Wrecked S14 w/ RB20DET. Should I buy?

[cmfireman]

Hi all, I've been a member for a while, I just lurk around in fear of getting flamed but I need some honest opinions here.

I currently own a 96 240sx SE which is 100% stock except for some cheap wheels and I have been researching doing a KA-T for a while now.

Here's the good part: I just stumbled upon a 1995 240sx SE (OBD1 FTW) that has an RB20DET with "supposedly" 60k, APEX'I exaust, a decent set of 18" wheels and Tien springs. The motor was "supposedly" professionaly installed and the car is clean as hell and looks very well thought-out.

The bad part: The car has been hit and the passenger quarter, decklid and bumber are severly damaged (the QP is my concern), but the RR wheel and exaust still look O.K.

Asking price is $3,500, I'm not sure if it's driveable (because of damage), but I was thinking that If I bought the car and swapped everything over to my extremely clean SE It would probably be cheaper than doing everything paycheck to paycheck.

My other option was to buy the car and get a quote on the body damage. If not too expensive I would get it repaired and have a DD and a weekend 240sx.

FLAME ON

Thanks for the opinions/comments/rude remarks in advance! J/K

[joes217]

frame is prolly toast. check on the price for the eng swap and go from there. besides (assuming it was done right) you dont have to f with the wiring cus its already done.

[cmfireman]

Here She is, not that horribly bad is it?

[cmfireman]

Sorry for the whoring of someone elses car Looks like a nicely done swap though.

Everything for the swap seems to be running for around 1k to $1500 depending on condition of the motor.

[forksquared]

your basically getting a motor wheels tires exhasut for 3500 and then you can use/sell interior pieces and good condition exterior pieces make some money back

[cmfireman]

So I take it that the quarter damage is beyond repair, I need to check and see if the frame was damaged in the accident, I haven't looked at it in person yet or talked with the guy for long.

[dsc4130]

its probably not worth fixing. im quessing the insurance company totalled it?

[cmfireman]

The guy says " It was hit in the rear, just body damage" I think it will only have a salvage title, but I'm not sure and I can't talk to the seller about it until tomorrow.

Apologies for the lack of information, I was just wanting to know if I should go for it or not.

[mrzabala]

Go for it. I think rb20dets are around 1300-2000 (if you include shipping). But since thats already in a 240 s14 you will have a much easier time installing it onto your car and its complete (takes time and money to find everything to get it on the road). Plus you can sell everything from where the accident ends to the front to earn money back (I made about $1000 selling s13 parts and I still got many more things I need to sell). GL

[knx2]

If you have the money for the car and the swap do it. If a RB20det is not enough engine for you don't do it and turbo your car.

[koukicody]

If you have the money for this car, then go for it! after you swap over the RB, and whatever else you want from the car, you will make quite a bit of money back from parting it out locally and on nico.

good luck with your might be project.

[cmfireman]

Only thing is If I turbo my KA shes getting rebuilt in the process for reliability.Rebuilt and Turboed KA, new springs, Exaust, and misc. other parts > $2500-$3000.

I could surely part this car out, sell my KA and come out cheaper with the RB.

Now this turns into RB20DET VS. KA24DE-T j/k

I'm just looking for something a little more potent than the stock 155hp, will never be a rececar or a drifter, I've never ran anything in the 240 but a good friends Tiburon for fun. (I won!)

I don't care about JDM Tyteness or being the dorifto king, I just want a reliable setup that keeps me in my car. I love my 240!

[574-240sx]

I would say if it was 500-1000 cheap I would jump on it. You might be able to talk him down.

[PowerGrid06]

ye man good deal. the cars is damaged good. The frame i dont know but the way that panel is bent it wont be easy or cheap to fix it. That car is nice it has ABS and i think it has a LSD. Get it and tart it.

[cmfireman]

I've got a buddy that does repairable work for a salvage shop (Paint,Body etc..).I'm sure he would cut me a great deal on the repairs, but that quarter is all to hell. I would about have to find a S14 in a junkyard that has been molested in the front and do a little cutting and welding (cut off junk car quarter, weld it in place of mine) theres nothing a little work,time,and bondo can't fix. .

My mind is running wild with ideas now.

[mrzabala]

yeah good idea= find a s14 in the junkyard. And just cut the whole rear needed. Just take more time than money to do it your self but would be sweet.

