89' 240sx New to the site!

[1motive]

I'm new to this site qas well as the 240sx excitement, but I think its great this is available.I purchased an 89' 240sx a year and a half ago for $400. It only needed a clutch. I got it fixed and speed for about a year.

I have a few issues I'm trying to fix and I need help with the new stuff. Got a gas leak!Dropped the tank to check. Tank itself has no leaks.But upon re-installing I could smell & see gas. It still drove until the trans left. Need a 5 speed manual transmission ! Digital Dash is out! Speed monitor in front windshield is out as well! Got some kind of speed limiter! In 5th gear, around (3500 rpm) 80,000 rpms, gear kicks out and I have to re-clutch , but it wont stay at high speeds for long before kicking me out again!WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?It's a KA24E, i'm sure you guys know that.I can work on vehicles with a direction to go.Can I get some help. The ladies are lookin good this summer and my car is a pretty silver/green magnet. Until new paint.
Modified by 1motive at 4:05 PM 7/25/2006

[masticatingcow]

Wow, your engine revs to 80,000 RPMs? Damn.



Welcome to NICO man! Sounds like you've got some work ahead of you. Let me give you some tips to get you started:

1. The KA isn't a rev-happy motor. It's got a torquey low end. Use that.

2. Fix your gas leak first. A 5-speed with a shady transmission will get you around, but a gas leak will get you blown up. Address that immediately.

3. The speed limiter is there for your protection, but if you really want to get away from it, swap in an automatic ECU.

4. Have fun with your car but keep it safe! Too often we see nice cars and unfortunately some of the nice people in them get seriously hurt... or worse.

Again, welcome!

[amolao]

Those are common problems for your '89...other than the fuel leak...it might be vapors and not an actual leak, but yes...Find it and FIX IT NOW....search under "hud" for tons of info on possible fixes....

[SR20drftSX]

i love those 80,000 rpm motors...mine actually goes to around 85,000 redline and still pulls strong..haha j/k man..but yeah just take good care of your car and do some "preventitive maintenance" use a good motor oil , and do NOT use FRAM oil filters , use a Mobil 1 filter or some other brand just DO NOT USE FRAM>> THey are terrible...also run some good fuel injector cleaner throuhg it..makes it alot happier..i have the same car and engine as you...the 89 240 with a 5 speed and the SOHC..very fun car to drive..just treat it nice and it will get yu very far...good luck and welcome to NICO

[1motive]

Thanks, I got the 80,000 thing, but ya'll know what I mean. No good transmissions around my city. Got to get that crackin somehow.Ride looks so good in the driveway. Any 240sx owners/fans in Memphis?

[masticatingcow]

Check the regional forums for local meets and stuff... and as far as trannies go, you should have NO problem finding one within a reasonable distance in the Classifieds!

[1motive]

Thanks for the info. I hope I found one. I can't wait to get it running before gas takes me out of house and home. I'm in a Astro van right now. Damn it hurts.

[1motive]

Thanks for the info. I'm searching for the digital dash and hud parts right now.I'll get it together soon.

When I finish I'll post some pics up .

[x240xdrifter]

Fix your gas leak first. A 5-speed with a shady transmission will get you around, but a gas leak will get you blown up. Address that immediately.

not to mention wastes money

[1motive]

not to mention wastes money

not to mention wastes money

No lie there!

[Black on Gold]

Wow, your engine revs to 80,000 RPMs? Damn.

I noticed that too lol.

Welcome to NICO

[1motive]

Will cams from 1991 KA give me any increase in hp in an 89 240sx?Do you recommend the swap?

[masticatingcow]

No. Your 89 240sx (assuming it is stock) has a SOHC engine. The cams from the later DOHC KA have nowhere to go.

[1motive]

Thanks, Now I can narrow my search.

[SR20drftSX]

is it possible to put the head from a DOHC onto the block of an SOHC..i dont think it is cus of the timing chain and stuff like that..idk tho

[masticatingcow]

Anything is possible, however, the DOHC block is better anyway... oil squirters on the pistons, higher compression pistons, etc. It would be easier just to swap the entire engine, and that has been done many times.

