240sx upgrades?
im thinking about buying a 240sx and i would like to know what performance parts i should get in which order, and what kind of paint job? i am on a minimum wage budget with about 1000 dollars a month, im only in grade ten so my car is all i will be spending my money on, and gas and insurence is basically already taken car of...oh and its a 91 hatchback or fastback i dont know what its officially called
Comments
i love the 240sx and have tried to buy one several times before but just cant seem to find one to my liking around here.
since your in high school i would go as minimum as possible on the performance upgrades. you need a car to get around and shouldnt risk doing things that could increase the chance of it breaking down. that being said i never actuallly followed that advice myselfe.
if the car is a 91 then it should have a ka24de it is an excelent engine that has both high torque (relative to its displacement) and excelent reliability. i would honestly put it on my top 10 list for all time best engines.
now for the recomended upgrades. like i said, since your in hs keep the performance to a minimum. id just do a nice cold air intake and full exhaust (headers, high flow or no catalytic converter, and catback exhaust/muffler). there are a ton of choices in brand but for what your wanting most any of them will do fine. i would look on ebay. do a search for both 240sx and ka24de. i would also throw some high quallity coilover suspension on it and let that thing scrape the ground, its not very practical but 240s look good low. some nice tasteful wheels will also do a 240 a world of good in both looks and performance/handling.
after you feel more comftorable with the upgrades and feel like you could do without your car (meaning you have another mode of transportation) i would suggest either turboing the ka or putting a sr20det out of a japanese car in.
i tried to give you some general information, if i had more time i could give you some more specific information but this should give you a good start.
for paint iva always been a fan of the maroon color with a little metal flake in it, or a really high gloss black.
As fun as it is to go for the power first this is a bad move. This car has potential...you already know that...but it is old. Please start with basic maintance. ALL new fluids, oil, coolant, trans, dif, and brake fluid. Get a new set of plugs and wires, NGK for both...no need for iridiums, or even platnium. There are guys with turbo KA's making 400hp running $2.00 spark plugs. Make sure its got some brake pad left. Move on to the suspension.
Starting with the basics will get you used to the car and make sure you are starting with a strong base.
Once again, as tempting as it is start with the basics. It is not much money and it will help.
If you are going to end up turbo then there is no reason to buy an intake or a header. You will just have to throw it away or try to sell it when you get the turbo kit. It is all about the suspension, dif, and clutch. There are guys drifting these things bone stock. There are guys autoxing with just minor suspension upgrades.
I would do paint last. If you are working on the car a lot you will end up scratching it or dropping something on the fender while working on it.
I think you already know but check out www.KA-T.org ....look for a guy named katinlv...thats me
i would go with basic tune up and after market header intake exhaust combo. after you saved enough money you can buy a engine swap for it you can try a sr20 engine or a rb25det from a skyline both will fit is a matter of modification to make it fit. the sr20 will be cheaper to install then the rb25 though