New to imports, need a hand
Banned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,360
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From: Grand Prairie, TX
How about getting an old 99-00 Accord Sedan and dropping in an H22A (Prelude VTEC) engine into it? Both will probably be at least $15,000, leaving you plenty to mod with. If you ask me, it's a very respectable sleeper-type and nobody really expects it.
I wonder how much a good condition 240SX and an SR20DET combo would cost; that would be an excellent platform to start on.
I wonder how much a good condition 240SX and an SR20DET combo would cost; that would be an excellent platform to start on.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2004
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Great link! I'll check that site in a bit.
It doesn't have to seat 4. And if we need
to go somewhere with the baby, we'll
take the X3.
Being a bit more "under the radar" would
be great, so the RSX wins there. I really
like how it looks, too.
OK, so perhaps an RSX then. Any recommendations
on tuner brands for a Turbo?
We do have an engine lift, so that would
not be too much of an issue. However,
I know that you can get vibration issues
& such with engine swaps, does that
occur with the H22A? And is it a straight
swap, in terms of matching oil drain & all?
I have always liked the 240sx. Are mod
parts as readily available, like for Honda?
It doesn't have to seat 4. And if we need
to go somewhere with the baby, we'll
take the X3.
Being a bit more "under the radar" would
be great, so the RSX wins there. I really
like how it looks, too.
OK, so perhaps an RSX then. Any recommendations
on tuner brands for a Turbo?
We do have an engine lift, so that would
not be too much of an issue. However,
I know that you can get vibration issues
& such with engine swaps, does that
occur with the H22A? And is it a straight
swap, in terms of matching oil drain & all?
I have always liked the 240sx. Are mod
parts as readily available, like for Honda?
Tell your mom I said hi!
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,096
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From: Greensboro, NC / Long Island, NY
Screw the 240sx...skip that and move up the Nissan ladder straight to a 90 + model 300zx TT. I know you can find a nice TT Z in the price range your looking for...Plus, when you mod it, lets say you add I/H/E (intake/header/exhaust if u didnt know), you will get more HP gains than if you added those mods to a N/A car, like a integra or prelude. Plus, the 300zx is RWD... NUFF SAID!
un-Touch'd krew
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 51,774
Likes: 1
From: My own level of hell
Prelude is an overrated wannabe sports car i would pass on it personally (not a flame Prelude owners so back off its my opinion)
You want to stay under the radar I would honestly say a 5th gen Accord (94-97) is a good choice with an H22 swap into it and either a turbo setup or a serious NA build on it. Its a lot of fun, reliable, and cops hardly look at them.
If you want something a little more impressive to the crowd look at the Integra...either GSR or Type-R are both good choices and have a lot of parts availability for them and are impressive in both drag race as well as AutoX.
Another option is a 92-95 Civic Hatch with B18 swap, its a good balance of power and performance but they do get noticed by cops a lot. You could also go with a 4door model of the same years and also do a swap into it as Ferio is a hot style and gets a lot less looks from both the cops and from thiefs than Integras or Civic hatches and coupes do....insurance is also less
RSX is a nice car but then you are dealing with a lot of money for what I again consider to be modest performance value as well as you are dealing with a car that most likely will be a warranty item.
You want to stay under the radar I would honestly say a 5th gen Accord (94-97) is a good choice with an H22 swap into it and either a turbo setup or a serious NA build on it. Its a lot of fun, reliable, and cops hardly look at them.
If you want something a little more impressive to the crowd look at the Integra...either GSR or Type-R are both good choices and have a lot of parts availability for them and are impressive in both drag race as well as AutoX.
Another option is a 92-95 Civic Hatch with B18 swap, its a good balance of power and performance but they do get noticed by cops a lot. You could also go with a 4door model of the same years and also do a swap into it as Ferio is a hot style and gets a lot less looks from both the cops and from thiefs than Integras or Civic hatches and coupes do....insurance is also less
RSX is a nice car but then you are dealing with a lot of money for what I again consider to be modest performance value as well as you are dealing with a car that most likely will be a warranty item.
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"I'll keep my money, guns and freedom. You can keep the "Change."
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Beast from the East
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,705
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From: VA
Originally posted by Nightshade
Another option is a 92-95 Civic Hatch with B18 swap, its a good balance of power and performance .
Another option is a 92-95 Civic Hatch with B18 swap, its a good balance of power and performance .
h:
Floppy Death! noES!!!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 21,218
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From: Scranton, PA
Originally posted by Nightshade
Prelude is an overrated wannabe sports car i would pass on it personally (not a flame Prelude owners so back off its my opinion)
Prelude is an overrated wannabe sports car i would pass on it personally (not a flame Prelude owners so back off its my opinion)
pfft, don't listen to this hater! Talkin like hes got some fly 4door accord or something.
h:I disagree with the prelude statement... but I also don't have as much experiance as him. But I do agree that his other statements do sound great.
pukimonster
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,967
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee, WI
Originally posted by RezzasVTEC
Screw the 240sx...skip that and move up the Nissan ladder straight to a 90 + model 300zx TT. I know you can find a nice TT Z in the price range your looking for...Plus, when you mod it, lets say you add I/H/E (intake/header/exhaust if u didnt know), you will get more HP gains than if you added those mods to a N/A car, like a integra or prelude. Plus, the 300zx is RWD... NUFF SAID!
