new owner, tune up ?'s

[Ser_rah]

Hi, my girlfreind just bought a 93 coupe 5sp.  It has 112k and is in real good shape.  I did a a few things.  I hope they are ok, and constructive ideas would be appreciated
 
I checked the battery, changed fuel/air filter.  Plug wires are new. Haven't checked the plugs, I'll look at them tomorrow.  I am assuming they've been done recently too.  I cleaned the tb, checked the timing its at 20btdc I think.  Its right at the second to last mark on the right.  Can I give it a little more and be ok?

One thing is there was a rattling coming from under the valve cover.  I was concerned, but I've heard this is only a timing chain guide making the noise.  I did notice, while listening to it, some oil coming out of the gasket right by one of the bolts on the vc.  I think I want to replace the gasket, and have a look.  Maybe I'll get a compression test done.  

 Anything else I should look at? I'll flush the coolant, and change the oil soon.  


 Oh and since I'll have the vc off...  What is the hot oem  cam swap to look for?  The exhaust cam had an orange or yellow "o" painted on it.
 Sorry for a longish post,  tia for any advice  
                                                          Ben

[Broadwayblues]

As far as the rattling goes, you are correct. When I took the valve cover off my 92, I saw it laying right on top of the chain. Talked to some guys from Nissan about it and they told me that it happens to all of them, and not to worry about getting a new one. Seems there is another one on the bottom of the engine still rattling away on mine. The same guys told me not to worry about it, it was more trouble then it was worth. As far as the rest, I am not sure. Honestly I don't even own a light gun, and never checked the timing on my car. Looks like I have some homework to do.*Where is that Chilton's?*

240SX are great cars! I am sure that you will see that!

-John <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

[sykikchimp]

check this out for all your capacities and specs.
It's the back of the FSM

Quick Reference (http://charles.sykikchimp.org/quickref.html)

edit - The valve cover gasket seems to be a pretty common item to begin leaking. &nbsp;Very easy to change too. &nbsp;Go down to nissan and pick one up. &nbsp;I'll post the bolt removal/tightening procedure when I get home and get to my FSM. &nbsp;While your in their just remove the Guide. &nbsp;It's useless, and can cause problems if left in there.

[Ser_rah]

Good to know fellas. I actually tightened the vc bolts a little to like 15lb-in (I think it wasnt much) from the sides going in. it seems to have cleared it up for now.

It was raining yesterday, so I was testing the traction, and noticed some nice handling cahracteristics. A little wheel hop tho. Could the mounts be suspect here?

This morning it was dry, but I just got on the gas a bit, and it spins well. Not like my Se-r <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

What do you actually shift at. 7k? It seems out of its range over 5k I shifted at like 6k in second a few times.

Thanks for the advice, I think I'll get the Haynes manual soon. I still wonder if a cam swap is in the cards for it. Does the direct valve-train make this harder?
Ben

[sykikchimp]

You can eliminate a lot of the whell hop by replacing the bushings in the rear subframe with new polyurethane bushings. &nbsp;I think the FSM says the torque on those VC bolts is like 12-14 so you should be fine. &nbsp;The torque peak on the KA is around 4k rpm. &nbsp;I've found the best place to shift is right about 6,500 rpm. &nbsp;This will drop you just above the torque peak and pull nice and hard.

They changed the Cams in the KA in 93' to be a little less aggressive. &nbsp;the 91-92 are 240/248. &nbsp;A common swap is to use 2 91-92 exhaust cams and re-shim one for an intake cam. &nbsp;That is all the Nismo cams are. &nbsp;That should help a bit. &nbsp;I think the 93-up cams are like 232/232 or something.. &nbsp;JWT also make a really nice set of cams that gives about 8whp. &nbsp;Colt cams (available through pdm-racing) make some that will give you about 12-15 but you sacrifice some lowend.

I haven't actually changed the cams out but from what I hear its fairly easy. &nbsp;Just make sure you get the manual first.

[Ser_rah]

I did a few cam swaps, so I'd like to get some cams if I can do it cheap $$, when I change the bad vc gasket. &nbsp;What about Altima, or even Stanza cams? (i think it had a KA)

&nbsp;The car can put down ok on dry pavement. &nbsp;I think I'll see if I can do without mounts, and rear subframe bushings. &nbsp;I have to do steering rack bushings, and look at the firewall mount on my car. If I'm doing that I should throw a bushing in the shifter to boot. argh!
&nbsp;
&nbsp;The 240 is very balanced handler, even if it has too much roll for comfort. &nbsp;Just out of curiosity... Are sway bars a good idea for first handling upgrade?
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Peace &nbsp;~Ben