How would you achieve balance?

[Metal Angel]

First of all I would like to clarify- this is not an advice thread. I am not asking how to do it... but how YOU would do it. I think it will be interesting to see the different routes.

We all know the phrase "cheap, fast, reliable- pick two" But what if instead of picking two, you compromised a little on all of them to achieve the best balance between all three. Not super fast, but fast enough to have fun. Not super cheap, but cheap enough to keep your bank account in tact. Not super reliable, but at least as reliable as a VW (lol).

Let's assume you start a base model (no vlsd or 5 lug).

I would do a dual cam ka swap (assuming a 89 or 90 because in my state you don't have to pass emissions if your car is more than 20 years old)
Intake, jwt cams, jwt ecu, headers, straight pipe exhaust (have it fabbed up at at muffler shop for maximum cheapness)
stance coilovers, megan rucas, z32 brakes, 5 lug swap- ichiba front, oem rear, mb battles or weapons, kaaz 1.5 way (for versitility)
buddy club bucket, sparco wheel with nrg quick release hub, b&m shifter (not that much more expensive than the cheap ones but way better)

that shouldn't cost too much, should be pretty reliable and should be fast enough to have some fun at the track
what would you do?

[Papi Chulo]

How would I do what?

Build a 240sx that's semi-reliable, kinda quick, and sort of handles well for a pretty low cost?

I wouldn't buy a 240.

[TheRealNap0le0n]

Ebay 5 lug conversion $150 front
Z32 front and rear brakes, uprights, etc $750
stock interior $free.99
RB25det $1300
Wiring specialties harness plug n play $400
cut stock springs $free.99
z32 rear KYB GR2 $100
KYB GR2 front $100
Welded Diff $50
build my own 3" exhaust w/ muffler $100 - 150
Swap mounts, driveshaft $600
FMIC, Piping ebay brand $150
S14 SE wheels w/ tires $100
wideband $200
fuel pump $100
--------------------------------------------------------------------
total not including car purchase $4150

Sell fresh KA24DE + trans and wiring as a whole $700

Grand Total: $3450

[pj]

if i had the money right now,
sr
coils
wheels
kit
paint
decent seat

-3-350 hp, few inches off the ground, wheels fit good and handles how i like it to.if i could get that,
thats all the balance i need.

[badbob2121]

first i wouldnt waiste the time to swap in a kade, just keep the single slammer... or go sr/rb...

then i would go with something similar with you supsension set up, and just weld the open diff and save like 1k

slam the car, put some nice wheels on it and thats all you need...

but imo go turbo or go home.... sr/rb/ka-t

[costa_rican13]

i would boost my ka-de(which i am), stitch weld the chassis(am going to), strut/diff and pillar bars, stance gr+'s(will get) all suspension alignment rods, arms etc., volk t37's, remove interior, 3 inch straight piping w/ dual 2.5 tips. aluminum shaft, light flywheel, and i think thats pretty good.

[simmode1]

Megan Spec RS or Stance LX+ coils.
SPL rucas
RPS subframe support bars
Jonny Fraz tension arm brace and fender braces
Stealth Fabricators firewall mounted strut tower bar
Z32 brakes all around.
J30 diff.
Bride Brix replicas
17x9 & 17x9.5 4 lug Rotas with 235/40 & 255/40 tires.
VQ30DET swap with 350Z 6spd transmission. I'll keep the stock turbo at 11psi for a while since it'll be pretty costly to fab up new manifolds. Shouldn't be anymore pricey than an RB/1JZ/LSx swap though. 280hp & 285ft/lbs out the box.

[turbonxsx]

I would achieve balance by standing on both feet

[S14toRPS13]

I would do a dual cam ka swap (assuming a 89 or 90 because in my state you don't have to pass emissions if your car is more than 20 years old)

Why would you waste your time with a n/a ka swap if you don't have to worry about emissions? You know how many Californians would fall over and die if one day they were told they didn't have to smog anymore.

[Metal Angel]

I would do a dual cam ka swap (assuming a 89 or 90 because in my state you don't have to pass emissions if your car is more than 20 years old)

Why would you waste your time with a n/a ka swap if you don't have to worry about emissions? You know how many Californians would fall over and die if one day they were told they didn't have to smog anymore.

kade would be reliable and low cost. Probably a stock sr would be almost as reliable and faster, but would cost at least 3 times as much.

[RustspecS13]

My coupe is the epitome of this.

$115 s14 KA, s13 intake cam (240 intake 232 E)
used RB25 6 puck clutch (free),
Emotor coils ($100+ blown cuscos which I had $150 in them or 400 new)
Used Kazz 2 way ($650 had 100 miles on it when i got it, seen them for 400 used now)
Sportmax 501s I bought 3 years ago for just over $300

It needs an alignment which is $50-100 but I can do it for free at a place i used to work at so no biggie. But I doubt I can adjust the rear, this car is super rusty. that means RUCAs and Toe arms. but I got lots of tires laying around so what ever, its mainly the front that needs help.

Its been driving for just under a week and Ive already taken it to detroit and back, and popped 6 tires drifting yesterday.

As for building on that, I have a RB20 going in, which i also have from my last hatch. I have about 2K in that whole setup, radiator, efans, fuel pump, clutch and motor set with all the maintenance done. And Q45 brakes to go on with those, which I have $175 in from a junkyard score.

I'm also building a VQ30DE swap, stock maxima ecu with super nice headers, It should make about 200whp super cheap. and be super reliable.

~Alex