I have a '89 240SX Fastback, 5 Speed, 188000 miles on car with overheating engine. Rebuild? Swap? Try to fix? This will be my daughter's car. Don't need a hot rod, don't want to do constant maintaince. Looking for ideas.

 

swap in another ka with lesser mileage for a pretty decent price. thats what i'd do if you werent looking for performance

 

Is it really the engine that is overheating or your whole coolant system? I'd check the fluid levels before doing anything else, if they are good then I would make sure your engine fan is spinning when the car is turned on.....sometimes the belts snap and if the fan isn't spinning then the water pump is not working either which can cause over heating. If the fan is not spinning, it is also not pulling any cooling power through the radiator.

If both of those things are in check and the engine is still overheating, I would take it to a licensed mechanic and ask him to take a look. Don't go wasting money on a new engine if the repair is very minimal. You may just need a new water pump or fan clutch....

Night

 

Thanks for the replies, the engine is losing water somewhere (head gasket or timing chain has worn hole in the back of the water pump housing). With 188000 miles, I thinking it's time for a new (used) engine. What engines would swap in with no modifications?

 

Another KA will swap in without modifications. Same engine, same deal lol. The SR is the next step up requiring wiring harness modifications and the RB is next up from there. I don't think your daughter needs the power of the RB, but the SR would probably do great for her if you are looking for the minimal amount of mods in a swap.

Night

 

If it is going to be for your daughter then I would just swap in another KA unless you have the money and she can drive and also loves fixing up cars, then you might want to look into buying an SR.......but the KA is going to be allot more cheaper alternative, you could probley pick one up for around $500+ shipping.

 

How about doing a V8 conversion? (305ci or 350ci) Chevy's are everyware they run forever, and require very little maintenance

The price is pretty reasonable to do a V8 conversion also.

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is that forreal? what kind of times do u get for that thing?

 

Check www.car-part.com and look for a replacement engine from a 1989-1990 240SX. That is really the only painless swap.

Even going to the DOHC KA will involve some adjusting to the wiring harness and the power steering lines and tachometer.

I wouldn't be surprised if you can find another KA24E for less than $500.

Swapping in an SR involves a little more wiring hassle than the KA24DE and still needs the ps mods and the tach. Add to that it's not legal (but will slip by in all but a couple of states) and will probably be a little more engine than you want under your daughter's right foot. Oh, and the prices also start around $2000.

For a painless swap the only real choice is the KA24E.... of course, you may be able to find another 1989-1990 SOHC S13 for ~$1000.

-Justin