Intro and my project

[gindu]

Ok, I will start with my car. I purchased a 1993 240sx vert from Texas with 30,000 miles about 3 years ago. I have been driving it stock for the last 3 years planning to eventually do something with it. About a year ago I had a SUV back over the front of my car. After getting new body panels for the front, no frame damage thank god, it sits with a mix matched front to this day.

Now the project starts. My transmission went out finally so all the parts I collected for a 5 speed swap came in handy. The car is now a 5 speed and actually fun. The suspension and wheels are next on my list. I have no idea what to do for the suspension. My max I want to spend on struts/springs is $2000.

Now about me. I live and am from Iowa, I am in college for computer science. I work for the Geek Squad and am a full time technician doing computer repair. I have no background in cars but I learn from hands on experience and forums. My buddy and I have never done a transmission swap but we got right through it.

I'm excited to be part of a forum that doesn't just assume something is the best because everyone says it is the best.

[Sleepy_Steve]

You're going to be told that a koni 861X damper setup is the best thing ever for your ~$2k budget. Just letting you know ahead of time.

Also 5spd swap FTW.

[hai1206vn]

Hey man, i'm a programmer too. Can't believe I used to know zero about cars until 4 yrs ago. It's all about manning up and getting dirty. Most guys here are advanced but one day you'll get there.

[Def]

You're going to be told that a koni 861X damper setup is the best thing ever for your ~$2k budget. Just letting you know ahead of time.

Also 5spd swap FTW.

Yep, best I've felt in that budget.

[AceInHole]

Yep, best I've felt in that budget.

But the reason it's the best is because everyone says it's the best :)

That and there aren't any other reputable brands in that price range with an adjustable shock (in case the Bilstein guys want to voice their opinion).

[Def]

Some of the Stance offerings are getting disturbingly close to $2k, and their whole lineup pretty much sucks. But people keep buying them in droves.

I wish AST had some lower end offerings that were cheap for the S chassis crowd, but I think they're probably smart for not trying to go head to head with the Chinese made "drift-brands."

KWs stuff is supposed to be nice, but to get a damper that's meant to go on track from them is $$$. At that price point you could throw together something that there is no way they're going to touch IMO (inverted monotube rears, double adjustable all around, custom valving etc).

[gindu]

The 5 speed swap was the first thing I did on a car. I was in a world of hurt trying to get the tranny to clear the tunnel, after that mess of putting the bulge down trying to figure out how to get the tranny in the right position to slide into the pilot was a bad deal too. It's done now and I am so glad other then needing to get suspension and wheels on my car.

I've been looking into the koni 8611's up front and 8610's in back. There is 2 things I am worried about. How low I can get the car and I need to do more research on how to mount them on my car. Either buying the housings or modifying mine. That's all stuff I can research here though.

[Def]

For future reference, it's a lot easier to mount the tranny up if you drop the front subframe a bit and tilt the engine backwards with a jack on the crank pulley (light) or something like that.

[PerilousActs]

I, too, am a programmer haha. I started out knowing nothing as well. If you really want to learn (and save money) do everything yourself. Forums are GREAT for information, but you have to develop your skills at figuring out who is talking out their ass. This forum is one of the few good ones I've found.

[hai1206vn]

tilt the engine backwards with a jack on the crank pulley (light) or something like that.
will only work with elastic motor mounts. My engine on windowelded stockers tilted back itself without jacking.