Merits of Different Builds

[Cap'n Morgatz]

Hey all, I'm fairly new here, and new to cars in general. Posted an intro in GD if you want to check it out. Anyway, I'm looking to get a Nissan SX, and I've got a few questions relating to the topic. Probably a few of them would be better off in the Newbies Question thread, but I've got a few that I think are specific enough to warrant their own thread, and since they're all in the same category, I figure it's more efficient to ask them all in the same place. Not too good on this forum's etiquette yet, so correct me if I'm wrong and I'll fix things. ^_^

Anyway, I'm looking at either a Nissan 200SX or 240SX. THe differences from my perspective are that 200s are slightly better, but harder to find, and some of the later year models are actually B-series chassis as opposed to S-series. I want the S-series chassis if I can find it, of course, but I'm not too picky about the year, as long as it's got good mileage. Which brings me to my first question: what would be a good mileage to look for for either car? I know that KA, CA and SR engines can last a damn long time (200k+ miles), but if I were looking to keep one for awhile (especially since Nissan just canceled the revival of the 240 T_T), what should I be looking for? Also, if the engine was replaced recently but the car has 100k+ miles on it, should I be worried about replacing other parts (such as the transmission) fairly soon?

Aside from that, I know that the 240 KA engines are considered to be underpowered, so SR20DET engine swaps are common. However, I've read in places that turbocharged KA engines can beat out an SR20DET. Any truth to that, or what? Second, I have no mechanical skill whatsoever, so I'd be terrified to try to do an engine swap/turbo installation on my own. Therefore, I'd probably pay someone else to do it; is this worth it considering the age of the car (and would I be likely to find someone capable of doing this type of work in western Maryland)?

In other words, these are my options as I see them:--Buy a 200SX with no mods.--Buy a 240SX with no mods.--Buy a 200SX with a stock SR engine and turbocharge it.--Buy a 200SX with an SR20DET.--Buy a 240SX with a stock KA engine and turbocharge it.--Buy a 240SX with a KA-T engine that someone else modded.--Buy a 240SX and get someone to do an engine swap.--Buy a 240SX with an SR20DET that someone's already swapped for me.

Given that I have basically no skill with mechanics and have somewhat limited resources, which option(s) would you recommend to me? If I have another option that I'm not seeing, what is it? Thanks in advance for your help, and I hope I'm not being too much of a bother with my n00bliness. ^_^;;

[Steady_One_S13]

You should go with the 240sx. They're rwd and tons of fun to drive. The S13 and S14 are great platforms to work with. Not to mention, parts are easilyavailable for both models. Find a 240 with no mods; just stock. It's fun to build a car from the bottom up. Diy part is a lot fun.I'm sure you can find someone in MD to help you. The (SR, CA) swap is easy. Turbocharging the KA is great route to go and less costly.Nothing to it. G/L with your decision.

Btw, welcome to Nico!

[Cap'n Morgatz]

I'd considered trying to do it myself, but it doesn't help that I really don't have much skill in that area. I'd probably rather get another car to try tuning (so it doesn't matter if I f*** it up) for later, but for now I'd rather get something that works well and I can't screw up. ^^ I also don't have a whole lot of money at the moment; going into college without much of a job. So I'm trying to decide {a} if it'd be better to get someone else to perform the mods I want, or just to buy a car with the mods already installed, and {b} whether a KA-T or SR-T would be better/more cost-efficient. Failing that I can just get a stock 200SX or 240SX and try driving that for awhile until I'm confident enough to try modding it myself (might take a few years >_>).
Modified by Cap'n Morgatz at 11:32 PM 4/8/2009

[mRodiek]

Start with a well running clean S13 [1989-1993 240sx] that is totally stock and tinker around with it. You say you have no mechanical skill so just play around and see how it works, you dont wanna just pay someone to build it because then you have no appreciation for the power or the car in general.

Built>Bought Anyday...Welcome

[Tack]

Cap'n Morgatz, I sent you an email.

[Cap'n Morgatz]

Okay, so I think it's basically decided that what I'm looking for is either an S12 200SX (as if I could even find one XD) or an S13/S14 240SX. Since I doubt I could find an S12 in working condition, think it'd probably be more prudent to look for the 240. In that case, my other questions still stand. Better to try and turbocharge a KA or do a full engine swap? In other words, would a "KA24DET" work better than the SR20DET, and which would be the easier install?

