If you could start with a blank slate...
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 16
From: San Diego
If you could start with a blank slate...
What year / model 240SX would you be most interested in?
Here is what I'm looking for, a track car that can be driven on the street in a pinch (will be a 2nd/3rd car). It will be used for "open" class track racing and Auto-X, not drifting. Obviously it will be a 5spd (or a cheap auto to do the swap on) but I don’t know what year(s) is/are "best" for this sort of thing.
Which year(s) is/are lighter?
Which is better for racing, the fastback or coupe? One would assume the fastback is lighter, but ya never know (they also seem to be much harder to find)
Are there any major engine changes or other "issues" to stay away from?
What would be *YOUR* ideal start car for the above situation?
Id love to hear what you guys have to say, what you would choose and why -
-Kolbe
Here is what I'm looking for, a track car that can be driven on the street in a pinch (will be a 2nd/3rd car). It will be used for "open" class track racing and Auto-X, not drifting. Obviously it will be a 5spd (or a cheap auto to do the swap on) but I don’t know what year(s) is/are "best" for this sort of thing.
Which year(s) is/are lighter?
Which is better for racing, the fastback or coupe? One would assume the fastback is lighter, but ya never know (they also seem to be much harder to find)
Are there any major engine changes or other "issues" to stay away from?
What would be *YOUR* ideal start car for the above situation?
Id love to hear what you guys have to say, what you would choose and why -
-Kolbe
Contributing Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,817
From: NYC
Originally posted by s13 240
the s13 coupe is lighter than the fastback, the glass on the fastbacks hatch weighs a considerable amount.
the s13 coupe is lighter than the fastback, the glass on the fastbacks hatch weighs a considerable amount.
Get any car that is fun for you.
There is no better.
Here is one for you.
If you want to drive it make sure it has a running motor.
A car that has been wrapped around a tree is not good.
A car that is listed as "pretty fast" means it was driven hard.
SOHC is a tad slower than the DOHC. It is more of a the DOHC pulls harder in all gears while the SOHC starts to die after third.
Check the damn TC rod bushings before you start changing calipers if the car pulls to one side.
Do more research use the search button and keep reading.
Just get a 240 and start the ball rolling.
Then you will have a problem. Get to search for an answer and go from there.
Who needs instructions and stuff? Just go do it.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,440
From: Harrisburg, PA
Originally posted by StanBo
Jeez louise people don't keep track of their tire pressures correctly and you think they will notice the difference in weight from a pane of glass?
Get any car that is fun for you.
There is no better.
Here is one for you.
If you want to drive it make sure it has a running motor.
A car that has been wrapped around a tree is not good.
A car that is listed as "pretty fast" means it was driven hard.
SOHC is a tad slower than the DOHC. It is more of a the DOHC pulls harder in all gears while the SOHC starts to die after third.
Check the damn TC rod bushings before you start changing calipers if the car pulls to one side.
Do more research use the search button and keep reading.
Just get a 240 and start the ball rolling.
Then you will have a problem. Get to search for an answer and go from there.
Who needs instructions and stuff? Just go do it.
Jeez louise people don't keep track of their tire pressures correctly and you think they will notice the difference in weight from a pane of glass?
Get any car that is fun for you.
There is no better.
Here is one for you.
If you want to drive it make sure it has a running motor.
A car that has been wrapped around a tree is not good.
A car that is listed as "pretty fast" means it was driven hard.
SOHC is a tad slower than the DOHC. It is more of a the DOHC pulls harder in all gears while the SOHC starts to die after third.
Check the damn TC rod bushings before you start changing calipers if the car pulls to one side.
Do more research use the search button and keep reading.
Just get a 240 and start the ball rolling.
Then you will have a problem. Get to search for an answer and go from there.
Who needs instructions and stuff? Just go do it.
Contributing Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,817
From: NYC
Originally posted by l2aine
s14 is wider but butt-heavy
s14 is wider but butt-heavy
Unless you are super **** and have a butt dyno from heaven.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 16
From: San Diego
StanBo
Thanks... Though very generic and some of it teetering on useless - I did glean a few bits of information from you
Anyway, when I start a project, I want to start with all of the logistics laid in place. And, because I know less than most of you regarding the 240SX, I thought asking a question such as "If you had a blank slate to start with, what would you choose and why?" was a more than reasonable question.
