about to buy a 240, need answers

[x.zander.x]

okay, my uncle is going to sell me his 89 (i think) 240sx. When i get it, what should i look for? i know it needs shocks and some basic stuff, but i want to put a better suspension under it, i was thinking koni cause they aren't 100% new to me since my neon has them on it. but idk, its going to be a daily driven car to school and work, but i want to be able to have a little kick when i floor it, and i want it to sound good, I know ill be the only kid at school with a rwd import and the security officer isn't my biggest fan so I want to keep it looking stock.

[Nonsense]

Look for rust everywhere.

[soon2Bcool]

Look for rust everywhere.

and gremlins... They are good at eluding you until you're testing the cars "kick" and then, BAM!

[x.zander.x]

okay, ill check that, being 15 i have a lot of time on my hands and ill probably look everything over, more than once, what would be a good first upgrade? some of my audio stuff like my stereo and maybe the sub and speakers will end up in it

[youngs13lover]

me and u are in the same ball park..in everyway..clean the car up..decide if u want to keep the motor or swap for a newr ka give it a full tune up..i.e. i got msd spark plug wires $100 get a good radiator walbro.. save up for a full headers to exhaust system.dont cheap on anything..time is our enemy but it will pay off wen u have a ful apexi exhaust or blitz and ur friend qith a honda has an ebay fartcan...coilovers are a must....rims if u want or get some stock s rims and paint them..keep the stock look..get brakes..good ones..get all the dentsout..i no u have a couple lol jp..paint it.ur gonna love it wen ur walking to ur car in the parking lot..some chicks are passing by and u turn that beast on and u drive off..lol..will take time but ull get it done...good luck bro

[AeonTorpor]

Check for clutch feel (or ease of shifting w/ AT), if lines are bad, rust in the radiator, spark plugs (everywhere as said above), check for knock or strange sounds/stuttering/sputtering/hesitation/bogging at speed/revving/spirited driving, check the frame for bends/really big dents, wiring of all devices (electrical tape, solder, crimps, wire twists) incl. mirrors, sunroof, windows, brakes, lights (flips), windows, wipers (f+r), emergencies, defrost, blinkers, reverse, brakes, wear on rotors, fluid leaks (oil, transmission, diff., coolant, wiper).

It sounds like a lot, but it's really quick. The longest part is the driving for the tale tale signs of blow-by/head gasket failure/electronic buggery.

Anyway, I know it's family, but it depends on the price. I'd be damned if I ever again pay $1000 for a car that was in the (unknown) condition my 2nd car was in.

[SupahTyTeTwoFowty_y0]

me and u are in the same ball park..in everyway..clean the car up..decide if u want to keep the motor or swap for a newr ka give it a full tune up..i.e. i got msd spark plug wires $100 get a good radiator walbro.. save up for a full headers to exhaust system.dont cheap on anything..time is our enemy but it will pay off wen u have a ful apexi exhaust or blitz and ur friend qith a honda has an ebay fartcan...coilovers are a must....rims if u want or get some stock s rims and paint them..keep the stock look..get brakes..good ones..get all the dentsout..i no u have a couple lol jp..paint it.ur gonna love it wen ur walking to ur car in the parking lot..some chicks are passing by and u turn that beast on and u drive off..lol..will take time but ull get it done...good luck bro

i dont like you.

[x.zander.x]

it gets a 3 hour drive home so ill probably catch anything wrong with it then, ill probably take spark plugs and wires with me (good brand?) i know it needs paint (white just doesn't agree with me) and it will get rims, steelies are just to much like my neon. im gonna look around for aftermarket parts soon. as the money comes ill get parts, think flat black with bronze rims would look good?

[Jerid]

it gets a 3 hour drive home so ill probably catch anything wrong with it then, ill probably take spark plugs and wires with me (good brand?) i know it needs paint (white just doesn't agree with me) and it will get rims, steelies are just to much like my neon. im gonna look around for aftermarket parts soon. as the money comes ill get parts, think flat black with bronze rims would look good?

Go NGK on the plugs/wires. Make sure you gap them right.

I have to say this, so do not take offense (even if you do, I couldn't care less..TBH).. PLEASE do not rice this car out.

