend or the next. Let the fun begin!!! Pics will come soon!

[mechanicalmoron]

Welcome to NICO! Sounds like you've got good plans. I'm currently building my KA with Wiseco pistons as well. +1 on the ebay manifolds, its a hit or miss with those. Sometimes you get good parts, sometimes you dont. Cheapest way to go is ISIS.

You may wanna explore the option of SR20 as u can possibly make more power with less money that route. Also a stock motor is gonna be more reliable and not need any type of engine management.

Not trying to be rude, but this is kind of almost all wrong. SR20 is the easier route, but definitely not "more power with less money". Reliability is shady, since it depends on the P.O., and tuning/engine management is a must when upgrading turbos.
Ask Hoffman how cheap his SR swap was.

Again, not trying to be rude, theres just no 100% yes or no kind of statement you can make like that with this stuff.

Anyway, if you do have anymore questions about KA stuff, we have a lot of knowledgable guys in the KA subforum, and feel free to PM me any time, I've learned a lot after starting my build!

Well a used LS1 will have the same reliability issues as an SR, I'd think...

I'm making this up, but I thought for an LS1, you could make like 1000hp, and for 400, you could drop a third as much money and do it with a KA or SR.

[SX APPEAL]

You CANNOT make 400whp on a KA-T for a third of the cost of an LS swap. Can't even do it for the same cost, if you want the engine to last anyway. Anyone who says you can has obviously never done it.

And reliability? 400hp is a pretty lazy number for an LS, can be achieved with a few bolt ons. Whereas with the KA or SR, you're talking about building that engine and then still stretching the design capabilities to the max. Which one to YOU think is going to be more reliable?

I read an article in hotrod magazine, I'm on my phone right now or I'd find a link for it, where they pulled a used LSx (can't remember the designation of all of them, but they said it was the 5.3L) out of a truck in a junkyard. They did NOT do anything internally to it at all, just changed the oil, swapped in a decent cam and a corvette intake manifold. They then put it on an engine dyno with a couple of turbos and started running it and cranking up the boost until it blew. It never did. They got over 30 psi and 1000hp out of that junkyard LS and it just shrugged off the abuse. And the best part? After the test someone ran the id numbers on the engine block and discovered that it wasn't actually a 5.3L, it was the 4.8!

I don't know about you guys, but I want some of that in my life lol.

[2_Liter_Turbo]

And reliability? 400hp is a pretty lazy number for an LS, can be achieved with a few bolt ons. Whereas with the KA or SR, you're talking about building that engine and then still stretching the design capabilities to the max.
.

I'm all for an LS1 swap, and wish it was a viable option when I did my SR swap all those years ago... however. 400hp on an SR is easy. All you need is the turbo kit (Larger Turbo/WG/BOV/etc), FMIC, Injectors, ECU/MAF and exhaust.... Don't even have to pop the valve cover.

[Majik1]

Update:

Got my motor, now the I gotta break her down and clean it up. Picked up a 01 Vette PCM and it is off for a basic mail order tune. Picked a nice aggressive cam off CL, Texas Speed Torqurer V2 , 232/234 114 lsa with a 595/598 lift. Picked a set of stock ls6 243 heads. The heads will be off to the machine shop as soon as they are delivered. Next items to pick up are a LS6 intake, bigger TB, new power steering pump, and alternator. Then I will begin my wiring fun! I will post pics of the motor as soon as I can.

[SX APPEAL]

I'm all for an LS1 swap, and wish it was a viable option when I did my SR swap all those years ago... however. 400hp on an SR is easy. All you need is the turbo kit (Larger Turbo/WG/BOV/etc), FMIC, Injectors, ECU/MAF and exhaust.... Don't even have to pop the valve cover.

Still maintain that a 400hp LS will be MUCH more reliable than a 400hp SR, are you really going to argue that?

btw, really wish I had the chance to do what this little s***^ (OP) is doing haha

[kouki munster]

3 years later and my stock short block/20g sr setup is still humming along just as good as it did the first day I fired it up, and by humming I mean screaming at the top of it lungs into a bull horn in front of a microphone for a large and powerful public announcement system turned up to 11.

[SX APPEAL]

Just saying, LSX engines are engineered from the factory to make 400+ hp and last for HUNDREDS of thousands of miles. That's not measured in a couple-three years time frame, that's measured in 10-15+ years.

[kouki munster]

Just saying, but the s14 sr I have been beating on for the last 3 years rolled out of the factory in 1998, and last time I checked it is 2013, so what's your point?

[Hijacker]

LS swaps are great, reliable power plants. I will never blame anyone for wanting to drop one of those in their car.

But, a 400 WHP isn't hard to make, and keep reliably at that power point. The stock block has been well known to produce power up to that point without breaking and continue to run reliably. CodyAce is putting out a little over 400 RWHP on his stock block SR, and he got her up and running in '06. It's all in the tuning; skimp on that or mess it up and an SR will take a dump all over your face.

The point I'm getting at is Nissan designed the SR to have some long term reliability with a good amount of power overhead built in. My original SR may not have been a 400+ RWHP monster, but I beat the piss out of it for nearly 5 years before swapping in a moderately built SR because I could. My old motor, to my knowledge, is still running strong in a coupe I sold in '08. So don't write SRs off as expensive and finicky to build. Just get the tuning right the first time.

I'd still prefer an LS, though.

[Rushin]

Being a vet in the LS world and only a year into the 240 scene, I was spoiled with the power, reliability, and fun the V8s put out. I'm in the process of the swap myself. Good luck!

[2_Liter_Turbo]

[quote="SX APPEAL"]Just saying, LSX engines are engineered from the factory to make 400+ hp and last for HUNDREDS of thousands of miles. That's not measured in a couple-three years time frame, that's measured in 10-15+ years.[/quote
I had 200k miles on my SR before doing a build. Still had perfect compression across the board. The last 14k were at 20psi on the stock everything except the minimal mods I listed before. It would have gone a lot longer, but I wanted to do more, lol.

[OutToWinPAHC]

I like LS swaps. my first 240 build was the pioneer LS engine 240 build seen around the net. I would like to put you in some better head cam directions tho.

[Majik1]

So I havent updated in awhile I have been really busy and the weather has not been very work conducive. So I recently started back up. Found a 1992 shell about 2 hours from me, drove out and picked it up. It originally was a RB swap, but as you know I am doing a LS swap. Car came with a welded rear dif, and 255 fuel pump. I will try to keep a running tab as well in case anyone is interested. I will try and update much more quickly as I make more progress.



Picked up my motor, wiring harness, and PCM...

I have ls1 valve covers, coil packs, and a super aggressive cam, still need to pick up a few f-body ls1 pieces.

Let the gutting process begin and end, here is how it looked when I was done...

Picked up some racing seats, nice tails, 6-pt roll cage, steering wheel, and began the cleaning process.



Let the interior painting begin. I already know my exterior color so I knew what color I wanted to do the inside.
Door Jams first

Full interior paint job (rat style satin black)
Roof

Rear

Driver Side


The rest

So this is where i stand now. Next is to get my rear quarter panel (passenger side) pulled out. My buddy is doing it for free so I cant complain about that.

Budget so far:
1992 clean title s13 shell- $700
5.3L V8- $450
ls1 Valve Covers, Coilpacks- $100
Racing Cam- $275 (used)
Mail Order Tuned PCM- $75
Safety 21 Roll Cage- $500 (used)
Steering Wheel- $200
Racing Seats- $125 (used)
Tail Lights- $150 (used)

Have any questions please feel free to ask.