No one's really addressed the mileage question either. I'm looking to keep this car for awhile, but I realize that it's going to be harder to find a 240 with sub-100k mileage on the chassis. What's a good mileage for the engine if it was swapped recently, and when should I start looking to replace other parts, such as the transmission and suspension?

And yeah, I kinda find myself in agreement with you guys that it'd be better to try and tune it myself, but I also think that a turbo installation or engine swap is going to be beyond my means for the moment and it might be better to find a car with a turbo'd engine already in it. I can try smaller, less-likely-to-break-my-car mods on this one, and then try the more difficult tuneups on my second car when I get one. ^_^

[dan14sweeney]

Im sure everyone can understand wanting to swap engines however I would focus on learning the cars balance and handling before changing anything take it out and drive the stock platform then decide what you think needs to be done...My first s14 was sr powered and i didnt care for it so I sold it bought another and soon will be doing a vq swap but the ka stock is a great motor for learning the car

[Cap'n Morgatz]

Sill have three unanswered questions (see two posts up), would anyone like to take a crack at 'em? ^_^

[breadbox]

The whole KA-t vs SR is a matter of logic. One motor is larger, so if the were both built for race purposes then the lager motor would make more power. Just like the more cylinders you have the more power you can make.

The SR is a stock turbocharged motor, meaning more power mainly consists of a bigger turbo, more fuel, and a tune.

Also if you are planning on swapping in a DOHC motor use a DOHC chassis, wiring will be easier.

Good mileage? 120k miles and running like a champ. Mainly find a good body with little to no rust. Look under the car and punch the floor pan and check the spare tire area and under the battery.

Don't worry about the transmission unless it shifts like crap or grinds excessively. Make sure the timing chain and chain guide are good and not broken or too worn.

Yes many people feel the KA is underpowered. What do you expect out of a truck motor in a sports car? Its torquey but not fast, til you turbo it and then its beast.

[Cap'n Morgatz]

You're right about DOHC, I didn't even think about that. Thanks for reminding me; so I'll want at least a '91 if I plan on swapping. I take it you're saying that a KA24DET would be better than an SR20DET if I could find one with lower miles on it, then?

Oh, I'm told the timing chain guides usually snap off after awhile anyway; Nissan says they aren't really necessary, should I bother taking them off or will it not make a difference if they just break off? Also, how would I check if the timing chain is working well? Don't know too much about mechanics, like I said before. >_>

[breadbox]

I don't know why you think you need/want turbo.

A built car is a built car. That being said. You can drop thousands into a project that someone else and then just have a fast car and you can beat on it til the next thing comes along. Or you could build it yourself and learn something.

The top chain guide maybe, but the the lower chain guides are necessary.

Just buy this and call it a day. zer...-sell

[Cap'n Morgatz]

I want a turbo because I've driven turbo'd cars, and they're ridiculously fun to drive (even though what I drove was an automatic). Also, that link is sold and I found cheaper cars in better conditions with turbos. ^_^

[TroubleBound]

I want a turbo because I've driven turbo'd cars, and they're ridiculously fun to drive (even though what I drove was an automatic). Also, that link is sold and I found cheaper cars in better conditions with turbos. ^_^

Found cheaper car in better condition then go buy it..hmm? research on one of the million.5 sites that discuss sr vs. ka-t (good luck with a straight answer, it's all preference the sr-owners will tell you sr and ka will tell you ka-t) Just weigh the pros and cons and decide for yourself (since its YOUR car) which you'd like best, iron block vs aluminum block, 2.4 vs 2.0, just a matter of opinion, neither one is 'better'. My ka24de has 236k on original motor and trans and she is running strong because she's taken care of. I would avoid buying a swapped car if its possible unless you personally know the person who built it, because you have no idea how quality of a job he/she did, and they didn't import a turbo motor from japan so they could drive to church on sundays ya know they bought it to be rough with it. And in the process of swapping (which anyone with absolutely no knowledge of cars can do using LOTS of step by step swap guides, this has got to be one of the most popular cars to swap engines ever if i had to guess) you'll learn how it all works and be able to fix it yourself too. All of this information is readily available with a couple searches here on nico, which is why im sure no one has taken time to respond to your questions, which get asked 3 times daily for the past, oh idk, since ive been here. Welcome to nico good luck finding a car i hope you have at least something to do with the decision making process of buying it.