Buying my first 240

[Sockington]

For the past year I've been wrenching on a 1986 Merkur XR4Ti. I've been slowly taking it apart and trying to replace problems as I go along. I ran into some serious trouble with the front end. Every joint, bushing, and piece of suspension has gone well past it's prime. I've sunk about $1200 (canadian) into driveline work with this car. I took a look around and I'd be looking at well over $3500 to repair the front end of the car.

I was poking around some local ads and I came across a 1990 240sx with a no-start motor and most likely poor condition transmission. It's an automatic currently.

I took a look at where I've put my money so far with the XR and where it could go in a 240.

After some measuring and careful planning, I've decided to pick up the old 240 for the impressive sum of $200 Canadian. I'm going to remove the old KA24E and plop in the motor and transmission from my Merkur along with all the wiring and bits. For those of you who don't know too much about Merkurs, they came with a torquey 2.3L SOHC Ford Turbo. It's being mated to a Mustang T5 transmission and then sent through the stock rear end for now. Mine's only floating around 220hp currently, but it's mostly in stock trim.

In anycase, I'll be viewing this car later this week to see what kind of rust issues it might have. I'm joing to jack it up and take a look down the frame and see if I notice anything. From there, I'll inspect the inner wheel wells at the rear along with the front inner and outer wheel wells. I'm going to check the rear hatch and see if any holes have also developed. If the body checks out with only some minor surface rust, then I'll be bringing it home.

All I'm really going to need is a set of 5speed pedals from the car along with the dash panels to match. Hopefull I can get the T5 to sit fairly well in the factory location - I want this car to look completly stock.

When all is said and done, it'll probably push about 300 whp and be made for some cornering fun.

In anycase, if any of you have any tips as to things to look for, let me know. I'll probably be heading over there (100km trip) to take a good look at mid-week.

By the way, I'm not completely unknown to the powers of the KA - I've got one in my 1997 Altima and a spare sitting on a skid in the garage.

Oh wells, we'll see how this deal pans out, and if everything goes right, I should be boosting a Ford iron lump by spring.

Incase you're wondering why I'm going with a Ford mill under the hood, I'm looking to have a nice looking car (the stock 240sx) with something that I can easily get parts for and makes gobs of torque down low. I was toying with the aluminum head 302cu I have kicking around at the shop, but the nice quiet idle of a 4cyl won me over.

Laters,Chris
Modified by Sockington at 11:26 PM 5/17/2005

[SeVa-S13]

Honestly, for the trouble you're going to go through puting this engine in, the KA could be made to outperform it easily and more reliably and probably cheaper. There are tons of turbo parts for the KA out there, just mosey on over the the 240sx sub-forum "KA-T."

[Sockington]

Honestly, for the trouble you're going to go through puting this engine in, the KA could be made to outperform it easily and more reliably and probably cheaper. There are tons of turbo parts for the KA out there, just mosey on over the the 240sx sub-forum "KA-T."

Indeed, I'm well aware of the turbo parts available for the KA, however, I have enough motor and transmission options available to me that the cost of the turbo, manifold, ECU (standalone or otherwise) would far outweight a winter's project. And hell, this is just for the fun of it since the motor and transmission are so far gone. If it was a stick and the transmission was fine, then I'd build up my spare KA24DE. However, since it is not, it's going to be either a 2.3T or a 302ci.

[SeVa-S13]

Well then good luck and don't "drift" into a tree like so many other 240 noobs.

[Sockington]

Well then good luck and don't "drift" into a tree like so many other 240 noobs.

Thanks for the advice.

This is going to be a street/track car. I've driven lots of old RWD cars (BMW's, other Merkur's, etc), so the oversteer isn't going to kill another perfectly good 240.

Sorry if it seems taboo to put a Ford mill under the bonnet of a 240sx, but it's a cheap way to get the thing going fast. Fords may not be reliable, but they are cheaper than a $5 whore.

[Sockington]

I took a look at her today. She's a little rough around the edges, but the frame is solid. It looks to be a good start. Also, the hubcaps will be promptly removed - stupid asian girl. I got a friend who's going to cut and patch the spots infront of the wheel wells - oddly enough though, the rust seems limited to there and nothing has creeped into the rails.

[GhostDriver]

Dude...I'd seriously reconsider if you haven't bought it already. The rust seems overwhelming.

[PantherRacer]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKKKK

dude, Save it you MUST.....that's sad... it has a good stance though... (no wonder the motor isn't running )

rust 240sx's make me angry

[Sockington]

dude, Save it you MUST.....that's sad... it has a good stance though... (no wonder the motor isn't running )

rust 240sx's make me angry

The rust is just confined to the rocker panels, so that's an easy fix at the friend's body shop. We're going to cut, clean, then weld in some new steel there.

I already picked up the car. It's wrapped up in two tarps outside awaiting it's trip inside the shop (Of course, the Merkur has to be booted out first).

This car is hardly "un-fixable". I just have to head off the rust to prevent anymore from starting. I have until next spring, so I have lots of time for body work.