Just got myself a 240sx! First project car!
 

Hey, guys! I just want to say... I've finally jumped on the automotive bandwagon after soo many years of being a Revscene member, and I feel great!

I recently acquired a 1997 240sx Silvia in a near-stock condition, the only thing the baby has gone though were

Lowered suspension
Short Shifter
8000k HIDs
and Tinted Windows

Lowered suspension
Short Shifter
8000k HIDs
and Tinted Windows

the rest are completely stock! I'm happy because since this car is stock, I'll learn from the bottom up. I'm going to take really good care, not going to redline it, not going to race it... it's gonna be my baby.

First thing is first, I have to get new brake pads, rotors, and calipers for this car.
What (brands) do you recommend? One of my friends recommend getting HP-S branded equipment for my breaks. I might go to the track a couple times to test it out, but otherwise, it's going to be mostly on the street.

Other things, what else would you recommend to help this vehicle? I'm more geared towards performance over looks, so any advice would be great.

My budget right now is around 2k by the end of this year, but hopefully I can use most of the money to buy the parts without sacrificing labour costs (I know a really good friends in the auto business, they can do it for me)

Thank you guys!

Nintensity

congrats on the 240 man!!

as for parts and stuff i cant help you there i am afraid, but dont be afraid of redlining the car once in a while just to prevent carbon buildup. revving the car high is not a bad thing if you dont do it all the time

Grats on the 240 I've actually always wanted one but can't find a s13 that hasn't been already molested thoroughly.

In terms of never redlining your car or anything, totally babying the car, I regret doing so for my first car so I hope you don't go through the same thing. I never really had "fun" with my integra, never redlined, until it was too late and was totalled. Always got to have fun a bit yeknow?

Ps. Tint is not a "mod" haha ;)
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There's really no point redlining a KA.. torque peaks out around 4400 RPM IIRC

For a brake upgrade.. look into either the 26 or 30mm R32/Z32 aluminum calipers. Iron's are cheaper but are heavier. Less unsprung weight = better. Hawk HP+ and Brembo blanks are great for a street setup.

What are you running for "lowered suspension"? Springs on stock shocks? If you want something a bit more performance oriented, Stance GR+ are arguably one of the best entry-level coilovers for the price. You're looking at about $1200-1400 for a set depending where you get them from.

IMO unless you're in dire need of doing your brakes, do your suspension first and brakes after. That should be good enough for your first year of owning the car.

sweeet! how much did you end up paying? if you don't mind me asking, been looking around for one as well

7.5k for it, a little bit over 120,000kms on the body

post some pics!

^

^ pics pics pics

PICS OR U LIED!!

In for pics! I own a s13

Stance are great for street driving, but if you wanna find an alternative in that price range, that are just as good, get some Powered By MAX Coilovers.
$1000, and you can buy a 6K spring for like $50/$100.
The Powered By MAX ones come in 10/8K but springs are interchangeable, so with the extra spring you can run 8/6K like the other JDM Coilovers.

Z31/Altima Rear brakes are cheap, and a good mod if you don't want to do Q45/Z32 Rear brakes. Z32 Rear brakes require you to install the Ebrake Drum. While much better, it's more work intensive.

All you need is the Z31 Rear Caliper Bracket, and any 2003-ish Altima Rear Brake Rotor. Swap the brackets, and install the rotor. It ends up being an 11.5inch Rotor instead of 10.5, and you keep your stock E-Brake assembly.

I could go on and on for days about the mods that are readily available to you, but you're best off Checking out 240sx forums like Zilvia. Tons of parts/wheels for sale, Advertiser specials, tech, and chat. Just like any other forum though, search before asking.

CHeck this link out. Full of DIY's.
http://www.240sxtech.com/

#1 thing I would rank for you to do though, is to replace your Clutch Slave + Line with a braided one, and remove your Clutch Damper. It's a line that loops into a clock, and around your slave to make the clutch softer. You get way better feel after removing it.

Enjukuracing sells ISIS parts.
It's like cheaper than Megan, and probably shittier, but $300 for a full exhaust.. you can't go wrong.

that seems like a pretty good deal, don't kouki S14's usually go for $8,000 to $10,000?

They do, I got a good one. there's little rust forming in the wheel well and some forming in the side just below the driver door panel...

and regarding pictures, I will put some up soon! the paint is fantastic!

Please post build progress along with pics !
:drool

way too much money if it has rust. I picked up a black coupe no rust, under 100,000kms for $5k. You are obviously paying drift tax.

Anyone buying a 240 is paying D1 tax now it seems.
I remember 10+ years ago being able to find rust free early 240's for under 2k. Now I see them in my shop weekly with rusted towers floors and frames and guys paying 2-3k for em. That's OK tho cus we repair and reinforce all that stuff on em so I can't complain.

So you're saying you picked up a 97-98 S14 with no rust, and under 100,000kms for $5k? I find that very hard to believe. 95-96 S14 maybe.. I've never seen a kouki with low milage and in good condition go for that cheap, unless you consider a rebuilt car to be one that is in good condition.

And maybe one that's auto as well... The market for these cars may not be AS expensive as to, say, 5 years ago, but it certainly hasn't dropped down that much.

If not, go down to California, there's lot of super cheap koukis i heard

post pictures!

^ yes, before the weather gets even more shitty.

Wow cool, whats the mileage on it? SE or LE? I recently got a 1998 LE lol, these cars are great :)

Also that seems sorta hard to believe.. was it a Kouki S14?

Zenkis / S13's go for way less

nice choice. pics dammit!! :)

what engine you running? SR? or a KA