Doing some upgrades

[arcadiabc]

Hello all,

I would like to ask for all of your opinions on the best route, for me, to take in my first step in upgrading my 1996 s14 SE. Take note:

Right now I only have $1,500

I do plan to do engine swap in the future, and yes I plan on auto X and do some drifting on this car.

Options:

1 : FNO1R-C Front: 1790 +15 Rear: 17100 +12, with Falken tires.

2 : Stay with stock wheels and order stiffer wall tires, thus saving money for more upgrades. like

3 : 300zx front brakes with Hawk Pads, 300zx master cylinder, and 30mm stop-tech slotted rotors.

4 : SPL KTS coil overs with upper and rear strut bars. If I have enough sway bars as well.

5 : Kaaz 2.0 LSD to help me brake the rear better when I go drifting on rainy days in a very nice spaced and isolated spot I go to.

eventually I will buy all of these parts, but I am having a hard time deciding which route i take first. Can any one give me some thoughts on this? Thanks all in advanced.

[Florida240sx]

Don't which is your best route to take.You need to get all your suspension parts taken care of because no matter what engien you have it won't make you change it.Brake upgrade will be good but you might need to re-route lines once you swap engines(not sure) LSD is a great thing to have. What kind of engine you plan to swap SR20?Also what are your reasons to swap to this motor because KA-T is a very nice motor to use as well, but decision is yours.

[arcadiabc]

Well more like, which is the best route to take first.

Definitely I always planned for all important suspension components to be upgraded first before anything is done to the engine other than the usual maintenance.

I never heard of lines being re-routed for a 300z brake swap when an engine swap like the SR20 is done. But I will investigate.

I plan on doing a Black Top swap. I bought my car with 125,000 in the clock; I have taken the KA up to the 140,000. I don’t like planning on an engine with that much mileage. I know, I know. There many people with equal or more miles than me doing KATS’ out there. But it’s a personal matter that I have always planned since way back in 1995 when I could not afford to buy a car let alone an engine swap.

thanks

[Ni2s4s0aSnX]

You proably want to add some more horsepower to that engine if you're going to drift it. But for suspension upgrades, I wouldn't recomend any of those except a brake upgrade if you are drifting. I would go with first, at least some coilovers, strut bars(front and rear), and an lsd. So, yeah, pretty much all of those things that you listed.

[nismofly]

with 1500 you could get a nice set of new tires, get the brakes done, and start working on suspension...you could almost have enough for a set of shocks and springs

[coolbone28]

i suggest you start with suspension upgrade...maybe some coilovers. you can always finish the sway bars and whatnot later. then you can also afford some decent tires. i would not recomend getting a 2way lsd if you are going to use this as a daily driver (esp in the rain). you will be able to break the rear loose easy enough with a 1.5way on dry pavement.

[SlidnSideways]

Start with suspension. No matter what you do to add power, suspension wont have to change.

I wouldnt get expensive tires right now with a stock 240. Your just gonna wear them out driving around then have to get newer ones when you swap anyway.

Truthfully if i were you i would just keep saving and buy everything at once. That way its all once project and you can order everything specific for the setup you decide to go with.

Either way have fun and let us know what you decide!

--Tim--

[240sx2soon]

Megan coilovers: Good product, great price, very flexible set up for track street drift and has camber plates.300ZX brake upgrade: Do just the fronts, doing the rear requires alot more undisclosed parts that will more than double the cost. If you seek hard you will be able to do the front brake upgade for about $450 to $500Strut bar front and rear: stiffen up that chassis a bit more, it may put you over your budget a bit but all of these parts combined will give you a great start.I have a 96 240 SE, my future plans include all of the above and trust me, you'll want more power soon

[wallybman]

since you're on a budget i will second 2soon's suggestions.. and i can tell you about megan racing parts.. i used quite a few of their parts on a wrx i had, and i found out that they are inexpensive knockoffs of high dollar parts.. not cheap, inexpensive.. their cold air intake was exactly like an aem, but it was a two piece, which made install easier. also, you can get their front and rear upper bars and rear lower bar as a package for like 130 shipped or so.. you throw that in with their coils, and some good struts (i can recommend the kyb agx shocks)

save up 200 buicks and go to nopi this year, and pick up a set of wheels from the cheapwheels.com booth. then pick up some kumho supra ecsta 712's for the front, and whatever 35 bucks each can get at walmart for the rear.

you should be able to do all of that in your budget, along with a used lsd on ebay.

hopefully that helps.

wally

[All_Motor_KA]

This is just me, but I would redo you complete suspension. KYB AGX's are pretty good for only 350 bucks, plus some good springs maybe another 400 to 500. Add in a bushing kit, tension rods and tie rods and it'll feel like a brand new car. Just remember all the little things count too :-P. Good luck.

[ddgsxr504]

If you want a good full coilover set up then you could go with Tanabe Sustec Pro S-OC Type 2's they offer everything already pre assembled but you won't be able to change dampning force, only ride height You can source most of the other parts like strut tower bars and sway bars from ebay for real cheap. As long as you have good rubber then stay withthe stock rims and tires until you get used to how your car handles, especially in a drift. When I go drifting I put my stock 16" on the rear cuz I don't like paying $$ for new tires on my ADR Fuels 17x7's. Plus when you want to go drifting you can get used tires for the rears for like $35 each. If you want to pay less money on brakes you can get the Infinity Q-45 brake calipers which aren't quite as good as the 300ZX ones but they still offer 30% more grip than stock which is all a light *** car like an S-14 needs.