New Member / s13 coupe build thread

General discussion forum about the 240sx, and a great place to introduce yourself to the board!
Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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First off, Happy Thanksgiving! And a little background on me. I've had over 20 cars in the past 6 years: 99 saturn SL sedan, 2008 Mustang v6, 2004 360z, LS400, 96 BMW M3, s14 zenki Rb20det swap, SC400 (the infamous Phoenix build), bought an 86 e30 325es while i had the sc400, stock 04 WRX, ford Thunderbird Super Coupe supercharged 5spd, 87 s10 pickup, honda ruckus, and sold the s10 and ruckus and bought a 72 super beetle that i traded for this 92 s13! and the daily a 1993 302 f150. I worked as a porter for Eurohaus Motorsports in Knoxville TN (now closed because the owner didn't pay taxes and refused to give customers cars back that had been there for years) so i moved onto working for our local Harper Audi/porche/jag dealer, i worked for Audi as an apprentice tech for a year and decided audi wasn't for me. currently just working some mom n pop tire shop till i move to the west coast.

link to pics of past vehicles: http://s992.photobucket.com/user/APC3/l ... t=3&page=1

enough about me and the past onto the build!

:squint: new here, been a lurker for a long time never posted, picked up my second 240, 3rd Nissan. This ones a '92 coupe. Chuki. Had a red top Sr20det from a s13 previously installed but pulled as part of a trade deal for my old '72 beetle. Have Sr trans and car still has lower Sr wiring harness, intercooler and piping, eBay(?) boost gauge and eBay(?) turbo timer, Emusa coilovers, and unknown aftermarket adjustable traction arms. Also some off brand "Kobie" 18x7.5 et+38 wheels (looking to trade wheels). Also car has an s14 dash and gauge cluster with factory s13 steering wheel! Also has s14 driveshaft and shimmed j30 differential. Looking for an sr20 to put back in seeing as the setup is already there. Hoping to have it driving right after new years!

Dude drove it here with steelies on the front due to bald tires.

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Heres a picture of as she sits now that ive acquired new tires

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it had an s14 dash which was a nice touch

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but just traded the dash to a friend of mine for an entire s14 KA24DE plus trans still mated. its been beat pretty hard I've been told but its making good compression so ill be going through it lightly before dropping it in.

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currently sorting through the wiring, i was hoping someone could post a link that can tell me the difference between the ka24de s13 and ka24de s14 engines, aka what will i need to do to mount this ka24de from an s14 into an s13... i think this is the plug everyone talks about when doing swaps? behind dash on the right side?

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ill be picking up a new s14 dash this weekend to go back in and ordering a wiring harness and starting paint prep. should be fun. :bigthumb:


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PapaSmurf2k3
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Car: 2017 Corvette, 2018 Focus ST, 1993 240sx truck KA Turbo.
Location: Merrimack, NH

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I thought the major differences between S13 and S14 KAs were the intake manifold sensors/emissions, and the distributor is different.

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PapaSmurf2k3
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Car: 2017 Corvette, 2018 Focus ST, 1993 240sx truck KA Turbo.
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Also, yeah I like that S14 dash in there. I didn't even know they were a direct swap. Go figure!

essfourteen
Posts: 45
Joined: Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:33 pm
Car: 1995 240sx
Location: Canton, MS

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You can install a S14 KA with zero wiring changes, if you want. Or if you want to use the S14 OBD system, that'll take some wiring work.

But the easiest route to take is to use the S13 distributor, throttle body, and all the intake manifold shenanigans on the S14 engine.

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2_Liter_Turbo
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When I did an S14 swap in my old convertible S13, I used the S13 intake manifold w/ TB and sensors, and distributor. I also had to use the S14 head, so I had to mix and match the front covers, lol.

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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do i have to convert to the external s13 dizzy? the cars a 92 i think it was originally a dual cam car and i have the ECU to the s14 dual cam engine so shouldn't it all be plug n play and thus i can keep the internal dizzy? I'm planning on using the top half of the s14 intake since it flows better and the s13 lower half because i hear theres clearance issues or something with intake and exhaust

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PapaSmurf2k3
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If you are keeping the original wiring harness, I'm pretty sure you'll have to keep the S13 dizzy and S13 ECU.

I've never heard of any flow differences in intake manifolds between S13 and S14. Nor have I heard of any clearance issues with intake and/or exhaust. best bet would be to swap the intake and distributor from the S13 engine over and get on with life.

essfourteen
Posts: 45
Joined: Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:33 pm
Car: 1995 240sx
Location: Canton, MS

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He's probably talking about the secondary butterflies in the S13 intake.

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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the butterflies in the upper part of the s13 intake yes, the s14 one doesn't have the "blockers". i don't have the s13 engine wiring harness or eco, because previously there was an 13 red top sr20det installed (why that interfooler is there). i do have the sr lower wiring harness there as well. I'm pretty sure the dash wiring harness is s13 with an s14 gauge cluster installed, how can i tell? and everything i read says to switch the intake, exhaust, and dizzy over, i thought it was for clearance or something but I'm guessing now its because most people use the s13 ecu and wiring and that way all the sensor terminals are the same? so in theory then if i have the s14 engine, s14 wiring harness, and s14 ecu i just need to mate colors to the dash wiring and be done with it yes? as in no changing distributer or anything at all then...

anyways as an update on it, engine mounts and gasket kit arrived yesterday but I'm going to have to take a pause for christmas and all but should resume after new years with a ton new parts and detailed pics. about to move houses to a place with a 4 bay garage as well so no more driving 30 min to get to my garage which means i can work a lot more on it! i also have odyvia plans in the works for this thing and some other special unique goodies...

