SCCA Solo ST Build Discussion: Build & Bench Racing Thread

[AceInHole]

So, Jenna drove an STS CRX last weekend and loved it. I keep telling her that an ST 240sx would be a fun car to drive, and I think she's starting to believe me. I only have enough projects going on right now to keep me 90% occupied, so I figured I could tie myself down with yet another on-going build. So, lately I've been on the lookout for a HICAS 1991-1993 S13. Unfortunately, the one I had my eye on sold for $4200, and the only other one I've seen is in CA. This brings me to the options:

S13:
Was the VLSD (a MUST if I want to build a real ST car) available without HICAS and ABS? Also, was the digital dash (HUD) part of the HICAS package? If I can get a "normal" S13 and drop in a VLSD (and ABS), that'd be awesome. Also need to know if power windows/ locks were necessary for the VLSD packaging. Basically, if I do an option swap, it has to be thorough.

SOHC to DOHC:
I'm planning on doing a motor rebuild no matter what I get (it's basically a habit now). Was there any difference in the SOHC to DOHC S13 other than the engine? Interior bits and pieces stayed the same, and I'd need a new bumper cover. Other than that, I don't recall any frame, suspension, or accessory upgrades. I've already got the DOHC S13 engine harness (from when I tried to convert my distributor to external coil). Tons of cheap SOHC cars around here that I'd have to pop the engine out of to fix all the rust anyways.

The other option is to move the car to STX and drop a helical diff into it (or clutch pack). I'm sketchy on the car being competitive if someone builds up a real RX8. I also couldn't get 265's on the car without raising it a ton (1/2" taller from a 225), so there's also a tradeoff in grip to CoG (and thus transitional handling and such).

Guess I could just get 17x9's for my G35 and build that up, but someone won't let me swap seats in it :P

[Def]

I agree STX would be a bad idea for an S chassis. For VLSD and Abs card, the 3 I've seen in person were all full hicas cars with power everything and sunroofs fwiw. I think the sunroof was a separate package, but who knows on the power stuff. Maybe someone could find a window sticker and tell us once and for all. The power window/lock stuff wouldn't beretarded to swap over except for wiring though.

[e1_griego]

HUD was only available in coupes, and only hatchbacks had HICAS. Also, all HICAS cars were dohc.

[logr]

My hatch has ABS but no Hicas, hud or vlsd and is single cam, 89. Not sure that helps but it muddies the water some. It seems that you could add ABS since mine came that way. The sun roof is not power either. Now if VLSD was a separate option, you would be set.

[veilside180sx]

My hatch has ABS but no Hicas, hud or vlsd and is single cam, 89. Not sure that helps but it muddies the water some.

ABS and VLSD were both options that were not package required that I know. From what I've seen though, most that checked those boxes...checked the rest too.

Alex is right on HICAS and HUD though.

[logr]

I might be persuaded to sell my hatch with ABS and NO RUST. Trouble is, it has a built SR.

[tonto]

i have a '90 hatch i want to sell. its always lived in san jose iirc. no abs, no hud, no power window no ac no nothin has glass tilt sunroof. paint is meh no rust no accidents nothing bent, stock, down to original radio. weighed 2620 on a truck scale.

its currently in ca tho

[jmauld]

Why not a S14 with VLSD? I suspect that the additional chassis weight (and stiffness) might not be terrible when compared to a HICAS S13.

[AceInHole]

I thought about that, but the S13 has the supposed "hot cams". I do like that the S14 has shorter overhangs and is actually shorter overall, though. It also seems to be able to accommodate larger tires easier, so 245's or hopefully 265's might work on it. I guess if I find a chassis to swap my SM stuff to then I'll try it out

[stewiefied]

Im almost positive jason rhoades said that the vlsd was combined with the whole hicas package and not available seperate.

[veilside180sx]

If this is right...then he's right. VLSD only available as a package, but ABS was an option.

http://www.intellichoice.com/1-12-1991-100008794-3/1991-nissan-240sx-le-2dr-fastback-packages.html

[e1_griego]

My hatch has ABS but no Hicas, hud or vlsd and is single cam, 89. Not sure that helps but it muddies the water some. It seems that you could add ABS since mine came that way. The sun roof is not power either. Now if VLSD was a separate option, you would be set.

I've never seen an ABS sohc car -- that's sorta neat.

[jmauld]

I thought about that, but the S13 has the supposed "hot cams". I do like that the S14 has shorter overhangs and is actually shorter overall, though. It also seems to be able to accommodate larger tires easier, so 245's or hopefully 265's might work on it. I guess if I find a chassis to swap my SM stuff to then I'll try it out

285s will fit on a S14 with just a fender roll. That's STS legal, right?

I forgot about the hot cams in the S13. I thought that there was another difference to make the S14 power output the same as the S13. Higher compression maybe?

[AceInHole]

From what I've read, compression is the same between the S13 and S14 DOHC motors.

Tire limits in Street Touring for 2wd are as follows:
ST - 225
STX - 265
STU - 285

There isn't a chance in hell a 240 could compete in STU, but it's possible in STX assuming you could squeeze a bit over 180whp out of it.

[cdlong]

The S13 intake has some secondary butterfly system that really just restricts airflow at higher RPM, that should account for the power being the same. You'd have to keep that in place, so there's really no reason to pick one chassis over another, power-wise.

I ran my car in STX but was never really competitive, though mostly because of the prep level and some suspension issues. I'm working on bumping it to DSP and fixing some issues so hopefully I'll be more in contention. My long term plan for the engine is to backdate to an S13 engine with a good intake. I'm thinking with a fresh engine and all the allowable mods, it might hit 180-190 hp.