I'm currently researching the purchase of an '89 240SX w/ an rb20det swap. Additionally, it has been completely converted with an R32 drivetrain, complete with new axle and lsd. I realize this is my first post, but if I purchase this car, i would definitely like to become an active member.
I'm new to 240's and nissan's in general, but i have a fair amount of technical skill after owning and modifying my subaru.
So, on to my question. The seller wants 5600 for the car. It runs and drives. All it needs is a boost controller. The engine/transmission have 70k on them, from a skyline front clip. From the pics, it looks pretty solid. thread (on sr20deforum.com) andphotos
Is this a fair price for this car? Additionally, are there problems i should look for for this year 240? For the engine? I know a bit about turbo's and trannies, so i can do a fair amount of work on my own. Any information on this car would be great. I look forward to being on this forum much more. Thanks guys.
'89 240SX w/ rb20det
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torquedriver
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- Car: driving, riding, disturbing others
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torquedriver
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 2:47 pm
- Car: driving, riding, disturbing others
It's not a bad price when you consider that there are ppl out there selling their 240 w/ SR20 for close to $10k. . . Personally, I'd rather have the SR20 over the old RB20. Yea, they're from a "skyline", but to be honest, not really that impressive of a motor. (I'm probably going to get a lot of flack for that comment)There are people who swap the RB20 from their GT-S in favor of the SR. The SR is lighter, just as powerful (if not more), and has more aftermarket support, along w/ a domestically sold version of the motor (even though it's a NA). The fact that there are repair parts readily available in the states should be a very big plus as you mentioned that it'll be you're daily driver. You won't have long periods of down-time when you're waiting for the RB part to come from Japan. This is NOT to say that the RB20 is a POS. It is a pretty sturdy motor, but is pretty outdated. One thing you will need to ask is why the individual is trying to sell this car (if he'll tell the truth). Usually people trying to sell their projects are either done with the project and want to move onto something else (which doesn't seem to be the case), or they realize that the cost of going any further with the project is just not worth it to them.It also depends on the overall condition, and whether or not the conversion was done right, so I can't say either way (pictures are not worth a 1000 words when buying a car, you'll have to drive it to know whether or not it's worth anything. . . I'd try to talk him down, though. Start at around $4000, and start from there. If he's in a hurry to sell it, you should be able to reach a happy medium b/w 4500-5000. Good choice on looking at a 240, BTW. and welcome to NICO.
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BoyWonder
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Afraid you were right, you will recieve a little flack 
In response to the age thing, aren't SRs going to be just about as old as an RB20? I mean, yes, RB20s are somewhat old, but they aren't by any means considerably older than most SRs. Besides, while age is important, so is the way the engine was treated during it's life. Newer doesn't always mean better condition, just that it's had less time to recieve abuse.
Here is a link to thread comparing the weights of a few engines. Quote »Orginally posted by PROJECTRB240SXTHE RB20DET IS ONLY 65LBS HEAVIER THAN THE KA24E, THIS IS BOTH COMPLETE ASSEMBLIES. THE KA24E WEIGHS LIKE 4LBS MORE THAN THE SR20DET.[/quote]
Quote »Orginally posted by PROJECTRB240SXYEAH THE KA24DE IS ABOUT 40LBS HEAVIER THAN THE KA24E.[/quote]
Just some food for thought. The RB is also an iron block, while the SR is aluminum. However both engines are very close to equal in terms of power and potential, from what I have read. Then again, it comes back down to what your goals and budget are. On that last point, yes, it's true, some RB parts may be harder to come by than SR. SR just has a lot more domestic support. Can't do much about that..Oh, and on the original topic, I'd say not too bad of a price. As was mentioned earlier, just the engine and the labor to put it in are usually pretty pricey. Maybe offer a little less than he is asking, but not a bad deal I don't think.
