problems with cut springs?

[S13hdg]

Im looking at buying a 93 s13 hatch. The previous owner cut the stock springs. It seems like its about an inch or inch and a half lower than stock (there is about 2 inches between tire and fender well/liner, less than an inch from fender lip, and it has 17inch, id guess 40series tire). The dealer thats selling it wont repair it and have it inspected because they say there are too many problems with the suspension. The salesman I talked to didnt know much about it, but he seemed to think it needed new control arms. Obviously it needs new springs, and Id guess it needs new struts and shocks (It will get those anyway, if I buy it), but is there any way cut springs could damage any of the linkage parts? I dont see how, but Ive never owned or worked on an S13. Does this seem realistic? ie. Is there any way cut springs could damage the control arms? Thanks for any help.

[PhaneSoul]

ill sell u my black 89 240 5spd for 2000, needs tension rod and control arm replaced, i have both, tension rod is snapped in half, control arm is bent, i can have the control arm replaced, 1/2 hour job for me, i just cannot get the tension rob outta the old framing (cut it off a junkyard 240) you would have to get it towed or w/e, other than that, the front left fender needs replaced, engine is at 140k miles, still strong, hairline crack in radiator on top, no biggie, doesnt leak alot, new tires in back, very clean interior, ive had ppl taht dont kno about the car ask if its a 94 or 95, took off fender, got them nasty holes, little rust on hatch, 2 less then dime sized rust spots on outter of car, both door weels have little rust. 2 owners, im second owner, new exhaust, will need new cat tho, i think thats about it, its a very beautiful car w/ sunroof, and everything except a/c works, its all powered.

[S13hdg]

umm, youre in missouri. Im in maryland. That would be a long tow. Im not really interested in single cam anyway, cause Ill be keeping the KA for a while and I still want to have fun.

[SeVa-S13]

And we all know 10 fewer HP = NO FUN!

[S13hdg]

Ok, I should have said I want to have more fun, but the difference is more than 10hp. I like the looks and engine design of the 91-93 better. And this doesnt even matter right now, that 89 is hundreds of miles away. Im probably buying the 93 hatch, but it still depends on the list of problems the dealer sends me.

[PhaneSoul]

but jus keep mine in mind, and plus im vigerously tryiin to fix it because its currently my daily driver.... and i need it fixed by saturday afternoon so

[S13hdg]

On mapquest OFallon is 894 miles away from my home. I cant afford to tow something that far. I would definitely consider it if it were local, because im sure its well taken care of, but thats too far.

[240marcuSX]

yeah dude without that stock 10 hp, the car completely sucks!!

[S13hdg]

yeah dude without that stock 10 hp, the car completely sucks!!

I just said I wanted the chuki because I plan on keeping my KA for a while, so I want the better one. When I first said that i was thinking zenkis were rated at 130. I dont know why. But did you even read my third post? I already said the difference is more than 10hp (15hp between 155 and 140), but you just blindly repeated seva.I started this post to ask if cut springs can damage control arms, not explain my decision in buying a car.

[SeVa-S13]

Yes, the reported 15hp and 8lb-ft or torque make the world of difference, so I hear. But in all honesty, I'm just tired of obviously better condition and cheaper pignoses being discounted for missing that whole one cam. (I'm not saying you should buy the one in this thread, I would never buy a stock car that was further than an hour away from me, much less pay the outrageous shipping prices).It's just this nickle and dime s*** that kills me, people puting intakes and maybe an exhaust on their car and considering them modded. I'm sorry but 15-ish HP from those two mods that can easily run you $600+ (or in this case the difference of a cam) doesn't mean jack. By all means, if there are two S13's, one SOHC and one DOHC which both seem to be equal other than their cam count and you like the 91+ bumper better, get the DOHC one. What bothers me is the ignorant disregard for the pignose S13's by those whose brain operates on "2cams = omfg fast, and 1cam = lolol civic slow, hehe" mentality. (I'm not saying you're that dumb, so unbunch them panties )

Just keep your eyes and mind open, SOHC KA's are every bit as capable as DOHC's and once you get into performance headwork, I'd say better. One less performance cam to buy and 4 fewer valves to port = saved money and once you do buy that aftermarket cam, it'll have the same powerband and performance characteristics (probly better lowend if you're an early 89 like mine was due to higher comp) as the DOHC engines. Plus, pignose ownz the genera-bumper, it's just so bland... =\

[AZhitman]

Let's get back to the question.