Basically: Instructions - not needed. Advice - MUCH appreciated.
l2aine,
Why did you want to start over with an S13 hatch? This is EXACTLY the type of info I'm looking for. I don't want to think about starting over - at least not for the reason that I bought the wrong canvas.
-Kolbe
Thanks... Though very generic and some of it teetering on useless - I did glean a few bits of information from you
Anyway, when I start a project, I want to start with all of the logistics laid in place. And, because I know less than most of you regarding the 240SX, I thought asking a question such as "If you had a blank slate to start with, what would you choose and why?" was a more than reasonable question.
Basically: Instructions - not needed. Advice - MUCH appreciated.
l2aine,
Why did you want to start over with an S13 hatch? This is EXACTLY the type of info I'm looking for. I don't want to think about starting over - at least not for the reason that I bought the wrong canvas.
-Kolbe
Contributing Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,817
From: NYC
Originally posted by 240ZeN
StanBo
Thanks... Though very generic and some of it teetering on useless - I did glean a few bits of information from you
-Kolbe
StanBo
Thanks... Though very generic and some of it teetering on useless - I did glean a few bits of information from you
-Kolbe
Generic is modeled on the questions you asked. They are often posted so I just spewed what is always stated.
Here are some golden ones:
I can fit 6 16inch wheels in the back of my 240sx hatch with a full rollcage. I can't with a coupe.
I can see into the trunk of a fastback.
But I can't see into a coupe's trunk.
I can see more out of a coupe's rear window as the angle is softer than the fastback's window.
I can make adjustments on my rear shock bias easier with the fastback as there is no metal brace going across the shock towers.
The coupe has a metal brace going across the shock towers which makes it stiffer.
You can't go wrong with any of these chassis.
I thought asking a question such as "If you had a blank slate to start with, what would you choose and why?" was a more than reasonable question.
Suspension problems.
Engine problems.
Chassis problems.
Would get you the results you need.
Contributing Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 6,587
From: Socal, 909/626
well I was just thinking of it (chances are 99.9% I'm NOT gonna switch) but I dunno, here's my personal arguements:
- If I wanted to convert to Silvia front on an S13, it's less than 1/2 the cost of an S15 conversion for my S14.
- I've found that some stuff is cheaper for an S13 compared to an S14 i.e. nice body parts , rear upper arms, etc.
- Related to above, S13's look really rawr with a set of 16's, or at most 17's. Add an inch (and $$) to do the same effect on an S14.
- S13 sleepy eye > S14 Kouki eye (yes, I said it.)
- I figure in general, a heavier car wears parts faster - like brake pads, rotors, tires, bushings, clutches, etc. I don't know if the difference is that significant, but generally speaking lighter cars don't stress components as much as heavier cars
- S13 interior is more "cozy" - and I'm speakin gfrom a performance point here, because personally I prefer driving a car that I feel more "at one" with i.e. the car feels like an extension of yourself when driving hard. It's hard to explain, but use terms like "vehicle feedback" and "weight shift sensitivity" and maybe you'll understand what I mean.
- technically you got 3 engines to choose form if you wanna swap and you're watching the budget, and most of them drop in relatively easy since they came in the car in Japan (sorta same with the S14, but there's only one common S14 SR engine)
- Less $$ to start to get into an S13.
that's all I can think of right now for my +'s... now to be fair, why I like the S14 better:
- 5 lug standard (on the SE model) = lots of wheel options (especially offsets) and you could fit a 10" wide wheel under the back if you really want to
- More space inside means comfort during long hauls (well, for the front passenger and driver only); I'm 5'10" and yeah not the tallest in the world but during regular daily driving bigger and wider means stretching room
- Overall has less road time on it, which is basically the same as saying "it's not as old" so less creaks, less worn parts (not just engine mileage, but the chassis and suspension)
- S14 SR20DET (most powerful of the SRs you see common in S13 or S14 swaps) is almost a drop-in affair compared to putting the same engine into an S13
- NO MOTORIZED SEATBELTS not to be picky but I can't stand those things and I would rather have a car without them, then to have to go through the trouble of buying an extra set of manual belts just to get rid of the "mice"
- Even a stock S14 SE has more of a presence on the road than a stock S13 due to its larger dimensions, wider stance, and larger stock wheels (S13 people, relax - remember this is my opinion LOL)
- even with regular shocks and springs I prefer the more balanced feel of the S14 compared to the S13's I've driven. Your results may vary.
