240SX novice needs advice on purchase - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

radioclash2k2 · 02-14-2002, 10:08 PM

Howdy.....I've read through the archives of this forum and have found a boatload of great info from previous posts. However, I just wanted to ask a couple of things to make sure what I read was true.

1. In reference to a 93 240sx, they DON'T have timing belts, but have timing chains. That means that there is no set time to replace them (as per 60,000 miles like on a z32) right?

2. About how many miles do the 240's last? I've seen a few around that were up into the 160,000+ range. I just would like to get a good concept of what type of longevity to look for.

3. Can you put 300ZX rims on them without any modifications?

4. What are the most common problems (besides uncomfortable seats:) with the 240sx?

5. For the most part, how do the prices of parts compair with other cars of the same time?

6. I remember getting in a 240SX once and it being a little small. I'm about 6'3"....is there enough room in this car for me?

Thanks a lot for any info that you can provide. I've owned a fleet of old Z's and now wish to update myself by purchasing a 240sx. Luckily I have found one that might be available, but I wanted to get some answers to a few questions before I looked at it.

Thanks again!

*LanceS13* · 02-14-2002, 10:19 PM

1. All 240sx's have timing chains...suggested replacement at 100K.
2. I have 155K+ on mine and it still runs great, especially considering what I put it through (see sig).;)
3. Somebody on here put them on an S14 (forgot who it was)...don't know about S13's--might need a spacer on the front.  *edit--oops, you need another lug <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>...listen to misnomer
4. See #1.
5. Pretty similar from my experience...of course, import parts are always gonna be a little pricier than domestic parts.
6. That's something you'll have to check out yourself. I have plenty of room....but I'm only 5'8" <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>.

(Edited by LanceS13 at 11:40 pm on Feb. 14, 2002)

misnomer · 02-14-2002, 10:34 PM

1. Dunno
2. Change your fluids and do typical upkeep should love you long time.
3. s13 has a four lug setup, Z wheels are five lug (at least z32). s14 (aside from base) have five lugs and will take Z wheels directly. You need a five lug conversion to fit Z wheels on any s13
4. Timing chain in the 89 to 90 models. Haven't seen anything in particular on the DOHC 240s.
5. Dunno
6. Fits me fine, it depends on where you drive comfortably. If you want to sit strait up, your head will be right on the headliner. I sit fairly upright (comparitively speaking), and have a mere 3 or so inches between me and a good bop on the head. I'm 5'10ish for reference.

*sykikchimp* · 02-15-2002, 08:56 AM

I'm 6'3" 205lb's w/ 36" inseam, and I fit fine.  The only thing I wish it had was a telescoping steering wheel.  That would be cool.  Then I wouldn't have to feel like I'm stretching to get to the wheel.  The parking brake stabs me in the leg when I get in the car too.  But none of this is noticeable when your in the twisties, taking the turns

*transient* · 02-15-2002, 10:52 AM

Actually, the timing chain isn't considered a wear item, and has no (factory) reccomended time that it should be changed. It's been known to have problems though. One of the most common is the guides wearing out on older s13's. It's usually reccomended to leave it alone unless you hear chattering which usually means it's going to go, and then have it replaced quickly, because the KA is an interferance type engine, meaning that when the chain goes, the pistons colide with the valves.

as for Q #6, I'm 6'1" with pretty long legs, and I don't have any problem fitting in the car. It took me a few weeks to figure out how to get in and out though <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

HippoSleek · 02-15-2002, 11:12 AM

what they said and
4 - If you get an s14, the seats have ugly upholstery, but they are comfortable and supportive
5 - IMHO, parts are a bit more expensive b/c of a combination of a) limited supply and few made in USA and b) high cost of JDM stuff after importing
6 - The s14 is SMALL.  I'm 6'3"+ and if I could have found one w/o a sunroof I would have been MUCH happier (and had better hair after driving <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>)

twofortysx · 02-15-2002, 11:20 AM

As for the height, I'm 6'1 with a spiky do and I have plenty of room in my s14 with Sunroof.  I too would have liked a telescoping steering wheel though..

thewholefnshow · 02-15-2002, 12:13 PM

I am a freak and when seated I am the equivilent of a 6'4 man... (I got a 29 inch inseem and I am 6 foot) and I just put the seat back and then recline one notch, that is fine (s14) and if I put the seat all the way back (not great cause the wheel is too far and the pedals are hard to press all the way)  my seats aren't bad, just a little hard...

