Buddhastic

I've been interested in buying a '95-'98 240sx for a while and doing an engine swap.

I've been reading these forums for a while but am not entirely sure how I should go about this.

I found a 5spd '95 240sx for sale in the paper and am going to take a look at it tomorrow (it's all stock as far as I know). He's asking $5500 but I bet I could knock $500-1000 off the price (edmunds says something like $4300

Right now I'm driving a '97 Prelude. I figure I could sell it for about $6,500-7,500 (minor body damage and 140,000 prevents me from selling it for much higher), leaving me with 6500-4300=2200 for a new engine. I have some money saved up that I could use to cover the swap, assuming it doesn't run much more than say $1500. Would this be dooable? Should I wait and work a few months to save up a couple thousand more dollars? I can't dip into college funds for a car, you know...

Ultimately, I want this to be a daily driver. Next semester I'll be driving around 300 miles a week, hopefully no more. Once next semester is over though, I probably won't need to drive more than 100-200 miles a week. So, I'm not expecting to turbo it to the extreme. I'd like to be able to hit 280-300hp, though, which from what I've read is quite easily attainable on either an sr20det or rb25det (I cannot afford a rb26dett).

Would the car still be reliable at that horsepower? Compared to a Honda Prelude, which is just about invincible, how will it fair?

Also, what are some problems I should look for in the car I'll be looking at tomorrow? What are common failures of '95-'98 240sxs?

Thanks!

[edit] Also, I know this is hotly debated, but what's the best engine to swap? As of now I'm stuck between the rb25det and the sr20det. The idea of a V6 sounds kind of fun... but what are the overall advantages and disadvantages of both?

[edit2] Also, how does an engine swap affect the weight balance of the car? One of the reasons I want a 240sx is for it's handling capabilities (my Prelude is amazing in this department). How much heavier are these engiens compared to the stock engine, and how will that affect handling?

hitokiri_808

the rb25 is a inline 6, not a V6.

also is the 2,200 plus the 1,500 for the swap? that should be able to cover an sr swap. the rb costs a lot more. and im asumming your going to have a shop do the swap right? that might just be enough to cover a bare bones sr swap. hopefully you will get a good engine that won't need anything replaced. (which they usually do)

2fast4y0u

well this is what i have learned so far...
i have a 98 and im in the process for an sr swap right now. after the parts that i have bought now, manual conversion and labor fees im just over $6000. my buddy is doing the swap for $1000. i spent 1750 on the engine and i bought some fun stuff to(intercooler, titanium header, 3 inch downpipe, ect.). so, i would say the sr swap is more economical for what you have as far as $ goes.

twofotisx

have you thought about turbocharging the KADE24? I've seen dynos of a KADE-T that had 530 horses to the wheels. I realize that's way above what your looking to do but it's very easy to get around 230hp to the wheels of a turbocharged KADE. Then with couple of more mods I'm sure you could get it into your range.

Buddhastic

There's no way I could do the swap myself, so I would have to have a shop do it for me. I would plan on buying the motor + accessories from JDMotor here on these forums, then finding a shop around my city that would do it (hopefully with some recommendations from people here).

So, it would be more economical to turbo the sr20?

twofotisx: How safe would it be to turbo the stock engine, though? From what I've read, it seems that you'd have to build it up just to get a decent amount of horsepower. I'd like to try to aim for around 250-300 horsepower, same torque. 230 horsepower is barely anything over what my Prelude pushes already (200).

Who makes turbos for the kade24 and how much do you think it would cost + installation?

Skiboard06

sr's are known to be able to produce roughly 300bhp with few mods. FMIC, 3" exhaust, Turbo, Injectors/pump
lots of potential as im sure u have heard before

psileighty

honestly my suggestion to you would be to get a s13 (89-94) 240sx instead of a (s14 or s14.5) 95+ 240sx because mainly they are much cheaper and if your going to do the sr20 swap it will save you a lot of money for mods on the sr20. just an idea. because instead of buying a s14 for 5000 you could probably find one for about 2500 in decent condition for you to do the swap. you have to take into consideration that your gonna have to do eletrical, may want to upgrade your fuel pump in ur your 240.. probably walbro. i dont think you have to adjust the steering linkage or crossmember or get mounts. thats mainly for the rb swaps. fmic is pretty easily found the SR has a strong aftermarket too, and parts to find incase you get a back front clip thats missing O2 sensors, maf sensor, ignitor chip, and other such things. Just read around man, as you do you'll learn the do's and don't of the infamous sr(rb) swaps. Hope this was somewat informative.

psileighty.

wikd240

i agree on the s13... as long as you get a 93 or 94 you will be set and have a little money left over to get your swap up and running... im kind of partial to the 89 to 94 body style... and if you are not into the flip up headlights you can always spend the monsy you saved on the car and get a full front end conversion when you buy a front clip (so long as the body parts are in good order)

psileighty

S13 Hatchback + Silvia conversion = sileighty throw in a sr20 swap or a rb swap man, i dont think u can go wrong.

Buddhastic

I'd rather not go with a pre-'95 because... well... I just don't like the body style as much and I don't want to have to deal with the problems that will naturally arise with a car that old.

Personally, I love the looks of the '95-'98. As I'll be driving this car for at least the next 5 or so years, I'd rather splurge and get the body style I truly love than stuck with one that I only kind of like.

Are there any problems with using a '95-'98, though? Other than the fact it's a couple thousand dollars more expensive?

Skiboard06

few problems you wont be able to retain AC without a lot of custom fabbing. You will also have to buy a Front mount and slim batter or relocate to trunk. Sidemount is a no go on s14. Just more expensive


different wiring also. less schematics and FAQs out there

pc240

is this applying to the sr20det or the rb swap?

Skiboard06

that applies to the sr20det swap into an s14 chasis

im not sure about the rb for that theres a ton of rb guru's on here