I really appologize for posting this since I'm sure the info is already here somewhere, but the search function isn't getting me anything useful, so here I am.
I'm looking into purchasing a S13 gen coupe(not hatch) 240SX and I want to know what years to look for or stay away from, and what options to look for or stay away from. My plans are for nice streatable suspension and brakes, as well as a SR20DET swap with very minor tuning(exhaust, intake, perhaps ecu). Also I want a Silvia front clip on it, the pop ups don't look right on the coupes to me. I want a fun weekend car for track days and what not, but reliable too, hence minimal engine tuning.
Also, what issues should I be aware of on the SR20's, or is there simply certain year engines that I should look for over others for ease of swap, cost, and reliability?
At the moment I have a reliable daily driver('99 Taurus SE) that I'm finishing off the suspension and breaks on, and just needs a few more tweaks to the intake+exhaust to get it into the 14's(current 15.2 with cat-back, chip, and UDP), so having the 240sx indisposed during the engine swap etc. won't be a problem. Money is the main issue as I need to finish the Taurus before I dive into a weekend fun car project, so the car would probably be a KA24 beater till it was paid off and the Taurus is done.
Sorry for the rambling, and thanks for any help/links you guys can give me. And sorry again for what I'm sure is the 196109561309 repost of these questions.
Eric
Buyers Guide to the S13 240SX?
89-93 are coupe years 94 are convertibles only
89s-90s come with sohc ka24e and 91-93s come with dohc ka24de engines. some people prefer sohc others prefer dohc but the one that pushes more hp is the dohc rated at factory 150hp.
there aren't any 240s to stay away from they're all similar.
what to look for or problems with the 240, ripped up drivers seat, bad timing chain guides(makes noise when you listen to it) not a big deal you can remove it, check light plays peekaboo, other than that just look at the car like how you'd look at any other car. compression, look at exterior/interior, check the oil (if oil is low or pitch black the previous owner didn't care for the car). check history record with carfax, tire thread with penny, drive it to test the alignment, hump each corner to test stock springs/shocks and whatever else you want to do...
s13 front ends go typically anywhere from 750-1300~ depending on what bumper you want, grill, headlights, turning signals and condition.
brakes usualy people upgrade to q45, maxima, 300zx brakes. you won't exactly stop any faster with bigger brakes, but bigger calipers/rotors mean higher heat tolerances so you can brake a lot more without wearing pad and destroying rotors. so just drive on the stock stuff and if your driving habits on the street/track or whatever destroy the rotors and pads rather quickly then you probably need to upgrade.
sr20det, if that is your engine choice theres s13 redtops, s13/180sx/s14/s15 blacktops. s13 redtops are typically the cheapest because they are the oldest. s14 and s15 engines come with a bigger turbo and some valve timing (similar to vtec in the honda world) s15 motors come with 6speed transmissions but it's more difficult to swap due to the driveshaft etc.. most cost effective sr either s13 redtop or s13/180sx blacktop (if you are anal about the engines age) sr reliable but depending on how you drive it you can blow it quick.
cost of sr20det. depends on condition and who you buy from. 2500~ for s13 redtop front clip and ~4500-5000 for s15 black top for a price range.
have fun at nico. and search for whatever else you need
89s-90s come with sohc ka24e and 91-93s come with dohc ka24de engines. some people prefer sohc others prefer dohc but the one that pushes more hp is the dohc rated at factory 150hp.
there aren't any 240s to stay away from they're all similar.
what to look for or problems with the 240, ripped up drivers seat, bad timing chain guides(makes noise when you listen to it) not a big deal you can remove it, check light plays peekaboo, other than that just look at the car like how you'd look at any other car. compression, look at exterior/interior, check the oil (if oil is low or pitch black the previous owner didn't care for the car). check history record with carfax, tire thread with penny, drive it to test the alignment, hump each corner to test stock springs/shocks and whatever else you want to do...
s13 front ends go typically anywhere from 750-1300~ depending on what bumper you want, grill, headlights, turning signals and condition.
brakes usualy people upgrade to q45, maxima, 300zx brakes. you won't exactly stop any faster with bigger brakes, but bigger calipers/rotors mean higher heat tolerances so you can brake a lot more without wearing pad and destroying rotors. so just drive on the stock stuff and if your driving habits on the street/track or whatever destroy the rotors and pads rather quickly then you probably need to upgrade.
sr20det, if that is your engine choice theres s13 redtops, s13/180sx/s14/s15 blacktops. s13 redtops are typically the cheapest because they are the oldest. s14 and s15 engines come with a bigger turbo and some valve timing (similar to vtec in the honda world) s15 motors come with 6speed transmissions but it's more difficult to swap due to the driveshaft etc.. most cost effective sr either s13 redtop or s13/180sx blacktop (if you are anal about the engines age) sr reliable but depending on how you drive it you can blow it quick.
cost of sr20det. depends on condition and who you buy from. 2500~ for s13 redtop front clip and ~4500-5000 for s15 black top for a price range.
have fun at nico. and search for whatever else you need
Re: (Juujai)
Thank you very very much, that is a lot of very helpful info.
Eric
Eric
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lucky03602
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Re: (VenomPS13)
if you plan on getting a hatchback (also availiable from 1989-1993) is they usually have a leaky trunk. this is a very common problem for the hatchbacks and thankfully very easy to fix. heres a link so if you do get a hatch you know how to fix the leak if there is one
zerothread?id=26773
zerothread?id=26773
i'm just going to clarify something real quick. If you buy a sohc and it rattles, the timing guide has broken and needs to be replaced, not removed. Removed guide on a sohc = hole in timing cover eventually. Its the dohc that you can yank the guides on. I really wish people would be more specific with this, i'd hate to see some newb yank the guide in a sohc and start blowing water in his oil....
Re: (FliMSiCaL)
Thanks for the clarification.