First upgrade

[jd-17]

what should the first upgrade for my 92 240 be?

im thiniking AEM cold air intake but if someone has a better idea please share because i dont know where to start

[caall99]

a sr20det, if thats too much money, then turbo the KA, still too much... do the intake, exhaust, and some thorough maintenance

[FaLKoN240]

if anything, get better tires. You'll notice that "mod" most.

[jd-17]

if anything, get better tires. You'll notice that "mod" most.
new tires and wheels(rims)?

[MakotoS13]

a sr20det

GO BACK TO AFRICA WITH THAT CRAP!

[OptionZero]

NOTHING.
1. Spend your money making sure your car runs properly. Mods are useless if ur car's sitting in the driveway, broken.

2. After maintenance and repair, you need seat time. Learn how to drive your car and its limits.

3. As part of #1 and #2, tires are probably something you should invest in. If you can find old Falken Azenis', they'll make your life considerably brighter...otherwise, the ST-115 is a cheap alternative with lower performance but plenty of availability and sizes and lasts longer.

4. Go to events, even if it's just watching, at least you can talk and observe other more experienced car guys. If you can swing it, ride along with other people, not necessarily at the track, but being in a car at speed and, if possible, at the limits will improve your "road feel" (if that exists).

5. Do one mod or "area" at a time, consider also that whatever your price is, leave EXTRA money because stuff can go wrong and you may find out you forgot a step or generally just fuck up something.

Read as much as you can, talk to everyone, don't assume you know everything or even anything, and remember this is a hobby and only part of your life, not your entire life. Have fun, learn in the process, help your fellow drivers, and build a cool car.

[jd-17]

GO BACK TO AFRICA WITH THAT CRAP!
lol yea im keeping my KA hell ill say it im rockin the KA24DE

[jd-17]

NOTHING.
1. Spend your money making sure your car runs properly. Mods are useless if ur car's sitting in the driveway, broken.

2. After maintenance and repair, you need seat time. Learn how to drive your car and its limits.

3. As part of #1 and #2, tires are probably something you should invest in. If you can find old Falken Azenis', they'll make your life considerably brighter...otherwise, the ST-115 is a cheap alternative with lower performance but plenty of availability and sizes and lasts longer.

4. Go to events, even if it's just watching, at least you can talk and observe other more experienced car guys. If you can swing it, ride along with other people, not necessarily at the track, but being in a car at speed and, if possible, at the limits will improve your "road feel" (if that exists).

5. Do one mod or "area" at a time, consider also that whatever your price is, leave EXTRA money because stuff can go wrong and you may find out you forgot a step or generally just fuck up something.

Read as much as you can, talk to everyone, don't assume you know everything or even anything, and remember this is a hobby and only part of your life, not your entire life. Have fun, learn in the process, help your fellow drivers, and build a cool car.


yea i just finished step 1 and 2...my torque converter(had a thread on it) came loose twice so now if it comes loose im getting a new converter but tires sound like a popular choice

[jd-17]

and another thing if im gettin new tires how should i determine the correct size for the car

[ALTRNTV]

^
Depends on the rim you'll be using.

[ManoNegra]

Suspension, tires, brakes and some chassis stiffining and the car will feel like a champ. After that having some seat time will give you a good idea as to what needs to be done next.

[MakotoS13]

driving and working on your car is an indepsensable asset when modifying a car.

to make the most of your machine you must first understand it. if you don't know the why you risk wasting money and time.

[ThatGuy]

I thought you were getting rid of your 240 because it was too much work? Now you're asking what to do first??

[jd-17]

no i was having alot of problems with it but after two weeks of work and figuring out what was wrong with the converter im keeping it

[OptionZero]

Then you need to stop thinking about modifications and racing for the 240.

Spend your time reading about CARS, because if you have no idea about something so simple as tire sizing then you're way over your head.

Don't spend a dime on performance parts. Don't. Stop.