Incidentially, you can take the 89 or 90 pistons and drop them in the DE engine for a sizable bump in compression... 11:1 I think (with the 89 pistons, IIRC)

EDIT: Thanks 180fan

[180fan]

89 pistons

[1motive]

Anything is possible, however, the DOHC block is better anyway...

How possible is that? Can I swap SOHC for a DOHC top block?

[masticatingcow]

You can search for the DOHC swap. It's pretty well-documented.

[SR20drftSX]

very true cow but yu contradicted yourself by sayin the dohc had higher compression pistons..i was just wondering anyways cus the head was tickin like a mofo but it cleared up now....so im selling the car now...if anyone in the NY area is interested...

[masticatingcow]

To clarify, the 91-98 KA24DE had a native compression ratio of 9.5:1. The KA24E had a compression ratio of 8.6:1 or 9.1:1, depending on date of production. That's what I was getting at. However, if you take the 89 pistons and drop them in the DE, the compression jumps up. That's all I was saying.

re: swapping. There is much more to be gained from swapping the DE in place of the E than stock power figures, though since you're selling, it's really a non issue.

[Florida240sx]

I got a transmission for sale, but your so far away. I might be planning to go visit my family in Arkansas soon though.....although would probably take the 240 instead of the tahoe....

[1motive]

I might be planning to go visit my family in Arkansas soon though.....although would probably take the 240 instead of the tahoe....

Yea that maybe your best bet. Gas is $2.80 per gallon in this area. I'm not sure what you guys pay, but that is enough for me.

To all the guys who are giving me vital info on the ride, Thanks alot!Before long, I'll be correcting the nico newbies like I used to be. LOL!Yep, I'm feeling myself.

[91RMKS13]

I'll be correcting the nico newbies like I used to be. LOL!Yep, I'm feeling myself.

Until then we will continue to correct you !

Good luck with the 240sx (im always happy to have a new member to the nico family ).

when you said 80,000 rpms how many revs did you mean? I would think you meant 8k but your car shouldnt let that happen and if it is you shouldnt let it happen. I say 7k at most and even then not for long.

Good luck with your car.

[1motive]

Until then we will continue to correct you !

I welcome that. I haven't driven it for a while now. In 5th gear on 240 e-way, or I-40 75mph which really means 85 for trucks and city folk, you gotta keep up. Nearly everything comes through Memphis.That's usually when it would kick out. Guesstamate around 65-75 mph in my ride. Ride clutch, ride, clutch. Get wet from drink in lap, ride, clutch.......

Really wanna transform into a old school luxury sports car with some get up.Not facinated with speed ,well not too much, just wanna scerch off and get there.

[1motive]

Finally dropped the transmission and driveshaft. I'm working on removing the header and exhaust since the transmission is out of the way for now. I'm having a hard time removing a pipe from the header. The pipe comes from the header and leads around the backside of the motor to the other side.My OEM header is rusted like hell.

[1motive]

email-sent---

[1motive]

I'm up and running you guys. I also had to replace the fuel tank and fuel pump.Gave it the basic tune up and oil change. Got new 16's. 6 spoke Nissan rims too. Bought new struts for the front. Haven't installed them yet. Does anybody know if I'll need a special tool or anything to do the strut swap?
Modified by 1motive at 4:03 PM 7/25/2006

[amolao]

If you just got the struts, I suppose you are reusing your original springs. You will need a spring compressor. They are available at Auto parts, you can buy them or rent them. Be very careful when taking the old strut assy apart. DO NOT attempt to do this without a spring compressor. You might get hurt, lots of pressure on the spring. After taking the spring out is just reverse order to mount them on the new struts. Make sure the top plates are aligned as shown in the FSM. See the FAQ for a link to the FSM.

PS. post pics or be banned.......

[1motive]

Can you recommend an upgrade in fuel injectors for my 89 coupe.