Which 240sx to buy?

Post by **Gozma** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

I want to get a new car this spring. I pretty much decided on gettin a 240sx and droping a sr20det s13. I am not sure what i should be looking at. What works the best with this engine especially if i play to gradually be putting more and more into it. What year? model? anything imparticular i should be making sure of before i buy it? I dont want to spend more then 3000 on the car itself.

Post by **I H8 UR DSM** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

any car would be fine...its preference, and goals. S14's are a little heavier.

Post by **sr20wannabe** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

i would go for the s13 because it fits the engine much better than the s14. also the s14 may look a little better in stock form but thats nothing a headlight conversion and a kit cant fix. i think lowered s13's with new headlights look way better than the s14. plus the s13 is way cheaper than a s14. so thats my two cents.

Post by **ESCALVANTE** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

Like you, I am torn between which S13 to buy.

I say you should get a '91+ S13. The reason being that it is easier to keep power steering in and for some reason, other parts seem to hook up better. I don't know why it's like this but that's what I have been reading all over the net.

Now, within your (and mine) S13 decision, the Hatchback seems to look IMHO more complete but is heavier than the coupe, albeit more aerodynamic too. Don't believe me? Take a look at the drag numbers/coefficient the Z06 Vette has produced as opposed to the regular hatchback Vette.

I like the S13 coupe/hardtop because it's lighter and the chassis is stiffer/more rigid and I love coupes.

When looking to buy one, if you want more chassis rigidity and less weight, stay away from the Moonroof/sunroof option. But, if you plan on adding a rollbar and like the sun burning your skull, you can always opt for it. Other things to stay away from are the HICAS and ABS options as they were too underdeveloped to serve a worthwhile performance function. [Makes me wonder if the ABS parts from a 300ZX will work on an S13] Besides those couple of things to look out for, look for/avoid the usual: crashed cars, exessive rust, dents, etc.

Good luck finding a good 240 project car.

Post by **I H8 UR DSM** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

ESCALVANTE wrote:Like you, I am torn between which S13 to buy.

I say you should get a '91+ S13. The reason being that it is easier to keep power steering in

eh, thats only because of the lines...if you have a sohc, you need the powersteering line from a dohc 240...or you can just go any normal place, and they can custom make you a hose in like 15 minutes...or you go to nissan or junkyard and get a dohc line, or you can use the sohc line ( idid), its just not the 'best' way, i would just get a custom line made, it wont cost more than like 20 bucks. dont let that make your decision : )

89 coupe w/ 98 sr20det : )

Post by **ESCALVANTE** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

H8 UR DSM: Thanks for clearing that up. But, I still have some questions.

Is that the only real difference/problem when installing an SR20DET in a '89-'90 240? If not, what others will I/we encounter?

TIA.

Post by **Gozma** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

I am also huge into car stereo..... i prefer the look of a hatch back personally but i think it fits 4X6 in the front. I am looking to fit 6 1/2s. Do any hatch backs come with 6 1/2s in the front doors? or has anyone done any custom job to fit them they can tell me about? thanks if not, i will probably go with a coupe for that reason.

Post by **I H8 UR DSM** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

i have 4x6 plates (infinity kappas) in the front, you could custom make some kickpanels or something

Post by **Team503** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

I prefer the lines of the hatch, as do most on the boards, I think. There are those that prefer the coupe, however.

The differences in cD and weight are minimal - I think the coupe is around 75-100lbs lighter. That could be remedied by simply removing the stock front seats and slapping in Sparcos or something similar. A stereo setup would certainly negate that difference.

I have a '92 hatch, if that gives you indication of my preferences. It does not have ABS/Sunroof/LSD (it was a base model, not an SE), but I will be adding an LSD later.

I'll be slapping in a red-top S13 SR20DET - fits better, less junkyard scavenging to retain accessories, and cheapest.

Post by **I H8 UR DSM** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

yep, IMO i dont like the hatches at all...and they are too popular, you see to many of them, i dont like that : )

hatches dont look as good as coupes with the silvia conversion either imo....

i was going to get a hatch also though however for my race car, becaues i think i can strip it lighter, what i mean is i would do a custom fiberglass or carbon fiber hatch, with lexan windows all around (that big sheet of glass ='s the weight difference of the coupe practically)....

but yea, coupes are cooler : P

jesse

Post by **battle D** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

i definantly think coupes are harder to spot and they have better structural rigidity from the factory but the fast back has better front /rear weight balance it comes down to personal preference

Post by **I H8 UR DSM** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

well my 240 coupe with the SR is 51% to 49% power to weight ratio, and might be 50/50 if i put a full tank of gas : D

Post by **SaruDorifto** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

lol good stuff i h8 ur usm and to u 2 battle D yes the structual rigidity of the s13 coupe is better yet the rps13 has better 50/50 weight distribution butt in the end is what u like more the fast back or the coupe?yo i like that yashio factory guy lol its str8 up JDM hahahaha!!!

Post by **I H8 UR DSM** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

hehe, my hero....

Post by **Justice** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

i like the coupes alot more than the hatch. the hatch with silvia conv. just looks off for some reason.

Post by **I H8 UR DSM** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

sil-eighty

Post by **ESCALVANTE** » Thu Oct 17, 2002 3:53 am

I like the Sil-eighty look but I love the coupe's (Silvia's) silohuette (sp?)

I think I will end up picking up a coupe. Matter of fact, I think I will get a coupe with a Silvia 3-projector front-end conversion, gp-sports front bumper, good coil-overs (JIC, Tein, HKS HyperMax II), Whiteline Adjustable Swaybars front and back, 3" JIC Bullet exhuast, 5-Lug conversion, Z32 brake conversion (including MC/Booster), 17" silver CE28s, and Azenis. Suspension first, then looks, and finally the S13 Blacktop.

Yes that is my wish list considering I don't even have an S13 yet but hey, time and finances permitting, it will all come together one day. I just need to get rid of this M Roadster;)

Does anyone like the OneVia look? I didn't at first, but after seening a couple heavely modified and polished examples, they have grown on me.

Which 240sx to buy?

Which 240sx to buy?

'91+ S13 with S13 red or Blacktop

Re: '91+ S13 with S13 red or Blacktop

Thanks for clearing that up!

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