Find how how a car runs and learn about its components. Watch other people work on their cars and talk to drivers and such. Save your money and spend it when it will actually make a difference, otherwise you will have a motorized shopping cart of parts that do nothing.

[jd-17]

Then you need to stop thinking about modifications and racing for the 240.

Spend your time reading about CARS, because if you have no idea about something so simple as tire sizing then you're way over your head.

Don't spend a dime on performance parts. Don't. Stop.

Find how how a car runs and learn about its components. Watch other people work on their cars and talk to drivers and such. Save your money and spend it when it will actually make a difference, otherwise you will have a motorized shopping cart of parts that do nothing.
thanks for saying exactly what i didnt want..pointless crap that you need to keep to yourself your first post was great leave it at that it was just a question and nothing you needed to get all mad about

[caall99]

actually, OptionZero is right. listen to what he is saying, you need to learn about your car before you do any performance modifications. for instance an air intake won't do anything if your plugs are fouled. Study the 240sx, understand the suspension geometry. trust me, once you know the car inside out you will have the words to back up your modifications. Plus, during the learning phase you will have saved money and fixed anything that wasn't working right. Then you'll have enough money for an sr20. thats right makotos13... sr20det.

[theicecreamdan]

manual conversion and a helmet. then put a badass paintjob on the helmet.

[FaLKoN240]

manual conversion and a helmet. then put a badass paintjob on the helmet.

LOL I like the way you think.

OptionZero is right. Before you start throwing money into your car, for power, or shit you don't really need, learn about your car. Drive it, get seat time. When you find the car not keeping up with YOU. Then read up, see what your problem is, and go from there. But if you have an automagic, I HIGHLY suggest you get a manual. Everyone knows auto isn't as fun as stick.

Seriously though. Don't get air intake or any of that crap. If the money is burning a hole in your pocket. Give it to your dad, and tell him to save it for you.

[OptionZero]

ok, now i know you're a dumbshit, you've acted and posted like a dumbshit, but the dumbest and shittiest thing you did just now is refuse to acknowledge that you're a dumbshit.

You don't know SHIT about cars, and you're going to tell other people what you do and don't want to hear?

Thats like a little kid saying he doesn't want to hear that gravity exists and wants to jump of a cliff.

What you think you know about cars is NOTHING, so i'll give you one more friendly chance.
LEARN ABOUT FUCKING CARS BEFORE YOU SPEND MONEY ON THEM.

If you can't take care of a stock car what the FUCK makes you think you can handle a modified one?

So don't talk back to people, shut the fuck up and listen.

Read every FAQ in the section, google up "suspension" and "driving technique", save up your money, and talk to people IN PERSON who own 240s or any other modified cars. You're clearly not ready for this path, and your response shows that even more.

Shit, I bet you don't even know what a cold air intake DOES.

[A Spec Products]

man you guys need to cool down

every thread these days seems to be haters going at each other

but what optionzero recommended is a good start

a good running KA is more important than modding your car

you mod your car to make it perform better in conjunction with your skill level as a driver. that being said, modding it just for the sake of modding (i.e putting an intake) is kinda pointless. if your intake works fine now, no sense you take stuff apart to have a shiny pipe and filter.

but yeah, i saw the words torque converter. manual conversion first, get the KA running good, spend a couple of months studying what others have done and learn from those mistakes. impulse buys are the worst.

maintenance > suspension > tires > wheels > custom exhaust > bucket seat > ........ > exterior

[OptionZero]

and dude, why do you think I'm telling you this stuff? You think I made this up or shit?

I learned what I'm telling you because I WAS FUCKIN YOU! Spending all my time counting the "horsepower gains" from bolt on and crap. I had an automatic, and left it automatic WAY too long, and I consider myself disadvantaged because every day spend with an auto is one day I coulda been learning to drive stick, rev match, heel toe, or hit the track and learn lines, apexis, weight transfer, all that goodness.

but hey, do whatever the hell you want, if u want to waste money, send it to me so i can buy wheels from a-spec!

