what would you do with 5,000 dollars?

[x240xdrifter]

ok so I have a 89' 240sx (stock) with a 5,000 dollar budget to spend on it, my goal is a ca18det, which would cost 1400 shipped so I actually have a 3600 dollars to spend on my car. I need everything from rims to suspenison to guages to engine etc. so I ask you what would you do with it?, I need help planning out parts and getting a parts sheet. any suggestions would be awesome, thanks guys!

[r34 gtr]

get it running well. youll probably be broke when you are done. consider rebuilding the engine, intercooler, piping, bov, exhaust, etc. and youll be getting up there. you might be able to pull off some shocks and springs too.

[c-rad]

lol, I am with him ^^^^^^^^^

It adds up QUICK. By the time you finish all the regular maintenance expect to be close to another $1k in the hole. So with $2600 to spend, you still need an exhaust (downpipe+catback), fuel pump, intercooler kit, blow off valve, clutch, gauges etc. You might be able to squeeze out those things. Depends on if you go for cheap parts or jdm tyte parts.

[boost_boy]

ok so I have a 89' 240sx (stock) with a 5,000 dollar budget to spend on it, my goal is a ca18det, which would cost 1400 shipped so I actually have a 3600 dollars to spend on my car. I need everything from rims to suspenison to guages to engine etc. so I ask you what would you do with it?, I need help planning out parts and getting a parts sheet. any suggestions would be awesome, thanks guys!

Build your car's performance and work around it. The performance of these engines are so worth bragging about, but enthusiasts need to be clear with themselves as to what they want out of their car/engine and most importantly mind their budgets.

With $5000, I can build you a pretty powerful CA18DET powered 240, but that's only if you're interested in paying someone to do it. If you decide o do it yourself, start with the mechanics, then the electrics, and then go for the customization of the body and suspension. Just my $.02.....Gotta go as I'm in a computer class and I need to pay attention .

Dee

[themadscientist]

rebuilt engine and some kind of standalone. The little things will add up quick.

[bias]

I agree with everyone. I thought things would be cheaper but once I started I got ahead of myself and out of budget. First you need to do a major inspection to the car and see what needs to be replaced. Any parts that will be removed you can sell them and get a little more money back in the pot. Take your time finding parts. Check this forum classifieds and ebay. Jhot is a great place for used parts. They have just about everything at some point.

[dattodude]

I'd spend it on good food and easy women... who liked CA18s (just to keep it on topic)

[240sxbobbis]

lol im with them rebuild it first have it in mint condition then get food after your done , then go get easy women when the car is faster but i will rebuild it

[davidricardo86]

ok so I have a 89' 240sx (stock) with a 5,000 dollar budget to spend on it, my goal is a ca18det, which would cost 1400 shipped so I actually have a 3600 dollars to spend on my car. I need everything from rims to suspenison to guages to engine etc. so I ask you what would you do with it?, I need help planning out parts and getting a parts sheet. any suggestions would be awesome, thanks guys!

Well it depends on what you want to do with it and what youre trying to get out of the car. What you are saying here is a little "vague" or generic. $3600 dollars can be easily spent on all kinds of parts. I would start by getting a set of sport tires, wheels, adj. coilovers, LSD, and better brake pads. With these parts you can have lots of fun with your car even with the sohc ka assuming that everything else on the car is working properly.

I would buy the ca on the side and rebuilt it on your spare time. Learn the engine, be the engine. You dont have to set the bar so high because if you do and you miss, you'll feel bad that you did. Start with a plain and simple rebuild. Change seals, gaskets, rubber hoses, water pump, oil pump, and so on. Have the block checked, machined, honed, decked, new rings, and if possible new forged pistons etc. etc. Next make sure the head is straight or milled if using a MLS headgasket, 3 anlge valve job, and replace any other small valvetrain part that is out of spec. Last thing id make sure is ok would be the turbo. Get a new one or have it rebuilt. The list goes on into clutches, flywheels, etc. With the things i mentioned it'll add up quick. Try and decide what you really want or what youre trying to do with the car. Be realistic, use common sense, research, study, and plan ahead. Goodluck!

[r34 gtr]

make sure you get that head/block mating surface machined flat if you open it up. i didnt and im still paying for it with slightly low compression in my #4 cyl. and a really annoying oil leak from the back of the head.

[240fstbak]

what you should really do is buy a sr20 or rebuild the ka and go ka-t

[float_6969]

Wow, thanks for that awesome input in the CA forum...

[Acecool]

KAT, College, Maintenance...

[missionsix43]

I could build the CA I wanted for $5000

But id still need a manifold, turbo, engine management, injectors, FPR, fuel pump, clutch etc etc etc

[x240xdrifter]

first off my mind is made up, I am getting a ca. cause its a workhorse and cheaper. 2, I forgot to mention I have a 3" hks hi-power exhaust, so I can save some cash from that. I also have R34 gtr tie rods to put on...or sell. 3 I am not going KA-t because I am rocking a tired, old sohc that has no intention of being T'd. I need tires and rims because I have bald tires to the steel belt and my rims are really screwed up (and stock) haha, I have tein -techs but I would really like to upgrade to the K-sport Coilovers, so basically here is a list of things I want and hopefully I can get them for all 5 grand:

-Ca18det-fmic kit with piping-blow off valve-turbo timer/boost controller(manual if cheaper) and all proper gauges-maintence things i.e. water pump/ timing belt etc.-T28 turbo-walboro Fuel pump-adj. FPR-new clutch (maybe new flywheel)-cheap decent rims with decent tires-k-sport coilovers(and camber kit)-piggyback system-full brake refresh i.e. new rotors/pads from autozone-front and rear sway bars-front and rear strut tower bars-dohc cluster-dohc powersteering lines and resevior

so thats a list of things I need, please feel free add more, for I am still learning. If I have any extra I would like to get-side skirts/ rear valance-bushing kit-oil catch can-oil filter relocation kit-short shifter

[boost_boy]

The most important thing is to get an engine that you don't have to open-up immediately, so that you can spend money in other places. Because of the age of most of these cars, you already know the suspension components are a must. I really don't think some of you understand what $5000 can get you; and I'm not talking about rims, tires and silly little rice boy stuff either. But hey, after 11 years of playing with the CA, what in the hell do I know .

Dee

[x240xdrifter]

so does my list sound good boost boy?

[boost_boy]

so does my list sound good boost boy?

Sounds good to me, champ!

Dee