question on 1990 240SX engine

[CRyan]

HelloDoes anyone know what type of engine came in the 1990 model? Single or dual OHC? What size?

Any info would be appreciated! I am looking into a car for my high school son and have found a red '90 SE 5-speed that I personally think is very cool. Will he? Is this something he can work on and improve? He is in his first year of auto mechanics (loves it!) and his dad is the engine builder/crew chief of an outboard drag race team.

Thanks in advance! BTW, love this board - can't wait to show my son!

[Red240sxCoupe]

Welcome to the Boards. I have the same car your looking to get, except mine is an automatic. It has a 2.4 liter 12-Valve Inline 4 that is SOHC. Only 240sx's from 89-90 came with that engine (KA24E). Years 91-98 came with the significantly more powerful DOHC engine called the KA24DE. It had an increase of about 15 horsepower. But dont let that turn you away, the KA24E reacts very well to turbocharging. Just 8 psi can give you 290hp at the crank, and if you dont want to turbo there are many engines to swap in such as the RB/SR/CA series. He'll love the car because its rear wheel drive, thats why I bought it. With your knowledge and his, I'm sure you could put that car into the 13's like nothing. Good luck!

[Arrow]

We want to encourage someone to have fun and to enjoy their 240's, but by putting all of that out there we might scare someone. (just kidding) but seriously, the 240 has plenty of potential and is a great car to own. (it was my first car and so far my only one! I got it about 2.5 years ago) and the older SOHC cars aren't to be overlooked, though they have 15 less HP they are still very potent engines (and slightly easier to work on in my opion (as being a 'first car') GOOD LUCK AND WELCOME TO THE FAMILY :-P

[Altiman94]

the ka24e is a turd. Ditch it.

[VmaN!]

the ka24e is a turd. Ditch it.

tell that to this guy o.O

http://ka-t.org/jordan/

[SeVa-S13]

the ka24e is a turd.

Despite the obvious comedy, the only problem with the 240 as a first car is inclemenet weather. Econo-tires + the open differential = tough lessons learned for some. Great car, tons of potential and I've always found it relatively easy to work on.

[240marcuSX]

takes one to know one....just kidding,

the kid wants something to improve, that is exactly what a 240 is for, and if your son becomes a member here, you wouldnt have to worry about him street racing, or doing stupid things with the car, most of us here are very level-headed.

get it.

[Red coupe]

240 is an awsome car, and fairly easy to work on, the KA24E has I belive 10 hp less then the DE but makes cam purchases easier. As far as upgradeing the car, while the car has alot of potential (mostly in handling) it can be harder to get very much power out of them legaly if you live in a strict smog state, just something to consider as most big power (200+>) seems to be made with forced inducion and there are no legal kits or swaps

[whiplash willy]

If the body is good, I would go for it. There isn't a huge difference, performance wise, between the SOHC and DOHC. 240s are really easy to work on. I just got a 1990, never worked on a car before, and have changed the headgasket, swapped the block, and converted from auto to manual, with help from friends. It sounds like the 240 is a perfect fit for what you are looking for. Im sure your son will really like the car. Good luck.

[CRyan]

Hello -First, thanks so much for the feedback -"inclement weather concerns" - I am assuming you are referring to ice/snow conditions? We live in the Deep South and those type conditions occur very seldom so I am not that concerned about that but thanks for the heads up."smog/clear air regulations" - Again we live in that wonderful area where people look around and say "What smog? - Isn't that someone's bar-b-que gettin a lil too active?? or is that Bubba's truck acting up again?"We also got another lead on a 240 - this one is a '96 with a rebuilt motor - my better half says it has been ragged out but they may be able to work on it. I haven't seen it yet - I'll post details later - Thanks again - y'all are a great crew!

[Nismo_Freak]

Despite the obvious comedy, the only problem with the 240 as a first car is inclemenet weather. Econo-tires + the open differential = tough lessons learned for some. Great car, tons of potential and I've always found it relatively easy to work on.

Econo-tires + Open differential = the kid has to learn how to drive it.

Grippy tires, and a good LSD instill bravado into an inexperienced drivers head. We all know it's only a matter of time before he finds the limit of the cars ability, and with a "good" setup he will find that limit at a faster speed, and with less time to react.

I say give him a beater set of tires, a nice wet parking lot with alot of space so he can learn how to drive the car properly. Stopping at a stop light is something a trained monkey can do... learning how to control a car properly in skid and remain calm is something everyone should learn.

BTW, this is how I was taught how to drive by my father and I have a perfectly clean driving record to show for it.

[SeVa-S13]

I started on a 240 with awful tires too, which is why I mentioned it. Some kids will learn the limits quickly (like myself, I do have one ticket in about 4 years of driving though =\) and how to handle the car, but others who maybe watch too much of a certain stupid anime may not be so smart and while I'm all for Darwin paying a visit, I'd rather not have the kid take some people out with him. =\

[BadMojo]

"smog/clear air regulations" - Again we live in that wonderful area where people look around and say "What smog? - Isn't that someone's bar-b-que gettin a lil too active?? or is that Bubba's truck acting up again?"We also got another lead on a 240 - this one is a '96 with a rebuilt motor - my better half says it has been ragged out but they may be able to work on it.

Can't wait to see pictures of what you end up getting. IMO, a 240SX is a decent first driver, as long as your son is reasonably responsible. It may not be quite as forgiving as most front-drivers, but it still understeers fairly predictably while stock (ask me how I know!) and has enough power to be fun, but not enough to make it diifcult to manage for a younger driver.

Sounds like your son and his dad certainly have the chops to resurrect that tired old '96. Besides, if they can keep it running for a while and all goes well with the driving record he can eventually upgrade to a Japanese Market only turbo engine that *may* not be entirely emissions legal. OK, not legal at all.

One thing to watch out for: get a quote on the insurance on the 240SX before you buy. While it's not classified as a "high performance" car, it's certainly not the cheapest vehicle in the world to insure.

And, yeah, the 240SX is cool. Several magazines have said so. It's official.I'm 30 years old and my 240SX is the coolest, most fun car I've ever owned.