Just bought a 240sx. Advice?

[Morgana7]

I just bought a '93 240sx. I want to fix it up and get it running top in time. Also, I would like to get it fast (though still keep good gas mileage). I do not know much about cars, so just looking for suggestions/advice on what I might do to it. It is stock and automatic. In excellent condition as far as I know right now, though I used to have an auto Rx7 and it doesn't go 0-60 as easy as my 7 did. I heard these are great little cars but am rather clueless about all the conversions and such that people do. I am not rich, so can't put a fortune into it. But I would like the best ride I can have! Advice would be greatly appreciated.

[j-z]

anything and everything you could want to know can be found by using the flashing red search button on the top right. i suggest you first put money into getting everything on the car in top notch running condition (maintance). after youve done that, go with modding the suspension and brakes first as it will make your 240 much more enjoyable to drive, and you can get a good feel for the personality of the car before you start to go fast. oh yeah, welcome to NICO! enjoy the stay and have fun with the 240.

[1991S13]

I agree with pretty much everything j-z said. I have learned so much from just this forum, more than I have from any other source. Take a saturday off and study up After having my 240 since last summer, (on a tight budget) I have finally caught up on all the maintenece and am getting into the basic bolt-ons, and I fall back in love with her every time I get her something new. You won't regret buying it.

[skydragoness]

J-z has it right, before you go fast, the car has to be safe (upgrading brake pads is a good start, new rotors if needed), old suspension components need to be replaced, namely the tension rods, outer/inner tie rods, get a GOOD set of tires (since you've owned a rwd car before, you must know how important that is), and then move on to new shocks and springs.

Congrats on your new venture, if you have any more detailed questions we have a wheel/tire/suspension forum as well.

[SimpleEnigma]

congrats on getting your new 240sx...i have owned mine for about 4 years now and i swear i learn something new about it every day. I must say it is a hearty machine with lots of spunk and power potential now matter how you decide to go about it. I absolutely agree with everybody up above on saying that the first things on your mind should be on upgrading your brakes....going fast is fine, but keeping it under control is more important. just do some searching and you will find an answer to almost any question you might possibly come up with. the 240sx is definately a very unique car with an interesting history.

[AZhitman]

You're in the right place.

Welcome to NICO and congrats on a great car.

[Jookmasta]

how many miles are on the car? a good tune up will go a long way. the major thing is to look out for the timing chain with the 240s. This comment is more so geared for the higher mileage 240s but once changed, ur golden. (besides the usual maintenance stuff)

[574-240sx]

Welcome. Stick around and you will learn a thing or two. FSM help alot even though I don't own one. There might even be a few NICO member located near you to help give you a hand. Good luck with the 240 and get some pics up.

[HashiriyaS14]

Yet another former rotary owner converts to a 240!

I just had a friend that came from an FC Turbo II, was pissed that his car only ran like half the time.

What kind of RX-7 did you have, what year?

Oh, and believe everything these guys tell you. This is by FAR the best owners community I've ever seen, and having owned a bunch of different types of cars in the last couple years, I can tell you this is the place to be.

[Morgana7]

I know it needs suspension.. A mechanic drove it and told me the suspension isn't too bad, but IMO, it's bad! Maybe I am just picky, but I don't think so..

What brands would you suggest for suspension parts? I want a smooth ride. I won't be racing this on any tracks or anything and I live in an area where there are lots of bumps and dips in the road that I am constantly driving on.. I've heard Toxico Illumina are really good and they are adjustable.. Though I know I probably have dozens of options to choose from.. Just am clueless about what these options are.

"namely the tension rods, outer/inner tie rods"

Those are the specifics I wouldn't know unless someone told me! Thanks. I do know about tires. The girl who owned the car before put new tires on, but cheap ones! Figures. But they are ok for now. There are other things that are more important.

"how many miles are on the car?"

108k

"I fall back in love with her every time I get her something."

I was having a hell of a time trying to find another car that could handle like my Rx7 ('86), but they are quite similar for the most part. And mine is nice. It's all black w/black leather int. I can tell it will get better as I fix it up. I was looking for something reliable for a change.. These cars are still reliable, right? =)

Once you get spoiled, it is hard to go back to normal cars that are not fun to drive on curves and corners.. I can see why people convert. My Rx7 was pretty reliable until I let the wrong people get their hands on it, basically. Then it started having major problems. So I don't know. I just didn't feel like dealing with the hassle anymore. At least with a piston engine, you have thousands of options on who to take it to for maintenance, and you don't have to stress out about someone putting the wrong kind of oil in it and blowing the whole engine and such. It's amazing how people can be so clueless. I would think an engine is an engine and a machine is a machine.. that if you understand how one works, you can understand another that is a little different. But I guess not! Even the Mazda specialist couldn't get it right!

I learn so much from these cars, though. I knew nothing before the 7.. I wouldn't have known a catalytic converter from a head gasket a couple years ago.. Now I most certainly do! =)

Thanks so much u guys!

[xyoufailmex]

Well, Rotaries are great boosted, but for a daily driver, gah theyre a pain to keep fixed.

Anyways, personally I recommend a good set of Tokico Blues matched with some RSR lowering springs. This shouldnt break the bank, and still provides a smooth ride, improves cornering, and gives the car a more aggressive stance.

[eds13]

i think if i were you i'd keep my i open for a 5-speed conversion after normal maintence is caught up. Welcome to NICO!eds13

[MAXIMUS Nismo]

Welcome to NICO bro. My all your roads ahead of you be filled with curves and banked corners. Trust us, you'll love it here.

Oh, and believe everything these guys tell you. This is by FAR the best owners community I've ever seen, and having owned a bunch of different types of cars in the last couple years, I can tell you this is the place to be.

This is one of the most accurate staements I've heard.

[Dirtylou]

Maximus, you really need to stop calling the ladies bro.lol.jk.Welcome to NICO. I'm sure you will enjoy your stay.

[Juujai]

Morganaif youre not gonna hit the track or anything. oem would be some of th ebest. if you wanna lower your car those companies make parts for all cars. eibach, tokico i dunno you should know

rods, arms are parts of your some parts of the suspension. if youre not going to be racing hard, drifting hard i doubt you'll need any. it changes the feel of the car though but replacing lots of parts is big $$$.

id suggest you to replace anything broken you should know youre an experienced rotor head. some struts and sways would be nice and yeah the ka24de cant really keep up with the acceleration of a newer rx7.

if you check out different threads about ka-turbo or engine swapping theres many choices but the most common is sr20det for swaps that is. and it still gets good gas mileage even with turbo