which 89-93 240sx should i get? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

basemies · 04-10-2002, 02:31 PM

i have narrowed down the car i'm going to buy in a few months to either the s13 coupe or 180sx fastback variation of the 240sx.  someday, i'd like to drop an sr20det into the car i am buying.  i'll list some specific questions.

1. is there any real difference in the body styles except for looks?  i've only driven the fastback, and i was wondering if the coupe had any advantages.

2. which years have more aftermarket parts, 89-90, or 91-93?

3. which models have super hicas and abs?  i want to avoid this.  not because of sport compact car either, i don't like the unpredictability of 4ws, and i dislike abs.

4. which years are easier to swap an sr20det into?

5. do any years have specific problems i should take into consideration when choosing a car?

KiNG · 04-10-2002, 09:06 PM

1. supposedly, the coupe is more rigid frame wise, while the hatchback has a better weight ratio. i dont think it's too noticeable though.

2. i would imagine all of the years can use the same parts, or atleast almost all the same parts, so they should all have a pretty good amount of aftermarket parts. what would it matter if ur swapping in an SR anyhow though?

3. all canadian cars had super hicas and abs to my knowledge... dunno what else for sure.

4. i hear from a few ppl that it's easier to swap the SR into a car that previously had a twincam/dohc engine.

5. dont know of any specific problems, but the 91 and 92 had better exhaust cams i think. 89 and 90 has SOHC engines while 91-93 had DOHC(twincam).

SR20Fastback · 04-10-2002, 09:44 PM

Yeah, that pretty much somes it up. I've heard that the 89-90 240s had more trouble swapping the SR20, mostly just hard to keep a/c or power steering....

whateverjames · 04-10-2002, 10:09 PM

as a 1990 SOHC hatchback owner, i'd say buy a 1991 5 speed hatch! they're easier to find, if you want a turbo kit, they're easier to find, and if you do an SR swap, you can use the power steering lines and your current tach and speedometer. you can't lose with a 91-93.

*sykikchimp* · 04-10-2002, 10:13 PM

ABS and HICAS Were not packaged together on the S13.  ABS was a seperate option.  HICAS and LSD came packaged together though.  Although I believe there are VERY rare occasions where the 240 was ordered with lsd and no hicas.  It is possible though.  

Hicas was only available on Fastbacks 91-93.
The S14 had LSD and ABS packaged together.  Hicas is not available.

Its harder to swap an SR to the 89-90 b/c the power steering lines are in the wrong place.  Also if you didn't get the A/C compressor with your SR then the 89-90 will not line up at all.  The DOHC A/C compressor only lines up with 2 bolts (there are 4)  The 91-92 had better exhaust, and intake cams.  These things are Not hard to remedy though.  It's much harder to swap tranny's - Auto2Manual - than to fix Power steering lines.

Canadian cars also came with Manual Seatbelts, and Daytime Running lights.

Look out for rust on the hatch (under spoiler) and front Strut towers of the S13's

uuninja · 04-11-2002, 03:49 PM

I own a coupe and my old roomate owned a hatch back I think that the difference was noticable.

If you want an sr swap go with a 91-94 because of the afore mentioned AC and PS line issues.

Aside form that it is really a matter of personal taste. I have always liked the coupe better than the hatch...but that is me. It is not going to make a big difference either way. Especially if you tune the suspension in the end.

roast · 04-11-2002, 04:06 PM

Was it mentioned that supposedly the 91's have the most agressive cams??  

All i know is that I want a 91' Coupe =)

91blk240 · 04-12-2002, 01:16 AM

i love my 91 coupe  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/inlove.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

240toast · 04-12-2002, 07:55 AM

could the power steering and a/c lines be modefied to work properly if you have an 89 240sx and you want to do a sr20 swap? would it be easy?

S13CRAVE · 04-13-2002, 11:27 AM

correct me if i'm wrong but isnt the swap into the 89-90 just as easy with a clip and power steering lines from a 91-94?  Thats what i intend to do when i swap my sr in.  Also, wont the sr A/C compressor work of do i have to get one from a 91-94 also?

blink0r · 04-13-2002, 01:13 PM

Buy the car i have:

a black, '91 5 speed <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='

'>

*sykikchimp* · 04-13-2002, 01:40 PM

once again.....

91 & 92 both shared the same Cam profile

240 intake 248 exhaust

04-10-2002, 02:31 PM	#1
basemies Leaky Injector Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: minnesota Posts: 68 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i have narrowed down the car i'm going to buy in a few months to either the s13 coupe or 180sx fastback variation of the 240sx.  someday, i'd like to drop an sr20det into the car i am buying.  i'll list some specific questions. 1. is there any real difference in the body styles except for looks?  i've only driven the fastback, and i was wondering if the coupe had any advantages. 2. which years have more aftermarket parts, 89-90, or 91-93? 3. which models have super hicas and abs?  i want to avoid this.  not because of sport compact car either, i don't like the unpredictability of 4ws, and i dislike abs. 4. which years are easier to swap an sr20det into? 5. do any years have specific problems i should take into consideration when choosing a car? __________________ 1989 nissan 240sx coupe 1988 honda crx si [winter car]

04-10-2002, 09:44 PM	#3
SR20Fastback Nissanaholic! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Bay Age: 39 Posts: 1,637 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Yeah, that pretty much somes it up. I've heard that the 89-90 240s had more trouble swapping the SR20, mostly just hard to keep a/c or power steering.... __________________ Fodive STILL blows goats, I have proof.