- cupholders. I got 2, standard
So there's 8 for each. Did that help?
- If I wanted to convert to Silvia front on an S13, it's less than 1/2 the cost of an S15 conversion for my S14.
- I've found that some stuff is cheaper for an S13 compared to an S14 i.e. nice body parts , rear upper arms, etc.
- Related to above, S13's look really rawr with a set of 16's, or at most 17's. Add an inch (and $$) to do the same effect on an S14.
- S13 sleepy eye > S14 Kouki eye (yes, I said it.)
- I figure in general, a heavier car wears parts faster - like brake pads, rotors, tires, bushings, clutches, etc. I don't know if the difference is that significant, but generally speaking lighter cars don't stress components as much as heavier cars
- S13 interior is more "cozy" - and I'm speakin gfrom a performance point here, because personally I prefer driving a car that I feel more "at one" with i.e. the car feels like an extension of yourself when driving hard. It's hard to explain, but use terms like "vehicle feedback" and "weight shift sensitivity" and maybe you'll understand what I mean.
- technically you got 3 engines to choose form if you wanna swap and you're watching the budget, and most of them drop in relatively easy since they came in the car in Japan (sorta same with the S14, but there's only one common S14 SR engine)
- Less $$ to start to get into an S13.
that's all I can think of right now for my +'s... now to be fair, why I like the S14 better:
- 5 lug standard (on the SE model) = lots of wheel options (especially offsets) and you could fit a 10" wide wheel under the back if you really want to
- More space inside means comfort during long hauls (well, for the front passenger and driver only); I'm 5'10" and yeah not the tallest in the world but during regular daily driving bigger and wider means stretching room
- Overall has less road time on it, which is basically the same as saying "it's not as old" so less creaks, less worn parts (not just engine mileage, but the chassis and suspension)
- S14 SR20DET (most powerful of the SRs you see common in S13 or S14 swaps) is almost a drop-in affair compared to putting the same engine into an S13
- NO MOTORIZED SEATBELTS not to be picky but I can't stand those things and I would rather have a car without them, then to have to go through the trouble of buying an extra set of manual belts just to get rid of the "mice"
- Even a stock S14 SE has more of a presence on the road than a stock S13 due to its larger dimensions, wider stance, and larger stock wheels (S13 people, relax - remember this is my opinion LOL)
- even with regular shocks and springs I prefer the more balanced feel of the S14 compared to the S13's I've driven. Your results may vary.
- cupholders. I got 2, standard
So there's 8 for each. Did that help?
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 62
From: SACRAMENTO!
Originally posted by l2aine
well I was just thinking of it (chances are 99.9% I'm NOT gonna switch) but I dunno, here's my personal arguements:
- If I wanted to convert to Silvia front on an S13, it's less than 1/2 the cost of an S15 conversion for my S14.
- I've found that some stuff is cheaper for an S13 compared to an S14 i.e. nice body parts , rear upper arms, etc.
- Related to above, S13's look really rawr with a set of 16's, or at most 17's. Add an inch (and $$) to do the same effect on an S14.
- S13 sleepy eye > S14 Kouki eye (yes, I said it.)
- I figure in general, a heavier car wears parts faster - like brake pads, rotors, tires, bushings, clutches, etc. I don't know if the difference is that significant, but generally speaking lighter cars don't stress components as much as heavier cars
- S13 interior is more "cozy" - and I'm speakin gfrom a performance point here, because personally I prefer driving a car that I feel more "at one" with i.e. the car feels like an extension of yourself when driving hard. It's hard to explain, but use terms like "vehicle feedback" and "weight shift sensitivity" and maybe you'll understand what I mean.
