Just got my S13

[rbcardz]

So I just got my first car yesterday. Its a 1992 240sx SE coupe automatic, that I paid $1500 for. Overall its a very nice car and only has a few quirks here and there. Some of them are:

-sometimes the cluster works, sometimes it doesnt. -HUD doesnt work-Odometer is broken (shows 109,000 , but oil change stickers prove that it has no more than 135,000.)-Front right tire has a bald spot (replacing this weekend)

Right now my main concern is replacing or fixing the cluster. Any ideas on what this could be? Sometimes it will just kick on while you are driving, but when you turn the car off and back on it will go off.

Also, the gas pedal seems to "stick" after sitting for more than 30 seconds, but its nothing major, any ideas on what is causing this?

This might seem like a question that's asked a lot, but anyways, since its an automatic is it really worth modding? I'm not planning to do anything major right now, since its my first car and i'm only 16, but eventually i'd like it to have around 200 hp.

Thanks. And here are some pics.

[leesredgt]

Very clean car bro.As far as the cluster i cant help you there,i dont know anything about the HUD dash system.As far as it being an AUTO,do a 5spd swap its not that hard and then start modding it.Youve got a really clean slate to start from.

[24j0hn]

for the cluster try getting the speedometer cable looked at... either its disconnected or broken thats most likely the problem... and a 5-spd swap is definately worth it, all together it'll cost $600 to $1300...

[rbcardz]

Yeah, eventually I'd like to do a 5 speed swap, but it would probably be a while before I could do that, I dont really have the money to do it. I know that chips are basically junk, but what about simple and mods like exhaust and cold air intake, that will get it a little quicker without putting a large hole in my pocket.

[Chris28]

Unless you get everything new, it shouldn't cost more than 500. I think I got all of my stuff for 300, in fact in my area on craigslist there is a full swap going for 300. Just look for deals.

Other than that that is one the cleanest coupes I've seen. The paint is so fresh!

[placham]

for the cluster try getting the speedometer cable looked at... either its disconnected or broken thats most likely the problem... and a 5-spd swap is definately worth it, all together it'll cost $600 to $1300...

What speedo cable are you talking about?600-1300 for 5spd conversion, where did you get that price range from. For that much you can get a really cheap motor set if you look really good and shop around.

5spd maybe 300bucks at most.

[leesredgt]

5spd maybe 300bucks at most.

Thats what i was thinking,i just sold my 5spd transmission for 100$.All you need then is your lines and resivor and your pedals.

[cxlumpy]

my car use to look like that till i hit a tree..

[rbcardz]

It's not only the money thats holding me back, its my parents, I wanted a 5spd but they would only agree on the auto, but i'm satisfied , I almost bought a Volvo.

Auto S13 > 1990 volvo 240.

So I'll probably have to wait until end of Junior- Senior year (i'm a sophmore) before I can consider a swap, but I'll keep my eyes peeled for a good deal.

[placham]

Thats what i was thinking,i just sold my 5spd transmission for 100$.All you need then is your lines and resivor and your pedals.

Yeah and if your lazy, you can get braided clutch line from master to slave, don't know how much those go for but think like 85 S/p sounds about right.Trans about 150 (with sensors, and drive shaft) New clutch depends what you want here, but a good one for DD car Don't think would cost any more than 150, and Flywheel, if you get from Salvage yard with trans what are they like 25 bucks.Thats like 400 right there, and you'll need pedals and master I'll be generous and will give you 100 bucks here.So like 500 bucks gets you 5spd, if you shop around you can bring this down quite noticeably.

[rbcardz]

So for the time being, would a cold air intake give me a little performance increase?

[SirSilvia]

for the cluster try getting the speedometer cable looked at... either its disconnected or broken thats most likely the problem...

What? no, mine went out and I replaced it with and analog cluster and it works, like most Digital clusters probably a blown capacitor or unit. $283 +shipping from http://tinyurl.com/8oaasoand there was a guy on ebay a little while ago that was fixing them for $170 but i can't find a link right now.

Thats what i was thinking,i just sold my 5spd transmission for 100$.All you need then is your lines and resivor and your pedals.

and a shift boot, and the manual drive shaft, idk bout the transmission mount, but i don't think there's any TCU or wiring needed other than the speed sensor

[smurf13]

So for the time being, would a cold air intake give me a little performance increase?

No. just wait and save until you can do/afford a 5spd swap. And please don't do anything stupid to that car, that **** is so fresh and so clean.
Modified by smurf13 at 9:28 PM 1/15/2009

[SirSilvia]

here it is, the guy sells a little kit but it requires intricate soldering skills. http://tinyurl.com/77jyt9 there's not gaurantee that it will fix the problem but most of the time it is what is plaguing the Digital clusters.

[rbcardz]

So, i'm planning on ordering the repair kit tomorrow and getting that fixed, and Sunday I plan on getting new tires.

