knowledgeable people I need your help

Post by **RagingPanda** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:10 pm

I'm totally new here. My friend advided me to go here numerous times but i didn't becuase my car was a Camry; good car but uhh u know. Anyway, I'm currently looking at this 1990 240SX SE Fastback that will be on sale by a mechanic. He got it for the purpose of Silvia swap but his g/f is pregnant and he needs a roomier car so he has to depart it. LUCKY ME! It has around 169k miles on it and he's askin $2000 for it since he got it for $1,800. Do you think it's worth it and what major or common problems that you can find in a S13 so I can keep my eyes on them? I really love the 240SX by Nissan and since they're so hard to find here in my area that's why i'm dreamin of getting it. I intend to get the SR20 swap later on so the milage isn't much of a factor if it can lasts a yr or 2; which I think it will easilly if you maintain it with great cares. Thanks a lot

Post by **RagingPanda** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:10 pm

And another thing. It's there a way to tell if the engine is an OHC or DOHC instead of the VIN # and asking the current owner. I would love to leave the KA alone n build it up since so many ppl be talking about SR but with the high milage and nobody around here with that knowledge so SR for me. DOn't get me wrong, SR is a great engine!

Post by **krazy skwerel** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:10 pm

If it is a 90 it is a SOHC. Although I believe there were DOHC one built the last month of 90 production, don't quote me on that, but yeah It will have a SOHC engine. 2k is an average price I guess. Listen for timing chain slap. The rear spoiler, if it has one, is prob. rusted out. IF you search you can find a lot of stuff I am forgetting.

Post by **mattlord42** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:10 pm

Well since it is a 90 it will be the KA24E single cam. I would say that with that mileage you shouldn't really pay more than about $1500 for it but it should last you long enough to do an engine swap (my 90 has 254k miles on it). Some common problems to look for are rust under the spoiler and listen to the engine to see if it has a metallic ticking noise coming from the front of the valve cover area. Other than that look around a bit there are a few "i'm buying a 240 what are the common problems" threads out there. Oh yeah and welcome to the wonderful world of the 240.

Have fun,Matt

Post by **mattlord42** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:10 pm

Okay krazy skwerel beat me to it...

Matt

Post by **krazy skwerel** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:10 pm

Indeed I forgot the welcome. Welcome to NICO, the slayer of all things slayable.

Website · Post by **matchstyc** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:10 pm

Also, while you're checking the hatch for rust pull out the spare tire and check the spare tire well for rust. Mine tends to get a little bit soggy there in the winter but it hasn't rusted much yet.

Post by **bruinbear714** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:10 pm

$2000 is kinda expensive if you ask me, especially for a car that was bought purposely for an sr20 swap. I would pay no more than $1400.

Common problems to look for on S13s:

1. Timing chain rattle of death. Knocking at front of engine that goes away as rpm increases.2. Heat shield rattle.3. Rust

Post by **RagingPanda** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:10 pm

Yea, unfortunately it's a SOHC but it's all good. ^_^. There's no rear spoiler so I'm in luck then. I'm pretty sure the current owner takes good care of it since he's a mechanic and all and he doens't have the money to let it breaks down. The reason I didn't go to a junk yard or anywhere else for just a 240SX body and put the engine in is that I want to drive it first and know it before I slap that silvia engine in. I would love to make it turbo instead of the SR but oh well. Thanks you guys

Post by **krazy skwerel** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:10 pm

Dude the SOHC has potential as well. It's a cool little engine. As far as stock too stock kae to kade you'll be hard pressed to tell a difference in the power.

Post by **fiznat** » Wed Sep 03, 2003 7:10 pm

well if you wanna buy a high mileage car like that specifically for a SR swap that's cool, but dont do it unless you KNOW (like, cash in hand) that you're going to be able to do those things. You dont want to decide down the road that the SR swap (or the rebuild necessary for a KA-T) is too expensive and get stuck with a 160,000-170,000 mile car.

Not to say that the KA wont last that long... it most likely will, but it's going to cause you problems down the road, and nickle and dime you with small repair costs...

Also make sure the body is rust free and straight. Check on the shock towers, under the car, on the firewall, inside the wheel wells, everywhere... You dont want to be spending money fixing something instead of saving for your SR, right?

I know you're excited about getting the car man - hell anyone else here would be too - but just make sure you check it out fully before you go ahead- especailly with that many miles.

And yeah, $2000 is too much. No reason your friend should be trying to make money on you anyways, but I would definetly say $1500 or so is more fair.

Good luck man!

knowledgeable people I need your help

knowledgeable people I need your help

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