240sx worth it??

[i_love_your_mom]

hello to the nissan world!!

ive been fairly active in a couple car forums and in one of the car forums i posted that i was needing some opinons on choosing between a z32 or civic swaped with a b18c. a couple people said not to go with the z32 if it's na because it's to heavy and not worth it. a couple people said to go with the swapped civic. and a couple people said out of no-where to go with a 240sx. ive been checking them out. they look pretty nice. never had any experience with them though so i am asking you guys to give me some advice and input. is the 240sx worth it?? handling, reliabilty, power, potential etc. thanks

[eds13]

the 240 is definetly worth it! stock it handels quite well, power could beat a stock civic, potential? well you could always drop an sr20 into it and find out

[nlzmo400r]

when it comes down to it, 240's are cheap and RWD. They're very fun cars, and handle ok stock, but a set of coilovers and bushings later, they're beats. I love mine, as almost everyone on this board does. Thing is itll be much cheaper than a z32 (esp TT), and itll have the RWD advantage over the civic. And you could have a turbo KA powered 240 for half the price of B18C1 swapped civic, and have much more power and torque. They're very reliable DEPENDING ON PREVIOUS OWNER. Dont get a ragged out one obviously, buy with caution. I picked up mine for $1400 bucks from one of my friends mom's and she kept pretty good care of it, now its my daily driver/autox car and occasional road course, and havent had ONE problem with her yet (knock on wood)

[i_love_your_mom]

haha, i would hope it could beat a stock civic......i could on my bike.

thanks for the reply......also is there any good widebody kits for the s13 or s14?

[i_love_your_mom]

when it comes down to it, 240's are cheap and RWD. They're very fun cars, and handle ok stock, but a set of coilovers and bushings later, they're beats. I love mine, as almost everyone on this board does. Thing is itll be much cheaper than a z32 (esp TT), and itll have the RWD advantage over the civic. And you could have a turbo KA powered 240 for half the price of B18C1 swapped civic, and have much more power and torque. They're very reliable DEPENDING ON PREVIOUS OWNER. Dont get a ragged out one obviously, buy with caution. I picked up mine for $1400 bucks from one of my friends mom's and she kept pretty good care of it, now its my daily driver/autox car and occasional road course, and havent had ONE problem with her yet (knock on wood)

i'd much rather have na power. is there a good resource for engine swap options for the s13 or s14? on honda-tech.com they had every available swap option for the civic. looking for something kinda like that.

[AZhitman]

Not a whole lot of easy options for big power in a 240 if you don't go forced induction.

Never seen a built n/a KA motor exceed 200rwhp.

However, the KA responds well to turbocharging (250-300rwhp is readily attained and reliable), see the KA-T forum for all you'd ever want to know about that.

[i_love_your_mom]

Not a whole lot of easy options for big power in a 240 if you don't go forced induction.

Never seen a built n/a KA motor exceed 200rwhp.

However, the KA responds well to turbocharging (250-300rwhp is readily attained and reliable), see the KA-T forum for all you'd ever want to know about that.

reliable enough for a light dd? thanks for the reponses guys

[Nismo_Freak]

reliable enough for a light dd? thanks for the reponses guys

Since 95% of all KA-Ts are self built projects, they are as reliable as you make them. Meaning it could be put together incorrectly and blown up tomorrow or it could run 50k down the road on 10 psi all day. The motor is strong but has it's weaknesses (ring lands).

So in that regard, it's all up to what you do to it.

[azncorruptedo17]

95% are self built projects... very true, but since you live in california and if you do decide on getting a 240sx and want a KA-T. C2 Powerhaus will be able to provide you with your KA-T needs. No need to worry about building it yourself if you are unfamiliar with the engine ;D

We are currently working on a KA-T kit on both the ka24e and ka24de. It will have everything you need for a complete KA-T. The piping needed for the KA-T will also be custom made by C2, from the custom downpipe to the custom FMIC, the kit will be good for those that don't want to spend a good $3800+ for an SR swap.

[skydragoness]

Not a whole lot of easy options for big power in a 240 if you don't go forced induction.

Never seen a built n/a KA motor exceed 200rwhp.

However, the KA responds well to turbocharging (250-300rwhp is readily attained and reliable), see the KA-T forum for all you'd ever want to know about that.

what's wrong with 200rwhp?

