Originally Posted by r34 racer

A new 240sx owner...you should familiarize yourself with the local junkyards, lol!

It's a good thing you got those 5 lug hubs with the SE but honestly, if you paid significantly more for an SE Zenki over a non-SE zenki you probably made the wrong choice. On a 240sx, being 4lug is not a distinct disadvantage. For brakes, you can make do redrilling your rotors to 4 lug and for wheels, there are plenty of new-school and old-school wheels to be had in good offsets and widths...you just have to look harder.

I went with only Z32 (R32 GTS-t) front brakes on my car. GTR calipers only came in iron and will add a significant amount of unpsrung mass to your car. With Z32 calipers, at least you can save a good amount of weight by finding a set of Aluminum calipers. Rear brakes are a grey area in that some people argue that Z rear brakes are useful, while some say that they are not worth the hassle of dissassembling and reassembling your rear suspension in order to maintain the functionality of the parking brake. Personally, I just run good brake pads and I havent noticed any biasing problems with a mixed brake setup. That stoptech BBK is way more braking than any S-chassis car will ever need, unless your car will live on the circuit or you're just looking for some bling.

As for coilovers...let me go out on a limb and reccomend a set of KTS coilovers (www.splparts.com or through KTS japan directly for like $200 savings). These coilovers feature inverted monotube, big piston/low pressure shocks with independently adjustable preload and ride height and are one of the few coilover sets that are actually functionally damped for their spring rates rather than slapped together by some dubious shop. I've had mine in for around 5 months now and I have nothing but praise for them, having rode in friends' cars with other coil setups.

Wheels are personal preference of course, but 5Zigen FN01R-C's and Rays 57 series (57C, 57S, 57Pro, etc.) are handsome, light wheels that can be had relatively cheap. The FNs are somewhat played out in the 240sx crowd though. As a general rule though an S14 can fit a wider wheel and tire package than an S13 can. Most people run 9's or 10's out back and 8's or 9's in front. The wider option may require a slight fender roll or more camber, depending on your offset.

Being a CA resident, your police are a lot more **** about swapped motors than eastern cops. Basically anything you do will make your car illegal (even turbocharging the stock motor) so you should probably just ask around for crooked inspection places and hide your go-fast goodies. Paint your FMIC black and avoid bling in the engine bay, and go for a low-key exhaust (RS*R Exmag would be a good choice). SR20 motors are very capable performers but california cops are trained to recognize them. Any of the RB motors have more potential than the SR20 but likewise are easy to recognize as illegal, although less so than an SR20 swap. The best option for you would probably be a KA-T. The stock bottom ends are good for 300-350whp (which is PLENTY in an S-chassis car) and the performance vs. price point issue works for a KA-T, as the relatively large displacement engine is very responsive to modification. A simple 3" exhaust has a dyno proven 10-15WHP gain on an otherwise stock KA.

Welcome to the 240sx community. They are very capable cars if done right and will not break the bank if you're a smart shopper. "Name Brand" has a smaller bearing on modifications because good things can be had for less than what big name JDM shops charge for their parts. If you'd like more references please check out www.nicoclub.com, as this is simply the best 240sx site that I have come across in my research.

Originally Posted by 03performz

April fools' joke in Jan.??? I understand the big drift following of this car but there's no way that you had to sell the Z to afford this...did you? It's 10yrs. old...and AT. Good luck with the mods though, this car will look and perform bada**.

Originally Posted by r34 racer

A grip car will suffer from a 2-way LSD. The best option would be an S15 HLSD mated to the OEM S13 diff gearing.

Originally Posted by Jason@Performance

The Zenki I got was pretty cheap for its condition... To do the full Kouki conversion is not going to be that much for me...

Originally Posted by seanlaw

subscribing to this thread!!!! i think you stole my idea jason and my car....we'll see whos does better on the track...

Originally Posted by seanlaw

I was checking the oem catolog on your site pricing oem fenders, lights, hood, etc. for the kouki conversion....you guys planning on offering a package deal on all oem kouki conversion parts??? or better yet a package deal on the strawberry conversion??

Originally Posted by Jason@Performance

My new ride is a 1996 240SX SE. I have big plans for it, but for now, it will remain as is. I couldnt pass this car up...

Originally Posted by Vicynax

I love 240sx. I just got a S13 hatchback last month and it's in the shop with SR20 swap and complete repaint. I had to chose between FC and S13 and decided on S13 due to potential of hp, driftability, reliability, and ease of getting parts

Keep us updated on your 240sx progress. I would love to hear about it

Originally Posted by Jason@Performance

I LOOOOOOVE Fast Backs! Especially with the kouki tail lights! mmmmm

Good luck with the swap! Look forward to hearing about your S13! thats my favorite!