New here, and a new 240sx owner. lots of info and pictures!

[AzzyKeralis]

PICTURES BELOW. I recently picked up a dream car of mine since I was a little kid, A 240sx S13 Hatchback. Its a 1991 SE with working HICAS and I love it to death. before I go too in-depth about my car; I'm 17, make minimum wage at Pizza Hut as a cook, am a junior in high school, and live in a decently rural town in North Texas. All the roads I drive are paved nicely so I don't worry too much though.

Now back to the car, it was 100% stock when I got it about 6 weeks ago and is an automatic. I've replaced the front end from damage from the former owner hitting a truck, Changed the oil and filter, Painted the cluster trim and added White LED lights to the cluster, removed the rust sponge spoiler and repaired the rust holes, installed a nice audio system, and piked up a well loved set of no-name 17" wheels.

Some known problems with it are as follows:
1: The automatic transmission fails to shift out of 2nd gear.
2: If you start without applying throttle the car will start then die shortly after, If you apply throttle it will idle down correctly.
3: the stock suspension is totally blown. me and my friends managed to bottom it out by pushing down on the rear bumper.
4: Engine has a minor oil leak into the exhaust. I'm guessing it is a worn valve seal or piston ring.
5: The stock exhaust makes a whistle sound when accelerating hard, and there is no whistle tip or insert?

Some Planned upgrades:
1: Meagan Street Coilovers
2: New Transmission, I already have a rebuilt Auto, I can't use manual as a Daily its a pain in the a**.
3: R33 seats. The stock seats suck.
4: Complete engine rebuild to stock specs.
5: Get another KA24DE, rebuild it to withstand 400 HP and add a turbo. I'd rather keep the .4L and have a turbo in a built engine.
6: OEM Type X parts.
7: New paint. Not sure on the color yet.

As someone new to S-Chassis in general, what are some driving tips for bad rain, snow, etc. and what should I expect to break other than what already is? Here are some Pictures of it so far.

When I got it. Poor thing.



After some love and a new bumper and headlight.


Fixing hatch rust.


No-name wheels.


That a**.


Found a friend.


Pulling the cluster. Such a pain to get one thing out.


Cluster after paint and LED's.



Some Feedback would be awesome! I'm trying my best not to rice it out and I think I'm doing a good job so far.

[SoundEfx]

That is some decent work so far pimp and you have avoided 'The Rice'....lol

Stick to your planned list and with a nice drop, you'll be set.
If you add too much to that list, you'll be approaching 'The Rice' territory....lol

[MJH240SX]

You have a great start, just stick with it.

Is this your first rear wheel drive car? If so, I would highly suggest taking it easy in rain and snow until you get a feel for how it responds. It's easy to lose it taking turns if you are not used to it.

[GoodzKouki]

Very nice S13 . Glad to see another person who's dream car is a 240 lol. I did the same thing when I was was a senior in high school, 1993 hatch 190xxx miles $750. Had to borrow some money off my friend .

Some bad whether advice: make sure you replace the worn suspension components, make sure the alignment is on point, and get some nice all season tires if you're going to be driving in the winter. I would also recommend finding a safe open parking lot where you won't get in trouble/get hurt and find the limits/get a feel for the car in rain/sleet/snow. Plus it's always fun to slide around a 240 in a parking lot .

I can only really give you advice on what might break from my own personal experience.

Timing chain guard that sits right under the valve cover over top the chain. Mine didn't break, but the chain did ever so slightly touch it making that top end rattle noise that KA owners know all to well. I just removed the guard. If you ever have the valve cover off check and see if the bottom of the guard has score marks on it from the chain hitting.

My break master cylinder and brake booster seals went out on my 1990 hatch.

Vacuum lines, vacuum lines, vacuum lines lol. Just look over all of them and make sure they aren't falling apart.

Inspect your chassis grounds, can't hurt to sand them clean and apply some dielectric grease.

Pull the IACV off and clean it out. Make sure the idle is set to spec. Might solve your issue with having to give gas on start-up.

Last bit of advice, have tons of fun with it

[rwlesher]

Congratulations on your car, I purchased my 91 hatch se (hicas as well) as a senior in hs 07, had it ever since. Always been a fan, my dad had one when I was 4, I always thought it was a vette lol. Like the two above me stated be careful in the rain. It can get away from you. Energy Suspension Master bushing kit would be a good start, chances are those poor rubber bushings are on their way out the door and the kits like $140. Do the subframe bushings too, poly or solid your choice. I got ES Poly S14 bushings for $6x.xx. For the cost of oe struts lowering springs and your pillow ball mounts I'd go with coils for sure. I'd put the aesthetic stuff to the side until she's riding smooth and reliable. You also might wanna look into megan tracks or isis hr pros the streets do not have front camber adjustment. I've had hicas ever since I got it until a few months back I swapped to non hicas when I switched out all my bushings. Lines were busting so I said f it s*** to expensive to replace. If you notice wheel hop when you take off it's your subframe bushings. If you get a knocking sound from floor board at certain rpms check your carrier bearing. Your gonna have a blast, be safe and smart.