I'm new so where do I start?

[Luong]

Hi. I am very much a noob so please try to bear with me but I think I'm ready to jump into this and I believe a 240 is the car for me. There is no import "scene" where I live and thereby noone to whom I can go to for advice but this looks like about the best possible place to get started.

I want to start looking for a 240 but I'm a little confused as to what the difference is in the:1989-19941995-19961997-1998S13S14and finallyS15

I looked through the FAQ section and have been browsing a ton of sites on 240's and most of the aftermarket part websites have them divided up into those 6 categories.

I know that I do NOT want a "fastback" model though if that narrows it down at all. I'm not in any sort of hurry at all to complete this project, I'm willing to learn and do everything myself.

I'd also like to say that this is an incredible website and I look forward to starting my project knowing that I will have such a wealth of information to look to for help!Thanks,Lu.

[Bruno240]

on the old website we had a good FAQ. but ill do my best to give u some info

chassi codess13- 89-94s14- 95-98s15- only in japan

89-90 240sx- SOHC 140hp-KA24E-different front bumper

91-93 -KA24DE-155hp

94-convert only-KA24DE

95-96 S14-KA24DE-different body style

i know more ppl will fill in the blanks and correct the stuff about the s14s, i dont know much about them

[grimple1]

If you don't want the fastback models then that leaves you with the S14 chassis.

The 95-96 are commonly called Zenki, the 97-98 Kouki. Note the different headlights

Zenkihttp://www.belivamg.com/cars/95_240SX_1.jpg

Koukihttp://monkeyads.com/proofs/_24252_28710.jpg

The s15 was never produced in the United States. It's often called a Strawberry (again b/c of the headlights)

http://www.j-garage.com/nissan/silvia/silvia.html

You've got several motor options: Turboing the KA24DE in the car, Swapping in a SR20 motor (the motor the 240/sylvia had in Japan -- it's already turboed) or some variation of the Skyline Motors RB20, RB25 or RB26.

There are pros and cons to each of the choices. Cost, power, etc..

The KA-T forums should be able to help the KA24DE.The SR forums should be able to help with the SR20.The RB forums should be able to help with the RB/Skyline Motors.

All S14 Models came in either a base model or as an SE model. A way to tell is the SE trim cars came with 5-lug wheels. Another plus to the SE is that some came with VLSD (both wheels spin) with or without ABS.

In short, there's not much difference in the S14s. Just a few more bells and whistles depending on the trim of the care (base or SE).

Welcome to NICO!

[Luong]

AWESOME!! Thanks a ton! Here's another questiion: What is the advantage of doing a Silvia conversion (I think that's what you call it) Thanks for all the info!!!

[NYCRB240sx]

s13's came in both a fastback and a coupe, the coupe came with HUD (heads up display, showing the speed on the windshield) s13's are cheap, s14's there tend to be less in stick of the later years. rumor has it only about 100 s14's in the 1998 model year were stick...

[AZhitman]

THIS is how we need to take care of our n00bs - Good job guys!

Luong, if you don't want a "fastback" or hatchback, you're gonna want to look at the S13 coupe (89-93) or an S14 (95-98).

I'd recommend taking a week or so and just reading old threads here, there's so much info to soak up, it might take a while.

Welcome to NICO!

[GhostDriver]

Welcome to NICO. A wealth of info can be had from these people. Oh, btw..."fastbacks" don't want you either.lol

[240marcuSX]

the advantages to doing a silvia conversion are:

1. it looks cool2. its jdm3. slight weight reduction

there are 2 different types of silvia conversions, S15, and S13, and i guess s14 too, but that wouldnt really count because we have s14 front ends already.

[GrilledCheese33]

welcome to nico, i would say read old threads and gain level knowledge such as where rust is common on the models, e.t.c. Then you will be ready to find a car!BTW, to read old threads, hit search in the right hand corner and search for what you want to know.

[kamikazestorm420]

The s15 was never produced in the United States. It's often called a Strawberry (again b/c of the headlights)

the s15 front is called a strawberry face because in japan, you say it s- one five instead of s-fifteen. and in japanese that is ... s-ichigo, and ichigo in japanese means strawberry, and that is why they call it the strawberry face.

[Luong]

[GrilledCheese33]

LOL, glad to help

[Luong]

I'm still using the Search function non-stop... there's no end to the amount of information on this site!!! Wow!

Another question if I may: I really want this project to be a from the ground up sort of thing. Is it feasable to find a wrecked or junk car and start with that? (provided of course that the frame is not damaged)

There seems to be plenty of parts (fenders, front ends, bumpers, hoods, etc..) and I was thinking some sort of cage or roll bar would be a good idea for this project. Not to mention that finding a car within my budget may not exactly have the interior I would like. It seems that for all these ideas a "hollowed out" car might be the best place to start.

Thoughts?Ideas?Words of wisdom from those who know?

Again.. Thank you so much!!!

Lu.

[240DRFT]

a junkyard 240 would okay if u plan to be spending a lot of money building it up, cuz there'd probably be a lot on broken/missing stuff.

im glad there are some people that actually search

[paemt6220]

S13 are cheap enough that you can probably get a good, running car for not much money. I bought my 1993 S13 Coupe for $1800 a year ago. It ran great, needed brakes and shocks. Prices are slightly higher now, but not much. What kind of project are you thinking about? That will help decide what kind of car to buy!

