Hey, I'm a Newb

[240SXd00d]

I've owned a 1999 Accord LX for just over a year and it's time for something sportier. The Accord is modified, but I've come to the realization that I've hit a point where I just need something else, perhaps RWD.

I'm only 18-years old and really don't want to spend more than $8500. 240SX's seem to be relatively hard to come by, and I want to make a good decision on the one I purchase.

You'll also have to excuse my ignorance on Nissan. I've been on the Honda scene so long that talking about B-Series, H-Series and D-Series engines is my second language, but Nissan is pretty foreign to me (although I know some basics). The KA24DE is the engine in the 240SX, correct? Also shared with the 1st gen. Altima if I'm not mistaken.

Anyway, is there any problem areas I should look for, and any owners that can share their experiences with the car? I'm looking to buy a 2nd gen. (?), 1995+...I've come to understand that their downsides are a rough engine (non-balanced) and soft handling. I'd love to do an engine swap, and coil-overs and rims fix handling problems.

Also, is rust a problem? If it is, I'd look for one from the South.

Anyway, throughout all this ramble I just wanted to say hello and get some feedback. Thanks in advance.

[Touchdown038]

Welcome to NICO! As for models of the cars, the 89-94 cars had the S13 chassis, which some consider to be the more sportier of the two. The 95-98 had the S14 chassis, and those are definitely more rare than the S13. The 89-90 models had the single-cam KA24E, while the 91 and up models had the KA24DE.

Problems... the KA really is a sturdy engine. The single-cam motor had issues with the timing chain tensioner going bad, causing the slack chain to eat away at the driver-side guide. They also had a small seat-belt issue which I believe was fixed on all S13s because of a recall. And for the 89-93 hatchbacks, the hatch would begin to rust because of water leaks. Other than that, regular maintenance is all you should need, provided you get one with low miles

Anyways, there's plenty of info you can find here if you use the search button on the top right. Once again, welcome!

[240SXd00d]

Welcome to NICO! As for models of the cars, the 89-94 cars had the S13 chassis, which some consider to be the more sportier of the two. The 95-98 had the S14 chassis, and those are definitely more rare than the S13. The 89-90 models had the single-cam KA24E, while the 91 and up models had the KA24DE.

Problems... the KA really is a sturdy engine. The single-cam motor had issues with the timing chain tensioner going bad, causing the slack chain to eat away at the driver-side guide. They also had a small seat-belt issue which I believe was fixed on all S13s because of a recall. And for the 89-93 hatchbacks, the hatch would begin to rust because of water leaks. Other than that, regular maintenance is all you should need, provided you get one with low miles

Anyways, there's plenty of info you can find here if you use the search button on the top right. Once again, welcome!

Thanks for the reply. I figured the KA24DE was sturdy...I constantly see high mileage Altimas. Anyway, thanks for the help bro.

[SmithSR]

Welcome! :bearchug

As touchdown mentioned, the search button at the top right of the screen is a great tool. Try running a search on "rust problem." That should give you about two day's worth of reading material.

There are several sections dealing with different aspects of the 240. The suspension/wheels section, a sub-section of 240sx/Silvia forum, will have discussions covering most if not all of your questions. There's also the 240 Technical section, the Nissan Online Mechanic forum, and the Engine forums.

To locate the Engine forums, please click on the forum button, top of page. This will bring you to an "all forums list" which you can scroll to the bottom of and find discussions on all Nissan engines. In the SR forum, you will find a useful FAQ, as well as a great number of threads which are dedicated to technical info about the SR20. Be sure to take the time to browse all the various sections. There's a great deal of information to be found here on NICO. Welcome aboard!

-Phil

[240SXd00d]

Welcome! :bearchug

As touchdown mentioned, the search button at the top right of the screen is a great tool. Try running a search on "rust problem." That should give you about two day's worth of reading material.

There are several sections dealing with different aspects of the 240. The suspension/wheels section, a sub-section of 240sx/Silvia forum, will have discussions covering most if not all of your questions. There's also the 240 Technical section, the Nissan Online Mechanic forum, and the Engine forums.

To locate the Engine forums, please click on the forum button, top of page. This will bring you to an "all forums list" which you can scroll to the bottom of and find discussions on all Nissan engines. In the SR forum, you will find a useful FAQ, as well as a great number of threads which are dedicated to technical info about the SR20. Be sure to take the time to browse all the various sections. There's a great deal of information to be found here on NICO. Welcome aboard!

