Need help with ideas for my Nissan 240SX Coupe 1989

[kirasiris]

Hello everyone.

I just got this car about a month ago and have not spent anything on it yet. However, I'm trying to buy new tires, rims, the cooling system and a good brake system.

Moreover, I would like you guys to have a say on this. What brands do you guys recommend?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Hi Kevin, welcome to NICO and congrats on your 240 acquisition.
Being that there's a pretty good shortage on tires at the moment, the wheel size you have just might dictate which tire you go with. Personally, for a street tire, I'm partial to the BF Goodrich G-force Comp-2 A/S and the Continental ExtremeContact Sport or Force tires.
Wheels are fairly personal. Are you still 4 lug or has the car been converted to 5 lug?
Cooling system is fairly straightforward. If your radiator is toast, pick up an all aluminum one from Mishimoto or Koyo. Stay away from plastic end tanks. Rock Auto (or any parts store) is fine for replacement water pumps and hoses.
A pad upgrade may be all you need for brakes, but if you're looking for even more resistance to fade, you could upgrade to 300zx brakes.

[NukeKS14]

Sound advice from PapaSmurf. My two cents, go through the car and just do basic maintenance and clean things up. Drive the car, get to know it and enjoy it as is, and take your time figuring out what you want to do with the car. You'll save yourself a lot of heartache and frustration if you set an endgoal in mind and plan out your mods in advance, instead of making a patchwork car. I think Google Sheets is free and pretty useful for setting up a spreadsheet and you can hyperlink parts etc... for when you're ready to start buying things. I think we've all been down that road where we bought something and installed it only to have to replace it later because it either conflicted with another part/mod we did or it just ended up not panning out the way we expected. Do it right or do it twice. These cars are very charming as-is even in underpowered stock fashion. I fell in love with the S-chassis just sitting in my buddies that had a blown motor and pretend rowing gears in his front yard. There are a PLETHORA of parts available for these cars and more it seems by the day.

Also, download a copy of the FSM from this wonderful site (link at the top under the Service Manuals tab) and read it, learn it, get to know your car inside and out. It LITERALLY has everything you could want to know about your new (to you) car.

[Dimitri]

A little late to the party with a couple of suggestions:
Check your vacuum lines, and the fuel line especially under the fuel filter and in the trunk where coming out of the fuel tank (there is a small trap door under the mat. Also get the key code from the glove compartment , go to a deal and have them make you a couple of new keys, while they still know how to make keys using the code from the glove compartment ! And put a "Not for sale" sign on it so people will stop leaving you notes with their phone number
I'll second the recommendation for BF Goodrich G-force Comp-2 A/S

Enjoy!

[AZhitman]

All great advice. Beyond that, don't be tempted to perform any irreversible mods... your car is a collectible now, and there are very, very few good, stock examples remaining. A properly cared-for S-chassis is a great investment (that you can still drive and enjoy)!

[bobbychet]

I also have a stock pignose 89 240sx. Stock coupe with an automatic.
I would recommend a club or battery disconnect device as these cars
Entice thievery. But hey, I live in Tacoma, Wa. not Texas.
Bobbychet