Depending on what you want to do with the car it may or may not be plenty. Hehe, for me, 200rwhp is my goal, i autocross, i drive it daily. I don't need something to kill myself with. I'll get another s13 to do that with.

[Altiman94]

for the money it costs for a n/a 200 rwhp ka, you could have a ka-t with twice as much hp. Now tell me that 400 hp isn't funner than 200?

[k6kicker]

well if that 400 hp 240 was running through an open dif it wouldnt be much fun

[LaughingBull]

There anyone that isn't gonna like the 240 on a nissan forum? Finally broke 100 posts. Engine swaps seem to be a serious debate on this forum. Do a search and you can probably find several different topics.

[honda_killer240]

240 is the only way to go, theres a kid in my town that has a endless bank account and has put a hold bunch in to his 98 civic i have a stock 89 240 and killed him in the 1/4 mile by like 2 sec. beside hondas suck i have never liked them they did OK with the s2000 but thast about it.

[slow s13]

I think you should drive all the cars you want and make the decision yourself, i've never drove a civic before but have owned a 94' 300zx and own a 240 now, a job loss led me to sell the Z but I realy like both cars and would like to get a Z again someday even my NA Z was pretty quick I got a low 15 bone stock in the quarter and I love the looks interior of the Z but the engine bay is seriously cramped, on the other hand the 240 is about a second slower than the na Z in the quarter but much easier to work on. Engine swaps for either car run a similar price.

[HashiriyaS14]

There are NA options for a 240, but they're a bit esoteric and none are particularly easy:

1.) All-motor KA. SCCA GT3 had S14s running in it for awhile with NA KA24DE's that redlined at 10,500rpm and made 300hp. You can buy most of the parts to build these beasts through http://www.courtesyparts.com (under Nissan Motorsports). This is will cost you LOTS of money, like RB26-swap kind of money. Used race car sites will sometimes have either the completed cars or the engines. Expect to pay $60k for a completed car w/spares.

2.) SR20DE from the S14 Qs. There are lots of parts for this engine, specifically from TODA Racing. They even make a crate engine (although I don't think they'll sell one to you). At any rate, you *can* make this engine an NA contender, but again, it's going to be $$$$$$$$.

3.) I thought this up myself. People put F20Cs (S2000 engine) into Datsun 510s...they also put SR's into 510s...so I don't see any reason why, without a bit of custom work, you couldn't put a 9k rpm S2000 engine into an 240. It'd be nice to get that wonderful 6MT in there as well. This is all pure theory on my part, and no one has ever done it.

4.) I bet you could put a VQ35 in a 240. Not the same kind of high-revving insanity that I like in my NA engines, but solid NA power nonetheless.

5.) Last but CERTAINLY not least, talk to Aries. He has a Corvette engine in his S14, and he can teach you how to put one in your 240 too. He's got a whole site about it, I think. I actually think he has a TURBO LS1 now, doesn't he? That's just F@#$king ridiculous....COOL...but ridiculous, lol.

[i_love_your_mom]

thanks for the replies everyone!

it sounds to me to get some good power i need to go FI. those swaps you talked about HashiriyaGDB sounded like some ourageous money pits and sounded like more of a hassle than it should be. i dont want a monster of a car. i just want something fast but still reliable. and from what i am hearing the ka motor responds well to FI. say i want to run between 7-10 psi. what would i have to buy besides the turbo to reinforce the engine.

as you can see i dont know alot about FI. thats why i wanted all motor.

[LaughingBull]

A lot of people run that amount of boost with stock internals. Take a look at the KA-T section in 240sx forum.

[k6kicker]

yeah, as long as you have enough fuel runnign and proper tuning 7 pounds is almost as reliable as n/a....buuuuuuuuuuuut...if you were looking at cheaper n/a power you could always run an 89 block and pistons with a swapped s14 head,manifolds and ecu with cams from a 91~early 93...along with headers and exhuast and the needed tuning (more fuel) you could use almost entirely junkyard parts and get a 11.8:1 cr ka with the hottest factory cam that will make above 200 hp...i do belive the head gasket from a twin cam frontier will work like a charm (a buddy of mine is putting the finishing touches on a setup like that in a HB (hardbody not hatchback *sniffle*)

[lofapoo]

I love my 240, and it's a bone stock automatic/tragic coupe, so that's gotta say something.

Unfortunately I'll probably have to sell it, because the lack of a back seat isn't working well for me :|

A relatively light RWD sports car that looks like ABSOLUTE SEX ON WHEELS (the coupe that is :P) and a torque-hungry motor... what isn't there to like??

