Performance Upgrade Question....

[Hagaren64]

Hi, I'm a complete noob at all of this, but I was wondering what everyone would recommend as a first performance upgrade for my 1990 KA24E. Everything is stock at the moment. I have been considering upgrading my intake, but it seems like most 240SX owners don't recommend the idea.

Also, I never drive bat out of hell, but I have been witnessing about a 20 mpg average on my car, whereas a lot of other 240SX owners get about 30 easily stock. This is why I have considered upgrading my intake.... What could be possibly contributions to my lack of mileage? Thanks!

[asoomal]

First thing I always do before modifying a car is to bring it back to stock performance. Get a full tune up done, oil change, transmission oil, and diff oil.

However, single slammers don't really have a good aftermarket support, swap in a DE :P

[Hagaren64]

Yeah, I have actually done a tune up and have changed the oil. Now I'm just looking into upgrading... Preferably, I would like upgrades that won't put me in a financial impact. But if I were to swap engines, I would like to do something like a RB25DET.

Thanks for the suggestions!!!

[Lev_96_240sx]

If you want to eventually go RB I wouldn't waste money on upgrading the single slammer. Get to work on that chassis. As a first mod, I would replace all the chassis and control arm bushings, and then look for some suspension. The bushings you can get from Energy Suspensions, it's like $160 for a master bushing kit, 70 for subframe bushings and on s13's the diff is solid mounted so you don't need those bushings. so for around $250 you will have a far more solid platform to work from. The biggest thing is to not hurry up and buy everything in such a manner that you only end up buying things that are cheap enough that you can fit them into the whole bundle. Instead save up for quality parts. Take your time and do things right the first time.

[simmode1]

If you want to eventually go RB I wouldn't waste money on upgrading the single slammer. Get to work on that chassis.

Maintanance first. Suspension and brakes next. Power comes third.

[Koshin]

suspension and full bushing kit, brakes, then power

[Hagaren64]

WOW! Thanks a lot guys. I'm really starting to understand where I should start.....

Now, in terms of shocks and springs, what brands would you guys recommend. I've heard great things about Eibach and mixed reviews about Tokico. What are your opinions?

Thanks again for all the help!!!

[Two Fowty]

a good spring strut combo will do. go with koni yellows and kyb agx..

and dont get eibach, i have them and my ride is rough.

[adrianfromthecastle]

suspension and full bushing kit, brakes, then power

[martins_240sx]

However, single slammers don't really have a good aftermarket support, swap in a DE :P

What do you want them to make, diamond incrusted pulleys and intake manifolds....There is a aftermarket support for these engines, just most of the stuff isnt made by a million other companies, so lazy people will say

However, single slammers don't really have a good aftermarket support, swap in a DE :P

all you have to do is look, you will find exactly what you need regardless of what engine you chose, i make high 300hp passes on the dyno with torque to match on this non aftermarket support engine.

[Lev_96_240sx]

What you do for suspension really depends on what you plan to do with the car. Coilovers seem to be the norm around here. They give you a far stiffer ride quality which is great in the twisties but blows chunks on public roadways. The other upside to coilovers is that they are much slimmer which allows you to fit wider wheels and tires without rubbing the spring. If you don't need that, then a set of Koni Yellows with Eibach or H&R springs will be plenty for you. Koni Yellows and KYB AGX are both shocks/struts, you'll need some springs. If you get Koni yellows and decide you want to go with coilovers later on, you can simply get the Ground Control coilover sleeves which many people consider to be among the best track suspension setups out there.

I guess from this you should get that you have a myriad of choices with these cars. Ultimately it depends on what you want to do with the car.

Edit: Whatever you get, make sure you take your car to a good suspension shop to have it dialed in properly, it will make a huge difference in ride quality as well as safety since your suspension will be operating at a more ideal level.

[4cefed]

I get about 26 average in my dual cam.

Upgrade the brakes.

[Hagaren64]

Thanks Lev_96_240sx. My father owns a 300ZX with a set of Eibach and Tokico and I absolutely love how that car corners and feels over bumps. Now, I'm not looking at paying a lot of money here, but I still want quality springs and shocks. What does everyone think of Tokico? I've been seeing mixed reviews... Also, out of curiosity, do the KYB GR2 really feel like OEM? Seems like many users have complained about this.

Edit: I completely forgot to mention what I have already done with my car >_< Replaced transmission, brake pads (ceramic), starter, alternator, battery, and tires. I have also maintained oil in car every 3000 miles...

Also, I have been told that fully synthetic oil tends to leak in older cars, so I've been using synthetic blend. What if I mixed a bit of fully synthetic with some blend? Would that cause a problem?

Sorry for all the n00b questions >_<;;; If I plan on doing anything big with my car, I want to make sure I do it right the first time! Thanks ahead!!!
Modified by Hagaren64 at 8:18 AM 7/2/2009

[DrJuice164]

I'm not looking at paying a lot of money here, but I still want quality springs and shocks

Your looking at around 700 bones for a decent spring/strut combo. IE agx's and s-techs or a variant of. At that point its only another 200ish and you will be in the entry level coilover world..

GR-2s are VERY similar to an oem strut. If you put lowering springs on them, they really won't last a long time.

As most stated above, get the car in solid condition then do suspension. Nothing more scary than a fast 240 on stock suspen and tires.

If I plan on doing anything big with my car, I want to make sure I do it right the first time!

A lot of people who have springs and sturts move over to coilovers so some food for thought
Modified by DrJuice164 at 6:30 PM 7/2/2009

[simmode1]

Thanks Lev_96_240sx. My father owns a 300ZX with a set of Eibach and Tokico and I absolutely love how that car corners and feels over bumps. Now, I'm not looking at paying a lot of money here, but I still want quality springs and shocks. What does everyone think of Tokico? I've been seeing mixed reviews... Also, out of curiosity, do the KYB GR2 really feel like OEM? Seems like many users have complained about this.

Edit: I completely forgot to mention what I have already done with my car >_< Replaced transmission, brake pads (ceramic), starter, alternator, battery, and tires. I have also maintained oil in car every 3000 miles...

Also, I have been told that fully synthetic oil tends to leak in older cars, so I've been using synthetic blend. What if I mixed a bit of fully synthetic with some blend? Would that cause a problem?

Sorry for all the n00b questions >_<;;; If I plan on doing anything big with my car, I want to make sure I do it right the first time! Thanks ahead!!!

Modified by Hagaren64 at 8:18 AM 7/2/2009

See sig. My s14 has tokico's. They blew in undr a year. This is a typical experience among the 240 & Civic scene. Basically, they feel good for maybe 5 months and then it's downhill... and fast.

My s13's setup is a warrior! Had it for about 5 years now. But I want to get lower. If you want to minimize unsightly wheel gap, you are gonna need coilovers.

I wish I had just gone with coils from the beginning. My plan now is to save for Stance GR+ Pro coils for my s13 and Enduratech's for my s14.

The characteristics for these coils are:-The Stance GR+ Pro's are engineered to go LOW without completely sacraficing ride or build quality. But just because you can slam your ride doesn't mean you have to. It's good to have options.

-Enduratech makes suspension and brake components for OEM car manufacturers. Quality is top notch. But they don't allow excessive lowering.

Both these coilover sets can be had for around $1000 or maybe less if you catch them on sale like I plan to.

[Hagaren64]

Thanks a lot, guys! Now, I'm really starting to picture what I'd like to do next and how much I'm expecting to take out of my wallet. Again, I really appreciate all the input!!!