15 Yrs. Old--Need Power For My New 240

[burtonsnowman]

I just got an '89 240 (ka24e) and I want some more power out of it. I'm 15, and I want do most of the work myself. I get my license April 15, so I want to get a little done beore then. What are some good, cheap (or free) things do do to my engine to get some more power? Mind you that I have 190,000 on it. I might do a rebuild or swap someday, but not yet.

[TheOne]

first learn how to drive it......the 240sx is not your usual FWD civic or whatever else comes to your mind, it is RWD and can spin the tires pretty easy, then start modding it.as for cheap mods an ebay intake should be good:), maybe some other things from there.

[burtonsnowman]

Yeah, I've had my permit for about 10 months and I've learned to drive it pretty well. It's a fun car. I'm just not quite sure what do do to the engine yet.

[smokin240]

Just do some bolt-ons, catback exhaust, intake like he said, maybe brake upgrades, lighter tires and rims, and after that dress up the engine a lil bit and start on the interior. also try an induction service, it will clean out your exhaust and intake system from carbon and you'll see much better mileage and throttle response. good idea especially if you've never done it. grats on your new 240

[240marcuSX]

Apr. 15th is my birthday.

intake, catback, pulley, thats more than enough to keep you occupied for the next 2 months, replace worn suspension parts. but plan out what youll use the car for first, this will save you money in the long run.

[Nissan-S14]

If i were you I would work on the suspension first. In my opinion the stock 240 has enough power but the suspension needs work, start with some strut bars, springs, struts, sways. Then work your way to the engine.

[Adam240sx]

I recently aquired my 240sx back in november 04. I have really learned how to drive my car alot better since then. Considering I didnt even know how to drive a stick when I bought it . 240's are great cars, with lots of potentail. Although I have not done much to my car yet, I would start with tornado fuel saver and a new intake and exhaust headers,and a whole catback exhaust. I hope you get the idea.....

[Nissan-S14]

what's a tornado fuel saver?

[burtonsnowman]

Sweet. Sweet.

But...Is there a lot of tuning stuff I can do in addition to bolt-on parts? Like stuff I can do myself? Let me know guys...

[lofapoo]

Man, make sure you can stop before you go.

Always do brake work before engine work, because going fast doesn't do you any good if you can't hold it back.

I'd say do your suspension first, then braking, then start working on the engine.

[Nissan-S14]

Sweet. Sweet.

But...Is there a lot of tuning stuff I can do in addition to bolt-on parts? Like stuff I can do myself? Let me know guys...

Advance your timing about 5 degrees. All you need is a phillips screw driver.

[brunswick240]

Ok well just to add my .02 cents, if you get an intake, you mines well get headers and exhaust, because if your takin in more air your gunna need a way to get it out. Now the big controversy is should yo get a 3" or a 2.5" for your NA. Im in the worst spot because im gunna go turbo but not for a while, im building my block up and preppin it for high boost so youve gotta take that into consideration. And dont worry about people sayin learn how to drive the car, i just turned 16 a coupla days ago and ive got a 92 240 SE 5spd and can drive it exceptionally well.

[brunswick240]

One more thing, if your car cant handle the power whats the point of having power? So my votes for suspension. If you want a nice cheaper setup then you can get KYB AGX gas 4-way adjustable struts for the front and 8-way adjustable shocks for the rear, then you can get some Tein S springs.

[brunswick240]

Alright well i dont know why I keep forgeting stuff to add, but this is kinda important. Since your 15 and im assuming you dont pull in the big bucks, Id just go and find a ka24de. Now i know this is gunna bring up some arguments and trust me ive seen ka24e with a good amount of hp but the de is just easier to mod and get more power out of. Now thats just in my opinion so ne 24e owners with good amounts of hp dont get all pissed of because im not dissin it im just saying in my opinion. Or if your a person whos thinkin bout going jdm then save for a CA,SR,or RB. But I personally wouldnt keep the 24e

[240marcuSX]

a 3" will get on your nerves na, believe me, i had one and i only left it on for like 10 miles, took it right back off and sold it. bought a brm 2.5" and loved it. unless youre going to be racing all the time, or love getting tickets, stick with a 2.5"

if you dont have a job, start bussing tables, thats what i did when i got mine when i was 15.

