Hey guys, I'm going to be buying a 91 240SX for $400.00 and it needs a lot of wor. The engine runs but not so well and power steering and all of that is shot. I am going to make this car a fully track dedicated car and plan to completely strip the interior of the car, custom dash, roll cage and all. The suspension and all will be completely re-done as well.
I have a problem when it comes to the engine. I have been doing some research and was wondering what kind of input you guys can give me on engine upgrades/swaps. I know the most common is the SR20, but does it have a lot of lag when you go for about 350whp or more? What other options are there for the 240s? Sorry about the newb questions but I figured it best to ask.
For some pics of my Z you can check out my myspace. www.myspace.com/txballin (http://www.myspace.com/txballin) My computer won't let me post pics up here.

Rebuild your stock engine... you can get a lot of power out of those and it will be cheaper than building up an sr20.

I was originally going to rebuild my KA24DE which runs great, and turbo it, but I've changed my mind. When I looked into the cost of gaskets, rods, valvues, and other little peices I'd have to get, honestly the SR20DET swap and rebuilding a KA24DE will cost about the same. Besides if the motor has a lot of miles on it you don't want to bother with it. You'll just end up having to replace it sooner then later. How ever you can also go for the RB motors, RB20, RB25, and RB26. I hear te 6 cylinder RB20 isn't to expencive or hard to swap. So may be something you want to consider too.

As far as a cheap car like that goes, I would definately check to see how good that frame is. If there is a lot of rust on the bottem of the car it's not going to be very good for a race car honestly.

I was originally going to rebuild my KA24DE which runs great, and turbo it, but I've changed my mind. When I looked into the cost of gaskets, rods, valvues, and other little peices I'd have to get, honestly the SR20DET swap and rebuilding a KA24DE will cost about the same. Besides if the motor has a lot of miles on it you don't want to bother with it. You'll just end up having to replace it sooner then later. How ever you can also go for the RB motors, RB20, RB25, and RB26. I hear te 6 cylinder RB20 isn't to expencive or hard to swap. So may be something you want to consider too.

As far as a cheap car like that goes, I would definately check to see how good that frame is. If there is a lot of rust on the bottem of the car it's not going to be very good for a race car honestly.


He wouldnt need ALL of the stuff most likely. Even if he did it would be NEW compared to old junkyard sr motor. Plus your going to need to replace some stuff on the sr anyways right off the bat. Atleast if your smart you would.
Fresh ka can handle good numbers with GOOD tune. The ka is a good motor that can handle power stock. Although if you are going to rebuild, i would atleast do pistons and ring lands(because if you do boost, you WILL want more). Could even do stock compression just so your not forced to go turbo right away. Nothing wrong with stock compression and going turbo.

ok, build a ka for 350hp cost the same as an sr20 swap with 205hp... ill take the ka

^he has a good point there^
although i chose the sr route

Is this car for the drag strip or road racing? Because if it's for road racing, forget any engine mods and blew all of your money on suspension and handling parts. and BRAKES!!! You'll realize the car is faster stock then you thought.

and if its for any sort of sanctioned road racing, read up on class rules. swapping an sr20 will probably make you either illegal or make you run with full tube frame prototype race cars.