The car has cut springs and unknown suspension condition.

You'll want to drive it, obviously. If it drives OK, and nothing clunks or cracks, the good news is an S13 suspension is REAL easy (and cheap) to rehab.

You can find stock springs real cheap, and some KYB GR-2 (cheap performance) shocks for $100. All the other stuff is pretty durable, but even if you have to replace a tie rod end or some bushings, it's probably due for those anyway.

Look for rust (rusted 240 = junk), and check the compression - don't get suckered into a beater 240 just because they're popular, there are PLENTY for sale out there that haven't been abused and modded poorly.

[SeVa-S13]

Pretty much what he said.

[RedRum240]

ok I bought a same 240 with the same problem. cut springs. except mine were worse. the guy cut the spring sso the actual springs were 2 inches tall and they werent even sttached to the stock struts and the springs were coilover springs not actually springs...... when I bought the car since mine was WAY WAY WAY Worse than yours... I had to replace one control arm, of course new struts.shocks cause they were blown like ww2.. I also had to replace strut boots. and 1 mount but thats because the strut actualyl hammered through itself cause of basicly having no springs. if its cut to lower itsself 1 inch from stock you should be fine. the only reason it feels crappy is because when u cut springs they allways dont end up the same length as each other equalling a ride that veres off to the side of the road. just be safe.. replace the control arms like 74$ a piece. u need 2 of them. then just buy KYB AGX's w/ Tein Stechs. about 450$ for that and you will have a quality lowered car with EXCELLENT suspension.

take my advice and do that. congratulations on the 240

[l3ooherS14]

Cut springs are wrong. Your going to have trouble if you cut em.

[Onizuka]

Springs can be cut right and be an effective performance upgrade for nothing. That said, most people do it wrong.

[S13hdg]

Seva, I know what you mean about the zenki, and Im not totally discounting them. You said people pass up better condition pignoses for worse chukis, Im just saying the zenki would have to be a slightly better condition for me to favor it over a chuki, because I like the genera-bumper and I like more horsepower, no matter how little difference it is. I would never pass up a significantly better/cheaper pignose because of the "missing cam". Except for the suspension, this car seems to be in just about as good condition as an 11 year old car can be. And they're only asking 2600. Ill most likely be buying the car this weekend.redrum and AZ, thanks for the advice.

"the only reason it feels crappy is because when u cut springs they allways dont end up the same length as each other equalling a ride that veres off to the side of the road." - RedRum240^This was entertaining.

[RedRum240]

Dont listen to car's salesman.... there are very few that are good people. most will double cross you in a heartbeat. they miss word stuff so that it seems like a small problem here or a dent there. but 30 miles down the road your lap-top computer reads danger to manifold and your floor board pop's off.

That car is a good deal tho. I have a 93 myself. I am about to dump 4,000 dollars into it w/a silvia conversion, chargespeed body kit, and advan wheels. they are nice cars.

Just think twice before you mod it tho. I have spent probably 2,000 dollars moding stuff im gonna have to replace and or have allready replaced its what everybody goes through when they buy a car that can be modified as much as a 240sx can. for example. you really want to save up for those advan wheels at 2,000$... but you know youv been saving up and 3 weeks later you go to K-mart and buy some alloy american racing wheels..

Just get some Kyb agx's, and some tein stech's and some strut bars and your ride should handle like my first crotch-rocket.