Mods on a budget...

[JTinJacksonvilleNC]

As a newbie to 240's, I'm proud to say I own one, and love it's lines. I've always loved the long hood/ short trunk look. I've done some trading with a local bodyman (he loved this hot lil '72 Saab Sonic we had that was headed for the crusher) for the paint. It's going to remain black from the beltline down, but will be dark purple on top with a silver pinstripe seperating them. It's an '89 coupe by the way. Anyway, aside from that and the standard stereo/amps, and seats, all of which I already have, what directions or possibilities should I consider after I finish the headwork? (Hoping that's just a head gasket and not a head. I've got a Nissan mechanic from about 30 miles from me that's going to do it as soon as I can get that **** room clean so I can find the keys again, and get it to him.)

[ILikeMy240sx]

Hmmm it really depends on how much you are willing to spend. Do you have a ballpark figure?

[w1ngzer0]

bolt ons are always a cheap mod. Then there is the junkyard turbo

[The 240 kid]

Then again, a junkyard turbo, you need all the turbo pieces. I guess it does depend on price you are looking to spend.

[Veriest1]

You're probably going to want to start with a polyurethane bushing set and at least new shocks or even coilovers. Check these items and see what needs to be replaced first of course. Being an 89 many things in the suspension will probably be cracked or brittle unless a previous owner has already replaced them.

Oh your sig says you have Celica seats in the front and back or your 240. Do you have pics... specifically of the back ones? And how easy were they to put in?

[JTinJacksonvilleNC]

No, I don't have pics, digi-cam's on the fritz and I haven't bought a new one yet. The rear seats I'm using are also front buckets from a Celica. (yes, that's 4 bucket seats, not 2 and a bench) You can either modify the brackets on the seats or fabricate your own. The fronts are on modified power seat bases from an Explorer. The "junkyard turbo" idea isn't a bad one either I guess. Working as a parts puller, I'm sure, that with some research, I could work it out. By the way, I know this is totally unrelated, but I can't resist... went to Coastal Plains Raceway today (just to watch for now unfortunately) and laughed My @$$ off when a copper-colored SRT-4 romped a 383 Dodge Dart by 9 tenths. Anyway, back to the issue. I've never done a turbo engine before and honestly, other that an XR4Ti that I used to own, I've no experience with them. I'm not scared away from it, just inexperienced. Any help I could get from you guys here would be greatly appreciated. As far as the suspension goes, it seems pretty tight. Handles great. Nothing looks to need replacing. Perhaps the previous owner has done some replacing. I'll keep an eye on it though. By the way, I've been told by one of the guys that come to where I work for parts says the KA24e is prone to rubbing through the backside of the timing cover letting water into the oil. Has anyone heard or experinced anything like this? Thanks in advance for all your help.

[Dookie]

Cheap, easy, weightsaving mod is the "Bottom half of airbox removal, duct taping the air filter to the top half and securing it with a zip tie" mod that I did. Prolly gained half of a quarter of a WHP, but man it looks funny and makes that intake noise howl!

[JTinJacksonvilleNC]

Ya know, a cone flter and piping isn't THAT expensive dude. Duct tape? Come on. I have one on the Geo Storm I drive as a yard car at work. (Was on it when it came to us, but hey.) I'm surprised You haven't tried to fabricate something out of PVC pipe or dryer hose yet.

[PalmerWMD]

We have some nice write-ups on 5 Speed conversions smewhere her eon our site..

Fred..

PS: Tasteful sig and welcome to Nico

[Chingon]

Some ppl have had good luck w/ebay components (suspension mostly) I have their subframe bushings, and that stiffened it quite a bit. I think it'd be a neat idea to get a 240 project started on a budget. Things I've seen really cheap:

Greddy knock off intake plenum for the srGreddy knock off differential oil cover (bigger sump)All sorts of adjustable armsStrut barsSome exhaust systems *I think the best done by motoria and sold by ssautochromeSSautochrome manifolds/elbows/downpipes< a cuple of ppl have had problemsGeneric ebay intake kitAluminum Subframe bushingsetc, etc...

Anyway, that's the stuff that I've seen that I'd be willing to put money into.

[xyoufailmex]

Exactly, auto zone cone filter + maf plate. best 30 bucks ever spent... I know it made atleast 3 hp somewhere, so thats a 10:1 dollar to hp ratio atleast.

And the best bang for the buck, is not adding more stuff, its getting rid of stuff you dont need. If you go for the 'stripped car' look... you'll be pleased I think... Remove the AC, interior stuff you dont need, lining under the hood, spare tire, all that stuff. Also, have you considered relocating your battery?

[JTinJacksonvilleNC]

Well, after today, guess the budget is no longer in question. I've decided to keep the 240 as a nicely put together daily driver for my better half. It seems that after taking her to the dragstrip last weekend, she was bitten and decided we needed to go racing too. Not willing to "beat up" the 240 both of us love so much, I went digging through the yard at work for something. I wasn't quite sure exactly what I was looking for, but I had "potential" in mind more than what may be in the best shape body wise or runs the absolute best. Something that isn't seen at every stoplight, but isn't butt ugly either. What did I find you ask? Well, it's not a 240 or even a Nissan, but a Subaru. An '87 Subaru RX. Now before you crucify me, think about this... all wheel-drive, manual transmission, shifter selectable high or low range, electronically actuated locking differential, "boxer-type" flat 4 (lower center of gravity), and a turbo. Should be pure evil off the line with some work. Smells of potential to me. Got it for $100, so it's not like it broke the bank. The interior has been stripped of most of the things I'd take out anyway, leaving only a little more to do there. Other than that, she's complete. Now, please remember, I'm not going anywhere, I still love the 240, but I gotta bang gears, and this seems like a nice little package to build a project racer from. Just for sh*ts and giggles, I ask, what're your thoughts and opinions.

[JTinJacksonvilleNC]

By the way, here's a shot of the engine...

[crzycav86]

Wow. Looks great for $100.

How does it run?

[own3d]

thatd be fuggin badass

[Chingon]

i had seen one of those suckers in a yard the other day. It sure had that 'special something' when I saw it. You know, that feeling that tells you...hmm that car is interesting... Anyway, I had no idea it had those goodies you mention. It sure got that rally "B" series shape to it!

[JTinJacksonvilleNC]

Not sure yet if it runs, but after looking it over pretty well, I see no damage to the block, no major leaks of any fluid type, no missing parts, etc. Like I said, it's complete minus some interior dead weight that would be slated for removal anyway. If it doesn't run after I mess with it a bit, I'm sure a short-block can be found. Hmmmm, just sitting here thinking, when it hits me. Wonder how an AWD drift car would do? By the way, got it up on the roll-back and to the house now. I'll know soon just how good or bad it's gonna be.

Our pride and joys...

'89 Nissan 240SX coupe'87 Subaru RX'94 VW Golf'66 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (472c.i.)'65 Dodge Palaris (383c.i.)

[Dookie]

Hey, no need to bash the duct tape airbox mod, it costs me nothing, thats less than what youd spend on a cone filter, which i do have sitting on my shelf, but im too lazy to install it.