whats the first thing would u do if u hav a bone stock automatic 240sx?

[uLmighty]

i got a s14 kouki and im havin a hard deciding if i should get my transmission conversion first or get the wheels then coilovers. i will eventually get an SR swap soon but not now till i get a job.

what would u guys do first if u were in my condition? any inputs of ur opinions would kinda help me decide which is better to go for. thankss and sorry if i posted in wrong place. :ddog:

[DeeJay1337]

I'd go manual. I hate Driving auto.

[ILoveMyRHS13]

5 speed.

Then cool shit.

[widebodyseven]

I would do coilovers and wheels 1st then do the manual transmission conv. with the SR swap.

[Zach-sr]

I am about to be in the same situation and I believe I am going to do five speed first.

[Renelovesnike]

I would do coilovers and wheels 1st then do the manual transmission conv. with the SR swap.

This man speeks the truth!! =]

[buentellomma]

job first, 5 speed convervsion kit, sr20, then convert over the 5 speed so you wont have 2 transmissions laying around, then buy cool stuff

[Nezahualcoyotl]

suspension components, 5 lug, wheels, brake upgrade, differential, paint, SR, interior, and then whatever goodies you wanna buy.

[hOngsterr]

part it out.

[TheRealSy90]

^ wins thread.

[hailandkill]

i'd say your best bet would be to get coilovers, 5 lug, brakes, and wheels (maybe an exhaust if you want) and while doing that look for someone selling manual swap parts.

then get a nice differential and you'll have a kool40sx

[BustedS13]

get a job, air filter, plugs, change the oil, check the timing, run 8 gauge ground wires and 0 gauge main, flush the radiator, test the battery and alternator, fuel filter, energy suspension bushing kit. 5 speed swap.

[az_240]

This is exactly how I started... bone stock auto kouki.

First got a cusco 2-way, then coils/suspension, 5-lug, wheels, z brakes all in one shot then 5 speed.

If I was to do it again I'd get the stock SR/basic turbo KA first. I'm bored of this slow pos and don't have money to make it fast

[510-SR20DET]

Seriously?
Doing nothing is the answer.
Come back when you have a job.

[stinky_180]

^HAHA for reals!

[Tokona-x]

i'd say your best bet would be to get coilovers, 5 lug, brakes, and wheels (maybe an exhaust if you want) and while doing that look for someone selling manual swap parts.

then get a nice differential and you'll have a kool40sx

not a bad way to go .....but decide if you want to go sr that way you dont have a ka trans afterwards or worse have to hustle trying to find a sr trans bell housing

[traxx07]

Drive it.... to places and put applications. Call the places you applied to show them you are serious about working.

Then 5 speed conversion.

[BattleRoyale]

5 speed + suspension

[s13bert]

get a job, air filter, plugs, change the oil, check the timing, run 8 gauge ground wires and 0 gauge main, flush the radiator, test the battery and alternator, fuel filter, energy suspension bushing kit. 5 speed swap.
i would do this too if i were you.....

[K_style]

Coilovers for sure.. Cant drive monster truck around...

[Okinawandrifter87]

Part out the car or sell it. Not down with rockin Automatic S Chassis.

[dpak]

maintenance! don't spend the little money you have on parts until you know the car is running well
flush everything and replace all the essentials
After you know your car is healthy,
THEN you should get coils, rucas/toes/suspension parts, five speed, brakes/five lug, wheels

[apex]

i would get coilovers, 5lug and wheels then daily that shit its a nice car dont fuck it up

[thefro526]

Drive it.... to places and put applications. Call the places you applied to show them you are serious about working.



What this guy said.

Modifying a car without a steady source of income is one of the dumbest thing someone can do.r

[murda-c]

Get a job you lazy bum.

[Okinawandrifter87]

Get a job you lazy bum.

Best said. We know you don't want the autotragic.

[nathanong87]

i would post on zilvia and ask people what to do first to my automatic 240sx.

[uLmighty]

My car alrdy has vlsd and 5 lugs and abs all around. I can afford coilovers and wheels. I jst can't afford sr20 yet!! That's y I will do sr once I hav job so I can save up u kno? ^^

[bllabong89]

I would agree with some by going with coilovers and wheels first. I would rather you go get a clip first and do the sr swap and the 5 speed but if you can't afford a front clip then the coilovers and wheels. You can always by the parts for 5speed swap while you put the coilovers and whatever else on.