- technically you got 3 engines to choose form if you wanna swap and you're watching the budget, and most of them drop in relatively easy since they came in the car in Japan (sorta same with the S14, but there's only one common S14 SR engine)
- Less $$ to start to get into an S13.
that's all I can think of right now for my +'s... now to be fair, why I like the S14 better:
- 5 lug standard (on the SE model) = lots of wheel options (especially offsets) and you could fit a 10" wide wheel under the back if you really want to
- More space inside means comfort during long hauls (well, for the front passenger and driver only); I'm 5'10" and yeah not the tallest in the world but during regular daily driving bigger and wider means stretching room
- Overall has less road time on it, which is basically the same as saying "it's not as old" so less creaks, less worn parts (not just engine mileage, but the chassis and suspension)
- S14 SR20DET (most powerful of the SRs you see common in S13 or S14 swaps) is almost a drop-in affair compared to putting the same engine into an S13
- NO MOTORIZED SEATBELTS not to be picky but I can't stand those things and I would rather have a car without them, then to have to go through the trouble of buying an extra set of manual belts just to get rid of the "mice"
- Even a stock S14 SE has more of a presence on the road than a stock S13 due to its larger dimensions, wider stance, and larger stock wheels (S13 people, relax - remember this is my opinion LOL)
- even with regular shocks and springs I prefer the more balanced feel of the S14 compared to the S13's I've driven. Your results may vary.
- cupholders. I got 2, standard
So there's 8 for each. Did that help?
well I was just thinking of it (chances are 99.9% I'm NOT gonna switch) but I dunno, here's my personal arguements:
- If I wanted to convert to Silvia front on an S13, it's less than 1/2 the cost of an S15 conversion for my S14.
- I've found that some stuff is cheaper for an S13 compared to an S14 i.e. nice body parts , rear upper arms, etc.
- Related to above, S13's look really rawr with a set of 16's, or at most 17's. Add an inch (and $$) to do the same effect on an S14.
- S13 sleepy eye > S14 Kouki eye (yes, I said it.)
- I figure in general, a heavier car wears parts faster - like brake pads, rotors, tires, bushings, clutches, etc. I don't know if the difference is that significant, but generally speaking lighter cars don't stress components as much as heavier cars
- S13 interior is more "cozy" - and I'm speakin gfrom a performance point here, because personally I prefer driving a car that I feel more "at one" with i.e. the car feels like an extension of yourself when driving hard. It's hard to explain, but use terms like "vehicle feedback" and "weight shift sensitivity" and maybe you'll understand what I mean.
- technically you got 3 engines to choose form if you wanna swap and you're watching the budget, and most of them drop in relatively easy since they came in the car in Japan (sorta same with the S14, but there's only one common S14 SR engine)
- Less $$ to start to get into an S13.
that's all I can think of right now for my +'s... now to be fair, why I like the S14 better:
- 5 lug standard (on the SE model) = lots of wheel options (especially offsets) and you could fit a 10" wide wheel under the back if you really want to
- More space inside means comfort during long hauls (well, for the front passenger and driver only); I'm 5'10" and yeah not the tallest in the world but during regular daily driving bigger and wider means stretching room
- Overall has less road time on it, which is basically the same as saying "it's not as old" so less creaks, less worn parts (not just engine mileage, but the chassis and suspension)
- S14 SR20DET (most powerful of the SRs you see common in S13 or S14 swaps) is almost a drop-in affair compared to putting the same engine into an S13
- NO MOTORIZED SEATBELTS not to be picky but I can't stand those things and I would rather have a car without them, then to have to go through the trouble of buying an extra set of manual belts just to get rid of the "mice"
- Even a stock S14 SE has more of a presence on the road than a stock S13 due to its larger dimensions, wider stance, and larger stock wheels (S13 people, relax - remember this is my opinion LOL)
- even with regular shocks and springs I prefer the more balanced feel of the S14 compared to the S13's I've driven. Your results may vary.
- cupholders. I got 2, standard
So there's 8 for each. Did that help?