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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UPDATE: I've decided to run a full s14 engine internal dizzy and all with an s14 wiring harness and ecu. putting the engine together today, it cleaned up nice, turns out theres an aftermarket (isis?) crank pully on this thing!

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will be ordering final parts friday and should have it on the road end of january/early feb.
then after tax returns ill be ordering an SR20DET!

also does anyone know where i can get these shifter side bearings for my SR trans?

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then body work can begin. anyone know if rocket bunny side skirts and a type X front bumper work well together?

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PapaSmurf2k3
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Not sure about the other things, but you're probably going to want to replace that pulley. If its undamped (or improperly damped), it can actually shatter your oil pump and f*** up plenty of other things.

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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Which pulley is that?

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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well, needs a valve job, off we go...

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PapaSmurf2k3
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Blaqkfox wrote:Which pulley is that?
The crank pulley.

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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I was afraid that's what you meant, options? Just buy stock from pull a part? Worth it for a different aftermarket one?

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PapaSmurf2k3
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I'd go stock.

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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more updates, started on some body work,

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still need to block sand the hood and do another layer of primer and hit the headlight covers with wet sand and another coat of clear or two

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also picked up a crackless dash! there is some sort of quarter sized epoxy-feeling material globbed next to the center vents and on the sides where it meets the door panels, ill see what i can do with it later...

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and painted the block, still not done needs more sanding and paint and clear still.

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should be finished ordering parts whenever this tax return comes through and then its on the road as fast as i can assemble things! until then...

Fastazz240
Posts: 189
Joined: Sun Apr 25, 2010 10:40 am
Car: 1995 240 SX, 93 Vert, 95 Hardbody 4X4

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more on the crank pulley: with the aftermarket ones it dosent have any dampening like the factory one has even thought it isnt much it makes a difference especially with the ka. They aren't fully counter weighted and vibrate alot at higher rpms so with the aftermartket one its alot worse. Go with factory or get the ATI its about the only other option.

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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Update: been running around middle and east TN like :crazy:

was about to drop money at the machine shop after finding out that engine i traded my dash for had bad bearings as well as needing a valve job when i found a freshly rebuilt 92 obd1 dual cam. I'm gonna swap my 96 intake over since it doesn't have the butterflies in it. and maybe swap over my 96 internal dizzy as well i think i read thats a thing somewhere...
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while i was in nashvile getting the engine i also picked up some J30 5 lug swap set with rear rotors and calipers :dblthumb:
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so now the engine is pretty much done, next ill be taking the s14 driveshaft to be balanced at a local shop and hoping a good friends grandpa of mine will come through on checking my sr trans syncros and machining the shifter ball bearings, i got the ka bell housing last week too, and i have that freshly rebuilt shimmed j30 diff already installed so :bigthumb: driveline is about complete. we ordered a new welder so the engine bay is soon to be weld up and painted too! i also since done some paint work on both the new engine and the s13s body... #staytuned

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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also just picked up this Borla and some blast pipes... :shifter:

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Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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been on jury duty the past two weeks so I've had a lot more time lately and finally got some paint work done. but stupidly painted the s14 valve cover which doesn't fit, but it looks good!

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naedeloc
Posts: 10
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 9:33 pm
Car: 1989 Nissan 240SX

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Looks good so far man! I am curious though, what are you planning on using for the Rear Lower Arms as far as the ball joints and bushings?

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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thanks! I've also had trouble tracking down ball joints for the RLCAs but from what I've gathered on the forums i can use z32 ones, but I've also had trouble finding those, I'm sure i could just get some from nissan, i haven't even looked at rock auto or anything yet but i doubt it'll be hard. i got lucky and was given some energy suspension bushings to go with the arms, I'm not sure its even necessary to run the j30 RLCAs... ill play with it when the ball joints get here and lyk.

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PapaSmurf2k3
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Car: 2017 Corvette, 2018 Focus ST, 1993 240sx truck KA Turbo.
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Damn. Looking good!

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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thanks! heres some more engine p0rn. i like to paint so... also should be picking up some R34 GT-R wheels to roll on next week! gonna look good! just about two or three more weeks and it'll be ruining the streets of knoxville!

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:bigthumb:

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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also decided to chance it and run the aftermarket crank pully...ill let ya know lol

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PapaSmurf2k3
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Car: 2017 Corvette, 2018 Focus ST, 1993 240sx truck KA Turbo.
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Yikes. Does it have a damper in it? If not, you may want to get a spare oil pump on stand by.

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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no damper but i really don't care lol these engines are cheap and i have a whole other one on standby so I'm gonna give it a shot. I'm probably gonna run gates or sparco belts and will have solid mounts as well as the ricer touch of the ebay engine torque dampener lol just cuz.

Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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decided to run 18s because i couldn't pass up the deal i just got on these GTR34 wheels. small imperfections and a little curb rash, I'm going to send them off to be refinished i think...but after the cars running and all.

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Blaqkfox
Posts: 159
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 8:34 pm
Car: 1992 s13 240sx coupe

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better picture of the R34 wheels.
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also took the j30 knuckles to work to get the new bushings in.
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loose test fit. front sits perfect but as i feared the rear doesn't sit flush because the quarter was rolled previously :( its a lot more roll than i thought. i guess ill run a spacer on the rear until i figure something out.
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also picked up a radiator and fans for the 40
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Also the daily got new headlights today! '93 F150 w/tommy gate, 1 original owner (my grandpa), just hit 150k this week :/ but got a cooling system overhaul new plugs and minor things so its been a busy week lol
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DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE IN THE HECK TO BUY J30 RLCA BALL JOINTS?!


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