So I am trying to get rid of my 1985 BMW 735i and buy a more reliable and economical car for college. I was looking at all sorts of cars and found that I really want a 240sx. I went and test drove a 1990 Fastback model which has the 12V SOHC engine, and the guy said the 16V didnt have noticably better acceleration. The 12V felt pretty quick bone stock already.

Before I buy my 240sx, I have some questions:

Is getting the 16V DOHC engine much faster than the SOHC? Do you have to put primuim gas in the 16V engine?

Which engine has more potential in modding? Which one is easier to find parts for?

What should I look for when buying a 240SX?

Whats an S13 and S14? What are the engine codes for the stock SOHC and DOHC engines?

Anything else I should know about 240SXs other than that they are really sick cars?

Thanks a lot for everyones help in advance!

 

From 89'-90' the 240sx's had the Ka24e Sohc and it had 140hp. From 91'-98' they had the Ka24de Dohc that gave 155hp. In 1995 they did change the engine slightly. They put a different head on it and tuned down the cams a bit, and put a different alternator on it. In 1996, they changed some emissions equipment and made the engine OBD-II compliant. That means, they changed a lot of the sensors and MORE vacuum lines.
A S13 & S14 refurs to the chasse, or late model Silvias. Hope this helps.

 

How noticable is the difference in acceleration between the 12valve SOHC engine compared to the 16valve DOHC engine??

Was the guy selling the 12valve SOHC car just trying to get me to buy it by saying theres no noticable difference in the engines?

 

Im not too sue because i have not had the chance to test the both. But i would look it up and compair specs, 0-60, an 1/4mile.
(140~or155)

 

There's a difference in torque in both engines too. The DOHC has about 10 more lb-ft of torque. Here! Go to these links. They'll help you out on answering you other questions.
http://www.club240.com/forums/showth...2&pagenumber=1
http://www.club240.com/forums/showth...7&pagenumber=2

Check my post on the engines and chasiss codes.

 

The de is the best imo.