Advice on an S14 240sx LSx Swap

[twistedsymphony]

I'm the proud owner of a very clean low mileage 1995 Nissan 240sx.



Background:I bought this car with the intent of swapping in an SR20DET. I wanted something with ~220whp that would be fun to drive and occasionally autocross during the summer months (I live in NH)

To be perfectly honest I'm more about good handling than straight line power, which is what drew me to the 240sx in the first place.

I don't have much experience working on cars beyond installing bolt on parts and general maintenance tasks. I have a garage but not many tools. Because of my lack of experience and tools (even though I'd love to learn) I had setup for a shop to do the engine swap for me, and budgeted about $7500 to do so, completely turn key including engine, installation, and all supporting parts.

What changedI was unable to find an SR in good enough condition that I was comfortable having it put in my car so I started looking at alternative engine options.

I was looking at VQ35s and 2JZs and someone suggested I look into an LS1... WOW! I couldn't believe how light this motor weighs for the amount of power it puts out... had had blown it off as an option before assuming it would be too big and heavy but to my surprise it doesn't weight much more than the factory KA24DE.

So now I'm seriously looking into an LSx swap. I know I'm not the first person to do this, which IMO is a benefit because I can learn from there mistakes. I'm actually surprised more people have not done this swap considering the characteristics of this motor and it's price/availability in the US.... though I suspect it stems from the anti-Detroit-auto-maker attitudes that a lot of import tuners hold.... shame really

So far I've determined that I need the following equipment beyond a donor drive train:

mounting:Engine Mount SupportsSubframe reinforcementtransmission bracealuminum spacerscorvette engine mount bracketscorvette engine mounts

fitment:GTO front sump oil pan (pan, windage tray, pickup)Shorty headers to clear steering rackdriveshaft

cooling:larger radiator/fans

fuel:adjustable fuel pressure regulator255lph pumphigh flow fuel filterbraided fuel lines w/ AN fittings

clutch:GM Clutch lineclutch master cylinderclutch pedalclutch mounting hardware

electrical:harness modificationspeedometer correctionbase computer tune

-------------------------------------------complete kit:http://www.hinsonsupercars.com/partsMainS14.htmHinson Super cars offers all of this stuff, but at a fairly steep price:1213.50 - mounting equipment and braces435.00 - driveshaft (aluminum)172.00 - engine mounts355.00 - oil pan835.00 - headers585.00 - cooling system665.00 - fuel system79.99 - CMC83.50 - Clutch line425.00 - harness modification80.00 - speedo correction185.00 - computer tune

That's about $5200 worth of parts/services and I haven't even bought the motor, nor found someone to install it. Not to mention there's some other equipment that will need to be purchased since the car is currently an auto and I'll be making it a 6 speed (interior trim, clutch pedal, etc.)

looking at the list above it seems a bit overwhelming. I'm sure I can source some of the parts much cheaper either from a donor car or a junk yard, or just ebay sales... like the GTO oil pan, CMC, engine mounts etc.

I might be able to do the harness modification myself if I can find some information on it. I'm quite good with electronics and have built many of my own circuits/converters and even custom microcontroller programs for various things in the past... does anyone know of any resources?

I've heard that some 240sx swaps used a specific brand of header to clear the steering rack, I'm wondering what people used exactly, since a cheaper option would be appreciated, I'm thinking it might even be cheaper to have an exhaust shop custom fab something for me.

Finally does anyone know of any aspects of this swap that I'm overlooking? the last thing I want is something to surprise me and wind up costing a few grand more than I was planning on spending.

[Joe]

i already said this on your thread on ls1tech, but ill say it here too

hinson stuff is ****. make your own or find a reputable local shop to do it. oh and RESEARCH RESEARCH RESEARCH! you have no idea the hell your gonna be getting yourself into heres my build thread if you havent already seen it zerothread/250906

[Blown240sx]

I'm the proud owner of a very clean low mileage 1995 Nissan 240sx.



