Hey guys, I'm getting a s13 240sx, I'm 16 and wanted one forever. A lot of people say the s13's are ugly but the s14's look too much like a freaking boat... So I'm looking at a 1992 240sx SE right now. My friend is into cars and all and we've been talking. Is there a way to be able to take off the pop-up head lights, replace with a full hood to cover the gap, and get a new front end bumper to be able to fit "normal" head lights in? I'm not hardcore car guy though, so explinations in laymans terms will help, I believe he said that's how the silvias are in japan? Don't quote me on that though.
Anywho, hope you guys can get my basic concept of what I want to do, if you can include an est. price that would be great too! Being as I'm 16 I don't have too much money.
Thanks!-Mike
Modding front end of s13
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Hijacker
- Posts: 14373
- Joined: Wed Aug 13, 2003 4:57 am
- Car: '92 240sx Convertible
'94 F-150 - Location: Fredericksburg, VA
do some research on silvia conversions.
i'll help you find a bit more info from teh interweb too (i'm such a nice person)
http://sr20.hybrids.jp/install....html
i'll help you find a bit more info from teh interweb too (i'm such a nice person)
http://sr20.hybrids.jp/install....html
Thanks a lot man! I see you have the SR20DET swap done to your car, something I was considering once I save enough money. Where I live, the engine costs about 2,500-3,000. Also, this engine is smaller, but with the turbo, it puts out better then the stock engine. My question to you is, since turbos are about 3k, and the stock engine is bigger then the SR20DET, do you think it would be better to just turbo the stock engine? I feel so noob asking that, but I appreciate all of your help.
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masticatingcow
- Posts: 2338
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2003 8:39 am
- Car: 94 Mazda FD3S
tenkawa_akito--
Yeah, you're right... you are a nice guy. Sci0n, the 240sx is called the Silvia in Japan and was designed with fixed headlights. These conversions are easy to do and there is a lot of aftermarket support for them.
Be careful though... they aren't approved for street use in the US and a buddy of mine got pulled over for driving a converted 240 at night. I know... I know... a-hole cop. I agree, but they have the law behind them.
Good luck with your plans and welcome to the community, sci0n.
Yeah, you're right... you are a nice guy. Sci0n, the 240sx is called the Silvia in Japan and was designed with fixed headlights. These conversions are easy to do and there is a lot of aftermarket support for them.
Be careful though... they aren't approved for street use in the US and a buddy of mine got pulled over for driving a converted 240 at night. I know... I know... a-hole cop. I agree, but they have the law behind them.
Good luck with your plans and welcome to the community, sci0n.
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masticatingcow
- Posts: 2338
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2003 8:39 am
- Car: 94 Mazda FD3S
sci0n--
More on legality issues.
You will have a really hard time registering your 240sx if you put a SR in it. Any smog tech with half a brain and one open eye will fail you. No smog = no registration = no car. Even if you can convince a tech to go on numbers alone (i.e. sniffer test, no visual) you will have a tough time putting out clean numbers with the SR.
Sad to say, performance tuning is, by nature, a bottomless pit. Even if you turbo the KA, you have to reinstall all the original intake/exhaust equipment to pass smog, and if you aren't mechanically inclined, you'll have to take your ride to a speed shop and pay for it.
Still, even in stock form, the 240 is a great car and a heap of fun to drive.
More on legality issues.
You will have a really hard time registering your 240sx if you put a SR in it. Any smog tech with half a brain and one open eye will fail you. No smog = no registration = no car. Even if you can convince a tech to go on numbers alone (i.e. sniffer test, no visual) you will have a tough time putting out clean numbers with the SR.
Sad to say, performance tuning is, by nature, a bottomless pit. Even if you turbo the KA, you have to reinstall all the original intake/exhaust equipment to pass smog, and if you aren't mechanically inclined, you'll have to take your ride to a speed shop and pay for it.
Still, even in stock form, the 240 is a great car and a heap of fun to drive.
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masticatingcow
- Posts: 2338
- Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2003 8:39 am
- Car: 94 Mazda FD3S
nathan--
I would imagine that he still would have to pass a sniffer test in most other states... plus, you mentioned navigating around "what few laws there are." This usually entails "knowing the right people." At 16, that may or may not be a possibility.
