Mod overtime or Buy Modded?

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eurominican

eurominican

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Hi! I've been researching a lot about the 240SX and Im contemplating buying one in the next 6-10 Months. I'd like to get in the world of drifting but wont use the car exclusively for that (dont have the $$), it would be my daily driver but would take it to the track from time to time.

it seems theres 2 options for me. I either buy a clean, stock 93' 240sx and then (gradually) do the SR20DET swap on it and all the subsequent mods, or buy it with all the work done already by the previous owner. What, in your opinion, would be the wisest choice (when short on cash) and why?

Also, I like car mechanics but have no experience whatsoever. I would try and do some / most of the mods myself. Should I even bother? is it doable or most probably I'll get frustrated and end up paying lots of money in labor?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

- Hans
 
when it comes down to it, buying modded is the best way to go. when a car is modded, the seller doesnt expect retail on every little part he bought for the car. a car with 10k in work can go for like 7.5k not including the cost of the car. its all about saving money. the downside to doing that is that for one you wouldn't know how everything was put together. wiring for a standalone and things of that nature will be hard to figure out when your in need of troubleshooting. you wouldn't know what that wiring running underneath the dash is(example)etc. the car could also have some wear that you didn't know about and things like that. if u build a car from scratch, you built it and know every aspect, but it tends to cost like 3 times as much.
 
i think that buying a clean 240 and modding it uself would be the best thing to do....
even though in the long run ur gonna be saving more by buying it modded...

My Opinion: Buy a Stock Clean 240 and mod it urself.... if u really like cars and enjoy modding them.. then dats what u should really do...
 
well either you buy a 240 from a grandma that you know has been taken care of and not beat on and mod it your self

or

you buy a modded 240 with a sr20...you know that that car was beat..no one is going to do a motor swap and mod it if they dont plan on going fast or drifting

so i would say grandma car FTW
 
built, not bought!




if you buy a modded car, you don't know the quality of all the improvisations that the prev. owner did.
if you built the car yourself, you have something to be proud of as well.

plus, you might not like an SR20 swap.. not every drifter uses one.

if you want monstrous throttle response, for example, you could just modify the stock KA.


think ITBs
 
If its a good deal and you know your away around the car, i don't think purchasing modded is a bad idea. If you don't even know what a RUCA is or how to run vacuum lines for a boost controller and such parts are installed, I'd suggest building your own car because then when something goes wrong (something will go wrong), you'll at least have an idea as to how/why.
 
Thank you all for the replies, this so far I have 2 things clarified: 1 - Its definitely cheaper to buy already modded. 2 - Its way more reliable to mod oneself since its difficult what exactly and how all the mods where done.

I suppose that the state where its easier to find quality JDM parts for cheap would be California since the Seaport there is closer to Asia. So the question is:

I've read all over that 240sx are cheap to maintain and parts are easy to find in Junk yards etc. It that really true? Specially here in Miami (I live in North Miami Beach - 5 min. from Cairo Ln/Opa-Locka , where lots of junkers are located). Supposedly parts from other nissan models are the same in the 240sx; what models are those?

Thanks again for the replies!
 
There are so many interchangeable parts. Basically any RWD Nissan from that era will have a few parts you could use and even some of the FWD cars do too.
 
buy it and build it. I have bought more then my far share of modded cars and they have been nothing but problems. You can make a driftable 240 rally cheap, you don't need a sr20 to drift. The key when starting to drift is learning car control. Its easier to learn car control with a underpowered car. Once youve maxed out your skill with the car then do the swap. You will become a better driver and have time to save for the motor. Buy a stock 240 get a diff or weld it, coilovers, tie rods, rucas, intake, and exhuast. You should be able to slide that car easily and learn proper technique.
 
I do not agree that one will learn better car controlled w/ a weaker engine. Obviously I'm not taking extremes into consideration here but a stock SR is fine for a noob. I'd say better than bothering with fighting a stock KA.
 
Suan and ayes both tear it up with ka's. with less power u have to have good car control to be able to link a track. your wasting money on a swap instead of suspension.
 
Thanks for your advice guys. After considering the pros and cons of each option and your advice I've come to the conclusion I'd personally be better off buying stock, unless I get a modded car cheap from a friend that could help me out when something breaks since he (or she :) was the one that put it together. But even like that the ownership factor and feeling of accomplishment comes into play when building from stock right?

Anyway I look at it its not going to be cheap, but at least when buying stock one can upgrade things gradually.

Hopefully I'll find what I want soon (93' chuki black or grey with no rust) and meet some of you in Countyline Speedway.
 
SAS said:
with less power u have to have good car control to be able to link a track. your wasting money on a swap instead of suspension.
Click to expand...

I disagree but to each their own. Living up to the task of multiple mid drift clutch kicks to me is not car control, its frustration.
 
^drive a 86 and tell me it needs more power. Its the most fun you can have in my opinion just standing on the throttle the whole time but hey thats just me. Theres alot of people that can drift 240s that can't drift a 86.
 
Drive a boosted 240 and tell me it needs less power.

Bad argument.

Schassis to 86 argument is bad too and not b/c of power (or lack there of). Completely different chassis, suspension, ect. Obviously somebody used to a rear independent multi link and 'long' wheelbase will have trouble driving a stumpy hatch with a solid axle.

Sorry to disappoint but I know better than to buy into the "less is better" mentality. To each their own, bottom line. Moot point beyond that bro.
 
i owned a sr 240 and hated it. I sold it and bought a 86. Ask guillie about the more power over suspension question and he will tell you the same thing. If you need alot of power to drift then hey more to ya bro. More power means eating more tires which means eating more money. I'm saying from a cost stand point to start drifting you don't need the power increase you need suspension. But since im a man lets just agree to disagree.
 
Do not take what I said out of perspective. I never said anyone should have power before suspension. I never said anyone needs a lot of power to drift. And FWIW I would never consider a stock SR a lot of power by any standards.
 
Either way its this kids choice not ours so why argue about it. We all have our own perspective on what it takes to drift and it varys by car. I perfer underpowered cars like my supra or my 86 you perfer boosted cars. Either way it dosn't matter cause whats right for one isn't for another. Oh and a stock sr isn't alot of power by any means i was stating that you can drift with a ka with bolt ons. Either way i think his questions were answered its all in how deep your pockets are.
 
hm....i think im with mr.mac on this one.....eventually (most of the time) you will go sr in the longrun.....and it kinda changes the car a little ...so if you have been trying to learn forever in a ka and go sr...it could screw you over....or at least thats wut ive heard....i never personally went thru this.....my ka hauled ass lol.....more wasting tires....more smoke......more wins...!! lol
 
i have a ka and i rock out with my cock out, buy a stock and build it your own way.... you will feel proud of your acomplishment, and you will love your car even more...
 
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