8k for s13. How should it be spent?

[240sxmonsta]

I have a 1992 240sx with a ka24de. Im looking to drop about 8 grand into it to make it my daily driver. I need suggestions on how to spend it. I dont really care about audio. I want a performance/drift machine. Any suggestions would be awesome!

[Rex]

Brakes, suspension and quality tires first.

The see if you have enough left over and buy an unfinished SR/RB/CA swap (they pop up all the time). Then you'll have a daily and a track slut.

[hbpignosePA]

for 8k

buy a better car

for real

[impact240sx]

I have bout 8k in mine and I love how mine is lol

Coiloversreplace all pads and rotors (stock brakes are adequate for me)Sr swap (ca or even rb)FmicCamselectronic boost controllerand what evers left save for a turbo upgrade.

[ashoe]

for 8k

buy a better car

for real

+1look at a 2003 350Z. You could probably pick one up for 8 if you shop around. You would have enough money for sure if you sold your 240 for say 1500. for 9500 you could pick one up easy.

[xX RB Xx]

get an s2000

[Jadesr20det]

Suspension; coilovers, strut tower bars, sway bars, rucas, bushings etc. etc....Then address your brakes rotors, pads,ss lines....then address the motor depending on your goals here rebuild, swap whatever your heart desires.....just remember w/o a proper plan of attack 8k can go like water on these cars i have 10k+ into mine not even done with paint ....good luck and post pics of your progress

[s14derrick]

IMO i would get the expensive things out of the way first. like motor swap and coils or wheels. then buy the cheap things as you decide you want them paycheck to paycheck lol

[nzmoman]

for 8k

buy a better car

for real

+another one.

...But....

I think you should keep the car you have now and if you really really want a track car, go find a 3-500 chassis and do all your work on that car. it is much more fun to have another car that is a track car that you only have to worry about when you want. I would not consider a motor swap or turbo until you have built the chassis the way you want it...you would be surprised at the number of people who drift with stock KA's and put their money into suspension and simple bolt ons. My track car would have less power and more focus on handling than my daily. Then you can take the remaining chunk of cash and waste it on dates or put it into somethin' that can turn it into more money.

[Shabbernigdo]

+1look at a 2003 350Z. You could probably pick one up for 8 if you shop around. You would have enough money for sure if you sold your 240 for say 1500. for 9500 you could pick one up easy.

not everyone wants another car. personally if i could go out and pay 15k or what ever there origonal cost was for a brand new s13 ide do it.

also the 350z looks like a** imo of course

[mattblancarte]

Save your cash (I hope you mean cash, not 8k in credit), that is unless you are way more flush than you're letting on. The economy is s***, and you're literally flushing your money down the drain by dropping mods into your car.

That's just me, though.

[heartofaskyline]

^^werd!! people are selling off so many parts to make some money, theres a guy in my hometown who has over 1800 dollars in brand new namebrand suspension parts. he wants 1k for em.

[mattblancarte]

Perfect example. In one move, that dude lost 800 bucks or more, IF he can sell them.

Asset devaluation isn't just in the real estate market. This is the second-inning of a long, crappy situation.

[HoosierSX]

buy mine with sr, coilovers etc etc for 6k then spend the next 2k on brakes and paint then sell your 240 for 2k then you have an extra 2k for whatever

[SolaraOnBronze]

^^werd!! people are selling off so many parts to make some money, theres a guy in my hometown who has over 1800 dollars in brand new namebrand suspension parts. he wants 1k for em.

At the same time though, it is a great time to buy parts for this very reason... as long as you can afford it and maintain your other responsibilities in life.

I agree with the above... if you have to spend it on the car, do brakes, wheels, tires, and suspension. Make the exterior clean... replace all of the worn factory parts. After all of the car is legit, start on making some power...

[AZ89two4Tsx]

If you have the 8K lump sum right now and want a daily, get a different car. An s13 isn't exactly a "grand tourer" lol. There's many better options imo.

[mattblancarte]

At the same time though, it is a great time to buy parts for this very reason... as long as you can afford it and maintain your other responsibilities in life.

I definitely see your point. That caveat there is the clincher. If you are flush, go for it.

[240sxmonsta]

I dont want another car everyone! I really like the s13 platform and i want it to be a sleeper on the street. As far as a better car, i already have a turbod bmw in gorgeous condition. Im not worried about that. I want to keep the 240. Have any of you guys had any experience with non nissan engine swaps? 2jz, lsi, etc?

[Dittoz7]

With 8k I'll Start A Photography Business.

[HoosierSX]

I dont want another car everyone! I really like the s13 platform and i want it to be a sleeper on the street. As far as a better car, i already have a turbod bmw in gorgeous condition. Im not worried about that. I want to keep the 240. Have any of you guys had any experience with non nissan engine swaps? 2jz, lsi, etc?

dude, non nissan engine will rack up the expenses quickly. youd end up doing only drivetrain and nothing else

[240sxmonsta]

a 2jz is less expensive than the rb25 or 26. So is the ls1. Im not worried about the fabrication, im a fabricator and can make all the mounts for the engine and trans. The driveshaft would have to be altered and/or custom made though.

[nzmoman]

you could get away with a swap, but 8 grand is going to scratch the surface and just crank those motors you listed. You will not have any suspension work (needed for drifting). And your car will NOT be a sleeper...(especially if you go LS1)

But it all depends on where your chassis is before the work starts as well.

just remember that too much too soon is usually not a good thing. You don't have to spend ALL 8 grand to have what you want...a daily driven car that performs well on the drift track...You could have that for under 5k and still have a reliable daily driven car. with 3k in your pocket for a rainy day.

Oh, and remember that drifting itself can be rather expensive when it comes to maintaining a drive train, suspension, and motor.

[mattblancarte]

If you are gonna go that far with a motor, go LS1.

[nevertheless]

If i had 8 grand, i would do 2jz.