s13 Vs S14 chasis...which to build on pros vs cons?

Hey guys...ok now whats the best chasis to start building on? the pre 95 or the post 95...or more general the older 240sx's or the newer style?? is there any difference in handle, also is the reason people buy the older models because of a money issue or is it the better choice? ALSO since the sr20det is going in the car, is there any preference on editions of the 240sx? (such as SX or SE).. Let me know your pros and cons!!

i thought id let you 240sx guros get your opinions in since ive never owned one....

Thanks guys...oh yah, anybody know a good cheap sr20det clip?

later

brian

the se and le have five lugs instead of four like the base model

There was no SX version...Autotrader.com (and a few other) are stupid, or maybe the people that use them are. 240sx came in two trims for nearly all the years...base and SE. SE had a few options...nothing really that special. LE was a possible trim selection for 97 and 98 I believe (98 I'm sure it was). If you get a 95-98 get the ABS option since nearly all included an LSD. If you get an older 240 then avoid ABS equipped versions and add an LSD after.

The older 240's have less body rigidity, but that can be easily fixed with some mods. They also can cost as much as half or two-thirds less. If you don't care about looks then pick a decent example of either (no bad rust or major problems) for as cheap as you can find.

oh yah..i havent even considered that yet..im probably going to do a center lugnut conversion when i get to track so that wont matter..any other differences? i guess since ill be exchanging the ECU that it wont matter anyways...does a different verion have less wiring problems when converting?

Well the s13 has a stiffer body more sport like, whiles the s14 moved away from that alil. Dang im off work WHOO HOO post more at home!!!:bigthumb:

so it really just the body option..most likely if i want to find a resonably cheap 240sx 95+ then it would want ABS...maybe...not many 240sx's around here for sell....

one other thing...you guys say the s14 is a more newer look...it seems to me there are more actually aero tested race bodykits for the s13 than the s14...so if yyou think about it..paying extremely less on a s13 and just spending the rest on a body kit would make more sense? So then its basically just comes down to a preference? since both have about the same suspension and steering on them


and let me get this straight..if all possible i want to look for a 95+ perferabbly newer 97+ with ABS so SE version...

That's my plan ATM :biggrin:

97/98 looks more agressive, but 95/96 has more of a refined look that whoever the original designer was had in mind so it looks cleaner and more fitting to me. I'll take either if I can find it without driving to Florida.

where the S14 loses to the S13 in chassis rigidity. it gains on the stability. the S14 is 6 inches wider so it will feel more planted, and has a slightly long wheelbase i believe so its more stable at high speeds.

just in case someone needs to know





the S13 is also lighter

anyone have wheelbase/width/height specs on the S13 and S14? haven't found them yet.

FYI, the designer of the S-Chassis cars said that with the S14, many people felt he was moving away from the performance oriented ness of the S13, and was moving toward a more luxurious direction.

Obviously, with the S15, it was corrected :D

how much do S15's weigh?

OK guys well i guess the question now is....anyone a s14 for sale??? wouldnt mind a blown engine or no engine...


also who thinks they know the best s14 body kit there is..need it to be Real for actually racing so less drag coeffient than stock..

thanks guys

Originally posted by SR20DETpower
how much do S15's weigh?
s14's range from 2800 to 2920 lbs, a little more than 200 lbs of a s13. im guessing s15's weight slightly more yet

s15 is more luxorious... but who wants that in a sport coupe? get a s13, lot more fun to drive

s14 stats
Height : 50.8 in.
Overall length : 177.2 in.
Wheelbase : 99.4 in.
Overall Width : 68.1 in.

not sure about the s13... prolly close to the same.

s13:

Exterior length 178.0"
Exterior body width 66.5"
Exterior height 50.8"
Wheelbase 97.4"

Originally posted by caper
OK guys well i guess the question now is....anyone a s14 for sale??? wouldnt mind a blown engine or no engine...


also who thinks they know the best s14 body kit there is..need it to be Real for actually racing so less drag coeffient than stock..

thanks guys

i'll sell you mine, but it sounds like you dont want to spend too much since you asked about the blown or no engine. Mine is far from going... 63K miles.

Having owned both a S13 and a S14, here are my thoughts:

S14
-more stability, less prone to oversteer
-much bigger/better interior, more headroom
-better throtte response and engine note
-2nd and 3rd gear synchros kinda sketchy.
-pedal position makes it difficult to heel toe

S13
-Oversteers easily, somewhat dangerous in the rain
-slightly better driving position, much better pedal position
-Im 5' 9" and my hair brushes against the roof
-Cruise control + other functions blocked by steering wheel
-HUD really nifty, but the image is a little glary
-I like the stock wheels more than the S14's (not incl S14 SE)
-Better steering wheel

Both cars are excellent platforms for tuning. 5 lugs and lsd are always plusses.

I'm 6'2"...from what you say I assume I can't sit in the S13 without slouching (sp?) or tilting the seat back. Will I be able to sit in the s14? If not I'm getting my torso shortened lol.

my dad is 6'2" and fits in my car just fine.

Originally posted by dayna240sx
my dad is 6'2" and fits in my car just fine.
yea but yours is an s14

in an s13, im 6'1, when i spike up my hair it kinda grazes the top. if i dont i fit perfect. my guess is 6'2" is absolute max for s13

ty :)

yet another reason for me to get a 14 rather than 13

One more thing to add that I haven't seen anyone else mention is that if you get a 97/98 240 the doors have side impact beams which are good if you ever get T-boned or lose control trying to drift and hit a telephone poll.

My friend was driving an Accent and got too close to the soft shoulder and the tires hooked right in and the car skided around and smashed the drivers door into a telephone poll. He was in a coma for weeks and still uses a wheel chair quite a bit and the accident happened over 2 years ago.

Something to maybe justify drivng the s14 which weighs more...i think the 95/96 doesn't have the side impact beams though.

Speaking of safety, I think only the S14s were offered with anti-lock brakes. This option is EXTREMELY important/desireable - much more than 5 lugs or even LSD. Your brake parts will last a lot longer and stopping will be much easier. My old s14 probably could have survived that accident had it been equipped with ABS.

I think Id be willing to pay up to $2000 to have my car fitted with an aftermarket abs system - if such a thing exists.

S13 had ABS as an option though it was in its infancy and sucked balls compared the ABS of 1996+ cars. ABS is very good in bad conditions like snow, but in good conditions it has been shown to slow the car much less than regular pumping. If you start skidding though, or need to turn, abs is a much better choice. ABS is also good for inexperienced drivers also.

LSD is very important and nearly required for a rwd in the winter if you don't want to get stuck.

Since the S13 and S14 are very similar I bet you could get some parts from an S14 and make an S13 with S14 ABS system...more work than it's really worth though since the time and money might rival the cost of just getting a nice S14 with abs lol.

well probably ill just end up tinkering with the rear to make it true posi-traction the old fashion way =) with a mig welder


anyways still looking for a s14!! email me at [email protected] if you have one


brian

Why not get an OEM LSD...

Just don't get an old lsd with high miles...they eventually work less and less effective. I'd go with a kaaz or other nice aftermarket lsd.

Viscous, which is used on most stock limited-slips, is smoother with power delivery, but much slower to react than a clutch-type or helical-gear.