[PantherRacer]

That car's a 95, your's is a 96.Swap the engine, wheels, whatever performance parts you want from that car onto yours, and then sell the 95 as a shell. You could even swap your KA into the 95 and sell it (up to you whether you fix it b4 u sell it).

96-RB95- Spare parts/ shell

and don't worry about getting flamed. you have a good bit of sense it seems, and flaming won't end your life. geez lol.

[the_momo]

doesnt look toast. you can replace rear qp's (not easy at all, but totally possible) it looks like it was hit by something tall, like a pickup (or an idiot in an suv yaking on the fone, bluetooth B****!!!!) anyway, check the rear suspension, if it isnt tweaked, the frame is fine. honestly it really does look like body only damage. before you resign yourself to swapping the motor, look into fixing it, simply because you could end up with a free car. (3500+body work) then sell your car. or keep it. but dont send a motorless s14 to the boneyard. i believe it can be fixed. then you dont have to pull 2 motors, or be without a car.

[wnoda]

its not that bad !!

what I would do is a rear conversion to the s15 taillights and keep the motor in that car. If you have someone swap it, it will cost 1500 to do so. Might as well keep the motor where it is and convert the back. So a skyline conversion!! Sell your car and take the money to make this car mint.

[maroon240]

DONT do it rb20s are around 12-14 hund maby 19-23 shiped and your goin to pay 3500 it and then anouther thousand to get it installed costing 4500 vs 3300, maby you could sell every thing off it and make all your money back but theres a chance u dont. idk u should redo it as a poll make your life easyer

[PantherRacer]

DONT do it rb20s are around 12-14 hund maby 19-23 shiped and your goin to pay 3500 it and then anouther thousand to get it installed costing 4500 vs 3300, maby you could sell every thing off it and make all your money back but theres a chance u dont. idk u should redo it as a poll make your life easyer

You should learn proper english.

#1. He isn't paying 3500 just for the engine, it's for an engine AND a rolling shell he can use as a spare parts car. Probbably a spare engine too.

2. It doesn't really matter if he makes his money back, he will have a more powerful engine in his car, and he CAN make his money back if he wants.

it's a good idea actually. other than the fact some people do not like RB20's it's a good swap.

[cmfireman]

I appreciate all the opinions but I was looking to trade my bike on this car. Turns out the seller already has a bike and I'm not in the best money situation right now so I guess I'll just wait it out and see what happens.

[govtworkhorse]

Funny thing, I was just going through the forum looking at random posts and came across this one. I actually ended up purchasing this car and am in the process of repairing the rear quarter. I bought a rear clip and am doing all work mmyself. The car is amazing inside and out aside from the damage. I love this car.

[FusionR300zx]

i wana kno how it got hit...

[cmfireman]

Sweet man. You're from Ohio and bought the car from NC?

I wished I could've gotten ahold of it, but money didn't allow it at the time. I'd like to know how that RB feels after you get her on the road.

BTW, was there any frame damage? Good Luck!!

[CleanSfourteen]

Frame is smashed -- just a warning...

I would talk him down, you are looking at buying a parts car that took a very heavy hit....

I really looks like it got nailed in the frame by the looks of how the bumper cover is smashed... It most likely is gonna look like what this buy from columbus is working with, I dont like damaged frames, i just think of it as a bad start.

Body works sucks enough as it is, but the motor does look clean, if the car has a clean title i would try to talk him down and salvage what i could... On the other hand, i might just try to get the motor and harness out for less $$, if i wanted a RB20DET...

I suggest staying away from the shell, frame looks to be cooked... you said you have a clean 96, work with that... body work is never perfect

[cmfireman]

Pay attention. I was looking at this car a while ago, and govtworkhorse posted that he bought it.

[CleanSfourteen]

Pay attention. I was looking at this car a while ago, and govtworkhorse posted that he bought it.

Sorry, i dont always look at dates ... i thought that looked like a very similar hit!

GL with the body work, i wanna see this when it's done!!

[eds13]

i dont think i'd pay 3500 for it.....

[Poor_S13_Driver]

Man that was a pretty s14 that sadly lost its life. I would just move on and not worry about it. Start from scratch with your S14. I personally wouldnt go through the hassle and downtime.