[jd-17]

no you dont get the point im in here to find out what i need to do not to get flamed your first post was great dont get me wrong im not after you or anything you just need to calm down and when i ask a stupid question just grit your teeth and answer it no matter how dumb it is......you make this community so hard to get into for a newb and then you scare them away believe me it worked once with my first thread

[OdessaS13]

wow, i thought i was reading the last post for a minute, if you are going to bash on people trying to give you good advise then y make a retarded post like, "What should i buy off ebay first ". Like everyone said if you are going to be ignorant about people trying to give you good advise just do whatever you want, after all a 10k budget is very nice plus its your money.

and i quote


jd-17-
Hi everyone this is my first time to this site. I have had my '92 240sx SE for about 2 months now and i love it. However I'm looking to upgrade as much as possible for under $10,000. If you could post suggestions for what i can do that would be great. Thanks for the info.

your first mod should be learning to listen to people that obviously have more experience than you. And your second mod should be downloading the s13 FMS.

dont take this personally, you prob have good intentions and everything but u seriously need to learn to listen.

[Omarius Maximus]

hahaha, you people are too funny!!!!
Well heres my advice as far as the car goes: No engine mods whatsoever if your driving automatic. Why? Because exhaust intake headers will slow you down. If your going to touch the engine, make sure its manual. I learned that a long time ago. The best thing you can do at this point is replace warn parts with parts that perform much better. Shocks, brake pads, brake fluid, bushings. Thats where you will actually "feel" a difference. The power an intake makes is pretty much negligable on a 240.

[Omarius Maximus]

Aem doesnt make a cold air intake for a 240 anyway.

[A Spec Products]

Aem doesnt make a cold air intake for a 240 anyway.

i had our own intake on my car for a while (why? cause it was lying around and free and i was bored) and eventually i just put it back to stock and used the maf adapter + filter

same sound as intake, but no chrome pipe for 5-0 to cry about

[FaLKoN240]

Yeah they do, I have an ad in one of my mags that says they made 20 HP with their intake and CPU on an KA S14.

[jd-17]

Aem doesnt make a cold air intake for a 240 anyway.
would you liek a link to a site that sells it or the actual AEM site itself

[A Spec Products]

would you liek a link to a site that sells it or the actual AEM site itself

i think he means that on the AEM site they list a SHORT RAM but no applications for a COLD AIR.

[jd-17]

i think he means that on the AEM site they list a SHORT RAM but no applications for a COLD AIR.
oh ok.....

[MakotoS13]

what like this?
http://makotoseven.com/240/level3/koyo2.jpg

manufactured by the most awesome company in the world.

[infinitexsound]

a intake really doesnt nothing for a KA when its stock.... u get like the same hp even with a maf adapter and cone filter.. and spend way less then gettin some carb eo intake system... id personally get some suspension and brake stuff...

[OptionZero]

yup, damn fool doesn't even know what he's buying.

You wanted to know what to do, I TOLD YOU WHAT TO DO: RESEARCH AND READ, TALK TO OTHERS AND LISTEN, DRIVE AND RIDE. FUCK MAN DON'T SPEND MONEY BLINDLY.

[driftyour40]

Front and rear strut tower braces, new struts (tokico, kyb), and 5 speed swap. A book about suspension, understanding that only comes with fucking up for your self. Better brakes, got some money to burn then buy a KA, SR, RB, or whatever, and build it up out of the car. Or sit on your ass thinking you know what you’re talking about, telling people you just asked for help not to help you how they see fit, or just go away.

[nistech]

makoto where is ur fan?
i see that u dumped the clutch fan and u got a koyo but i dont see any e fans doesnt it over hear? when u are idling

[MakotoS13]

hayden 14" electric fan from vatozone. works great especially with this koyo. i might need a better on when i go turbo but we'll see.