[Chingon]

thanks for the replies everyone!

it sounds to me to get some good power i need to go FI. those swaps you talked about HashiriyaGDB sounded like some ourageous money pits and sounded like more of a hassle than it should be. i dont want a monster of a car. i just want something fast but still reliable. and from what i am hearing the ka motor responds well to FI. say i want to run between 7-10 psi. what would i have to buy besides the turbo to reinforce the engine.

as you can see i dont know alot about FI. thats why i wanted all motor.

If you have experience w/na I would not stop looking into the stock engine. I have seen no one work to squeeze the ka's (stock engine) potential. In all seriousness, I have to hand it to the honda guys for trying their best in na. Of course engines are very similar and you can get a complete engine for around 400$ to experiment with. The part that stops most from going this route is the lack of EFI aftermarket support, but fabrication can get you a long way. Now, if na is really your thing, then a 300zx is by no means a bad platform. Unlike the 240sx, there is a pletora of aftermarket support (both na and fi) and I would bet 300 horses out of the na is not hard at all w/some bolt-ons and head work (albeit expensive). The main advantage is that you see a better hp/$ ratio due to the increased displacement and start out w/230 horses in stock form, as well as many swapable parts from the TT engine. I have read the specs on both engines, and the TT's only difference is the lower compression pistons and the special alloy in the exhaust valves, everything else is the same overbuilt beautiful engine.

[Mcbeth1704]

take the 240sx it'll beat otu that civic anyday. I've had two 240s' and I wouldn't trade them for anything.Good handeling and everything.but,Definetly,go w/the 240.You won't regret it!!

[Juujai]

i dont like people comparing civic dxs and cxs to ka24s... i lik emy 240 also but i dont see why you guys are all big into rwd "oh i bought it because its RWD RWD RWD theres so many other choices that cant be the only factor. ill be honest i myself have gone through this decision making also mr2, miata, 240sx, 300zx, 3000gt, supra, rx7, yeah thats about itmost people will say mr2 is 2 seater/more expensive, miata is convertible too much drag, z is too heavy, 3000gt is heavy/expensive/high maintenance, supra expensive, rx7 expensive/high maintenance oh well the only 4wd or fr or mr car i can afford would be the 240sx being reliable cheap and RWD. the z is in everyway better besides weight which i dont think is that much of a disadvantage but since the 240sx is more popular we gotta go with the 240!!! ahhh!.

... beating a civic dx is like beating a 4 cylinder camry althought i think a ka24e would have trouble beating that. it slike oh the 240 is rwd, cheap, good looking. dont see why its that big a deal. rwd to me is only needed for easy access to drift. to me any car is a good oppourtunity to learn with. even if its a beat up pos. whats the use of having a 2-4--hp car when i cant even take perfect lining with my crappy >150 hp car. a clutch type lsd isnt going to help me much either until i learn. people talk all big like im good and .... i need an sr i need a kaaz blah blah when the best in the US isnt even close to japan. i think we should all practice with crap until we get better. most people just floor their 200hp sr cars vs other cars in the streets anyway. sorry i just want to express what i want to say all i hear is people talking about brake upgrades, engine swaps, and buying exhausts that dont sound ricey... but i think the more important things would be more responsiveness in a car like upgrading the flywheel, driveshaft and brake pads. even when i autoX i notice that i dont need to stop to 0 i just need quick responsive pads and when i exit a corner i want my revs to pick up quick and power to transfer fast. you dont have to believe me but ive been holding this inside of me everytime i read on the forums.

for all you guys that thought upgrading brakes or engine or exhaust thought it was an advantages thats good. just ignore what i say and continue on

i bet most of you should notice it too, not many people post things about races or drifts or anything. its always "i got new wheels or how is this exhaust or whatever".

i was over at the MR-S forum and it was funny all they talked about were non related to automotive subjects like its cold in winter or what to buy for christmas

i love your mom, if you want a 240sx get it, if you want to learn how to drift try it, if you want to reach 300+hp without doing much take a z32 tt, if you want to smoke people on the streets i suggest a b16 or b18 in a civic. i like the 240sx its pretty reliable if the motor blows its only a couple hundred for a new one most parts for it are pretty cheap especially stock body panels. ebay.com once ina while sells most of the stuff like fenders, doors, hatches, hoods, headlights etc. its a nice car for its price