NewB need advise

[sub9lulu]

i have big plans on getting a 240sx and make it a S14.5
i'd like to put a RB or a SR engine into the car after i get totally familar to the car ..... i'd say in a year
i've also heard people saying that i should get a 95/96 so it'd be cheaper since the front light is the major diff and if i change it to S15 front it wouldnt matter.
so i found a few 96's with 100000+ miles stock; they looks fine for me and cost between $3500 - $5500
what kind of price and condition should i get them at ?
how many miles can the KA engine run usually and what should i beware of when I get the 240 ?
like leaking and stuff ?

i know these questions people might have been asking before but i dont know where should I start searching...

thanks to whoever give me advise

[AceInHole]

i know these questions people might have been asking before but i dont know where should I start searching...
Start searching here (http://www.zilvia.net/f/search.php?s=)

Most of your questions can be answered there. The ones that aren't, feel free to ask about.

[sub9lulu]

no i mean what keyword should i type in
i tried stuff like "s14.5", "conversion", "sr20det", "rb25det", "new 240" ...
i looked at the past 15+ pages already
and i been doing research for last ... 9 months
i thought about buying a mr2, rx7, but my conclusion comes out to be a 240sx at last

anyways .... someone help

[Maeda]

people have had the KA go a LONG way well over 100,000...
although personally i would never buy a car with that many miles without knowing first hand how its driven and how its maintained...

when i was granted my 240, i bought a 96 with 55,000 for less then 6 grand... perfect running with a cracked front bumper...

you could probably get a motor with over 100k if you dont run it hard and often... it all depends when you gonna wanna pay for that engine swap... dont forget the $$$ to make the car run right stock first...

[sub9lulu]

i dont really want to buy a used with 100k+ miles
but my friend told me if i m going to do big mod on it then it wouldnt really matter, as long as the frame is straight; car never gotten into any accident then it's fine.
and i can use the saved up $$ for parts

can any body tell me my friend right ?

[SilviaDriver]

from skimming thru ur last post..ur friend sounds right

i mean u said it urself..u wanna do a swap..so then wat does it matter how many miles u got right? that KA is gonna go out anyways..

if ur going to swap..juss make sure the electronics are fine..and body is good and ur done. drive that sucker around till u get the money and swap.

heres a breif outline of what it is gonna cost u..i dont know everything:

s14: 5-6gz
s15 conversion: 2.5-3.5gz
SR/RB swap: 5-6gz

[s13rookie]

dont dismiss the ka so early, mine has like 180k on it and runs great. sr and ka are totally different, get the car first and make sure you are totally displeased with it before you swap.

[boro240]

KAs are strong motors. i know of a handfull of people well over 200k miles.

[sub9lulu]

what about leaks
are there any pipes specially easy to have leaking problem i have to beware of ?

[Dousan_PG]

leaks? nothing out of ordinary
watch for PS (power steering) pump, water pump, oil, etc

general stuff, nothing that's ALWAYS a problem on 240sx. there really isnt any consistent problems. my car is getting a new water pump this weeekend (very easy insatll-takes 1.5 hours max) and other then that it is ok.

do your own fixing up too, damn, you'll learn a lot and its a really easy straightforward engine to work on with lots of space, which is great!

[misnomer]

Yes, the KA is a freaking great engine to tinker with :P

Mine has 150k miles, I drive it hard every now and then, she's still strong. 100k miles is small potatos for this engine :P Hell, I bought mine with 107k and didn't bat an eye at the mileage :P

The only commonly recurring problem I can think of for the KA are the timing chain guides. On the DOHC model there are a couple of metal guides which have a nasty tendency of breaking. No big deal to fix, can be done with simple hand tools.

Feed it good oil regularly, keep an eye on things, and it will go a long, long way.

[Dousan_PG]

OH YEAH!! chain guides
easy change. basic tools, a FSM and about 3 hours set aside time (max)

i track my car w/ 167K miles. pulls great, lap after lap. i might get another one when this one goes from a friend 98 KA low mileage (with cams and ECU upgrade) hmm

[russian]

Originally posted by sub9lulu
?
how many miles can the KA engine run usually and what should i beware of when I get the 240 ?



depends how you drive, and how you maintain it (oil etc). it can run to 170k, or it can blow at 120k if you redline it all the time. if you are unsure on the condition of the car take it to the shop and get a used car inspection (no more than 40 bucks) they will tell you whats up with the car.

also, if you plan on droping an SR or RB in it in a year why you just dont wait and buy it later say with a blown motor?? it wil lbe much cheaper. but thats just my opinion.