In response to the age thing, aren't SRs going to be just about as old as an RB20? I mean, yes, RB20s are somewhat old, but they aren't by any means considerably older than most SRs. Besides, while age is important, so is the way the engine was treated during it's life. Newer doesn't always mean better condition, just that it's had less time to recieve abuse.Here is a link to thread comparing the weights of a few engines. Quote »Orginally posted by PROJECTRB240SXTHE RB20DET IS ONLY 65LBS HEAVIER THAN THE KA24E, THIS IS BOTH COMPLETE ASSEMBLIES. THE KA24E WEIGHS LIKE 4LBS MORE THAN THE SR20DET.[/quote]
Quote »Orginally posted by PROJECTRB240SXYEAH THE KA24DE IS ABOUT 40LBS HEAVIER THAN THE KA24E.[/quote]
Just some food for thought. The RB is also an iron block, while the SR is aluminum. However both engines are very close to equal in terms of power and potential, from what I have read. Then again, it comes back down to what your goals and budget are. On that last point, yes, it's true, some RB parts may be harder to come by than SR. SR just has a lot more domestic support. Can't do much about that..Oh, and on the original topic, I'd say not too bad of a price. As was mentioned earlier, just the engine and the labor to put it in are usually pretty pricey. Maybe offer a little less than he is asking, but not a bad deal I don't think.
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rbsileighty
- Posts: 1694
- Joined: Sun Feb 09, 2003 8:10 am
- Car: 92 S13 Hatch w/ RB20 & 05 Audi S4 Avant 6MT
OK, if you want to start a RB, SR, CA, KA-T battle here... lets go ahead and stop, and I can point you toward a ton of them if that's what you want.
As far as that car goes... his buddy's post kind of bothers me. Not only that, but that guy is running a 200sx has 10.4 CR with a GT35R on it... talk about mix matched.
For starters, if he is running 3" fujitsubo exhaust (which would be freekin awesome... but if it is it's the low performance model), he should be boosting at least 10psi. I had a factory KA exhaust on my first setup and it was hitting 10psi with a cat. We are running that same motor in my buddy's car now with 3" JIC exh w/ no cat and hit 13psi all day long.
Look into who wired it, and what mounting setup he used (R32 x-member, Unstable Hybrid mounts, McKinney mounts, or Night mounts) to put the motor in the car. I would pay 4k tops for that car if it was all done by him, and maybe what he's asking if he had it done by a pro with a mount and wiring kit. The car is kind of rough in my opinion. The engine bay is clean though... but I'd strip the black paint off of the manifold... you don't want it to hold more heat than it needs to you know? Things like that are what make me wonder about the quality of that swap. Here is a pic of our install:
I hope this helps!
As far as that car goes... his buddy's post kind of bothers me. Not only that, but that guy is running a 200sx has 10.4 CR with a GT35R on it... talk about mix matched.
For starters, if he is running 3" fujitsubo exhaust (which would be freekin awesome... but if it is it's the low performance model), he should be boosting at least 10psi. I had a factory KA exhaust on my first setup and it was hitting 10psi with a cat. We are running that same motor in my buddy's car now with 3" JIC exh w/ no cat and hit 13psi all day long.
Look into who wired it, and what mounting setup he used (R32 x-member, Unstable Hybrid mounts, McKinney mounts, or Night mounts) to put the motor in the car. I would pay 4k tops for that car if it was all done by him, and maybe what he's asking if he had it done by a pro with a mount and wiring kit. The car is kind of rough in my opinion. The engine bay is clean though... but I'd strip the black paint off of the manifold... you don't want it to hold more heat than it needs to you know? Things like that are what make me wonder about the quality of that swap. Here is a pic of our install:
I hope this helps!
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Shift_Down
- Posts: 150
- Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2003 3:57 am
- Car: cars, cars and oh yeah cars
i'll just put in my little 2cent,
In all honesty I truely believe that any RB(race bred) is made to be race and is not a good stop and go engine.If you want a car to do stop and go trafic, then go for the SRIf you want hwy racing and pining the niddle, then the RB series would be your best bet,
anywho, OINK!!!
In all honesty I truely believe that any RB(race bred) is made to be race and is not a good stop and go engine.If you want a car to do stop and go trafic, then go for the SRIf you want hwy racing and pining the niddle, then the RB series would be your best bet,
anywho, OINK!!!