Screw the 240sx...skip that and move up the Nissan ladder straight to a 90 + model 300zx TT. I know you can find a nice TT Z in the price range your looking for...Plus, when you mod it, lets say you add I/H/E (intake/header/exhaust if u didnt know), you will get more HP gains than if you added those mods to a N/A car, like a integra or prelude. Plus, the 300zx is RWD... NUFF SAID!
the z32-tt isnt bad either tho. get some upgraded intercoolers, downpipe, exhaust, and intakes. You'd be good for ~450 hp on stock turbos. and by the way, you dont put headers on car, rezza
.ga_driver: Do you have experience with turbocharged cars?? I'm thinking no, because you are no to imports:thinking:
Wannabe yuppie
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,918
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From: Madison, WI
GA_Driver, welcome to the board. Oh um just a tip, you don't have to hit enter at the end of each line. Keep typing and your post will come out fine.
If you're looking to add a turbo, the RSX may not be the best way to go. Its has a returnless fuel system and the ECU is relatively new and has not been fully cracked. The Integra Type-R is very rare and they command a premium on the used market so I wouldn't bother trying to find one. It's essentially the same thing as an Integra GSR (all the Type-R worshippers are going to chime in here) so if you plan on modifying the car you might as well start with a GSR which is far easier to find and a good deal less expensive.
It does not sound like an RX-7 is the car for you. 1995 was the last model year for them and they require a lot of maintenance and other stuff. Plus when you start modifying them you put yourself at risk of a bunch of other potential problems.
The 240SX has gained a lot of popularity recently and has become very hard to find. In stock form it's not very impressive but you can swap the engine for a Japanese SR20DET (2.0 liter turbo inline four) or slap a turbo on the stock KA24DET 2.4 liter. The suspension and brakes need thorough upgrading as well. There is a huge aftermarket for this car.
The 300ZX Twin Turbo is a freaking boat. It weighs about 3500 pounds. If you don't mind the weight and are looking more for something that can be quick in a straight line and won't mind a spirited drive through the twisties it's a good choice but it's just not my style which is why I have a tough time recommending one. Same deal with the Toyota Supra Turbo, except it's a more modern look both inside and out and can make more horsepower.
If you're not looking to drive some cobbled together "tuner" special I would stay away from getting a Civic hatch. It sounds like an RSX or Integra GSR would be the best choice for you, but given the relative newness of the RSX and the difficulty/expense of tuning it properly for a turbo (people have obviously put turbos on since the car has been around for a little while) I would go for a GSR. There's a number of well known turbo kits available for it and both the fuel system and ECU are known quantities so there isn't much fuss when it comes to getting the car running very nicely. Plus the absolute most you would have to pay for a GSR at this point is maybe $15k or so and that'd be for a really really really really nice 2001 model with low mileage.
If you're looking to add a turbo, the RSX may not be the best way to go. Its has a returnless fuel system and the ECU is relatively new and has not been fully cracked. The Integra Type-R is very rare and they command a premium on the used market so I wouldn't bother trying to find one. It's essentially the same thing as an Integra GSR (all the Type-R worshippers are going to chime in here) so if you plan on modifying the car you might as well start with a GSR which is far easier to find and a good deal less expensive.
It does not sound like an RX-7 is the car for you. 1995 was the last model year for them and they require a lot of maintenance and other stuff. Plus when you start modifying them you put yourself at risk of a bunch of other potential problems.
The 240SX has gained a lot of popularity recently and has become very hard to find. In stock form it's not very impressive but you can swap the engine for a Japanese SR20DET (2.0 liter turbo inline four) or slap a turbo on the stock KA24DET 2.4 liter. The suspension and brakes need thorough upgrading as well. There is a huge aftermarket for this car.
The 300ZX Twin Turbo is a freaking boat. It weighs about 3500 pounds. If you don't mind the weight and are looking more for something that can be quick in a straight line and won't mind a spirited drive through the twisties it's a good choice but it's just not my style which is why I have a tough time recommending one. Same deal with the Toyota Supra Turbo, except it's a more modern look both inside and out and can make more horsepower.
If you're not looking to drive some cobbled together "tuner" special I would stay away from getting a Civic hatch. It sounds like an RSX or Integra GSR would be the best choice for you, but given the relative newness of the RSX and the difficulty/expense of tuning it properly for a turbo (people have obviously put turbos on since the car has been around for a little while) I would go for a GSR. There's a number of well known turbo kits available for it and both the fuel system and ECU are known quantities so there isn't much fuss when it comes to getting the car running very nicely. Plus the absolute most you would have to pay for a GSR at this point is maybe $15k or so and that'd be for a really really really really nice 2001 model with low mileage.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,360
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From: Grand Prairie, TX
Honestly, I would stay away from GSRs; I know too many people who has had their's stolen and it is damn near commonplace.
300ZXs are extremely hard to find in decent shape in my parts; most of the to-be-sold 300ZXs around here usually have 125,000 miles and they are hardly in good condition. The lowest one I found was around 75,000 miles, but it was the NA version.
I would honestly try to find a 240SX if I were you. Like Mike (MrFatBooty) said, it is not impressive with the KA24 (155HP) until you get the SR20DET (220HP, turbocharged). Not to mention that you would not have to worry too much about the internals unless you are seriously going to boost it a hell lot. SR20DET have insanely beefy internals as is.
300ZXs are extremely hard to find in decent shape in my parts; most of the to-be-sold 300ZXs around here usually have 125,000 miles and they are hardly in good condition. The lowest one I found was around 75,000 miles, but it was the NA version.
I would honestly try to find a 240SX if I were you. Like Mike (MrFatBooty) said, it is not impressive with the KA24 (155HP) until you get the SR20DET (220HP, turbocharged). Not to mention that you would not have to worry too much about the internals unless you are seriously going to boost it a hell lot. SR20DET have insanely beefy internals as is.
