Quick Help Guys...

[ArmyZ]

Hey guys,

I hate to do this cuz i know it's such a newb move but... i've been searching the forums for information on buying a 240... but i can't find anything. I even searched for a FAQ. nothin...

I own a 300zx, and i'm thinking of picking up a 240sx as a daily driver to save on gas when i get back from Iraq. (or thats' teh story i gave the wife anyway).

If you guys could hook me up i'd really appreciate it. What i'm looking for is a FAQ if there's a good one... and a "what to look for" kind of thing about buyin a 240. Also a timeline of the different body styles and the pros-cons of each type.

Thanks for your time guys.

-ArmyZ_Serving Proudly - OIF3_

[Juujai]

89-90s come in coupe/hatchback(similar to the z) comes with sohc ka24e. front bumper looks like a pig and says nissan on it.

91-93 comes in coupe/hatchback nearly identical in the exterior besides the newer bumper. comes with a dohc motor ka24de.

coupes are roughly 50lbs lighter and a little more rigid in the rear because of the pillar. but the chassis/frame and most of the car is identical besides the back.

95-96 known as s14s/zenkis and 97-98 known as koukis come with side skirts and a different front end and different taillights. depending what you want to do with it if you would like a bigger selection of wheels i'd go for the se model with 5 lug.

most 240s are pretty much similar rear wheel drive etc its all there. it depends onyour personal preference which body design you prefer. some came with lsd hicas abs but that didn't matter to me too much i took it all out/replaced anyway.

[ArmyZ]

Was there not a 94? lol

Did they get heavier as they progressed? For instance are the 95-98's heavier than the previous models?

I am pretty sure i like the look of the coupe body style the most. Now i'm just trying to narrow it down to the year model.

[ArmyZ]

Is the SR20DET swap pretty much the way to go or have there been pretty impressive things done with the KA24de?T?

Also in order to give back to the community... i'll hit up a write-up on all this after i've done all my research to show my thanks. Mod's can sticky it if they deem it worthy

[Juujai]

oh forgot 94s are convertibles those are heavy but if you like drop tops it might be for you. ya 89-93 coupes are the lightest i believe about 2700lbs. hatches should be about ~50lbs heavier and 95-98s should be the heaviest i can't remember off the top of my head 2800lbs+ or so.

some crazy people have hit over 600hp/tq figures with the ka24det

the typical choices are ca18det, rb20det, rb25det, rb26dett and sr20det. some people do some insane swaps like 13brew, f20, ls1, 350, vg30 etc... you can check out each engine specific forum to pick your choice.

[ArcherV20]

Depending on the condition of your engine is the question I'd ask before swapping. With low KM's on my engine and the internals looking pretty good, I'm going to stick with the KA and turbo it, whereas if someone has an 240 with a lot of mileage and some problems in the past with compression etc. it may be wiser to throw out the problems all together and start fresh.

[ArmyZ]

Well i'm pretty well decided that i want the lightest vehicle possible... and the dual overhead cam engine... so 91-93 coupe is what i'm looking at.

Guys got any more for me?

How about some "things to look out for when buying a 240sx."
Modified by ArmyZ at 7:22 PM 9/17/2005

[ArmyZ]

*bump* help me out here guys. It'll do the community a service as well.

[Juujai]

i think if you're looking for the lightest weight car the 240 isnt exactly for you. the 240 is more of a balance of lightweight,reliability, cheap cost, rear wheel drive, some what sporty. but buy whatever you want.

i prefer the hatchback over any other model i have 3 in my backyard right now....

a lot of people prefer the s14 kouki because of the front end and others like the zenki because they claim the body lines match up better.

things to look out for. um "most s13s" have ripped up drivers seats, the turning signal thing next to the steering wheel is usually faded, check engine light plays peekaboo, timing chain guide causes a rattle it ticks (not a big problem though) , moonroofs are no good if you're looking for weight savings and body rigidy/head clearance (they also make noises after driving speeds past about 40mph)

other than that i can't think of much wrong with the 240 just little things. then do the usual check when buying any car.