[brunswick240]

Well what do you think about a custom 2.75"? And thanks for the info.

[SMoKeM240]

first of all, the E has better NA suport than the DE and it will make more power than the DE

[240marcuSX]

i dont know how much that extra .25" is going to help you power wise, or noise.. but i cant imagine it would be much different than 2.5"

edit - i AM referring to an NA KA. dont want any confusion.

i like the e because its the underdog. and theres not much diference between it and the de.
Modified by 240marcuSX at 1:35 PM 2/16/2005

[240SicknessX]

im sure after you get your license, its going to be raining one day and you might step on the gas a lil too much and you found the rear end loose grip ever so slightly but if felt like you were on glass. ya you know you liked it......... you probably dont have 1200$ laying around for a good coilover set, but i love my sportline springs and agx shocks. they lowerd my s14 and my friends s13 just right and have improved the handeling like wh0a. if you get into this thing called drift, get suspension goodies first the ka has enough power and ur techniques will be refined will the limited power.

disclamer, dont drift on the public streets, find some secluded roads with no dangers (poles curbs or canals/lakes). that police officer will drift that license right out of ur hand.

[Nissan-S14]

disclamer, dont drift on the public streets, find some secluded roads with no dangers (poles curbs or canals/lakes). that police officer will drift that license right out of ur hand.

[Adam240sx]

http://www.tornado-fuelsaver.tv Go here to check it the Tornado fuel saver

[Nissan-S14]

I wouldnt pay more then a penny for that thing, hell I dont even think id take it for free. Its an infomercial... comon don't you guys know better.

[240SicknessX]

oh and really, dont advance your timing 5 degrees, thats way too advanced and it can promote detonation in cold weather, and i dont think your runnning 93 octane to do that, i have my timing set around 2.5 degrees advanced but no more because this motor is going to see boost.

unless you know what detonation sounds like and you have a very keen ear for it, you shouldnt screw around with your timing, the hp increase isnt worth the danger that you could be putting your motor into. dont do it.

[burtonsnowman]

Whew, thanks. I almost believed those fartknockers about the timing. With Leatherman in hand, I was ready to run out the door when I read your post.

[Veriest1]

I think you'll see the most gains out of your 240 if you bring it up to at least stock specifications suspension wise and then get the engine as reliable as possible for your milage. Go ahead and upgrade stuff that has to be replaced but leave whatever you can alone at first. Then with the money you would put into the car attend a couple of autocrosses and after you have a couple of those under your belt sign up for a performance driving school.

The track time and proper instruction will yield higher gains than any catback or fancy suspension setup.

[Nissan-S14]

By the way I have timing increased to 4-5 degrees, its been 2 years, not a single det. But I only use 93 octane.

[Adam240sx]

Wont take it for free. wtf dude the thing has shown a proven increase in hp and gas mileage. I got miner for free pretty much. My brother took one from auto zone to put in his f150 so I traded him a little summin for it. Since the install of that thingy, I can drive for a day or two on e before I have to refeul. I'm not sure as to how much horsepower I got but i'm thinking maybe 10-15 hp.

[brunswick240]

Adam what are you talking about, what thing has given you 10-15hp increase that you traded your brother?

[Adam240sx]

the tornado fuel saver.......^^^^^ look up a couple posts to see the link. Get one for your 240 they work good. I felt much better throttle response than before. I get way better gas mileage too.

[240SicknessX]

By the way I have timing increased to 4-5 degrees, its been 2 years, not a single det. But I only use 93 octane.

i also only run 93 octane, i found that i started to loose power after 3 degrees, and there wasnt any gain between 2.5 and 3 so i left it at the safer 2.5.......... unless you know what your doing, dont do it just be safe and save ur engine............. detonation also has to do with intake inlet temprature, humidity and air density, so you could run 5degrees with out knock but im sure you know what ur doing.

what were your last compression test results?