Here's a question for you...

[Arrow]

Here is what I would like to do.... I currently own a 1990 240sx hatchback. I want to get a lsd of some sort (either from a junkyard or one from another type of car...) and getting ABS would be nice.... I have another '90 SOHC engine and transmission (long block - w/ almost everything). I have been thinking about rebuilding it and turbocharging it.... Now the questions and decisions start....

I am wondering which engine would be best to turbo - the SOHC or DOHC... there are valid claims for each and I have looked into them all... but here is my biggest question:

Considering everything else that I would like (i.e. abs - which isn't that cheap to get (the computer and all) would it be more economical for me to look into buying say a '91 240 w/ abs and some other options that I would like (power windows, etc..) and then sell my 240 and either sell or part out the second engine??????

I know that there could be many different opinions but I'm just asking for your guys inputs (so please don't try to argue with anyone's opinion )

It would also be helpful if you could give me round figured prices as well for some things... such as the price for a '91+ 240 hatch.... and depending on possible prices I would except one that doesn't run and say needs the engine rebuilt or a new one.... I would like to be able to spend no more than $3000 for a new car (if I go that route)

I would really like not to spend more than $1000 for a '91 240 w/ some of the things that I would like... but that would almost definatly be a 'fixer-upper' and therefore I would need to keep my current 240 till the new one is up and running.

I'd like to thank all of you for reading this really long post and thanks for any input that you might have!

[Silvia007]

First off, if your 90 is a XE or base model and you want all the things you want, then I'd sell it and look for a 91-93 but in working condition. With the money made from the sale of the 90, I'm sure you'll be able to add some money and find a 91-93. If you get a 91-93 with ABS then it comes with everything you need, which includes VLSD, HICAS, and Power windows/locks.

If built properly, the KA-T will be a sweet engine. But in my case, it's a little spendy compared to buying a SR... but I went the SR route so knowing exactly how much a KA-T costs, I have no clue.

Trying to find parts for your 90 such as abs and vlsd will be rather difficult. If you can do without them however, I'd stick with the 90 and build it up to save money. But that's me, if you are going to build something, make sure you'll be satisfied with the end result because if you say went with the cheapest route, you may not like how the car ends up.

For me, my route was a bit expensive and I worked my butt off to get enough money to mod my car, even so, I didn't regret a single thing, I think the money I spent on my car is well worth it.

No matter what route you go, I say think about it over and over again because once you start, you can't really stop and start over without already wasting a lot of money. SOHC turbo is not a bad way to go either if you are going to rebuild the engine but if you are going KA-T I'd recommend new pistons and rods, preferably aftermarket reinforced... which aren't cheap.

[AkademikONE]

I am wondering which engine would be best to turbo - the SOHC or DOHC...

Since the SOHC has lower compression than the DOHC, the SOHC makes it a better candidate for boost.

[Arrow]

thanks a lot. I have been thinking about it for quite some time now. I think that the DOHC is technolgically a slightly better engine and I am not sure if I want to get HICAS or not... I have heard that there are some problems with it (when autocrossing and such) but I'm not sure. The though of swapping engines has also came across my mind. But right now that would be a future goal (along with turbocharging a KA)... as in I really don't think it would happen until I'm out of college (I'm a freshman) and if I did swap I would spend the extra cash and look into an RB series (I think that they are a little technologically advanced than the SR's and I don't think that they would throw off the balance of the 240 - especially if I lighten the front a tad)

I have the base model 240 hatch (well, I think that it had the 'sport convience package' (i.e. power everything, front lip (I think the front clip on the car is not the factory one.. well the from right behind the radiator forward was replaced) and the hatch has the wiper (but once again I think that the hatch might have been replaced due to the common spoiler rust issues - and I've noticed a large area under my rear lights that was bondoed (and not the best b/c in the right light you can see where it was put) and also overall the car has a bad paint job and a decent number of dends and such... I think that in repainting it and doing it right (i.e. stripping it down to the metal) would involve a lot of work on my part b/c I think there is a good deal of bondo around the thing....

Thanks again!

[Arrow]

I thought that the DOHC had an 8.6:1 compression ratio... or is it 9.1:1? hmmm... you have a point though... thanks

[scruffy63]

you actually got it backwards. some of the e's had 8:6 and the de's have ;9:1 i'm sure i left something out though.

[Arrow]

thank you for correcting me

edit: I am wondering - how important is ABS to the 240? I know that it is helpful but with other things (i.e. brake upgrades such as 300zx (I haven't done it but have thought abotu it)) how much does it really help? b/c I've checked on the price for the abs computer... sheesh it's like $500+ possibly even more!

[AkademikONE]

I don't have ABS and I'm totally happy with my car. I do the occasional drift and auto-x course and loved it.

[240slidekat]

you actually got it backwards. some of the e's had 8:6 and the de's have ;9:1 i'm sure i left something out though.

according to chilton manual the 89 has 9.0:1 and 90 has 8.6:1 compression ratio..which sucks for me cuz i got an 89.

[scruffy63]

i wouldn't pay attention to that particular manual i have an 89 and I have the 8:6:1 pistons. I know this b/c I have my motor in peices and I have the dished pistons. from what i've read the 9:1 are flat topped

[Arrow]

Now that I am thinking about it, I remember reading somewhere that the early model 89's had the 9:1 ratio and the ones after that were 8.6:1..... anyway, thanks for your input guys and keep an comments coming! I've thought that abs isn't high on my list of 'needs' because I think that the 240 is a rather light car and it isn't as necessary. Getting an lsd is up on the list especially after the engine is turbocharged.... but for now, I'm fine with it. I am thinking that it might be worth my time to just keep what I've got and to rebuild my second engine and look into a basic (say only 7 to 10 psi) turboing job. This would be a good learning experience for me and would provide a little extra 'umph' in daily driving. I'd be happy with around 200 hp at the wheels.... but that is probably down the road... I still need to get the car running better and save the money to do some of these things to it...