240 or civic to mod

[mikeowen]

okay i was set on building a hybrid civic but now am wondering about getting a 240 but have little knowledge of prices and what not. I have read talk of swapping a sr20det motor in. i believe that is turbocharged and can easily be modified for major power. so what are some prices and other options?

thanks,
Mike

ilove real wheel drive.

[NISSANSPDR]

Well here's the run down...but first some info

S13 240SX's 89-90 SOHC 135HP (hatchback and coupe only)

S13 240SX's 91-94 DOHC 155HP (hatchback, coupe, convertible)

S14 240SX's 95-96 DOHC 155HP (coupe; major bodystyle change from b4)

S14 240SX's 97-98 DOHC 155HP (coupe but different front end, sideskirts, different tailights, and gauges are now circular instead of ovaled)

You can find S13's from anywhere 500 (blown motors usually) to about 6000 depending upon area, condition, mods if any, miles, and other factors.

You can find S14's from 3000 to about 15000 depending upon the same mentioned above.

Now..for the SR20DET run down....

S13 SR20DET 205HP T25 Turbo (redtop and blacktop models...only difference is the year...blacktops are newer) 5 spd manual; Price range: 1300-2000

S14 SR20DET 220HP T28 Turbo (blacktop) 5 spd manual; Price Range: 2000-3500

S15 SR20DET 250HP T28 Turbo (blacktop) 6 spd manual; Price range from 4500-6500

Other turbo options...

F-Max Turbo kit (has 2 stages)
Nsport Turbo kit (has 2 stages)
XS Engineering Turbo kit
Racetep.com Turbo kit (expensive)
HKS Turbo kit (expensive and not mass produced)
GReddy Turbo kit (coming soon!)
Custom Turbo kit (obviously cheapest but hardest to put together for newbies)

If you want one of these...I recommend the top two...w/a slight lean towards the Stage II F-Max

The KA24DE which is the engine in the 91-98 240SX's is a good engine and will hold anywhere from 300-450HP on the stock bottom end. It has the 2.4 Liters, nice torque, and is made of an iron block. Bad sides...doesnt rev high and it's not a turbo motor so you gotta turbo it if you want good power.

The SR20DET is good for 400-425HP on stock bottom end and is more race inspired. Rev's alot higher than the KA and goes to over7000RPM's as opposed the KA's redline of 6500. It's a turbo engine so to extract power get a bigger turbo crank boost and get some bolt on's and here come 12's...problem is...not as much torque as the KA's...yet to see one in the 10's as I have seen a KA in the 10's (Duy's car ran a 10.8 on a big turbo, $2000 bottom end, and 150 shot of NOS, and slicks)...and finally you have to problem of install and getting it running...not to mention that most parts you will have to get from Japan since there really is little support here for it...simple maintenance stuff that you cant find at your local Nissan dealership.

So...which is better? That's the age old question and there's no one right or wrong answer...people can go fast in both...all depends on your needs, wants, money, and know how.

Personally if I had a low mileage KA (meaning less than 70K) I'd turbo it w/the F-Max...but if you have one that has more than that...you might want to consider the swap.

NA is not bad...but it wont get you past 14's...

[mikeowen]

thanks alot man. very helpful. I think i might endup going with a honda just caause its easier to work on

[NISSANSPDR]

Hey,

You also live in Gainesville and South Florida just like me...coolness. Have you ever seen a bunch of car guys out at the Ale House in Gainesville off of Archer Road? Email me at: [email protected]

Laters man...

[kane2g]

i will disagree with your choice. I got a civic now and i was planning on putting a GSR engine in this sucker, but w/ my S13 (paid 70 bucks for it)
I cant wait to put in the 200HP powered SR motor in it. Its RWD and it has something that honda doesnt its called TORQUE. I love my EG, but I will sell it if i have to, just so i can get that motor and kick your Honda's ass.

Think of it this way GSR swap about 3K
B16a is about 2K
both have like 170-180 horses and make about 50ft/lbs less of torqe.

I just wish i saw the light before I put so much money into my Civic

[J SPEC SilEighty]

Originally posted by kane2g
but w/ my S13 (paid 70 bucks for it)

70 dollars?!?!?!
Is it completley smashed or something? not have an engine? fire damage? what?

[mikeowen]

are there any reliability problems with putting a turbo on the s14? It is good to 450hp.
that is awesome. but what kind of power can i get reliably? and what is the weight range of the 240? what kind of quarter mile times are we talking here?

thanks
Mike

NISSANSPDR i emailed you about the ale house

[J SPEC SilEighty]

Originally posted by mikeowen
and what is the weight range of the 240? what kind of quarter mile times are we talking here?

I believe that the S14 240 weighs 2840 lb's.
Use this site and you can play with the numbers and get an estimate of what you will run in the 1/4. use the second calculator there on the page
http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/4601/hpcalc.html