240sx performance upgrades

Post by **anthrax** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

Hi,

I'm just going to be frank here: I want my 240sx to be faster than 5.0L Mustangs and the newer 4.6L's. It's totally stock, what would you guys suggest? It's a 91 SE hatchback.

Thanks, DL

Post by **cosmo** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

first things first

welcome to NICO

you can find almost any info on here if you SEARCH

that is such a broad question, you need to be more specific, but you'll at least need to turbo the KA or swap in a turbo engine(CA, SR, RB)

Post by **GroundZero** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

thats funny i've had no problems with 5.0's, hell i used to smoke them with my stock 1.3L rx7. mustangs are slow

Post by **karioth** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

a good place to start is to put a less restrictive intake and exhaust SYSTEM in. I got a high flow cone from forza for $50, and its actually very decent and you will notice improvement in mid-high end (as well as cooler engine growl

.

Exhaust in general is only as good as the weekest link. best suggestion is to get custom mandrel bent piping (2.25 - 2.5 in for normally asperated applications), free flow cat, and a hi flow muffler. let it be understood that you will see little or no performance gain by slapping some big *** exhaust on there, and peopel will probably point and laugh.

the idea behind this is that the less your engine has to work to breathe in and out, the more power it can put down for you. hope this helps.

Post by **anthrax** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

Thanks for all the replies.

Broad question? Sure. I'm open to all sorts of suggstions.

I've never raced an older 5.0, but have seen 5spd/5spd 240sx vs. 2000 Mustang GT drags. The mustang won by quite a margin, I'm sad to say.

As for the intake, thanks for the suggestion, I had planned on that.

The exhaust: I'd like to find a muffler that doesn't sound loud (like that common on civics/preludes/"rice burners"), and that has a distinctive note to it. I'd also be replacing the exhaust manifold with a header if I can locate one, and down pipe/catalytic converter. That was a given.

Any more suggestions? Cam upgrades?

Thanks

Post by **cosmo** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

with those mods you're probably not gonna beat a GT. to do so I recommend you build a turbo kit, or some nitrous or both.You could build a kit for real cheap, 1600-2500 depending on what you get and where.

I've heard good things about the Hot Shot header, and I think Greddy makes one too.

For cams check out JWT or PDM-Racing

Post by **dr!ft** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

For your exhaust manifold (header) I'd suggest going with a Hotshot unit. Here's a link...

http://hotshotperformance.com/products_headers.htm

For the high flow cat-converter, try Random Technologies...

http://www.optauto.com/webstor...=1022

Post by **dr!ft** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

cosmo wrote:I've heard good things about the Hot Shot header, and I think Greddy makes one too.

For cams check out JWT or PDM-Racing

Note that Greddy only has headers for the S14 (95-98), so it wouldn't work on your '91. But I agree, that PDM has some good cams for sale...

http://www.pdm-racing.com/products/cam_corner.html

Post by **cosmo** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

dr!ft wrote:Note that Greddy only has headers for the S14 (95-98), so it wouldn't work on your '91. But I agree, that PDM has some good cams for sale...

http://www.pdm-racing.com/products/cam_corner.html

ahhh....I see, my bad

Haven't really searched about N/A KA mods

Post by **anthrax** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

cosmo wrote:with those mods you're probably not gonna beat a GT. to do so I recommend you build a turbo kit, or some nitrous or both.You could build a kit for real cheap, 1600-2500 depending on what you get and where

1600-2500? Sounds like I'm better off swaping in another engine that already has turbo. Where do I find "J-spec" engines (engines from Japan are they?) I have found a company SSS Automotive, who carries a number of Nissan engines (180sx, Skyline, 240sx? not sure about engine codes) in that price range.

Where can I get a list of engine codes and what car they're from? I heard "J-spec" engines are the result of emissions laws in Japan prohibitng the use of engines with X amout of kilometers on them. True?

Regards, DL

Post by **GroundZero** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

actually you'll probably spend more money on a swap just to get the car running

Post by **cosmo** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

front clips run about 2500. That will get you an amazing 160-170 to the wheels. That's not including getting it installed, replacing anything that's broken and getting it running. By then you could be near 4000$.

Plus the KA-T turbo, when done right, will get you well over 220 whp. All for less than a front clip.

