I have a '95 240sx that's drivable, but it's not in the greatest shape. I've been wanting to spend some money on it for a while, but two things hold me back:

Lots of Rust

Baseball-sized chunk on the trunk lid, a bunch around the rear wheel arches, and all along the rocker panels and some along the driver's side rear-quarter window where the weather sealing is coming off.

The only rust I would worry about fixing is the wheel arches and driver's side window area. Replacing the trunk lid will probably be way cheaper than fixing the rust. I'd get side-skirts to hide the rust along the quarter panels.

Definitely could use a paint job.

High Mileage

It's got 195,000 km (120,000 miles). The drivetrain is in pretty good shape, the VLSD still works and the clutch is still holding (no idea if it's ever been replaced). It definitely needs new suspension all around and subframe collars in the back.

After all that, of course, I want this thing to be quicker. Let's admit it, the stock KA is not exactly powerful But, could I really slap on a turbo or something without expecting it to blow up?

And, ultimately, is it worthwhile spending all the time and money on this car or should I dump it and find something else?

 

not worth it. repairing that rust would cost more then the car it self just find another chassis i bought a clean pearl white s14 with a blown KA for $1000

 

Thanks, that's kind of what I figured.

I calculated that I'd probably spend about $5k before even touching the engine, and then probably another $5k actually getting some decent power from it without blowing it up.

s-chassis are kinda hard to find in this area, much less in great shape. I may end up looking for something else entirely.

 

you can turbo the KA and make around 200whp for less then $1000 check out KA-t.org

 

Yeah, but with almost 200 km? Surely, that would need some internal reworking before turbocharging if I don't want to give me trouble.

 

just buy another KA if it worries you so much they are so cheap i sold my 84K mile KA with the 5speed tranny, fidenza light weight flywheel and an ACT clutch for $300

dosnt take much to swap out a motor on a 240 all you need is a cherry picker i got mine from pepboys for $50 and some hand tools, i can pull a KA in about an hour