04-10-2002, 10:09 PM	#4
whateverjames Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: St. Louis Age: 44 Posts: 2,263 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	as a 1990 SOHC hatchback owner, i'd say buy a 1991 5 speed hatch! they're easier to find, if you want a turbo kit, they're easier to find, and if you do an SR swap, you can use the power steering lines and your current tach and speedometer. you can't lose with a 91-93. __________________ 02 Blazer X - 90 240SX w/SR oh noes

04-10-2002, 10:13 PM	#5
sykikchimp WOW addicted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the moon Age: 43 Posts: 6,525 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	ABS and HICAS Were not packaged together on the S13.  ABS was a seperate option.  HICAS and LSD came packaged together though.  Although I believe there are VERY rare occasions where the 240 was ordered with lsd and no hicas.  It is possible though.   Hicas was only available on Fastbacks 91-93. The S14 had LSD and ABS packaged together.  Hicas is not available. Its harder to swap an SR to the 89-90 b/c the power steering lines are in the wrong place.  Also if you didn't get the A/C compressor with your SR then the 89-90 will not line up at all.  The DOHC A/C compressor only lines up with 2 bolts (there are 4)  The 91-92 had better exhaust, and intake cams.  These things are Not hard to remedy though.  It's much harder to swap tranny's - Auto2Manual - than to fix Power steering lines. Canadian cars also came with Manual Seatbelts, and Daytime Running lights. Look out for rust on the hatch (under spoiler) and front Strut towers of the S13's __________________

04-11-2002, 03:49 PM	#6
uuninja Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Reston, VA Age: 46 Posts: 812 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I own a coupe and my old roomate owned a hatch back I think that the difference was noticable. If you want an sr swap go with a 91-94 because of the afore mentioned AC and PS line issues. Aside form that it is really a matter of personal taste. I have always liked the coupe better than the hatch...but that is me. It is not going to make a big difference either way. Especially if you tune the suspension in the end. __________________ Lurker Supreme! www.midatlantic240sx.com 91 Coupe 97 KA24DE+T SOLD

04-10-2002, 09:06 PM	#2
KiNG Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 79 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	1. supposedly, the coupe is more rigid frame wise, while the hatchback has a better weight ratio. i dont think it's too noticeable though. 2. i would imagine all of the years can use the same parts, or atleast almost all the same parts, so they should all have a pretty good amount of aftermarket parts. what would it matter if ur swapping in an SR anyhow though? 3. all canadian cars had super hicas and abs to my knowledge... dunno what else for sure. 4. i hear from a few ppl that it's easier to swap the SR into a car that previously had a twincam/dohc engine. 5. dont know of any specific problems, but the 91 and 92 had better exhaust cams i think. 89 and 90 has SOHC engines while 91-93 had DOHC(twincam).

04-11-2002, 04:06 PM	#7
roast Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 104 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Was it mentioned that supposedly the 91's have the most agressive cams??   All i know is that I want a 91' Coupe =) __________________ Richard Experience is the name every one gives to their mistakes.

04-12-2002, 01:16 AM	#8
91blk240 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: DeFuniak Springs, FL Age: 46 Posts: 326 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i love my 91 coupe  <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/inlove.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ RIP: 91 Black Coupe - Lost in Katrina Current: 93 Black Coupe blown s13 blacktop

04-12-2002, 07:55 AM	#9
240toast Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 12 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	could the power steering and a/c lines be modefied to work properly if you have an 89 240sx and you want to do a sr20 swap? would it be easy? __________________ I wish!

04-13-2002, 11:27 AM	#10
S13CRAVE Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Harrison Twp, MI Age: 37 Posts: 491 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	correct me if i'm wrong but isnt the swap into the 89-90 just as easy with a clip and power steering lines from a 91-94?  Thats what i intend to do when i swap my sr in.  Also, wont the sr A/C compressor work of do i have to get one from a 91-94 also?

04-13-2002, 01:13 PM	#11
blink0r Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 329 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Buy the car i have: a black, '91 5 speed <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''> __________________ 1991 Nissan 240sx SE "Friends don't let friends drive trucks."

04-13-2002, 01:40 PM	#12
sykikchimp WOW addicted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the moon Age: 43 Posts: 6,525 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	once again..... 91 & 92 both shared the same Cam profile 240 intake 248 exhaust __________________