In the market for an S13, questions...

[locski]

Hey all,

I just sold my Integra and am in the market for an 1989-1994 240SX.  I have only had Hondas/Acuras in my life, so this is somewhat unchartered waters for me.  So here goes:

1.  When you lower a 240SX, how do you correct for camber or other sources of excessive tire wear?  I plan on running some Zeal B2s.  On Hondas you would just need a simple camber kit.

2.  What is the smallest size wheel/tire combo I can run if I plan on going with the 300ZX front brake conversion?  On top of that, what is the bolt-pattern/offset that I need to look for when looking for wheels?

3.  I understand there is a desirable differential, a VLSD(?).  Is this a Japan-only option or was it available on US cars?  If it was available in the US, how do I check for it quickly when looking amongst used cars?

4.  What are the people's arguments for/against the coupe vs. the hatchback?

5.  What are the speaker sizes in the front and rear?

6.  When were air-bags first offered?

7.  What are some things specifically to check for when buying a used 240SX?  On Hondas you really only needed to check the axles/CV boots and the timing belt...

Thanks again.  I'm sure I'll come up with some other questions.

Locski

[tnord]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (locski @ July 06 2002,5:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Hey all,

I just sold my Integra and am in the market for an 1989-1994 240SX. I have only had Hondas/Acuras in my life, so this is somewhat unchartered waters for me. So here goes:

1. When you lower a 240SX, how do you correct for camber or other sources of excessive tire wear? I plan on running some Zeal B2s. On Hondas you would just need a simple camber kit.

2. What is the smallest size wheel/tire combo I can run if I plan on going with the 300ZX front brake conversion? On top of that, what is the bolt-pattern/offset that I need to look for when looking for wheels?

3. I understand there is a desirable differential, a VLSD(?). Is this a Japan-only option or was it available on US cars? If it was available in the US, how do I check for it quickly when looking amongst used cars?

4. What are the people's arguments for/against the coupe vs. the hatchback?

5. What are the speaker sizes in the front and rear?

6. When were air-bags first offered?

7. What are some things specifically to check for when buying a used 240SX? On Hondas you really only needed to check the axles/CV boots and the timing belt...

Thanks again. I'm sure I'll come up with some other questions.

Locski</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
1) just as you would anything else. camber plates in the front and control arms in the rear. lobed steering knuckle bolts are also availalbe for the front. i have them but haven't installed yet since the car is in the shop.
2) i know it'll fit under the S14 SE stock wheels, so 16x6.5 +40 offset?
3) check the under the car for the pumpkin at the rear axle's.
4) couple is lighter by about 50lbs, and less common.
5) who cares, speakers don't make you go fast. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>
6) no clue
7) there really aren't any common problems as far as i know, just general stuff. i'm sure there are a couple minor things here and there, but since it's a nissan, it's rediculously overbuilt to begin with.

[AKADriver]

1. There's a decent amount of camber adjustability, stock. &nbsp;If you really need it, you typically use a slotted pillowball upper strut mount. &nbsp;It's available with some of the coilover kits in the market.

2. some 15" wheels will fit, it's mostly the clearance between the caliper and the spokes that you have to worry about, so get the right offset. &nbsp;Bolt pattern is 4x114mm, offset should be 30-35mm.

3. the viscous limited slip (VLSD) was more common in Japan but offered in the US. &nbsp;In the S13, you'll only find it in '91-'93 SE fastbacks as part of a package with SuperHICAS 4 wheel steering and ABS. &nbsp;There will be a sticker on the rear quarter panel on both sides that says "SUPERHICAS", and ABS and HICAS warning lights in the dash. &nbsp;In the S14 the VLSD was available in all models/years as an option, grouped with ABS (but no more SuperHICAS). &nbsp;Again, look for an ABS warning light.

4. the coupe is marginally lighter and stiffer, but I tend to use my hatchback like a pickup truck (you can fit some big stuff in there).

5. someone else will have to answer that...

6. no US-spec S13 ever had air bags of any kind. &nbsp;all US-spec S14s have dual airbags.

7. TIMING CHAIN! &nbsp;The guides wear out and cause an awful rattle/scraping noise that can lead to chain falure. &nbsp;Hatchbacks have rust issues in the hatch area. &nbsp;The front tension control rod bushings wear out, it's not a horribly expensive fix but it makes the car feel 'wobbly'.

[locski]

Thanks for the reply guys.

Another question off the top of my head:

I plan on eventually going with the SR20DET swap, but until then I would like to have an upgraded ignition system before the swap, as I have read that the Nissan ignitions are not as "effective" as say, Honda.

In this case, I would like feedback on the MSD 6A vs. the HKS Twin power set-ups.

Thanks again.

[AKADriver]

These systems can't be used on the SR20DET. &nbsp;It has direct-fire coil-on-plug ignition. &nbsp;It's very effective, you should never need to upgrade it.

[uiuc240]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (locski @ July 06 2002,7:16)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Thanks for the reply guys.

Another question off the top of my head:

I plan on eventually going with the SR20DET swap, but until then I would like to have an upgraded ignition system before the swap, as I have read that the Nissan ignitions are not as "effective" as say, Honda.

In this case, I would like feedback on the MSD 6A vs. the HKS Twin power set-ups.

Thanks again.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
Not true. &nbsp;OEM Nissan ignitions are quite good. &nbsp;The only time they need more juice is when cylinder pressures are considerably higher than stock (i.e. turbo or high compression). &nbsp;Skip that mod. &nbsp;It's money you don't need to spend. &nbsp;Just get a new cap and rotor and some fresh plugs and wires and you're set.

Eric

[MasterOFDrift]

forget about ignition go suspension! and oh yeah question #7 i think the antenna on the 240's are known to fall off break etc. i know mine has &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

[hopeful]

whats that Hicus thing? and dont ppl on this board not want it? and is this the same 240 that is in Canada? im also a nissan newbie and still havent bought my first car, was lookin into a civic 5th gen for about 3 months now


but i realized, they too played out, and i like this whole scene, list some et's up please/.

[s13silady]

Correct me if im wrong but HICAS stands for - High Cast Advanced Suspension(or i think Steering)....but basically its a system that say for instance when you make a right turn you rear wheels turn the opposite.... but then again correct me if im wrong...... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/blush.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':blush:'>

[AKADriver]

HIgh Capacity Actively-controlled Steering.

It's a four wheel steering ststem, a hydraulic ram connected to the power steering system steers the rear wheels. &nbsp;At low speeds it steers them opposite the front wheels, at higher speeds it steers them with the front wheels.

It's called SuperHICAS in the US S13 because it's electronically controlled. &nbsp;There was an all-mechanical system in the R31 Skyline GTS-R just called HICAS, and some early JDM S13s had another all-mechanical version called HICAS-II.

[hopeful]

that doesnt happen to be on the Nissan 240SX SE in Canada does it? i dont think id want that, prolly wont let you drift, whats a s13, s14, and what are the popular swaps that go into this car? ive heard about the SR20DET engine and something else that starts with a K?

[AKADriver]

It was an option in the US and Canada. &nbsp;As for allowing you to drift, its whole purpose at speed is actually to add some slip angle to the rear tires.

S13, 14 are chassis codes for the two generations:
S13 = '89-'94
S14 = '95-'98

The thing that starts with a K is the stock engine - KA24E ('89-'90) or KA24DE ('91-'98).

[hopeful]

im lookin for an s13 &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Wonderin if i should get the SE? and whats the weight of this car? Whats the dif's between the motors?Sorry to be askin such noob ass question...