I know that outside of CA the laws are more lax and you've got a better chance of getting around them, but am I wrong in assuming that emissions techs are under the same restrictions that CA smog guys are? Those guys get it bad if the state finds out they're passing illegal cars in CA.
I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm saying that at 16, with very little knowledge about the realities of building up a car, the successful SR swap is a hard mark to hit. sci0n, don't think I'm discouraging you... but you're going to hear a lot of people tell you that SR is the way to go. But I have a question to pose against that... why do you think there are so many SR-swapped 240s going on eBay all the time? If it's such a desireable swap, why aren't they keeping it? Even a PNO (Planned Non-Operation) registration is cheaper than one listing fee on eBay for merch that expensive.
Keep your eyes and ears open, man. If you are sure you can do the swap, and you want to, do it. But don't do it because you think it's the only way to go. I would say, and there are probably WAY more experienced guys than me who would agree, that too many people even on these forums think of 240sx performance in terms of a one-horse race.
I would imagine that he still would have to pass a sniffer test in most other states... plus, you mentioned navigating around "what few laws there are." This usually entails "knowing the right people." At 16, that may or may not be a possibility.
I know that outside of CA the laws are more lax and you've got a better chance of getting around them, but am I wrong in assuming that emissions techs are under the same restrictions that CA smog guys are? Those guys get it bad if the state finds out they're passing illegal cars in CA.
I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm saying that at 16, with very little knowledge about the realities of building up a car, the successful SR swap is a hard mark to hit. sci0n, don't think I'm discouraging you... but you're going to hear a lot of people tell you that SR is the way to go. But I have a question to pose against that... why do you think there are so many SR-swapped 240s going on eBay all the time? If it's such a desireable swap, why aren't they keeping it? Even a PNO (Planned Non-Operation) registration is cheaper than one listing fee on eBay for merch that expensive.
Keep your eyes and ears open, man. If you are sure you can do the swap, and you want to, do it. But don't do it because you think it's the only way to go. I would say, and there are probably WAY more experienced guys than me who would agree, that too many people even on these forums think of 240sx performance in terms of a one-horse race.
masticatingcow wrote:nathan--
I would imagine that he still would have to pass a sniffer test in most other states... plus, you mentioned navigating around "what few laws there are." This usually entails "knowing the right people." At 16, that may or may not be a possibility.
I know that outside of CA the laws are more lax and you've got a better chance of getting around them, but am I wrong in assuming that emissions techs are under the same restrictions that CA smog guys are? Those guys get it bad if the state finds out they're passing illegal cars in CA.
I'm not saying it's impossible. I'm saying that at 16, with very little knowledge about the realities of building up a car, the successful SR swap is a hard mark to hit. sci0n, don't think I'm discouraging you... but you're going to hear a lot of people tell you that SR is the way to go. But I have a question to pose against that... why do you think there are so many SR-swapped 240s going on eBay all the time? If it's such a desireable swap, why aren't they keeping it? Even a PNO (Planned Non-Operation) registration is cheaper than one listing fee on eBay for merch that expensive.
Keep your eyes and ears open, man. If you are sure you can do the swap, and you want to, do it. But don't do it because you think it's the only way to go. I would say, and there are probably WAY more experienced guys than me who would agree, that too many people even on these forums think of 240sx performance in terms of a one-horse race.
You have some good points there, and emissions techs ARE under some strict scrutiny from the state and face ramifications if they pass cars that they shouldn't, but ultimately...enough money can grease any wheel. The trick is just finding a wheel in need of some grease and applying as much as it takes
A good way to find the "right people" is through a local car club, lots of folks there will know whats up locally. Or, do what a bunch of people I know do, just NEVER get the car inspected. I know a guy with 4 cars that he drives, only one of them has an emissions sticker and its pretty out of date. He just makes excuses and pays the occasional fine, but it doesn't stop him from driving. Personally, I'm going to toss a box of plug wires in the car, maybe a few other tune-up items and if I get pulled over just tell the officer that "I just got the car running sir, I am certain that it will need a tuneup before I get it inspected so I just bought some plug wires and plan on doing the work this weekend". Amazingly, my roommate has been pulled over SIX times for his out of date inspection and so far his plug wires box has gotten him off with a warning all six times. Luckily, my car also looks bone stock except the custom but very UN-shiney exhaust system I'm about to put on.