[lilredstiffy]

if i had to go back in time i would have gotten either coilovers or a 2 way as a first mod

cause they are the best

[MakotoS13]

my order of mods:

1- take off all the old crap
3- replace all bushings and brake stuff while the car is under the knife
4- paint car
5- make interior livable
6- coilovers/ruca/front tie rod ends and Z32 inners/hubs/SE's
7- koyo/S15 silvia HLSD

now after like ten grand the car is ready for power. doing it right and just building a fast car are not the same things.

[shift_knob]

I'm assuming you actually want to take advice. Everything on a car consists of physics and chemistry. Its dry and boring.

Learning materials -

-howstuffworks.com
-any book on building and tuning a Chevy 350 - great for learning basic engine operation
-Maximum Boost by Corky Bell
-Chassis Engineering by Herb Adams
-Any book on basic electronics.

I got into drifting while driving on snow in 20 year old Gen I Quattro Audis. Upgrading the cars because they could not keep up with our driving, and so far its the most i have ever learned about a car's dynamics and mechanical operation. Good snow only falls for about 15 days out of a year in Chicago, so i wanted a car for dry pavement that i could drift. I ended up buying a 240SX and immediately threw an SR in it because all the 'drifters' had it. No LSD, no suspension, just engine and tires. Do you understand that the car is completely useless? It might as well be an American V8, fast in a straight line, but useless at everything else. I was you at one point, so listen to what people say. Most importantly learn how to perform all maintanence on your car. Then you can get your tires, brakes, lsd, suspension.

From what it seems you have a bunch of money and want to blow it on useless shit. OptionZero is right, you don't even know what the parts do.

[jd-17]

if i didnt care i would have never asked i listened to his first post but after that he just became angry and started flaming

[SochBAT]

Stop the flame war sirs.

Tires, and minor suspension things here and there. You'll notice the most difference in handling in the tires.

INvest time and money for good learning experiences.

[FaLKoN240]

This is zilvia, if you don't want to be flamed for asking simple questions you WILL be flamed. He was gentle the first time. All of the serious members of the forum, get mad if you don't take their advice. They'll get especially mad if you don't take their flame in stride, and keep on flaming.

[OptionZero]

You forgot the step where you decided that you knew more than any of us:

thanks for saying exactly what i didnt want..pointless crap that you need to keep to yourself your first post was great leave it at that it was just a question and nothing you needed to get all mad about


Since when the FUCK do you know what pointless crap is? You're the one who wants to put an intake that doesn't exist on an automatic KA.

Fuck, even the s14 in your sig is ugly. I can't imagine what some ignorant kid on a shoestring budget will come up with.

[KrazyZenki]

Hey talk shit to the kid but dont dis the S14 i think it looks good.

But seriously listen to these guys. Learn how to drive your car, I mean really learn how to drive it not just make it accelerate and occasionly negotiate a turn. Go to track days ask some of the more experienced drivers if you can ride along, most of them are more than happy to let you. Read up...go into the archives, browse multiple forums, buy some books and not just read the material but comprehend it. I have been browsing thias forums for over a year and still dont have half the knowledge of most these guys. Once you get to the point of you outdriving your car then upgrade where your car is lacking. When you go to buy a part for your car ask yourself this question: "How is this going to improve my car in either handling, braking, acceleration, ride comfort, stability.... " If you can not answer that question with some detail rethink why you need this part.

[Omarius Maximus]

yeah, No COLD AIR intakes, only hot air ones. hahaha

[Omarius Maximus]

If I had 8k or 10k like you do, then this is how I would go about modifying my car. Take 240, fix everything wrong with it then relegate it to Daily Driver status. With the rest of the money, purchase a used 2004 Kawasaki ZX-6R and use that to go fast with.

[Omarius Maximus]

The older ZX-6Rs don't have slipper clutches so you can drift while braking and downshifting for corners hahaha

[tweek]

After you ask somebody a question you shut your mouth and open your ears, and then you will learn something new.

First of all you need a manual trany! After that you don't need any mods right away because you have to figure out how to use your new trany. After you figure that out, you learn what you need to upgrade by testing your cars limits. You don't need to ask what your first mod should be if you follow these instructions.