Chad

[teddy]

there are always deals to be had. Just browse the classifieds on NICO and you'll come across something. I picked up my s13 for $900. no motor or transmission, but it was almost rust free and very clean. Buying the car as complete as you can will save you a lot of money, time, and hassle. And yes, let us know what kind of project car you're wanting and it will help us help you.

[dfw240_EE]

Use every resource available to find one. Newspapers, cars.com, autotrader.com, friends, bulletin boards, anything. Though I would be cautious on e-bay.

For a project car I would find all the local junkyards and give them all a visit, or at least a call if you can't go. I remeber finding a 91 fastback at a junkyard once for $500 with no engine. I wasn't ready to buy at the time though. Statistically, the most likely find will be a 1989 - 1990, those had the highest US production numbers.

I picked mine up for $2850, $3000 or so after tax, title, license. It is a 1992 fastback. Runs well but with the usual Nissan problems like a leaky front oil seal and rough idle. I found it in the Dallas Morning News classifieds, so I gave them a call. I didn't hear back so I thought that it was already sold, but then the lady called me back from a vacation. I went to look at the car. It's wierd, but after seeing that the car was in good shape I noticed that it had manual locks, windows, no sunroof, and no spoiler. After that I was pretty much sold.

[masticatingcow]

Welcome to NICO, Luong. Always good to see new members!

Here's my $0.02. You probably want to get a car that will run reliably with little or no fixing before you get into seriously modding it. This will not only leave you with more money to spend on performance parts, but will not rush you to get the car built, and therefore allow you to better weigh your options. Prices are going up on all 240sx's, thanks largely to drifting, so while you might get lucky and find a gem for cheap, don't expect it. I've seen a few total piles of crap sell for more than I'd ever be comfortable asking for my car, so the market is really on the seller's side. Also, I've noticed a few 240sx deals that have turned out to be scams, so if it looks too good to be true, check in with us before you throw any money at it.

So do as much research as you can, decide what you want, and then, like everyone else has said, use every resource possible to go for it. Keep your expectations realistic, and I promise you won't be disappointed with your decision!

Again, welcome!

[Luong]

As far as what kind of project I'm wanting to do I'm not entirely sure how to answer that. I love racing (Drag and road) and I'd just love to have something unique. Which for where I live just about anything besides a pickup truck is unique lol. I haven't started looking at the junkyards yet because I haven't any money atm. But I'm hoping that since there is almost no market for imports down here that perhaps I can run up on a decent car at a decent price.

It's not important that it has a motor or transmission or runs at all for the time being. I have two more cars to get me around right now.

[AZhitman]

Sounds like the best bet is to find one in good physical condition (straight body, no wrecks, no rust) that might have a bad engine or is just tired...

Steer clear of anything that's been modded.

There are several old people out there still driving 240's - if you can find one who doesn't know that they've gone up in demend, you're set.

Don't fall into the trap though - a 240sx, regardless of its condition, is NOT worth more than KBB value. If people are getting more than that, that's great - but don't expect the bank to loan you more, and don't expect insurance to replace it if it's totalled.

[Luong]

Ok lemme throw this out there and see if it makes any sense lol.

I suppose I'd like to end up with something like this car in the picture (minus the stickers), perhaps do a silvia conversion. (IF the picture works)

And thanks for all the AWESOME info guys!!!

[dfw240_EE]

One problem, that IS a Silvia. That is a fine example of a 1997-1998 S14. The JDM and USDM models look largely the same for the S14 (as opposed to the JDM and USDM S13 Silvias which got different headlights between markets).

Summary: No conversion needed. Unless you wanted to attach an S15 nose to it.

[grimple1]

Cool. Good to know. I just assumed it was b/c the head lights kinda look like a strawberry on the ends.

The above red car may be badged as a sylvia, but it's a LHD car. T'aint no Sylvia.

[ForsakenTH]

One problem, that IS a Silvia. That is a fine example of a 1997-1998 S14. The JDM and USDM models look largely the same for the S14 (as opposed to the JDM and USDM S13 Silvias which got different headlights between markets).

Summary: No conversion needed. Unless you wanted to attach an S15 nose to it.

Actually that is a 95-96 zenki USDM 240SX, not a Silvia...unless you know something about that car in particular (ie the owner had a kouki and changed to zenki and made a RHD car into a LHD). even if it has the SR in it, it is still a 240 built to Silvia specs

you should be able to find zenkis for anywhere between 3500 to 6000 in good condition...someone on here just picked up one from a junk yard for $300 and it seems to be in prity good shape but those finds are hard to come by.

[dfw240_EE]

Well, I meant that the body is largely identical to the JDM Silvia, making a "Silvia Conversion" (like a Silvia frontend on the USDM S13 coupe) pointless.

My error on the year, the hood and grill tricked my eyes and I thought the headlamps were slanted downward.

[Luong]

I think I'm the reason for the confusion. What I meant to say (I think) was that I'd maybe like to do a Silvia conversion on a 240, but perhaps I'd like to end up with something like the car in the picture. Although I did learn quite a bit. Thanks guys!Lu.