Hello Everyone - I need your help

[Speed Monster]

I am new to the groupI just purchased a 1994 240SX 2.4L Convertible and yes it needs some work not much though. I need to get some parts but I don't want to get ripped off doing it.Can you guys give me some suggestions where to go. Trying to put it back as close to original, if I have to put semi mod parts on it I'm ok w/ it.I need Rear Struts, Convertable Top, Some interior parts, Owners manual, & Shop manaul.Looking forward to your replies. Thanks everyone.....Speed Monster

[DeXteR]

STRUTS: any of your local autoparts places will be just fine for normal driving. if you want to get a bit more aggressive, toss in some kyb or tokico units with some aftermarket springs. if you want to get really crazy, get some coilovers. of course, these aftermarket parts will best be sourced from one of our sponosors, ebay, or our classifieds section.

CONVERTIBLE TOP: the guy on ebay has been the vendor of choice for most of our members here. i can't find a link at the moment, but searching our forums will bring it up quickly. start in the FAQs sticky.

INTERIOR PARTS: these are hard to come by. your best bet is the convertiblel for sale/want to buy thread in this subforum. otherwise, hit up ebay or try your local junkyards and see what you can find.

OWNERS MANUAL: ebay will probably be your best bet.

SHOP MANUAL: again, ebay is the place to look. there are a few other places that our members have sourced them from for a good price. i also know that a few of our members have been working on and off to get a .pdf version of the shop manual that will be available for download so you can read it in adobe acrobat.

oh yeah, welcome to the coolest part of nico.

[cellogig]

who is the guy on ebay also for the vert top.

[Speed Monster]

DeXter,WOW, you are a wealth of information and a big help. Thank you!!But answer me 1 question did the OEM strut come with springs and how much more of a benefit will I really get from the springs if not OEM.

I do agree w/ you this is the coolest part of Nico

SM

[ishkabibble]

You can find a PDF of the main part of the shop manual online. (Google for 240sx FSM PDF or something like that). The "vert supplement" part of the shop manual will be available in PDF soon.

[Loki]

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/240sx/

This?

[ishkabibble]

That one doesn't look complete. I got mine from phatg20.net, but it's on other sites, too.

[Eikon]

Welcome to the group Speed Monster. Glad to have you here Looks like you got some quick help. Let us know if you need anything else.

Nice work Dex, Loki, Ish.. You guys rock!

[DeXteR]

DeXter,WOW, you are a wealth of information and a big help. Thank you!!But answer me 1 question did the OEM strut come with springs and how much more of a benefit will I really get from the springs if not OEM.

I do agree w/ you this is the coolest part of Nico

SM

it's not just me, man! we've got a lot of people here who know a lot about these cars. but thanks.

oem-type replacement struts do not normally come with springs. however, i know that some can be ordered as a ready-to-install unit. if i'm understanding your question correctly, you're wondering about using an aftermarket spring on a stock-ish strut. you'll see a benefit.

aftermarket springs (not oem-spec) will usually lower your ride height from 1-2" and give you a stiffer, better handling ride. this can all be accomplished with an oem replacement strut. it is not normally recomended to put these kind of spings on an old strut though as it puts a lot more strees on the unit than it was designed for.

using kyb, tokico, or other brands of performance designed struts will further improve the handling characteristics of the vehicle. some of the higher-end versions have adjustable dampening so you can soften them up for a more street-friendly ride or stiffen them up for a really aggressive grip on the curves.

the one thing to remember with suspension is that comfort and performance are inversly related. this means that when you increase ride comfort, you loose performance - when you increase performace, you loose comfort. you need to find the right balance for yourself. do some homework, research some of the different products available and determine what's right for you. oh yeah, and if you increase either comfort or performance, the cost goes up and that's always a factor. most vert owners will find that a performance-designed strut with a nice spring is the best combination.

[Speed Monster]

Hey Dexter, I have a questions for you. When I'm looking for parts for my convertable, have you found that there is or is not a major difference between vert and non-vert parts? I know it sounds like stupid question but.... I'm new to this car.SM


Modified by Speed Monster at 9:33 AM 6/12/2007

[DeXteR]

zerothread/199318

you need to read that whole thread and all of the threads linked to inside that thread. you'll learn a lot.

i've learned everything i know (automotive) from reading forums and experience.

to answer your question. most parts for any s13 are interchangeable. s13 coupe is the closest.

[Speed Monster]

Thanks!, I will.

[Hijacker]

Your major mechanical components will be interchangable from non-vert to vert.

The vert does have a few annoying to find pieces. You'll find interior panels a pain to find in good shape. The rear cover boot is a PITA to find, but I find it to be a pain to use anyways, so mine stays stowed away in my shed.

I had to go with topsonline.com for my replacement top. I also wrote a DYI on it that's linked in my sig. The ebay vendor that everyone used seems to have disappeared.

Service manual supplements for the vert seem to have also dried up on ebay. I haven't seen one on there in a long time, but if you're adament about getting one, keep checking. It's well worth getting.

Camel-towing.com used to be where i sent people for S13 FSMs but they seem to have dissappeared. Send me an email and I can email you a zip with my copy of the FSM .pdf file. It's for non-verts, but it is handy to have.

Someone was in the process of scanning the vert FSM into pdf format, but the process has been slow going. If I had a copy of acrobat that allowed me to make a PDF, I would help out.

Congratulations on your vert purchase. I'm always happy to see someone pick up one of these cars with the intent to take care of it.

[kingdutka]

who is the guy on ebay also for the vert top.

go on ebay and do a search for "240sx convertible"

I gave the guy some extra money to use a higher quality material. it took a little longer, but was way worth it.

[Speed Monster]

Thank you Bart, you're a big help!!SM
Modified by Speed Monster at 9:41 AM 6/12/2007

[ishkabibble]

I should have the "beta" version of the vert supplement PDF together sometime next week. I've been doing it in 3rds, and yes, it's been slow since I decided to keep the binding intact.

[Hijacker]

I should have the "beta" version of the vert supplement PDF together sometime next week. I've been doing it in 3rds, and yes, it's been slow since I decided to keep the binding intact.

That's half the reason why I don't have a lot of scans of the book either. I scanned the section of ASC and Nissan's extra bracing, and a bit of the wiring.