pani_k

iTrader: (1)

Afternoon all,

A mate of mine is wanting to buy one of these. Top end of the budget is around £4.5k probably less but looking in and around that price. He's asked me to help him have a look at some. Any of you previous owners can tell me please what to look for, any particular weak points these cars have? How strong are their engines? Is it worth getting one that's been rebuilt? How reliable are they up to 310-330bhp...quite a few are sitting at around this point with the usual uprated pump, injectors, mapped, FMC, etc etc.

Another point possibly worth noting is he's been driving a Fiesta 1.4 for most of his life, so I'm a bit sceptical about getting into a 300bhp RWD turbo car. He's sensible enough but I'm wondering whether we should look at lightly modded, near standard examples or get a decent modified one and use it as a learning curve.

But anyway, some general advice on these would be good. What to look for etc.

Cheers!

_SpeedX_

iTrader: (1)

the s14a is the best 1 to have, but i think they suffer from vvt rattle, altho mine didnt it did go like shit off a shovel.

very dodgy in the wet if modded!

if hes sensible and doesnt take risks then he shud be ok, or perhaps get him to go on 1 of those drift days this might make him see hes not an amazing driver and would then potentially respect the 200sx more?

PF Ben

iTrader: (1)

There's no "better" or "worse" comparitives with S13's and S14's - it's purely subjective... however, I would say in this case spending all of that budget on a newer S14 as his first foray into 200SX ownership would be the best move.

My advice would be to buy one lightly modded at this price with good history and HPi, with stage one mods for around 270bhp - perfect for his first time RWD car. If / when he becomes bored of this or owns it for more than 6 months without writing it off round a greasy roundabout then he can easily up the power through bolt on modular stages (ie. 300bhp then in another 6 months 330 etc).

Ben

Ad4m RST

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

i had a £600 s13, it was ace as i didnt give a fook how many hedges i put it through lol

it was a rotter on the s13 if its got a spoiler, and most do the bolt holes will more than likely have rused through, but you need to take the boot panel off to see. mine was also very rusty on the rear chassis rails. to the point that i jacked it up to change a tyre and the rail collapsed lol

the CA18DET engines usually do a coilpack as its coil on plug, but they are cheap enough to replace.

as std it wasnt partically fast, but was ok.

if hes got the money, then get an s14. fully adjustable suspension parts are cheap enough from driftowrks and the SR20 engine is much better.

either way, they are a very capable car if tweaked.

bigal1978

get a s15 for that money theres a few non turbos about for that

ANDYRACER

I had a stage 3a 200sx s14a pushing 250bhp at the wheels, i hated it tbh.
Totally over rated imo.

lead_foot

iTrader: (1)

Stage 3a = 250bhp at the wheels?

h-dev stage 3a is 340-360bhp at the flywheel
So you lost about 90bhp through the transmission.

Christian and Beccy

iTrader: (14)

Why on gods green earth would anyone choose a non-turbo S15 over a turbo S14a?

steves24V's

iTrader: (7)

ca18 do suffer from big ends going due to the engine originally being a 8v non turbo. If you can find one i'd def go for a 180 sx to be a bit different, though i do also like s14a's both have the better sr20 in them,

My drift car would be a 180sx with a silvia front end

dovboy

mine




as said
vvt rattle
my sills needed work
arches

great fun tho and very well ballanced compared to my sierra.

ANDYRACER

Sorry, wrong button.
I meant 350bhp at the wheels, 418bhp at the fly.

Graceland

Had an S14 a few years ago, not the best cars, dangerous in the wet with a slight power increase

Had the pleasure of driving my mates S15 Turbo the other month and very nearly bought one I was that impressed with it Awesome car and an absolute giggle to drive aswell

lead_foot

iTrader: (1)

Ah right, fair enough.

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the help guys. Prioritizing S14s now but still considering anything. Should be a fun experience hopefully . Definitely do some track days too.

dovboy

dangerous in the wet?

i found it quite good in the wet and dry for that matter.

what was the problem would you say?

bigal1978

why would some one bother with a cvh

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

OK just bumping this one up because we are going to look at a S14a this Saturday. First time I'm actually checking over a car for someone so a bit nervous

Kind of know what to look at, but anything other than what has already been advised to look out for?

Cheers!

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

i would put a r33gtst on you list , a lot of sx owners fit the rb25 engine in them as they are not only stronger but more powerful but i think the r33 is more surefooted

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

I told him to get a GTS or GTT but insurance is too much on them. He's only 22, insurance on the S14 ain't too bad though he got quoted £896 with the mods declared. Skylines even the entry level ones were more.

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

tell him to try a plan

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

Well if this falls through then I will try turn his attention to them although I reckon this is probably the one he will go for if all is good. I find a good guide on the SXOC about buying S14a's but haven't a clue how the fuck I would check for turbo gaskets and also blow/leaky IC pipes? Also breathers?

ANDYRACER

With checking turbo gaskets, turn the car on and get a rizzla paper and put it next to the manifold, and see if the paper blows.

dovboy

the turbo to manifold gasket is a common problem(i'm doing mine tomorrow).

you will be able to feel the exhaust gas coming out with a little rev.


to check intercooler piping quickly i would just hold it on the handbreak and load up the turbo a little in first gear,then listen/feel for leaks.
there are better ways but not roadside imlo.

Saaamon

iTrader: (2)

You get it?

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

Right update time,

Went to view the car OK. Checked it thoroughly for the usual things, happy with the condition of it, and mechanically seemed fine as well. Looks like it has been kept in good nick, boosts well no rattles, no intercooler piping cracks, leaks or turbo gasket failure (found a receipt dated March 08 for the turbo gaskets being redone).

Only thing that I picked up on though is that first my mate took a ride in the car and I followed behind to check how it was boosting and any visible signs of smoke. First time it came on boost hard gave a little puff of smoke was pretty much blue possibly with a hint of dark grey-ish. Wasn't a huge cloud just a little puff which cleared away. Every subsequent time it came on boost it, I could see a very slight slight mist of smoke, barely there. Put it this way when we swapped around and my mate was following and I took a passenger ride he didn't notice the smoking but then again he isn't that technical about cars. Don't think it is anything to worry about though unless you guys can tell me different.

Checked everything mechanically and body work wise. All seems good to me, car has a decent spec, goes well, price seems fair so all in all I gave the green light to my mate and we have come to an arrangement with the seller so we shall be hearing back soon to pick it up at some point. Will get some pics up of it when we get it.


EDIT: forgot to say also at one point found a good clear stretch of road boosted hard in second, third and fourth and left a huge gap between me driving behind and him (was driving a 1.4 fiesta trying to keep up with a 200SX..) and it stank pretty much of fuel (straight through hayward & scott) and a hint of burning oil too. Running slightly rich me thinks.

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

most nissans will mate ! its the way the air mass works in standard form, they chuck fuel in on boost and because they are high comp a tuner will map them rich to run enough ignition to balance it all

jamieRST

should of got a s13 s14s are big and oafy and look shite

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

Cheers for the info mate. Makes sense I suppose reminds me of a friend's Sil80. He was telling me how it was running rich too, something to do with his map, makes more sense now!

Just waiting to hear back from the guy but fingers crossed it's about 80-90% there.

pani_k

iTrader: (1)

Right just to let you all know, car has been bought. Just a couple of quick pics so you guys get the idea:

DanW@FastFord

iTrader: (1)

I love them. Nice to drive and way cooler and less "JDM Yo!" than the S13.