Need Help With S14 Purchase

[Snouki]

So I'm currently looking at 2 s14s and both are the same price. one is 95 zenki w/jdm kouki front and has sr20 swap w/90k kms, 240k on the car. owner claims low maintenance and runs it at ~350whp @14psi.

Car has the following engine mods:

Isis FMIC kit
Forge DV (recirced)
Mishimoto Alluminum Rad
Altima Efans
Custom built alluminum intake
Z32 MAF
740cc injectors
Enthalpy Tuned s14 sr ECU
Cruise t28 stainless manifold (new 5 layer gasket)
ISIS screamer turbo elbow (wastegate dump tube)
3" Megan downpipe with Flex
3" Hollowed Vibrant CAT
3" ISIS dual tip straight pipe
AEM wideband
Braided turbo lines
Aem Tru-Boost controller
Sport Comp II oil guage
Valve cover And spark plug well gaskets just changed allong with intake,and every turbo related gasket (charge pipes, flange)
Moroso extened oil pan
Stage 3 clutch
New oil pickup line installed

The other car is 97 all original kouki (ka) with all service records and 140k kms. I would most likely boost this in the future.

I like the fact that the 97 is original and seems to be a safe bet. However, the 95 has most of the mods I was planning on doing anyway, thus saving me money. The 95 appears to be completely rust free besides one small spot on the body, the 97 says the rockers need attention.

My focus is reliability first, power second. I've read up on both these motors a lot and everyone says for sr swaps it depends on where it was purchased and stock ka's are solid. Assuming the sr came from a reliable source, can i expect to drive it every day problem free with these particular mods? I don't mind maintaining it, I just don't want to be left hanging. I also have a cottage 400km away that i visit ~5 times a year, I don't wanna have to worry about that.

I understand buying used is always a risk, i would just like to know if the sr is built well enough for my needs, or if it would be smarter to go with the original kouki. Also, I don't need 350hp. Would there be much point in lowering the psi to increase reliability or would the damage be done? (not sure how long its been running like this though). Aaaannnd one more; I haven't gone to see ether car yet, if anyone has extra advice on what to look for when I do, that'd be greatly appreciated!

[mau5trap]

buy a stock s14.

[inyourkouki]

buy the stock one, you might buy someones problem on the other one

[Cash]

Will this be your only vehicle?

[Snouki]

yes it would be my only vehicle for a bit. Is there anyway to tell if I am buying someone elses problem or no?

[simmode1]

yes it would be my only vehicle for a bit. Is there anyway to tell if I am buying someone elses problem or no?

It is possible to find swapped cars with good reliability, but you are taking a big risk. The only way I would not hesitate to buy a swapped car is if I already had another car to daily. That SR car might be fine, but there are any number of things that could turn into a nagging problem. Get the stock one. Does it have a sunroof? If so, be warned: sunroofs suck.

[Snouki]

ok thats pretty much what I was thinking, I'm more wondering if theres any way to be sure before I buy. I am leaning toward the sr bc I figure with the money Ill save on parts I could rebuild the motor if need be. But i don;t want continous problems either..

[simmode1]

^^^Got any 240 specialists in your area? Ask to have them look the car looked over before you buy. But even then, unforeseen things will always arise. Gotta remember: these are 20 year old cars and engines with 20 year old problems. Either take the plunge or don't. Maybe you should take that SR S14 money and buy a legit daily that stays stock instead (like a V6 Tacoma or Frontier) and then buy a modded 240 later.

[Snouki]

going to look at the stock one today. the more i find out about the modded one the more weary I get. Doesnt seem like its had proper care. Anyway, whats this business about the sunroof? the stock one does have one...

[jr_ss]

Some people hate sunroofs, some don't. Sunroofs add a chance of getting cancer or leaking, causing potential issues. The drains should be cleaned with an air gun, I enjoy my sunroof...

[Snouki]

So the stock one has rust on the rocker panels and a bit in the wheel wells as well. I can post pictures up later but the rockers are done. How much would I be looking at do you guys think? I will be taking it to my local guy as well but just wanna see what you guys think

[zombiewolf513]

Youre starting in the wrong place.

The real question is... Whats your budget?

[wanna240]

This is posted in the wrong place, there is a stickied thread called Help me buy an S Chassis. You will get more help there and it will remove clutter from the forums.

[woofy]

Go stock, body work is easy. I recently acquired a vh45 swapped s13 and it's a fucking nightmare,granted I can fix it but if I had gotten a stock one and gone the same route it would have been a lot easier.

[Snouki]

hey sorry guys, I didn't see the other threaad for these types of posts. but anyway i took the pictures of the car to 2 body shops in my area and both said to stay away from it. So i will be looking at the other one this week with my buddy who knows 240s/SR's a lot better than me. Thanks for evryones help so far.

[wanna240]

I can help you look. Where are you located?

[Snouki]

Im from southern ontario, canada

[wanna240]

Oh ok. I'll search now. Would you consider Zenkis?

[Snouki]

yes if the price is right. My main concern is reliability but if I got a zenki I would convert it to kouki at some point for sure.

[wanna240]

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/kitchener-waterloo/1995-nissan-240sx-zenkie/1082983938?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/gatineau/nissan-s14-jdm-rhd-180sx-240sx-sr20det/1091679676?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/city-of-toronto/1994-nissan-240sx-s14-silvia-coupe-2-door/1093212895?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/markham-york-region/1995-nissan-240sx-s14-sr20det-coupe/492266939?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Hope that helped with your search.

[Snouki]

thanks for your help, i've already exhausted those though. 1. is actually very close to me, too rusty. 2 and 3 are RHD which are too hard to insure here and the last ones been listed for over a year so ive decided to keep my distance. many others have come n gone that have appeared to be comparable. Thanks again for your help though, I do appreciate it !

[wanna240]

No problem