If you buy a front clip, you will be able to use the jdm pedal set. Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe Tsuchiya said that the jdm s13s and s14s pedals are closer together which makes for easier heel-toe shifting(I believe in The Drift Bible). You might also want to pick that movie up if you are just getting into drifting.

[ManoNegra]

job first
then maintenance
I took care of the leaks first - power steering and front main
new belts
need to find an auto radiator still
plugs, cap and rotor
suspension was mushy so I swapped that out
coilovers
wheels
appointment for alignment today
radio
replace worn out interior pieces
s15 hsld and maybe 4.3 final ratio next
drive it, don't mind rocking the auto

start working on the other two cars

[Flicktitty]

maintenance! don't spend the little money you have on parts until you know the car is running well
flush everything and replace all the essentials
After you know your car is healthy,



agree, Maintenance first then coils. even on a automatic S-chassis on coils is ALOT of fun. then save up for a SR swap and do the 5spd swap at that point. no reason to spend the money on swapping a 5spd in with the KA if your set on a SR swap.

[OBEEWON]

Flip it. Sell it for more than you paid. Buy another car...lather rinse repeat. Screw having a job.

[theboy]

i would put the biggest, goofiest, fly myself back to Japan wing on it. Then just bask in its awesomeness

[s13bert]

i would post on zilvia and ask people what to do first to my automatic 240sx.
lol :wiggle:.....

[mkezzo16]

It depends on what your style is..Personally I'd say wheels 1st so you can add some style to the car..then 5 speed swap..after that go for the suspension and other goodies so you can have a real sports car

[rocketLAG]

i'd wait for the sr to convert it to manual, but if it were me i'd slammm it!! haha

[dpak]

My car alrdy has vlsd and 5 lugs and abs all around. I can afford coilovers and wheels. I jst can't afford sr20 yet!! That's y I will do sr once I hav job so I can save up u kno? ^^

just wondering, but why are you so adamant about going sr?
what are your plans for this car?

[s13pignose]

Honestly being that I own an auto s14. I would do some maintenance first..plugs, oil, etc. Especially for the transmission..find a shop that can do a pan drop change your fluids and put in a new filter, and if you got the money to do at same time, change diff fluid too. Also since you plan on doing a swap wouldn't do much to the KA. Maybe a a filter maf adapter combo. My guess is you can probably use the filter later with the swap..or just replace the paper filter and take your air box resonator off. Also for exhaust go 3" so you won't have to upgrade down the road. Wouldn't bother with a header since you will swap in the sr. Wheels, coilovers, or brakes should be okay to get now or whenever since that has nothing to do with what motor you run.

Other than that take it easy on the auto as much as possible so hopefully don't get issues like slipping and so forth, and maybe when you swap you can sell it

[dallaceseiuli]

Get a bad ass stereo system and bump that shit

[zooopreme]

Get a job to pay for the maintenance. You don't want to go into coils and wheels and then find out you have a major problem. After maintenance, coils and wheels and after 5 speed swap; the rest is up to you

[CrimsonRockett]

Could not agree more with BustedS13 and ManoNegra.

Like 80% of people that get S13/S14's (in LA at least) completely forget about maintenance and only worry about being slammed and getting a welded diff. That's why you see so many "drift ready" cars for sale on Craigslist.

As they've already mentioned, get a job. You can't do shit to your car without money.

Focus in on maintenance first. Give your motor a well deserved tune up. Who knows how long it's been since it last got serviced.

Next, suspension. Almost every single 240 out there is still riding around on stock/worn out bushings. Tie rods/ends, control arms(specifically ball joints, but I'd recommend replacing the entire unit), tension rods, etc. I won't bore you with details.

After that, you're basically on your own. 5-speed swaps are extremely simple. 5-lug swaps are simple and affordable, not to mention the massive amount of 5-lug wheels in the marketplace. Get some comfy seats. S14/S15 seats are definitely the way to go in a daily. Upgrade that speaker deck and speakers.

Funny how everything I've mentioned is extremely simple to do, but so many people still manage to fuck that up.