Go pick up this months issue of Modified Mag and it will tell you where you need to go to get parts for a manual trany swap.

[240_sx_guy]

1. make sure your car runs right
2. swap the auto to a manual
3. determine goals for the car
4. upgrade suspension, brakes and install lsd based on goals for car
5. get some track time

When you are ready to increase the power, parts for n/a ka will yield the LEAST bang for the buck. Either turbo the ka or swap in an sr

[SR240DET]

makoto i suggest you get rid of that autozone filter... next time you change your oil... look for sand... and dirt and what not... ever since i cut the bottom off my stock box and trashed those cheapo cone filters... i dont get sand in my oil anymore..... i highly suggest everybody to not use the filters unless you need that ricer bling....

[jd-17]

After you ask somebody a question you shut your mouth and open your ears, and then you will learn something new.

First of all you need a manual trany! After that you don't need any mods right away because you have to figure out how to use your new trany. After you figure that out, you learn what you need to upgrade by testing your cars limits. You don't need to ask what your first mod should be if you follow these instructions.

Go pick up this months issue of Modified Mag and it will tell you where you need to go to get parts for a manual trany swap.

im goin to pick it up tom...
also the manual tranny is sumthing im goin to do over a long break so i can finish learning how to use one and get used to it (started learning on a "96 civic but we sold it before i learned completely)

[sncs14]

this thread is pointless. JD-17 is obviously lost and needs to learn to search. every question he's asked has been covered a gazillion times.

JD-17, others have told you this and now i am too, SEARCH AND DO RESEARCH. read magazines, google, and stop being a waste of our time.

[theicecreamdan]

nothing will help your driving quite like a badass helmet

[OdessaS13]

/\ yah a bright yellow one :)
j/k...

[240SeXy!]

make sure its a shinny green on or else your not pro... :Owned:

[jd-17]

make sure its a shinny green on or else your not pro... :Owned:
maybe even some green and orange

[NemeGuero]

GET NAWWSS!!! 2 of the big bottles..

[Var]

These are the only mods you need to do.

1-Manual conversion
2-Weld your diff
3-cut your springs
4-adjust your e-brake

then go driving in the mountains.

When i get my next 240 that's the exact things i'm gonna do to it(but mine will already be a manual)

[jd-17]

These are the only mods you need to do.

1-Manual conversion
2-Weld your diff
3-cut your springs
4-adjust your e-brake

then go driving in the mountains.

When i get my next 240 that's the exact things i'm gonna do to it(but mine will already be a manual)
unfortunately i live in southern florida

[Var]

O shitttttttttt. hmm....I guess make it hurricane proof.

[1121S13]

first upgrade
Read.

[chuy]

My first upgrade was a complete tune up. The second was coil overs, tires, T/C rods, tie rods, Nismo power brace, sway bars, now I have a LSD at the house waiting to go in. I can say with pride that I have beaten Porshes, WRXs, and a Viper at circuit racing but unfortuneitly I dont have the pwer yet to stay in front on the straight away.

[neilsan]

for the first mod i'd buy something for suspension. +1 vote for better tires.

An AEM CAI will net you no discernable performance on teh butt dyno, but improving the handling is something you'll definitely notice.

I say this after spending about $800 between exhaust, header and intake and then going drifting. If you want to improve your car, suspension is money much better spent, in my opinion. start out small and get nismo mounts and subframe spacers. then save up for a spring/strut combo or megan coilovers.

If you can find a decent filter and maf adapter on ebay for like $30 shipped, i might do that, but it really only adds sound. I wouldn't delete the stock intake tube either... 1, for fitment 2, cuz it doesnt even flow poorly and 3 because supposedly the small air chamber attached to the radiator helps smooth out the torque band.

[theicecreamdan]

I honestly got the most enjoyment out of the first car that I never did any mods and just drove it for what its worth, mods will come, but learn to enjoy driving first, otherwise your mods mean nothing.

