I just picked up an 89 240sx (s13, ka24e) over the weekend and I'd like to build it up into a pretty respectable street car. This does not mean that I'm looking for the wildest body kit or the lowest springs, rather the most effective way (in terms of cost and labor) of making it a sleeper while retaining drivability. Money isn't the biggest consideration, nor is effort, because I'm capable of doing everything mechanically myself (and I mean everything) and though I bought the car for 675 I wouldn't have a problem dumping another 10 grand into the car if it was justified.
The plan is brakes, suspension, and speed. Pretty much in that order too, though I understand from reading the recent SCC that some of these mods are inherently related depending on my level of involvement (i.e. 5 bolt wheel hubs). At this time I'm considering the 300zx 4 piston brakes with the custom coilover setup described in the faq portion of this website and finally undertaking the obligatory sr20det swap. Of course there will be numerous intermediate steps, but those are the main points that I can think of to indicate my end goals.
Could anyone who has 'been there, and done that' provide some helpful information of things I should consider before I start turning wrenches? Having a 12 second dsm, I see guys all the time and say to myself 'boy, I'd like to sit them down and tell the the right way to do things rather than letting them find out the hard way'. Now's your chance, guys.
If you need some help getting started, I have the following questions:will I need a different ecu for the sr20 swap? will I need a different instrument cluster for the swap?will I need different wheels if I opt to redrill the 300zx brakes for a 4 bolt pattern?what version sr20det motor is most desireable for the swap and why?what is the average cost of each motor?where are some good places to purchase a front clip (without body peices)?How would you suggest I divide the stages of my project?What would the estimated cost of each stage be?Since the car has 160K miles on it right now what maintenance should be performed immediately (other than the typical fluids and common replacables such as spark plugs and wires)?
if you had it all to do over again. What would you do?
-
UncleBen
- Posts: 7178
- Joined: Thu Jul 25, 2002 7:06 am
- Car: '05 Infiniti G35 Sedan Sport
'98 Nissan 240SX LE A/T
'95 Nissan 240SX SE A/T - Contact:
will i need a different ecu for the swap yeswill I need a different instrument cluster for the swap? dont think sowill I need different wheels if I opt to redrill the 300zx brakes for a 4 bolt pattern? yes you will. the 15's on s13's are to small for the calipers to clear. the s14 SE 16's will work. what version sr20det motor is most desireable for the swap and why? alot of people choose the s13 redtop, because it is the cheapest, easiest to comeby, and either of the s13 sr's don't have VVT or whatever it is, thus is easier to do more work on.what is the average cost of each motor? dont know, but Daunttless has some of the best prices. http://www.afterdark-tuning.comdon't know a good place to find a front clip, as i've never researched them. the other ?'s are just up to you i think.
-
Daunttless
- Posts: 3890
- Joined: Sun May 12, 2002 7:20 am
thanks guys, but I really intended this thread to be a 'this is what I did, but I'd do it this way if I had to do it again' type of thing. I'm willing to do the research and find out the answers to the simple questions.
I'd like some guidance on the higher level stuff such as when the point of diminishing returns becomes an issue when modifying the car. For example, putting a dsm into the 13's is relatively easy, and can be done for under 1000. But getting it into the deep 12's on the street is much more difficult. Stuff like that, but for the s13, which I know admittedly little about.
I'd like some guidance on the higher level stuff such as when the point of diminishing returns becomes an issue when modifying the car. For example, putting a dsm into the 13's is relatively easy, and can be done for under 1000. But getting it into the deep 12's on the street is much more difficult. Stuff like that, but for the s13, which I know admittedly little about.