Virgin 89' 240 Needs Upgrading

[240TweakerNewbee]

Just got this 89' 240, heard its a good tuner car. Can anyone help me with a shopping list of goodies (Under 5k total), Would love to know what options I have with this car. Ive read about a Silvia Conversion but I don't think California would let me get away with it.

[Oatmealman]

a rb25det have fun with this engine and don't kill yourself

[240TweakerNewbee]

How would my Trans handle it?

[Oatmealman]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...&rd=1'

buy that then have a local shop do the swap and get an axle upgrade while at it,also need a boost controller,fuel pressure regulator,and a big fuel pump to supply that motor, ,you'll be pimping and it will hella fast

[240TweakerNewbee]

Thanks for the info.. heh, that was the same motor I was looking at. Ill find out what a shop would want for the install and the other parts you mentioned. Still curious about California Emissions laws, I don't "know" anyone so getting through all the red tape would be tough Im sure. Know anyone with experience in this area.

[Oatmealman]

mmmmm what i do know is that will not pass california unless it has a stock exausht

[Mixmastamunkh]

stock exhaust for a 240, or stock exhaust for a 240 with an RB25, cause i passed with an aftermarket 3in catback and exhaust system.

[Oatmealman]

really hmmm thats possible but i meant a stock exausht for the rb

[Flipzide]

what the heck!? you cant pass smog period in california with a swapped engine

and to the topic creator, search and you will find what you want (blinkin button top right corner)

[240TweakerNewbee]

Yeah, I didn’t think it was possible to pass smog with a swap (unless it’s the same exact new/rebuilt motor), I have a friend with a corvette that is facing the same problem. I seriously know nothing about the import tuner market; I’ve worked on Mustang, Chevy, and a few other domestics but nothing import. I’ve looked at your site (Flipzide) and gotten a couple of ideas, but I’m always afraid to buy things internet and have them be the wrong part. The motor in this 240 has 263,000 miles on it so it’s ready to blow any day. Low compression, runs kinda rough so I’m looking for a replacement before I buy too many extras (headers, exhaust, ignition, air intake...etc). Any ideas on a solid rebuilt that could get me through the communist California Emissions Crap. Ive gotten quotes from some online places, but may be you know of a better place?

[Flipzide]

well if thats the case, i dont see the problem of swapping for sohc ka24e to dohc ka24de

[Juujai]

if maintenance is taken care of, theres plenty of things you can dosticky tiresgodly brake padscoiloversbucket seat2-way lsdlots of other stuff you can do too. looks, power, handling you decide what you need.

if youre thinking about rbs arent that great though i say itd be better to just get a loan and buy a supra tt or a 300zx tt most people that swap to rbs are more interested in brute force anyway. my opinion though do what you want.

silvia conversion as in the exterior? you can get away with that easily. cops dont even look twice when they see it.

if you swap engines in california, loud exhausts/HIDs/crappy sounding blow off valves are bad indicators to the cops though. you get pulled over for that and they feel happy and pop open your hood, your car is towed. especially after they pull you over and see your car with gauges up the roof, racing seats, roll cage, harness and gutted interior your car is done. if it looks simple you're fine. exhausts, intakes are easy to pass smog just keep your oem stuff in your garage and swap when its time.

if i had 5 grand on me right now. i'd get my car stripped inside out, cleaned, stitch welded, urethane foamed up and paint the car so it looks brand new in/out wonder if 5k is enough.
Modified by Juujai at 1:46 AM 4/14/2005

[240TweakerNewbee]

Well, I spent about $1200 on Ibach Springs, KYB shocks/struts, and some Reaction 17's, with very sticky tires. Then I put an intake kit, and some other normal stuff, oil change, fuel filter, plugs,wires..etc.

Looking tons better though.

I raced a Dodge Daytona (that has a brand new V6) and won by inches, still not bad for a 263,000 mile car.Needs a new engine bad, still could use some help figuring out what motor to go with. Anyone heard anything about how a DOHC KA24DE would work in a 240 that came with a KA24E?I know it came out in 1990, what gets me is Ive seen it listed as having the exact same BPH (162 or something), maybe its just quicker response from having the extra cam, and 4 more valves. But please tell me Im wrong assuming the emissions would be similar. Some of those smog guys don't know a Kia Rio from an RX8, so getting it by one of them on the visual Im not so worried. (I really wish I knew someone )

[240DRFT]

actually the ka24e has 140hp and 152tq while the ka24de has 155 hp and 160tq. i think those are the right numbers, i cant exactly remember. a ka24de isnt that hard to swap in. depending on how much you want to spend you could either go with a ca18det or sr20det. or maybe even a rb.

[Newcastle82]

Hey man,

The KA, modded properly, has more than enough power to supply the demand of a stock 2900 lb s13. If you've already spent 1200 and you're looking to spend another 3800 or so on mods, and specifically want a new engine, I would do this:

Go to a local machine shop; find someone you can trust. Ask them how much it'll cost to rebuild your SOHC KA engine with 10:1 pistons, bigger valve springs, a performance cam and flat valves. While they're doing the rebuild ask for JE Gapless seal rings, they're about 20 bucks a cylinder, but way worth it. Get a 280zx hi-flow oil pump, an upgraded fuel system with new pump, regulator and injectors, and throw that whole setup together with a set of headers. You'll easily be putting over 200 to the wheels, and you'll smoke stock SR's - I've got this setup in my car, and although I haven't dyno'd it yet (next month, woo!), a buddy with an SR-powered s13 loses every time.

Not to talk trash about japanese turbo engines, like the SR20DE-T or the RB25DE-TT, but why spend thousands of dollars on an engine swap in California that will NEVER pass even the visual inspection of emissions when you can get a fresh, re-built KA with high comp. pistons, valves and cams for about 2500? It's legal, it looks stock, it sounds stock (with the right muffler), it passes smog and it's got gobs of power.

Just my opinion =)

[Newcastle82]

Good job on the suspension upgrade and wheels, by the way. It's a good setup.

[240TweakerNewbee]

Thanks for the pointers,Until I move out of California (which may never happen) I need to find a balance between reliability, performance, and street legal. So your idea makes the most sense. I mean if I wanted cheap bruit force horsepower I would buy a 10yo Camaro and throw 400hp in it (I know someone that did it real cheap). But for me I just like the way this car handles, fits me like a glove (I’m pretty tall), and you just can’t beat the reliability of Japanese engines. I want this car to be reliable but also give some of the newer Honda’s, Mitsubishi’s, and domestic wannabe tuners a run for there money.

So do ya know where I can get some of that 280zx stuff and the name of a good machine shop in So Cal. I’m down to make this car all that it can be.

Finding a good machine shop that will accommodate those requests and do a good job is hard to come by around where I live.

[Lt.Mike]

Hey Newcastle, albeit more power = more fuel consumption, how's the fuel economy on your car?

[R240sx]

well, i'd just spend those 3k on a good turbo setup and tuning if possible. look at these numbers

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