The older s13 and s14 240sx. Don't see many of them at all on the track, except for "Drifting" of course...

Why?

They can be had cheaply, lots of aftermarket support, fairly light (2800 lbs), RWD. With FI, they can make good power.

Just wondering... is there some inherent "flaw" that makes them unattractive for track use?

 

no clue, i saw a video of an s15, skyline, supra and rx7 on a track and the s15 was superior to them all

 

A 240sx just won the SCCA runoffs in GT3. Set a new course record in the process. Also, a 240sx won in 2003. There are many ITA 240sx's racing out there as well. Its a bit outclassed in the lower groups, but still a fair competitor.

 

I've wondered the same thing. It may be sterotyping, but I think that these days it's seen as a "drift car." I've def considered picking up an old S13 shell, getting an SR20DET swap, nice suspension setup, strip the interior, and end up with a very nice track car for around $5K

 

My father had a 91' 240SX and DAMN! it was a cool car!!!!.... still remember him driving me to work/school, and drifting all the way there in winter!!!!!

 

Tonight I'm picking up a '96 S14 Zenki, SE Trim (no ABS or VLSD options unfortunately). For the longest time now I wondered the same thing. The only reason I can think of why we haven't seen many out there is because of avalibility. I've been seriously looking for a stock S14 since September and finding one that is in decent shape and is not out rageously over priced is pretty rare. Seems like certain segements of auto enthusiasts have snatched up all S14's that are any good. Unfortunately those segements don't include individuals looking to use them for road racing or autoX.

I still plan on autoX-ing the Z this up coming season, but for Time Trials and HPDE's I would like a more 'expendable' vehicle. This is my plan for this S14. I had an S13 years ago and it was what eventually sold me on Nissan.

 

There are a couple guys here in AZ.. I have a 96 that I use for track driving, but ultimately am using for Solo2, Street Modified class. Our recent spring Solo2 series had around 10 240s ranging from G Stock, STS, STX and SM - winning the overall series in SM and STS.

Remember that drifting is the new hot thing so you get a lot of younger people without much money buying them.. as a result, not many can do track events. Not to mention, 95% of the "drifters" probably have little driving skill anyways so taking them on any track to drift or grip drive is intimidating.

Too bad because it's an excellent car for grip driving and Solo2.. I ran mine originally in STX and did well (locally), then moved onto another S14 with an SR20DET and it's a terror in Street Mod (again, locally) - 2nd fast raw time yesterday of 150+ entrants.

Another reason may be that a lot of the older S13s really aren't in good condition anymore.. S14s are kinda tough to find at times for the simple fact that not many were made (relative to say, a Civic or Integra) so you're gonna see less regardless.

 

What's a Zenki? Is that the JDM name? I thought they were "Silvias..."

 

We had a couple 240s come out and drift at our last autox event... they were mowing down cones like no tomorrow. Really pissed off the officials there. Seems like the people who do have the money to buy a 240 and put good quality upgrades into it are buying more expensive cars. And the people who buy the 240s are putting junk into them... I know I wouldn't want to track my car if I wasn't confident in my parts. And I don't think those people with junk parts are really concerned with anything other than bragging rights.

And whoever said that cheap, good 240s are hard to find, that's absolutely right!! I tried to pick one up about a year ago, before I got my Z. Blue Book was $2200, the dealership wanted $4000 after a "special military discount". I asked them why they wanted almost 50% over the blue book price for a car with a terrible interior (huge cracks in the dash, torn upholstery, ect) and a speedometer that ran backwards. They said it was a "market adjustment, because these cars are popular and rare". I guess they are popular, but not 50% price adjustment rare!

 

https://my350z.com/forum/other-vehicles/156386-my-new-zenki-other-car.html

 

I only saw one at my last HPDE event.

I figure going to the track with the G will get damn expensive (already is), so I plan eventually track my 1990 240sx. Picked up a really clean one with decent mileage about 8 months ago, except the odometer occasionally freezes and the tranny is so-so. Right now it's stock except for a short shifter and some old 300zx rims with wider rubber. It's my beater right now and keeps mileage off my G. I'm going to replace stuff as it breaks.

I'd take it to the track now, but I'm scared about it breaking down at a track 3 hours away from my house. Fun car though, like the torque and it handles great.
I'd like to go the SR20 route but law enforcement is pretty keen on it in CA (and it's an illegal motor here). Probably will rebuild the SOHC or go with the KA24DE (maybe sneak in a turbo..hehe), and make the suspension tight.

 

Very hard to find ones in good condition at a fair price, which is why I'd go with the shell route. Sounds like you found a good one though! I think that overall you'll be happier without VLSD. I've heard alot of complaints about them. No ABS should be interesting too...

 

I picked it up the S14 tonight. I'd forgotten how a car that light handles. I was able to test it's acceleration in 3rd & 4th gears on I-405 and got to push it farther than I could while test driving it previously. LOL... I almost made a big mistake but caught myself before I attempted to shift it into 6th.

This weekend I'll get it up on jacks, pull the wheels off and give it a good going through. So far everything felt really good on the drive back. I'm looking forward to getting this out to Pacific Raceways & Bremerton Motosports next year.

I'm still debating if I should just spend the first year running it stock so I can devote the time and $ to tires and fixing up all the quirks I'm bound to find. Maybe run the KA24DE into the ground before I go for the SR20DET?

 

When it comes time to do an engine swap, let me know. My buddy is the owner of DDX, NWN's only platinum sponsor. Importing engines is the majority of his business, so he can get you the hook up.

 

Ohhhhhh man.... now you've done it. The idea is in my head now and I can't get it out. I'm thinking I might be talk'n to you about it in the near future. Where's DDX at, do they have a website? Does DDX also do installations of the SR20DET?