Examples:

Leave the spray paint at the hardware storeDon't click "Buy now" or "Place bid" on damn near anything on eBayStay out of AutozoneDon't get a 15ft wing spoilerDon't put on a body kit that looks like it's trying to eat something

Keep in mind that it is an old car, and you will have a LOT of maintenance that you need to take care of (I'm in the same boat). Get it running/driving like new before you go blowing your money(or your parents') on aftermarket stuff. These cars can be eye catchers, but it does take time and money to build a respectable car. My steel wheels eat at me every time I look at them, but I know that the basics come first. Just keep that in the back of your head, and you will love your 240.

Good luck to you!

[zenki-S13]

your 15just drive it and dont wreck it like alot of other stupid kids do.and get rid of the neon. those cars are stupid imo.

[x.zander.x]

everything will come out of my pocket, i'm not gonna rice it out, and yes, im 15. but i like to modify stuff. and most of the work i'll be there but i wont be doing it, and if i am i will be supervised. most of my family are mechanics. I'll be the 3rd owner. i like my neons (got 2 of them, parts car ftw) i will have all the records for this car, its been in the family since new, and my grandmother was the first owner, and my uncle drives like a grandma. I'm not like most kids and since everything is coming out of my pocket (same on the neon) I'm going to be careful. Might keep the neon for a lil while, just because not many ppl care to modify them.

[2056515]

dont buy it....your uncle is ripping u off......

[x.zander.x]

reason? I want it cause its RWD, no i dont want it to drift, I grew up being told RWD is better than FWD, then dad got married, thats why i have the neon.

[gingerbredman]

I'd do a compression test before anything. Knowing if the motor's in good shape or not will factor in what you'll be able to do with it and how much money you'll initially need to spend on it. Not all grandma's and uncles change out the oil at every 3k miles, let alone wires, plugs, etc. lol

A few typical things:-Leaking front crank oil seal. If it's leaking, you'll know lol-Worn tie rods/ends. Move the front wheels like you're trying to turn them, if you hear a clank or there's excessive play, then you'll need new ones.-Shocks, like you said. That excessive bumping 10miles down the road after you hit a bump.-Worn suspension bushings. Today I noticed a bracket that holds in a sway bar bushing was missing, I wasn't looking for it specifically but it fixed an obnoxious rattle lol-Oh and make sure all switches turn on what they're supposed to, heh...

Really, with the age of our cars, you just have to learn to look at everything. If you're changing your oil, on your way to the drain bolt take a gander at some bushings and wiring on the way there, you never know. Wiggle brackets and things that rotate just to see if their loose, just stuff like that.

If you end up getting it though:distributor cap and rotorwiresplugs (Autolite Platinums from walmart worked gr8 for me)Replace filters if needed (fuel,intake, oil)Check all coolant lines and vacuum lines for excessive hardness and replace if needed.Make sure belts are in good shape.Keep an eye on all fluids, whenever you stop at the car wash, up at sonic, or when you get pulled over, whatever.

I have no clue what all I just typed, I'm tired, gotta finish COMPLETELY removing the dash out of my old 240 tomorrow, gotta change out the vent changer motor and all the a/c pressure switches and whatnot..

good luck though. laterz

[x.zander.x]

i know the motor is pretty new, its not a numbers matching car. my grandma did, i remember the autozone trips with my grandpa, and im pretty sure my uncle does, its their back up car tho, thats why i have to wait to get it.

[x.zander.x]

do these cars respond well to intakes and exhaust like my neon did? i could actually feel a difference

[gingerbredman]

eh, I never really noticed a significant difference in power from an intake and exhaust. I used to run mid 9's in the 1/8 mile bone stock, but I didn't go back and run after the upgrades. I really can't vouch for results, I barely kept up with some dudes crown vic the other night

..and I only have an old pair of fans from local U-Pull It parts yard and a ghetto short ram intake, everything else is stock again.