Background:I bought this car with the intent of swapping in an SR20DET. I wanted something with ~220whp that would be fun to drive and occasionally autocross during the summer months (I live in NH)

To be perfectly honest I'm more about good handling than straight line power, which is what drew me to the 240sx in the first place.

I don't have much experience working on cars beyond installing bolt on parts and general maintenance tasks. I have a garage but not many tools. Because of my lack of experience and tools (even though I'd love to learn) I had setup for a shop to do the engine swap for me, and budgeted about $7500 to do so, completely turn key including engine, installation, and all supporting parts.

What changedI was unable to find an SR in good enough condition that I was comfortable having it put in my car so I started looking at alternative engine options.

I was looking at VQ35s and 2JZs and someone suggested I look into an LS1... WOW! I couldn't believe how light this motor weighs for the amount of power it puts out... had had blown it off as an option before assuming it would be too big and heavy but to my surprise it doesn't weight much more than the factory KA24DE.

So now I'm seriously looking into an LSx swap. I know I'm not the first person to do this, which IMO is a benefit because I can learn from there mistakes. I'm actually surprised more people have not done this swap considering the characteristics of this motor and it's price/availability in the US.... though I suspect it stems from the anti-Detroit-auto-maker attitudes that a lot of import tuners hold.... shame really

So far I've determined that I need the following equipment beyond a donor drive train:

mounting:Engine Mount SupportsSubframe reinforcementtransmission bracealuminum spacerscorvette engine mount bracketscorvette engine mounts

fitment:GTO front sump oil pan (pan, windage tray, pickup)Shorty headers to clear steering rackdriveshaft

cooling:larger radiator/fans

fuel:adjustable fuel pressure regulator255lph pumphigh flow fuel filterbraided fuel lines w/ AN fittings

clutch:GM Clutch lineclutch master cylinderclutch pedalclutch mounting hardware

electrical:harness modificationspeedometer correctionbase computer tune

-------------------------------------------complete kit:http://www.hinsonsupercars.com/partsMainS14.htmHinson Super cars offers all of this stuff, but at a fairly steep price:1213.50 - mounting equipment and braces435.00 - driveshaft (aluminum)172.00 - engine mounts355.00 - oil pan835.00 - headers585.00 - cooling system665.00 - fuel system79.99 - CMC83.50 - Clutch line425.00 - harness modification80.00 - speedo correction185.00 - computer tune

That's about $5200 worth of parts/services and I haven't even bought the motor, nor found someone to install it. Not to mention there's some other equipment that will need to be purchased since the car is currently an auto and I'll be making it a 6 speed (interior trim, clutch pedal, etc.)

looking at the list above it seems a bit overwhelming. I'm sure I can source some of the parts much cheaper either from a donor car or a junk yard, or just ebay sales... like the GTO oil pan, CMC, engine mounts etc.

I might be able to do the harness modification myself if I can find some information on it. I'm quite good with electronics and have built many of my own circuits/converters and even custom microcontroller programs for various things in the past... does anyone know of any resources?

I've heard that some 240sx swaps used a specific brand of header to clear the steering rack, I'm wondering what people used exactly, since a cheaper option would be appreciated, I'm thinking it might even be cheaper to have an exhaust shop custom fab something for me.

Finally does anyone know of any aspects of this swap that I'm overlooking? the last thing I want is something to surprise me and wind up costing a few grand more than I was planning on spending.

I could do the swap for 4K. Wiring, Mounts, Much cheaper PS line, Much cheaper fuel system, cheaper cooling system if you dont run top of the line fans.

100 - mounting equipment and braces435.00 - driveshaft (aluminum)70 - engine mounts355.00 - oil pan835.00 - headers400 - cooling system300 - fuel system79.99 - CMC50 - Clutch line350 - harness modification80.00 - speedo correctionFree - computer tune

+4K for labor and swap

If you want to do the mounts your self I charge 350 for wiring with a full wire thinning. All the BS removed and ECU fixed so it wont throw check engine lights and will allow the car to start.

[twistedsymphony]

Kentucky is quite a distance from New Hampshire