[One_Love]

hey i got 92 hb with only 60k miles, perfect body

[BadMojo]

things to look out for. um "most s13s" have ripped up drivers seats, the turning signal thing next to the steering wheel is usually faded, check engine light plays peekaboo, timing chain guide causes a rattle it ticks (not a big problem though) , moonroofs are no good if you're looking for weight savings and body rigidy/head clearance (they also make noises after driving speeds past about 40mph

Other than usual "old car stuff" and visible wear and tear, look out for rust on the trunk lid if the car has the OE spoiler. That thing seems to inevitably lead to rust.

Listen for a hollow tapping sound near the front of the engine under the valve cover. This is most likely the all too common timing chain noise. It's usually not a big deal, but any problems in the lower timing chain could result in bad, bad things since the KA24DE engine is an interference design.

Front crank seals tend to leak, so look for messy, oily engines.

Other than that, the car is fairly sturdy. My 2nd gear synchro gets a bit grumpy in cold weather, but for a 12 year old car it's in pretty good condition ('93 Fastback).

[ArmyZ]

how much did you pay for that?

[One_Love]

5

how much did you pay for that?

5300

[One_Love]

you can call me at 814 836 1272 if you wanna talk right now

[ArmyZ]

ummm... nooo... that's okay.. lol You probably shoudln't just post your number like that either...

that was a little weird anyway lol no offense.

I'm in Iraq as well so i can't just pick up the celly... Not really a reason i can think of to call you tho thanks for the info

[One_Love]

ohh @#$% my bad i didnt read your previous posts and i didnt know you were in iraq, lolz

[xckid]

Was there not a 94? lol

.

Thats funny he forgot the 94 . Some one should have said they were outkast. kinda like in the simpsons episodes were bart finds his evil or crazy twin brother. no Body says anything about him. Thats the 94.

[ArmyZ]

the KA24DE engine is an interference design.

what does that mean exactly?

[s13satch]

what does that mean exactly?

That means that if the cam timing gets off to much, or if the timing chain breaks, the valves will hit the pistons. Some cars the valves will no hit b/c of the piston design, valve opening, and/or combustion camber design.

[ArmyZ]

What should i expect to pay for a 91-93 in good shape. Clean car low miles (say... 10-12k/yr)?

[Kenrik]

What should i expect to pay for a 91-93 in good shape. Clean car low miles (say... 10-12k/yr)?

Depends where you live i'm from Florida Land of the Shiny cars and they go for 1-3k here in good condition

[TheOne]

1-3k sounds about right, 1 of my friends bought 2 under $3k, 1 with a 95 engine and another vert with less than 120k miles.(cept he crashed the vert and it would costs $3.8k to fix,lol).

i bought mine for $1000, i replaced the engine later on though.

[ArmyZ]

1-3k... what a range. Good condition is... sound body, few minor defects in paint, runs strong, low miles (130k miles or less). No major mechanical problems.

[Kenrik]

Well you have to understand why it's 1-3... someone who knows what they have will sell it for 3k and a old granny who bought it in 93-93 might let it go for uber cheap in uber great condition... Dam why am I saying uber so much?

[240DRFT]

Thats funny he forgot the 94 . Some one should have said they were outkast. kinda like in the simpsons episodes were bart finds his evil or crazy twin brother. no Body says anything about him. Thats the 94.

thats what we should tell people from now on lol...94? what r u talking about

since u want the lightest 91-93, try to get a coupe thats a base model. plus it wont have a spoiler or sunroof to leak or rust.

[ArmyZ]

Yeah i def. dont want a rustsponge or sprinkler system.. and that's what my buddy kyle's 240 is dealin out... damn spoiler and sunroof

[ArmyZ]

alright guys ... thanks for the help... when i get everything collected i'll hit up a Newbie FAQ write up and you guys can throw in some crap on here that gets asked alot if you want.

How about stuff like... What kind of fluids do you use?crap like that... later