My First 240sx

[LHD S13]

Hi guys, I'm new to the site and a few months ago I bought my very first 1989 240sx Hatchback.




Stock Ka24e with 207k




Pretty stock with exceptions of coilovers, short throw shifter and a few others.

So I daily'ed it for a few weeks and long story short, broke down, broke down, broke down, and finally death. I have no intentions on messing with the high mileage Ka that's in it so I'm going to pull it out and prepare for a swap I hope to start on this month.

So my question here is I have a budget of around $3000 and have 2 engines in mind


a cheap Sr20 swap for $1500 (missing harness, intercooler and MAF,) Or A beefy garage built KA-T for $2500?

Also Any Upgrades Tips or Information a 240sx noob like me should know would be greatly appreciative.

Thank you guys for the input, I'm psyched to be a part of these forums!

Heres a few better pics of my ride!

[claytonmas17]

LOL! That car is youtube famous! look up the channel (muscle vs tuner)

[LHD S13]

LOL! That car is youtube famous! look up the channel (muscle vs tuner)

Yeah lol I actually bought it the day after the video was posted. Drove a few hours from home, bought it and it broke down a mile up the road. had to go home get a trailer and go back to get the car... it was awful to say the least

[claytonmas17]

thats pretty cool that you got it... You should just sr20det swap it

[claytonmas17]

i got a ka24det with the garret t28r running 15psi with like 330whp its enough for the car

[centralcoaster33]

Too bad you didn't pay extra to keep that mechanic in the trunk! Enjoy the new toy

[Hijacker]

Welcome to NICO! She looks great!

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Honestly, having had multiple S13s, unless your budget is 3k for the engine and you have a bunch saved up for "other things," stick with a KADE swap (rebuilt) and use the money for other stuff that has come up. Heck, even throw a rebuilt single cam in there. 15hp is honestly nothing. The KAE is a great motor, but unless you have a good amount of funds for "unexpected" things, stay N/A.

Upgrades or tips? Take care of your dash lol or it will crack under big temp. changes. Also, most things not documented on a forum will be way more expensive then you plan. That and plenty of other things.

[LHD S13]

Honestly, having had multiple S13s, unless your budget is 3k for the engine and you have a bunch saved up for "other things," stick with a KADE swap (rebuilt) and use the money for other stuff that has come up. Heck, even throw a rebuilt single cam in there. 15hp is honestly nothing. The KAE is a great motor, but unless you have a good amount of funds for "unexpected" things, stay N/A.

Upgrades or tips? Take care of your dash lol or it will crack under big temp. changes. Also, most things not documented on a forum will be way more expensive then you plan. That and plenty of other things.

Dash is already cracked some lol thanks tho

Too bad you didn't pay extra to keep that mechanic in the trunk! Enjoy the new toy

Haha, Yes the "mechanic" is the one that actually owned the car he was a good guy. Thanks!

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Whatever you do, get a new wiring harness and install it while the engine is out.