Post by **anthrax** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

by front clip you mean, just the engine? or the whole front end? Installation is free. My dad is a mechanic... I'd just need to know prices for parts.

DL

Post by **GroundZero** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

the front clip is basically the front half of a car, they just cut it at the doors. it includes the engine transmission and other stuff under the hood, sometimes things will be missing or broke, i've known people that have spent month just trying to get their car running after a swap like this

Post by **deftdrummer** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

I would turbo my car in a heartbeat if it didn't have so many miles on it. By the way the stock 240's engine code is the KA240DE sometimes with a (T): KA24DE(T) meaning turbo. the silvia's version of the engine is the 2.0 liter turbocharged SR20DET which puts out 205 hp stock (S13-S14) the S15 SR20DET puts out 250hp stock.

Post by **pstickne** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

anthrax, maybe a VQ30DET swap, ehh? :-)

I'm looking into that now, not sure about fitment issues... also, don't forget to overlook the CA/RB/VG/whatever series motors. Many people fine the SR series over-hyped.

Website · Post by **TurboKA37** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

im sticking with the KA to turbo rather than a swap. uve really got to look over everything before either doing a KAT or SR. KA will make more low end torque and can hold over 300 rwhp with out internal work also parts for the KA are readily available. the SR u will have to wait a bit to get it shipped, it will be costing u alot to get another one if it blows, and for the same money u could have more hp out of a KAT, although a SR has a lot more aftermarket support to play with and is a proven motor (not that the KA isnt, just the SR is more widely used in race applications)

Post by **trpower7** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

SEARCH please, this is really all insanely redundant.....not trying to be jerk, but if you didn't know the basic steps to achieving power gains for your particular engine you shouldn't even be thinking about "beating" any other cars. Knowledge and logic is the key folks.

Post by **WingsNThangs** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

The cheapest mod for a 240SX to be faster than a Mustang 5.0 in the 1/4 mile is an illegal one: slash his tires.

Post by **Onizuka** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

If its turbo its going to be expensive, period. The SRs stock bottom end is way superior to the KA's, the KA's installation is more strait forward with no wiring to deal with, both will be reliable if installed properly, SR has slightly more aftermarket support.

Anybody who claims that the SR is "overhyped" doesnt know whats going on and should check out these SR powered cars that are running insane numbers on STOCK internals:

http://www.phase2motortrend.com/phase2racecar.html <-- 527hp pictures and dyno charts, stock bottom end

http://enjukuracing.com/subpages/ctw.htm <--- 496hp pictures and dyno graphs, stock bottom end

http://www.secretservicesinc.com/garage.html <--- 539hp pictures, dyno chart, and video, stock bottom end

Website · Post by **TurboKA37** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

stock internals? maybe bottom end but those dont have new sleeves or cams or anything? if so, im impressed

Post by **bcuz** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

yah the sr is NOT overhyped.. the KA very well may be underhyped... but the SR is a proven and solid motor.

Post by **Nismo270RRRRR** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

cosmo wrote:front clips run about 2500. That will get you an amazing 160-170 to the wheels. That's not including getting it installed, replacing anything that's broken and getting it running. By then you could be near 4000$.

Plus the KA-T turbo, when done right, will get you well over 220 whp. All for less than a front clip.

the ka cant take the abuse that a sr20 can. Plus you can get more power out of the sr20.:ylsuper

Post by **Nismo270RRRRR** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

deftdrummer wrote:I would turbo my car in a heartbeat if it didn't have so many miles on it. By the way the stock 240's engine code is the KA240DE sometimes with a (T): KA24DE(T) meaning turbo. the silvia's version of the engine is the 2.0 liter turbocharged SR20DET which puts out 205 hp stock (S13-S14) the S15 SR20DET puts out 250hp stock.

s14 sr20det is 217hp. s15 is 247hp.

Website · Post by **TurboKA37** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

^ claimed hp, id expect a little less considering u dont know what the engine has gone through

Post by **bcuz** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

whatever... My ka has gone through a lot.. I just finally got it running, EVERYTHING is stock, except the previous owner got his jollies out of installing 3 novelty horns... and it can do burn outs on dry road!

Post by **bcuz** » Fri Sep 05, 2003 11:22 am

^^god I love rear wheel drive!

240sx performance upgrades

240sx performance upgrades

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