[HS13KLS]

^ easy, yet people are still LAZY

anyways

i agree. i just made sure my car ran fine. then got coils and wheels. (mine was a 5 speed though. but now im getting an SR for cheaps)

[SinGarage]

:2c:Could not agree more with BustedS13 and ManoNegra.

Funny how everything I've mentioned is extremely simple to do, but so many people still manage to fuck that up.


Also agreeing with Busted S13, ManoNegra, and CrimsonRockett. My 2nd S14 is currently going through this right now. Maintenance = changed all fluids (engine, trans, coolant, diff, brakes, clutch), changed water pump since it was leaking, plugs, cap, rotor, fuel filter. I recharged my AC but found out a leak at the condenser. About to change all bushings since it's shot to shit. Already have all the suspension parts but can't since my bushings haven't arrived yet. Also waiting for new rotors & pads so arrive.

When I got her, running like shit. After maintance, running bitchin. No reason to make it go fast when the suspension is sloppy as hell. Make sure to just her running in top condition stock before you try to upgrade. My :2c:.

[Souljahzs13]

If it aint broken dont fix it.
If I was you, I would save the money till I get a job. There is no telling what you might need the money more later down the road. Your car might even encounter a problem a few days before your first interview, who knows... Or you might need things for your interview or job. Once you have steady money coming in maintance is key! Then coilovers, rims w/tires, and 5speed can wait when you get more money saved up. If you can save up for a Sr clip, you can knock out the whole 5spd problem with the included parts. That is if it has the manual drive included too of course.

[BustedS13]

oh, one more thing, run a can of Seafoam through the vac hose connected to your brake booster. a must for any new used car.

[live2c2morrow]

I would do the SR swap first because then you would have to do the tranny swap as well. But without a good job then ......well.......pointless to even post about it i guess.

[doke! ドリフト]

I started out with a stock auto ka and did body work, paint, suspension and wheels before I did 5 speed swap. If i could go back I'd drop a new motor and 5 speed in FIRST thing then worry about making it look pretty. It sucks being all show no go

[xiaphin]

rip it out and drop a better engine in and convert to manual

[!Zar!]

First thing I would do if I had a stock automatic 240: Post on zilvia about it.

After that, I would work on basic maintenance, and work on making it stock before worrying about modding it.

[Dirty Habit]

Stick my dick in the gas tank?

[Sleepiedaze]

get a job, air filter, plugs, change the oil, check the timing, run 8 gauge ground wires and 0 gauge main, flush the radiator, test the battery and alternator, fuel filter, energy suspension bushing kit. 5 speed swap.

i would do this too if i were you.....

listen to these dude. first job then maintance. car hobbys get expensive fast.

[Zen S14]

Get a job. This car will be a large money pit for years to come if you keep it. Plus it will never sell for the money you put into it either. Save the wheel money and stuff. Update the car's maintenance as others have already mentioned. You may find yourself out of money by that point so back to the get a job first point.

[Om1kron]

I'd sell the car and save myself the headaches of trying to spend money converting the car to 5 speed only to run into a mess of other problems along the way.

[iStayBroke]

I also happen to have a stock automatic 240sx....and no job.
Convinced my dad to help pay for SR/5-speed.
So suspension first for me.
I also agree with the maintenance, but isn't that something someone could do on their own?

[ranger240]

get rid of the auto any way you can

i wouldnt have kept my 240 as long as i have if it was slushboxing around town

[uLmighty]

The car is in great shape and running strong wit 136k on chassis. So maintance is pretty good. Only problems I'm havin is that it pulls to the right n I'm guessin is my lower control arm cuz I got the alignment done but I think it was my caster they couldn't fix. Other than that is my compressor which I don't rly care lol.


My goal is to daily it and I will eventually get an SR so I can still have the "balance" instead of picking an RB25 but I'm doin this maybe like 1-2 years.

[direktdrive]

After general maintenance, manual transmission swap first. Then go off and get your suspension.

