Shopping for a project car (89-93) - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

mbmbmb23 · 11-03-2001, 06:51 PM

Im looking to start a project car and I'm looking at the 89-93 model years (coupe or hatch).  Im looking to spend around $1500.  Im also looking to swap in an SR, S13 font end conversion, etc...

What I need to know is what to look for when finding a suitable project car to purchase.  Obviously a nice interior and exterior is key, but what am I missing?  What are some of the common problems that happen with this particular car over time?  Does the frame or trunk rust out?  Where is the first place rust usually shows up?   Does the suspension go bad?  

Basically, what are the "tell tale" areas that I should comb over when inspecting a potential purchase?

thoughts please,

M    

Kid Zelda · 11-03-2001, 07:08 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from mbmbmb23 on 6:51 pm on Nov. 3, 2001
Im looking to start a project car and I'm looking at the 89-93 model years (coupe or hatch). Im looking to spend around $1500. Im also looking to swap in an SR, S13 font end conversion, etc...

What I need to know is what to look for when finding a suitable project car to purchase. Obviously a nice interior and exterior is key, but what am I missing? What are some of the common problems that happen with this particular car over time? Does the frame or trunk rust out? Where is the first place rust usually shows up? Does the suspension go bad?

Basically, what are the "tell tale" areas that I should comb over when inspecting a potential purchase?

thoughts please,

M </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>

Do you mean you have 15,000? or did I read right when you said "1500"?

Since you are going to be doing a SR swap, then get a 91-94 240sx, will save you some trouble and time when doing the swap.

If you get a 240 with the deck spolier, you'll get rust under that, other then that...who knows.....you would just have to check out the car itself for it.

After time, all the suspenison will go bad, but one thing most people don't replace is the T/C rod bushing, so I would say, replace that for sure.

And always run a carfax report on the car......that will tell you a lot also.

mbmbmb23 · 11-03-2001, 07:21 PM

Yeah......you read right $1,500.00-$2,000.00
Thats not what I plan on spending total...but rather a high mileage shell to get started with.  

Go with the 91-94 huh?  Whats makes the 89-90 a hassle with the swap (just wondering)?  The 94 is convertible only....correct?

thanks,

M

*transient* · 11-04-2001, 10:58 AM

Well the 89-90 has a front bumper that most people don't like, but a few of us out there love it. That might be part of it. As far as complications with the swap, i've heard it's a little more difficult, but I don't know whether that justifies forgetting about the 89-90's Those are the ones you'll be able to get the best deal on.

alchemist · 11-04-2001, 05:07 PM

honestly you could look for some  high milage or flood damaged ones.  If you're going to do the swap the electronics wouldnt matter since you'll be using the JDM parts.  Just a thought

Kid Zelda · 11-04-2001, 05:29 PM

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from mbmbmb23 on 7:21 pm on Nov. 3, 2001
Yeah......you read right $1,500.00-$2,000.00
Thats not what I plan on spending total...but rather a high mileage shell to get started with.

Go with the 91-94 huh? Whats makes the 89-90 a hassle with the swap (just wondering)? The 94 is convertible only....correct?

thanks,

M
</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
The only thing that makes the 89-90 a hassle is that you are going to have to relocate the power steering reservoir, which is not a problem, the problem with it--is that you are going to have to get new power steering lines made. You'll need a 91 gaugae cluster.

But if you get a really good deal on a 89-90, then go fir it, the problems are not too bad for the money you save on 89-90 compared to 91-94.

Yup, 94 is conv'

(Edited by Kid Zelda at 5:31 pm on Nov. 4, 2001)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-03-2001, 06:51 PM	#1
mbmbmb23 Zilvia Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC. Posts: 1,776 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: mbmbmb23 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Im looking to start a project car and I'm looking at the 89-93 model years (coupe or hatch).  Im looking to spend around $1500.  Im also looking to swap in an SR, S13 font end conversion, etc... What I need to know is what to look for when finding a suitable project car to purchase.  Obviously a nice interior and exterior is key, but what am I missing?  What are some of the common problems that happen with this particular car over time?  Does the frame or trunk rust out?  Where is the first place rust usually shows up?   Does the suspension go bad?   Basically, what are the "tell tale" areas that I should comb over when inspecting a potential purchase? thoughts please, M

11-03-2001, 07:08 PM	#2
Kid Zelda BANNED Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 2,347 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from mbmbmb23 on 6:51 pm on Nov. 3, 2001 Im looking to start a project car and I'm looking at the 89-93 model years (coupe or hatch). Im looking to spend around $1500. Im also looking to swap in an SR, S13 font end conversion, etc... What I need to know is what to look for when finding a suitable project car to purchase. Obviously a nice interior and exterior is key, but what am I missing? What are some of the common problems that happen with this particular car over time? Does the frame or trunk rust out? Where is the first place rust usually shows up? Does the suspension go bad? Basically, what are the "tell tale" areas that I should comb over when inspecting a potential purchase? thoughts please, M </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> Do you mean you have 15,000? or did I read right when you said "1500"? Since you are going to be doing a SR swap, then get a 91-94 240sx, will save you some trouble and time when doing the swap. If you get a 240 with the deck spolier, you'll get rust under that, other then that...who knows.....you would just have to check out the car itself for it. After time, all the suspenison will go bad, but one thing most people don't replace is the T/C rod bushing, so I would say, replace that for sure. And always run a carfax report on the car......that will tell you a lot also.

11-03-2001, 07:21 PM	#3
mbmbmb23 Zilvia Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC. Posts: 1,776 Trader Rating: (1) Rides Gallery: mbmbmb23 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Yeah......you read right $1,500.00-$2,000.00 Thats not what I plan on spending total...but rather a high mileage shell to get started with.   Go with the 91-94 huh?  Whats makes the 89-90 a hassle with the swap (just wondering)?  The 94 is convertible only....correct? thanks, M

11-04-2001, 10:58 AM	#4
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 41 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Well the 89-90 has a front bumper that most people don't like, but a few of us out there love it. That might be part of it. As far as complications with the swap, i've heard it's a little more difficult, but I don't know whether that justifies forgetting about the 89-90's Those are the ones you'll be able to get the best deal on.

11-04-2001, 05:07 PM	#5
alchemist Zilvia Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 192 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	honestly you could look for some  high milage or flood damaged ones.  If you're going to do the swap the electronics wouldnt matter since you'll be using the JDM parts.  Just a thought

11-04-2001, 05:29 PM	#6
Kid Zelda BANNED Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 2,347 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from mbmbmb23 on 7:21 pm on Nov. 3, 2001 Yeah......you read right $1,500.00-$2,000.00 Thats not what I plan on spending total...but rather a high mileage shell to get started with. Go with the 91-94 huh? Whats makes the 89-90 a hassle with the swap (just wondering)? The 94 is convertible only....correct? thanks, M </td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'> The only thing that makes the 89-90 a hassle is that you are going to have to relocate the power steering reservoir, which is not a problem, the problem with it--is that you are going to have to get new power steering lines made. You'll need a 91 gaugae cluster. But if you get a really good deal on a 89-90, then go fir it, the problems are not too bad for the money you save on 89-90 compared to 91-94. Yup, 94 is conv' (Edited by Kid Zelda at 5:31 pm on Nov. 4, 2001)