-Phil

Haha, thanks. I'm familiar with vB-style board setups, I've been browsing a certain Honda board for three years. Thanks anyway.

My biggest problem is the smileys...the words you guys use for them is different than what I'm used to. :rolleyes

[WingsNThangs]

The KA24DE is the engine in the 240SX, correct? Also shared with the 1st gen. Altima if I'm not mistaken.

Anyway, is there any problem areas I should look for, and any owners that can share their experiences with the car? I'm looking to buy a 2nd gen. (?), 1995+...I've come to understand that their downsides are a rough engine (non-balanced) and soft handling. I'd love to do an engine swap, and coil-overs and rims fix handling problems.

If there's something you Honda folks gotta know, it's that 240SX's don't come in "generations" (1st gen, 2nd gen, etc). Instead, they are commonly distinguished by chassis codes, S13 or S14, and simply years (i.e. 89 S13 coupe, 93 S13 fb, 96 S14, 98 S14). It helps to use trims too (base, SE, LE).

USDM Nissan 240SX, 1989-1998:89-90 S13...KA24E engine, coupe or fastback91-93 S13...KA24DE engine, coupe or fastback or convertible94 S13...KA24DE engine, automatic convertible only95-96 S14...KA24DE engine, coupe with round headlights97-98 S14...KA24DE engine, coupe with slanted headlights

Use those designations for now, and then we'll talk about zenki, chuki, and kouki, which are JDM designations you that will only confuse you if you dont know physical/specification differences in the 240SX list above. Take it easy or you'll get really confused and annoy people with unnecessary questions. Many 240SX people who've been here on NICO for a while aren't even "fluent" with their JDM designations.

[SmithSR]

Haha, thanks. I'm familiar with vB-style board setups, I've been browsing a certain Honda board for three years. Thanks anyway.

My biggest problem is the smileys...the words you guys use for them is different than what I'm used to. :rolleyes

That's great that you are familiar with the layout. The purpose of my post was to make you aware that presently, there is no quick link to the engine forums...specifically the SR20 section.....the section most newcomers are looking for.

[Takumi]

I, too, am a newbie when it comes to the S13 and S14. I was just wondering if it is possible to replace the stock KA24DE in the S13 for something a little more powerful? I have heard about the SR20 and was wondering if anybody had performed an engine swap. Is it difficult to swap them out, or is it just bolt on JDM hardware? Which year S13 would anyone reccomend for a student with not much money to begin to modify? Any replies would be greatly welcome for a newcomer to the scene...

[240SXd00d]

I, too, am a newbie when it comes to the S13 and S14. I was just wondering if it is possible to replace the stock KA24DE in the S13 for something a little more powerful? I have heard about the SR20 and was wondering if anybody had performed an engine swap. Is it difficult to swap them out, or is it just bolt on JDM hardware? Which year S13 would anyone reccomend for a student with not much money to begin to modify? Any replies would be greatly welcome for a newcomer to the scene...

From what I've been seeing the SR20 is an easy swap and is pretty common. I think you can, with the right amount of cash, drop in the R33 Skyline motor?

[Jusepi97sx]

240SXd00d -- where did you get the pic on your sig.. thats the color of my car.. and i rarely ever see it .. are there more pics of that car?...

[Touchdown038]

If you have the dough, you can definitely drop in a Skyline motor, although the amount of people who have done an RB swap is much lower than the people who have done an SR swap. The simple hardest part is making room for an inline-6 motor in a bay that was meant for an inline-4.

But if you have money, anything is possible.

[trpower7]

SEARCH please, start using those engine forums, they answer every question 50 times.

[scream240sx]

sweet, yea thats a nice change

[Nathan]

RB's dont cost much more (in some cases less than SR's) to swap. They all pretty much bolt right in (might have to change driveshaft length, modify transmission mounts or turn them around) then it's just an issue of wiring (there are wiring diagrams to help you out on the internet). Just run a search for the engines and you cant help but run across a years worth of reading material.

[240SXd00d]

240SXd00d -- where did you get the pic on your sig.. thats the color of my car.. and i rarely ever see it .. are there more pics of that car?...

I did a google search.

[Jookmasta]

the answer to all ur questions lie in the magical red button