[ManoNegra]

I'd sell the car and save myself the headaches of trying to spend money converting the car to 5 speed only to run into a mess of other problems along the way.

i don't know man
I've been involved in a number of 5 speed swaps
and they've all gone smooth
only ran into problems when we helped a friend that was too retarded to gather all the right items needed for the the conversion

no 5 speed flywheel bolts - check
wrong driveshaft - check
busted clutch line - check
didn't resurface flywheel - check
no pilot bushing - check
leaking rear main seal and no replacement - check

get rid of the auto any way you can

i wouldnt have kept my 240 as long as i have if it was slushboxing around town

After driving stick in stop and go socal traffic
I don't mind the slush box so much
but I agree, shit is slow as fuck


The car is in great shape and running strong wit 136k on chassis. So maintance is pretty good.

I've know a lot of engines that 'ran strong' right before developing problems
at least check the critical components for wear (plugs, sensor, cap n rotor, etc)

Only problems I'm havin is that it pulls to the right n I'm guessin is my lower control arm cuz I got the alignment done but I think it was my caster they couldn't fix. Other than that is my compressor which I don't rly care lol.


Pulls to right -> LCA -> Caster.... wtf?
that makes no sense
whoever did your alignment did a shitty job is all

[Krimlin]

My car alrdy has vlsd and 5 lugs and abs all around. I can afford coilovers and wheels. I jst can't afford sr20 yet!! That's y I will do sr once I hav job so I can save up u kno? ^^
So what you're saying is you can get a set of Ebay coils, and knock off wheels? So what you're really saying is that you'd rather have Ebay coils, and knock off wheels, and if you buy them all in the same place you'll get a cool set of clear tail lights?

Sell the 240. Buy a Honda. Get a job. Then buy a 240 and use the Honda as a daily.

[uLmighty]

i don't know man
I've been involved in a number of 5 speed swaps
and they've all gone smooth
only ran into problems when we helped a friend that was too retarded to gather all the right items needed for the the conversion

no 5 speed flywheel bolts - check
wrong driveshaft - check
busted clutch line - check
didn't resurface flywheel - check
no pilot bushing - check
leaking rear main seal and no replacement - check



After driving stick in stop and go socal traffic
I don't mind the slush box so much
but I agree, shit is slow as fuck




I've know a lot of engines that 'ran strong' right before developing problems
at least check the critical components for wear (plugs, sensor, cap n rotor, etc)



Pulls to right -> LCA -> Caster.... wtf?
that makes no sense
whoever did your alignment did a shitty job is all


haha PEPBOYS did my alignment!! i dont really know much about cars so i took my car to 3 of my friends who r actually older people around 40+ that been doin mechanic works and two of them said that my lower control might be broken or bent or w/e



So what you're saying is you can get a set of Ebay coils, and knock off wheels? So what you're really saying is that you'd rather have Ebay coils, and knock off wheels, and if you buy them all in the same place you'll get a cool set of clear tail lights?

Sell the 240. Buy a Honda. Get a job. Then buy a 240 and use the Honda as a daily.


Hell no man. im tryng to go for Megan street cuz i heard it does the job for its price and maybe som MB wheels. i got about 1k right now. buying wheels mean gettin new tires too and wheels dont look that nice without lowering ur car to me that is. HELL NO im not sellin my car LOL that's the last thing ill do trading it in for a HONDA!!:hsdance:


MAINTENANCE is good with my car. that was the first thing we did!!

[stinky_180]

My daily driver S14 is automatic. Whats the first thing I did you ask? I changed the oil, spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor, coolant temp sensor, top fluids, check codes (ecu, tcu, air bags), alignment, air filter, cleaned the maf and throttle body, checked all fuses, set tire pressure, complete interior and exterior detail, installed a headunit and subwoofer/amp, set timing and idle, inspected for fluid and vacuum leaks.

It is still 100% stock... and automatic... after owning for 3 years... runs like a champ

[Krimlin]

Hell no man. im tryng to go for Megan street cuz i heard it does the job for its price and maybe som MB wheels. i got about 1k right now. buying wheels mean gettin new tires too and wheels dont look that nice without lowering ur car to me that is. HELL NO im not sellin my car LOL that's the last thing ill do trading it in for a HONDA!!:hsdance:


MAINTENANCE is good with my car. that was the first thing we did!!
Shit man from what I heard all the street drifters use Megans, so you're on the right track for coils.

Once you get the coils on, that's when the fun starts, like mid way through an intersection or down a freeway just rip the e-brake and power over and mash the gas. That's the best place to learn.