[spank044]

for the cluster try getting the speedometer cable looked at... either its disconnected or broken thats most likely the problem... and a 5-spd swap is definately worth it, all together it'll cost $600 to $1300...

Please do not give advice if you don't have a clue on what your talking about. 240's have electronic speedometers. So that means that they do not have a cable. There was recently a topic about this kind of stupid posting. A 5 speed swap will not cost $1300 and if yours did they saw you coming.

OP this site is full of info you just have to search and you will find. This might be the solution to your problem.

http://www.nicoclub.com/articles.php?id=158878

[roadboy240sx]

nice, liken the color

[noobdrftr]

nice, love the color red...first mod should be a 5spd swap

[breadbox]

Nice find. Clean looking coupe.

As far as modding...Just get everything working and then you will find out through driving what you want from the car. You might notice you want tighter steering or a more comfortable seat, then you start looking for parts then you and a friend put them on and viola, you are just like every other proud 240sx owner.

The fact that it is auto doesn't mean it cannot be modded, the quite opposite is true, some guy set up paddle shifting in his auto 240sx and tracked it hard. What mods go on your car is your decision and should have a reason to be on the car. Find junkyards around your area and call them to see if they have any 91-94 coupes or verts and then get a cheap cluster and HUD.

Have fun Good Luck.

[Valiant240sx]

Just want to say Grats on the new ride, very clean.

If you are infact comfortable with manual trannys I would do what the rest of the guys told you and swap the transmission.....should only pay from 250-350 for the full swap, but thats depending on scarcity of parts in your area.

Good luck

[jazz4890]

if i was you i wouldnt go out buying a cold air intake and exhaust i would listen to these guys on here who have so much experience with these cars thats why we are here to help and trust me a cold air intake and exhaust wont do much at all for your car unless you have a really bad exhaust leak or an intake vacume leak i know you think it will increase hp by like 10 or whatever but trust me it wont i was like you to i got my 240 when i was 16 my first car and i love it but i bought cold air intake an exhaust for it and all that stuff and its just not worth it you would be better off saving and fixing the current problems and use some of that money you would spend on a cold air intake or an exhaust to tune up your car change the oil and trans fluid and get a new fuel filter and spark plugs you know stuff like that will help your car way more than a cold air intake or exhaust.

[rbcardz]

Thanks for all the help and nice comments everyone.

[jazz4890]

no problem man were here to help just make sure you get all of the problems on the car fixed first then focus on performance mods because if the car isnt running right to begin with have performance parts on it wont do anything.

[rbcardz]

The car runs great. I got it from the first owner and it was owned by a woman, so i assume it was driven easily. The only reason it was being sold is because she needed to get a baby seat in it, but it wouldn't fit. Today I took it out on some back roads and put the pedal to the floor on a straight road for about ten seconds, I was VERY surprised at how fast it was for 155hp. It also corners amazingly.

Here are some more pics of the car....

[IDRFT95S14]

well worth it dood, car is clean then a

[raven2345]

hey hey, congrats on the car. it looks very well cared for.

and this is coming from a fellow 16 year old sophomore... sure 5 speed would be more fun, but get used to the auto, you'll have fun with it. get to experience the car first, and have some fun turning the overdrive on and off. and gets me going fast enough. with O/D on i've easily gone past the end of the speedo. the car is plenty fast for us in stock form.

in all, just get used to it. get a good feel for the car, then of course start with your little things. exhaust, intake, good filter. new rims with nice tires... maybe a sound system if you're into it. i need new tires and a new air filter. after that it's an lsd, coils, upgraded brakes, then body stuff.

good luck with it and have fun! but don't overdo it...

[Spiffy240]

Wow, a great fresh start and clean as a whistle.

In my opinion i would do the following in order.

1. 5 speed swap2. suspension aka coils or strut/spring and other suspension components3. get a nice set of shoes (wheels) for that baby and drop it with that new suspension4. motor and/or looks I would do them simultaneously b/c you don't want a car that looks bad and is fast and visa versa

and most of all GOOD LUCK and READ UP. Nico is full of info and knowledgeable people.

Also, to the argument about a 5 speed costing up to 1300, i can understand. If you get all the 5 speed parts ($300), a nice clutch flywheel combo (500-600), 1 peace alum. drive shaft (300), and a vlsd from a j30 or 180sx (200). All together about 1400. So if you go balls to the wall, 1300 is not a bad price. But a good swap can be done also for around 500. Its up to the person.

[rbcardz]

What do you guys think about just buying a nice set of rims and tires for it to start off? Like 16' or 17'? And maybe a decent stereo system, (no subs) just like 4 decent speakers and a CD player to replace the stock speakers and radio? The stock speakers make a crackling noise, I believe they are dry rotted.

[Spiffy240]

If your really into music, than I would get it, especially if its a DD. also, I would invest into suspension before getting new wheels. New wheels with a high stance will not look very nice IMO.

[hazukijitsu]

CLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEAAAAAAANNNNNNN! CLEAN!