Total newb here, but a Silvia lover, and thinking of getting myself one.

[Shin_Kudo]

Hey, guys. I'm new to all of this, and I have some questions, which I'm sure have been asked numerous times.

Anyway, I'm 17, and the Miata I have, which was once my dad's, just isn't cutting it for me. It's too small for me to fit well, and I really don't like convertibles. I've been finging out that due to the work I've done to the Miata, and due to its low mileage, it's worth upwards of six thousand bucks. So, I'm looking for a new car.

Flash back a few years, must have been to 1996. I got a PSX for christmas. One of the games I got was the original Gran Turismo. In that game was a car called the "S13 Silvia". I loved the car, in the game, and I've wanted one ever since. Discovering Drifting, and then seeing Initial D, just reinforced that. In looking for a car, I've discovered what you guys all know, that our 240SX coupe is almost the same car.

It also seems that a lot of people love this car, and I think I'd really like one. I'd like to do the SR20DET swap someday, but I think it may be more expense than I can take, at the moment. I think I'd be better off putting money into things like improving the suspension, brakes, and LSD, and some tuning and upgrading on the stock KA. And, of course, I do have to put that S13 face on.

So, Anyway, I'm here to ask the opinon of the experienced owners and modders, on what mods are more and less important, and about what they'd cost. Also, I do have to mention that it's a long time dream to be a drift driver, so that may affect which mods to do. I'm less interested in making it super powered than I am in making it a safe, stable, and easy machine to learn drifting in.

I should add, BTW, that it seems like there is a good chance that I may become an apprentice under my mechanic, who specializes in performance tuning. So, while it won't pay great, it'll give me a great chance to learn to work on the car, get good deals on parts, and get help if I need it.

So, can you guys help me figure out where I should be putting money and time, and what I should be doing to get the car I want?

[BadMojo]

I think I'd be better off putting money into things like improving the suspension, brakes, and LSD, and some tuning and upgrading on the stock KA. And, of course, I do have to put that S13 face on.

That sounds reasonable. Once you get the car you want (hold out for a good one, don't jump on the first one you see), you'll want to fix anything that's not working. That's a good place to start your mods.

If your suspension is ****, upgrade to some coilovers. If your brakes are done, get some nice new rotors, pads and stainless steel lines.

Take care of any engine maintenance and do a tune-up if necessary.

Once everything is working I'd improve the stuff you mentioned. If I had the money I'd get:

1)An LSD then...2)A *good* set of tires, and new wheels if you want 'em, then...3)Suspension - coilovers, new bushings, sway bars,etc.4)Brakes - new pads, rotors, stainless lines and good fluid

Personally, I'd leave the KA alone and just maintain it. IMO, there isn't much "bang for your buck" with bolt-on engine mods. If you like, you can put a short ram intake and cat-back exhaust on. Don't expect tons of extra power, but at least it'll sound cool.

[Repo Man]

Shin, welcome to NICO! Answers to all of your questions can be found through the "Search" function. This doesn't mean to not ask questions, but there is a TON of info archived on this site.

BadMojo has some excellent suggestions btw.

repo

[MainEvent212]

why is it that you sound like my friend...except he's like 18 or 19 now...lol

[Shin_Kudo]

Thanks, guys.

I did realize that I could find answers by searching, but it would have been a lot of work, and ultimately, I wouldn't have had luck with finding everything.

Also, I think it make sense to make one thread for it, that way, someone else in my situation doesn't have to go searching all over, either.

Mojo, that's about what I thought would be practical. I do see the brakes as being quite high priority. With my drifting interest, I think it's very important to be able to stop if something goes wrong, especially when I get to the point where I'm on the touge. I'll probably also spring for a seat and harness, for safety, and for better stability in the driver seat.

I guess these mods should be possible. Depending on what I sell my car for, and what I pay for the S13, I'll probably have between 4000-5000 left for mods, plus whatever I can make from work.

Hey, MainEvent, maybe I sound like your frend who's two years older because I graduated high school two years early...

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions, and anyone else, please give me your opinions.

[Repo Man]

Be sure to keep an eye on our buy/sell/trade forum for a good car. I've found three nice 240's that way that were actually purchased.

Where are you located?

[Shin_Kudo]

I'm in LA. I was hoping to have some luck here, too, because from what I've seen, the coupes are harder to find, and I don't want a SilEighty.

[ZenKid_S14]

yep, with all these peoples jumpin on the 240 bandwagon, these cars are gettin harder and harder to find. I found myself wanting this and that for my 240, s15 front, sr20, etc, you'll see that once you find that car you're lookin for, might not be the coupe, might be a fastback, might not be whatever, but you'll fall for it, i gotta zenki, wanted a kouki, now would rather buy a kit for the zenki than a kouki conversion.,

[Shin_Kudo]

I wish the coupes weren't so hard to find. I really don't want a hatchback at all.

I would guess that the hatchback is slightly heavier, too, isn't it? More glass. I'd also suppose the 240 nose is heavier than the S13 silvia one, due to the mechanism for the lights.

Oh, BTW, ZenKid, I hate to look like an idiot, but like I said, I'm new to the whole 240 world. What exactly are Zenki and Kouki?

[driftaholic]

roughly,zenki = first time periodkouki = second time period and since there was a middle time period in the S13 line,chuuki = middle time period

for S13, zenki was 89-90, chuuki was 91-94, and kouki was 95-98 (we didn't get any kouki S13s in the us)for S14, zenki was 95-96 and kouki was 97-98

they make these distictions based on changes to the cars, like different engines, bumpers, headlights, and spoilers, etc