02-14-2002, 10:08 PM	#1
radioclash2k2 Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 1 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Howdy.....I've read through the archives of this forum and have found a boatload of great info from previous posts. However, I just wanted to ask a couple of things to make sure what I read was true. 1. In reference to a 93 240sx, they DON'T have timing belts, but have timing chains. That means that there is no set time to replace them (as per 60,000 miles like on a z32) right? 2. About how many miles do the 240's last? I've seen a few around that were up into the 160,000+ range. I just would like to get a good concept of what type of longevity to look for. 3. Can you put 300ZX rims on them without any modifications? 4. What are the most common problems (besides uncomfortable seats:) with the 240sx? 5. For the most part, how do the prices of parts compair with other cars of the same time? 6. I remember getting in a 240SX once and it being a little small. I'm about 6'3"....is there enough room in this car for me? Thanks a lot for any info that you can provide. I've owned a fleet of old Z's and now wish to update myself by purchasing a 240sx. Luckily I have found one that might be available, but I wanted to get some answers to a few questions before I looked at it. Thanks again!

02-14-2002, 10:19 PM	#2
LanceS13 AutoX Junkie Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: MS Age: 43 Posts: 2,044 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	1. All 240sx's have timing chains...suggested replacement at 100K. 2. I have 155K+ on mine and it still runs great, especially considering what I put it through (see sig).;) 3. Somebody on here put them on an S14 (forgot who it was)...don't know about S13's--might need a spacer on the front.  *edit--oops, you need another lug <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>...listen to misnomer 4. See #1. 5. Pretty similar from my experience...of course, import parts are always gonna be a little pricier than domestic parts. 6. That's something you'll have to check out yourself. I have plenty of room....but I'm only 5'8" <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>. (Edited by LanceS13 at 11:40 pm on Feb. 14, 2002)

02-14-2002, 10:34 PM	#3
misnomer Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 2,293 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	1. Dunno 2. Change your fluids and do typical upkeep should love you long time. 3. s13 has a four lug setup, Z wheels are five lug (at least z32). s14 (aside from base) have five lugs and will take Z wheels directly. You need a five lug conversion to fit Z wheels on any s13 4. Timing chain in the 89 to 90 models. Haven't seen anything in particular on the DOHC 240s. 5. Dunno 6. Fits me fine, it depends on where you drive comfortably. If you want to sit strait up, your head will be right on the headliner. I sit fairly upright (comparitively speaking), and have a mere 3 or so inches between me and a good bop on the head. I'm 5'10ish for reference.

02-15-2002, 08:56 AM	#4
sykikchimp WOW addicted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the moon Age: 44 Posts: 6,525 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'm 6'3" 205lb's w/ 36" inseam, and I fit fine.  The only thing I wish it had was a telescoping steering wheel.  That would be cool.  Then I wouldn't have to feel like I'm stretching to get to the wheel.  The parking brake stabs me in the leg when I get in the car too.  But none of this is noticeable when your in the twisties, taking the turns

02-15-2002, 10:52 AM	#5
transient Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Los Angeles, California Age: 41 Posts: 2,947 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Actually, the timing chain isn't considered a wear item, and has no (factory) reccomended time that it should be changed. It's been known to have problems though. One of the most common is the guides wearing out on older s13's. It's usually reccomended to leave it alone unless you hear chattering which usually means it's going to go, and then have it replaced quickly, because the KA is an interferance type engine, meaning that when the chain goes, the pistons colide with the valves. as for Q #6, I'm 6'1" with pretty long legs, and I don't have any problem fitting in the car. It took me a few weeks to figure out how to get in and out though <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

02-15-2002, 11:12 AM	#6
HippoSleek Nissanaholic! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: elsewhere Posts: 2,081 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	what they said and 4 - If you get an s14, the seats have ugly upholstery, but they are comfortable and supportive 5 - IMHO, parts are a bit more expensive b/c of a combination of a) limited supply and few made in USA and b) high cost of JDM stuff after importing 6 - The s14 is SMALL.  I'm 6'3"+ and if I could have found one w/o a sunroof I would have been MUCH happier (and had better hair after driving <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>)

02-15-2002, 11:20 AM	#7
twofortysx Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 491 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	As for the height, I'm 6'1 with a spiky do and I have plenty of room in my s14 with Sunroof.  I too would have liked a telescoping steering wheel though..

02-15-2002, 12:13 PM	#8
thewholefnshow Zilvia Addict Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 672 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I am a freak and when seated I am the equivilent of a 6'4 man... (I got a 29 inch inseem and I am 6 foot) and I just put the seat back and then recline one notch, that is fine (s14) and if I put the seat all the way back (not great cause the wheel is too far and the pedals are hard to press all the way)  my seats aren't bad, just a little hard...