I can say that throttle response improved a good bit from the intake

[gingerbredman]

I have an old (2006) Stillen catalog that lists some gains of corresponding upgrades:

On a ka24e, single cam-5hp---Stillen Intake, looks to be a velocity-stack ring and cone filter, stock piping6hp---Exhaust6hp---Underdrive Pulley~8hp-Header (not listed for ka24e, but probably close to it)?hp---Electric fans (nab some off an older Altima I believe, around 40bucks for mine

It doesn't say whether these are gains at the flywheel or wheels, and keep in mind that some motors will gain more power than others, based on condition and whatnot. Just search around some and you'll pick up a lot over time, sometimes your car throws you a wild hair that hasn't been addressed but hey that's why we're all here

[SupahTyTeTwoFowty_y0]

do these cars respond well to intakes and exhaust like my neon did? i could actually feel a difference

the only thing a 240 has in common with a neon is that they are both cheap cars. post pictures of your neon

[FadedDrifter123]

pls dont say that you are getting a 240SX because everyone else is getting one too.

if that is so, then just stick with ur neons and let me buy the 240 off ur uncle. ill make sure it goes into the right hands.

[hbpignosePA]

i hate 240 gen soo much

[s13gebala]

^ indeed, check this

"I know ill be the only kid at school with a rwd import and the security officer isn't my biggest fan so I want to keep it looking stock."

[zenki-S13]

everything will come out of my pocket, i'm not gonna rice it out, and yes, im 15. but i like to modify stuff. and most of the work i'll be there but i wont be doing it, and if i am i will be supervised. most of my family are mechanics. I'll be the 3rd owner. i like my neons (got 2 of them, parts car ftw) i will have all the records for this car, its been in the family since new, and my grandmother was the first owner, and my uncle drives like a grandma. I'm not like most kids and since everything is coming out of my pocket (same on the neon) I'm going to be careful. Might keep the neon for a lil while, just because not many ppl care to modify them.

well at least you will buy it with your own moneyim 16 and bought 2 240's about a year ago. one was wrecked and the other was a shell. my dad and i took the engine and interior in the wrecked car and swaped it to the shell.not only did i respect my car more but i got to learn alot about it.

and you say your not going to be the one installing things. you should so you can learn as well and then you deff will not want to ruin it.

but as for headers and things, there a waste, just get a cone filter for your intake (those fancy pipes dont do anything and are too much money) and get a cool looking exhaust lol.i just dont like stock ones.after that just drive it and love it

[OutToWinPAHC]

Would someone like to make a right up on buying a 240? I think we need one all of a sudden.

[sidewayspassenger1990sx]

I feel ya, i just turned 17 and have had a super long 90 coupe project, you will love it and do all YOUR OWN work on it cause you will learn soo much ive been in this for 7 months and ive done abot 4 motor swaps, i can succesfully pull and drop in motors myself, before i got a 240 i couldnt change a damn tire.. you will build a special bond with your car if you do it on your own lol no lie!! and one day when your done it feels great when you look at it, (and my project isnt even done) but good luck with it and have fun!!

[S13_love]

Would someone like to make a right up on buying a 240? I think we need one all of a sudden.

I think so too. Basically, we need a sticky "What to look for when considering to buy a 240sx" thread or something imo.

[x.zander.x]

ill get some pics of my neon tomorrow, its pretty much stock exempt for a intake a cherrybomb turbo muffler and my stereo stuff. The only reason i know ill have the only rwd import is because most people around me hate imports. Ive done all the work on my neon and i'll probably do most of it on the 240. I have another neon i pulled the motor out of and im parting that one (where my 500 is coming from to buy the 240). i dont want the 240 because everyone else has one, i want one because i like the way the body flows. And i know how to work on cars, i did my brakes on the neon today.

[sebazztard]

[24j0hn]

i say dont spend too much on the single cam and swap a DOHC in, you could get a good dohc for cheap w/ moderate miles... you could do a head gasket job on a dohc for like $80 with all of the gaskets you need...

for the sound you could just get a ebay exhaust which actually dont sound bad at all, or to stay discrete get 2.5" piping and a dual tip muffler...

[gingerbredman]

Yeah, and if you do go with the twin cam, don't go foolin round with the cams, unless you're doing some BC's or something.. I SWEAR after I put everything back stock identical it never ran the same, I mean it wasn't as quick.. for some reason.

Anyways OP, you had a Neon right? Well a Dodge Neon's not an import now is it? I mean you could call it a tuner, but 'import' is just stereotyping everybody that happens to have a 4-banger

not doggin ya, just saying