[I LUV MY S13]

Get a job, coilovers, wheels, then SR swap...

[p3t3y18]

job, coils, wheels, 5 speed with sr at same time....

[pacotaco345]

First day I had it:
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e392/pacotaco345/IMG00032-20090824-0650.jpg
Now.. its been 1 year 12 days, and $1540 dollars later:
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e392/pacotaco345/DSC01450.jpg
1. Fixed the little things
2. Wheels
3. Paint (did it in my garage)
4. 5 speed swap
5. Exhaust
6. Coils
7. Welded diff
8. Piggy lip (don't have it in these pics srry)
9. E-fans

[Hashiriya415]

Coil-overs hardly do anything in terms of performance for beginners. And wheels will only slow you down cuz they are heavy and hurt the performance even more, and can make you look like a clown if you go with huge wheels on a small Japanese car. On other hand getting rid of that horrible automatic, which barely keeps you locked into gear will make a huge difference. First of all the looks and sound, when people see a 240 low and wheels they don't expect an auto, so if someone looks inside your car they will probably laugh at you. Second is the sound when shifting, people again will know its auto and laugh at you. 3rd thing is with the 5 speed you will have way more control of the car, especially on off throttle, it will give you much better feel of the car. And if you want a conversion I charge $400 labor, and work is done in 2 days.

[Ithical]

On mine, i bought it bone stock, started with coils and rest of arms then wheels. Later i did 5speed swap. Took 2 years to finally do it but yea.

[DALAZ_68]

day i got it...
http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac274/DALAZ_68/IMG_1483.jpg
1yr and 8 months ago...

it hasn't changed except MT conversion since i couldn't find brand new parts for auto when it happend (no i didn't see any point in reinstalling a used torque converter)

current issue... HG blew...208,000k miles and it gave out...sigh...

still looks the same...minus a broken antenna due to drunken peeps...lol

its a daily for a reason...so happy i have a spare engine...lol

[uLmighty]

those two coupes are clean as fuck!! especially that red coupe, it looks way better afterwards.


i get what Harishiya415 is saying but i think if u go coils or wheels i dont think people will laugh cuz i dont have that exhaust sound :D so i dont think they can say im a ricer for havin wheels or coils on my car? i dont have that sound nor body kits

[heavenboundkevin]

buy an alarm

"And if you want a conversion I charge $400 labor, and work is done in 2 days."

$400???????????????????????????????

thats a lot of beer.

[pacotaco345]

those two coupes are clean as fuck!! especially that red coupe, it looks way better afterwards.
Haha thanks! just a lot of time and work, most of what you don't have in money you can make up for with hard work. I'm 17 w/o a job and no my parents aren't rich, but its what I came up with.

[WIKID S4TEEN]

http://i907.photobucket.com/albums/ac274/DALAZ_68/IMG_1483.jpg


Holy crap, I think I know where you lives....FTR? lOl

To the OP, if you're going SR, wait til you do the swap, for 5 spd conversion.
Get coils/suspension components/brakes
so when you do your swap, your car can handle the power!
GL

[Darkvillin]

I would do coilovers and wheels 1st then do the manual transmission conv. with the SR swap.

i second this guy! :ghey:

[Mangudai]

Coil-overs hardly do anything in terms of performance for beginners. And wheels will only slow you down cuz they are heavy and hurt the performance even more, and can make you look like a clown if you go with huge wheels on a small Japanese car. On other hand getting rid of that horrible automatic, which barely keeps you locked into gear will make a huge difference. First of all the looks and sound, when people see a 240 low and wheels they don't expect an auto, so if someone looks inside your car they will probably laugh at you. Second is the sound when shifting, people again will know its auto and laugh at you. 3rd thing is with the 5 speed you will have way more control of the car, especially on off throttle, it will give you much better feel of the car. And if you want a conversion I charge $400 labor, and work is done in 2 days.


Why make modifications for others?

[Okinawandrifter87]

Just start saving your money man...

[driftsilvias13]

So what you're saying is you can get a set of Ebay coils, and knock off wheels?

Hell no man. im tryng to go for Megan street cuz i heard it does the job for its price and maybe som MB wheels. i got about 1k right now. buying wheels mean gettin new tires too and wheels dont look that nice without lowering ur car to me that is.

