about 2 buy 89FB - questions

[sucker4stalefish]

Found a 89 at a dealership and im thinking about buyingive been looking for a 91-93 fastback buy Im pretty tired of looking - plus financing is a good thing....anyways, its got 135k miles and a clean exterior except for what looks like somewones initials carved into the hood (really light but visible). The interior is good except the drivers seat tear and some trim that looks like its starting to fall off buy the windows. 2000$ at the dealership. sounds like kind of alot but i need a new car pretty bad (driving a 88 sentra right now). my questions are:

1) do 89s come with hicas and if so how do i know

2)is it very hard/possible to install LSD, HUD, jspec tailights, and any other goodies that i might want thats possible on a 91-93

4)would a good paintjob cover up all the light little scratches

7)exactly how much harder and more expensive is a engine swap into these cars than the newer ones

478.6)any thing else i should check for before buying

[Kaioshin1982]

I'm also about to buy a 89 hatch, 140k miles, 5spd, no power options =(, looks very clean in and out, new timing chain along with couple of minor replacements, and intake for $2000 from a private seller

[krazy skwerel]

no hicas, hud im not sure how hard it would be to insta mine already had it, lsd is pretty strait forward as far as i know, good prep work and paint would cover it up easy, the engine swap i cant really comment on i here its just a matter of getting a few power steering lines and misc. from a 91-94. also listen for timing chain rattle this is very important if you wish to save the ka if you heart it replace the timing chain guides or the entire timing chain assembly a 100 part set. i love my 89 and they can be just as nice as the 91-94.:batman

[Cyberkreig]

funny, Have been looking at a damaged 89 as well. 5-speed, 208k miles, no power options is a good thing!

LSD & JSpec tails will go in just the same as the 91-93's.. you dont want the hud, not many people do.

Some touchup paint could probably cover up the scratches.

read the FAQ on HeavyThrottle.. the explain the few differences in swapping into an 89-90

test drive the car, see if it is in line. Break with you hand off the wheel, see if it pulls. Listen for valvetaps/timing chain. Look for oil on the front of the motor. Get a feel for the condition of the clutch and transmission, drag the clutch out very very slowly and listen for odd noises, shift into 2nd hard see if it grinds..

[Nismo1182]

Found a 89 at a dealership and im thinking about buyingive been looking for a 91-93 fastback buy Im pretty tired of looking - plus financing is a good thing....anyways, its got 135k miles and a clean exterior except for what looks like somewones initials carved into the hood (really light but visible). The interior is good except the drivers seat tear and some trim that looks like its starting to fall off buy the windows. 2000$ at the dealership. sounds like kind of alot but i need a new car pretty bad (driving a 88 sentra right now). my questions are:

1) do 89s come with hicas and if so how do i know

2)is it very hard/possible to install LSD, HUD, jspec tailights, and any other goodies that i might want thats possible on a 91-93

4)would a good paintjob cover up all the light little scratches

7)exactly how much harder and more expensive is a engine swap into these cars than the newer ones

478.6)any thing else i should check for before buying

1) No

2)LSD is easy, I installed one in my 90. HUD is a wiring nightmare if your not skilled with wiring stuff up. Tail lights bolt up.

3)yes, but touch up paint works good too if the paint it has now still looks ok.

4) Only major diffrence is power steering and the gauge cluster.

5)make sure you test drive it well and that no leaks appear.