[OdessaS13]

/\ well said

[jbj858]

sorry everyone..i was at my friends house when i logged on...and i stayed logged on..it was my friend who made those remarks not me..so once again..sorry for my immature friend

[MakotoS13]

makoto i suggest you get rid of that autozone filter... next time you change your oil... look for sand... and dirt and what not... ever since i cut the bottom off my stock box and trashed those cheapo cone filters... i dont get sand in my oil anymore..... i highly suggest everybody to not use the filters unless you need that ricer bling....

wanna know sumthin? those hawt jdm foam filters are worse than cotton ones and they break down eventually and are sucked into your motor. your paper filter filters better because it restricts everything.

this motor will be replaced before it dies and if not, who cares? ricer bling, tell that to the guy running WIRE MESH instead of a filter. i dont live in the desert or on a beach so sand isn't a bit concern of mine.

[jd-17]

my new stuff is comin soon
im gettin a new intake, exhaust/muffler
also im doin a 5-speed swap by x-mas
my rear main is leaking so my torque converter has to be cut out. it will cost me more money to replace it then to do 5-speed swap so thats what im doin

[ThatGuy]

Rear main seal is an easy fix if you are doing the 5 speed swap anyway. Once you drop the tranny the seal is RIGHT THERE to be replaced.

[jd-17]

yea i kno thats why im just swapping it out

[Romeyo07]

first mod - insurance

[alexchanman]

seats or wheels and tires

[jd-17]

first mod - insurance
not to be an asshole or anything but i pay that every month so quit flaming


im in the process of gettin my new front tires also (already got the rear ones)

dont know if i said this before but im gettin a custom catback done by XAT here in tampa so my car is starting to move forward

[Romeyo07]

not to be an asshole or anything but i pay that every month so quit flaming

How in the hell did you take that as flaming? Even if it was, which it wasn't, get some thicker skin. :madfawk:

[Codz93]

What I found was the most logical for my 93 hatch was a full tune up, engine is old but still runs strong for 200 xxx kms. I just want the engine to last for at least another year til a sr20 swap. Next I concentrated on mods that would make the car more enjoyable to drive and would still be compatible when I do the swap. So i started with the suspension-springs/shocks, T/C rods, strut bars, sway bars, and rucas etc. Also added a B&M SS. The car is way more fun to drive now, next spring/summer will move onto the next part, which I haven't decided probably brakes and rims/tires. Good luck and be patient and reasonable.

[Lucivar619]

The only things I've done to my 240 that I've had for several months now are brakes, front main seal and replaced the factory spoiler with a spoiler from another 240 (it was rattling so horridly). I also upgraded the radio and speakers cause they were all fried. You bought a used car, there's no telling WHAT the person who owned it before you did to it. Drive it for 5000 miles first and replace anything that breaks down first, otherwise adding 5000$ worth of aftermarket stuff is only going to frustrate you if you blow the engine because the doofus who owned it before you abused it.

[24Dee]

Drive it for 5000 miles first and replace anything that breaks down first, otherwise adding 5000$ worth of aftermarket stuff is only going to frustrate you if you blow the engine because the doofus who owned it before you abused it.

Very good point!

[jd-17]

The only things I've done to my 240 that I've had for several months now are brakes, front main seal and replaced the factory spoiler with a spoiler from another 240 (it was rattling so horridly). I also upgraded the radio and speakers cause they were all fried. You bought a used car, there's no telling WHAT the person who owned it before you did to it. Drive it for 5000 miles first and replace anything that breaks down first, otherwise adding 5000$ worth of aftermarket stuff is only going to frustrate you if you blow the engine because the doofus who owned it before you abused it.
thats why im going to have to swap the tranny real soon..rear main leak and my torque converter is welded in there. i wiehged the cost of the new converter to putting the old one back in to a 5-speed swap and the swap is by far the best decision

[caall99]

yes, 5 speed swap is cheapest route, and it will yield the most benefits. better performance, better gas mileage, and 10 times the fun. also a manual tranny is especially useful when u go turbo..if that ever happens