Am I the only one who finds this funny?

[dub40sx]

First thing I would do is a ton of neutral drops till either the tranny or motor blows. Then start doing a swap.

[The Hamsterball]

job first, 5 speed convervsion kit, sr20, then convert over the 5 speed so you wont have 2 transmissions laying around, then buy cool stuff

QFT.

Then ALL maintenance.

Then figure it out.

[gzer750]

i got a new radio, and a silvia frontend. ill wait till i do the sr swap to go 5 speed. no point of spending money on the ka trans, if its coming out eventually.

[ladyzx]

wheels and coils, looks first!!!!

[Midnight_Garage]

Get a set of adjustable coilovers + some sticky tires, call it a day. No need to go beyond that.

[fckillerbee]

realize your mistake....sell it and buy a manual.

[str84dapokie]

suspension>>brakes>>5speed swap and keep KA or complete SR swap>>looks
dont start if your not gonna finish!!!!

[Walperstyle]

If low on cash
first transmission swap
(this way you can sell the car for profit perhaps, unless you spent way too much in the first place)

how I am doing it
My car is currently an automatic. I have PDM side skirts, front lip, clear corners, dmax tail lights, LMGT4 Bronze 17 inch wheels. People can call me a ricer.

Untill they see the drivetrain I'm building inside the garage. I plan on swapping everything at once being I have it all but the turbo, fuel, and computer. Another $6000 and You'll hopefully see a near 500hp KA-T with a twinscroll. Already have the Crower components in the head and block with low comp pistons.

edit: if you are really hurting for cash aka, less then 6 months wages in the bank for backup, I wouldn't touch a thing on your car. Its not worth it to do anything for the sake of trying to impress others. Get your life established first!

[ManoNegra]

realize your mistake....sell it and buy a manual.

Wrong 'cause OP is a man and can handle a basic 5 speed swap.

[CleanAndLegit]

buy an alarm

"And if you want a conversion I charge $400 labor, and work is done in 2 days."

$400???????????????????????????????

thats a lot of beer.

and alot of time...

[redline240sx]

A drop!!! Springs if money is a issue, coilovers if not. Then after that a swap.

[KoukiDrifter240]

1.rebuild motor
2.swap tranny
3.turbo ka
4.save money no sr :wackit:

[uLmighty]

this how it is right now


http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/2888/60505424816087212726927.jpg (http://img148.imageshack.us/i/60505424816087212726927.jpg/)



http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/9862/60505424816082212726927.jpg (http://img829.imageshack.us/i/60505424816082212726927.jpg/)


http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/1537/60505424816077212726927.jpg (http://img251.imageshack.us/i/60505424816077212726927.jpg/)

^^ lol

that's my car for now.

[95KA-Turbo]

I put the JDM bumpers on mine, then got free lowering springs, then got TT Z32 wheels, then went to Japan and bought coilovers, exhaust, and wheels, then did a 5-speed swap, then got different wheels, then did a SR swap, did upgrades to that for a little while, then ripped the car apart to do a LS1 swap and a cage and what not, supposed to be bringing it home tomorrow after a year of building it.

Thats my super condensed timeline from right before I graduated college (2006) until now. I was super broke when I got the car - traded my old S14 for it - and am glad I've done it in small steps. This last step I did was way too large of one, I am not happy I haven't driven the car in a year.

[Flushed_S14]

I would say sell it an get a manual one...the money you are going to use to convert it can be used for something else (say coil overs)

[fckillerbee]

Wrong 'cause OP is a man and can handle a basic 5 speed swap.

no where in this thread did it state the op's sex.

retract from statement....

I would swap in a LSx. everyone else is doing it.

[.emerson.]

What I tell most ppl.

If you care a lot about looks: buy decent coils, used REAL rims, a lip and dump it. Until u get the REAL $$$ for the SR and tranny.
If you care a little about looks: Coils, nicely lower it, and maintenence!!!
If you could careless about what ppl think: Get a real job, save up, and splurge in the end.

[Persona]

Theres no need to sell it to get a manual one thats probably beat to shit.

Find a job and swap it, not like its that hard or expensive if you have a steady income.