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RWD vs FWD

2302 Views 39 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  malken00
Pro's and con's of each? I'm seriously thinking about buy a 95 240SX and dropping a sr20det motor, s15 headlight conversion, and paint job, as well as a good audio setup. I've never driven a RWD before, so any suggestions? The price of the 240 hooked would be around the price of a used Prelude. What to get? hooked up 240 or 5th gen? Honest opinions please, I dunno what to do.

SAM
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Sam, it may be more expensive to maintain in the long run, since the model line hasn't been around for a couple of years. In addition, transplanting a sr20det motor is expensive (any engine swap with a JDM motor is for that matter), along with a headlight/front end (ie: Silvia) conversion, so I don't know if that's worth it. It would be a neat project to do, but can you afford it?

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AIM screename: jsarino
'99 Ficus Green Pearl Type SH:
AEM cai, DC Sports SS header, Mugen exhaust, RH Evo CP-035s, GC/Konis
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[This message has been edited by jacques (edited March 30, 2001).]
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Well, I found a 95 for 3k. Engine swap 3-4k, headlight 1500, paint 2500-3000. Still less... than a used prelude.
SAM
sam,
you know we're all gonna be partial to the lude... i know we always drool over RWD, but would we trade the lude for something else??? not unless it's higher up in the ladder like an M3 or something... you know what i'm saying... it's your pick, can't go wrong either way. just as long as you won't regret your decision 2 or 3 yrs down the line. ya know what i'm saying???
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Comparing stock chassis to stock chassis, I think you're looking at about the same performance. The 4th/5th gen Prelude (Non SH) will tend a little more towards understeer.

The SR20 conversion would be neat, but again- that figure you have doesn't include the time or headaches. So many people see that on the 'net, that you can get the engine cheap. Keep in mind that engine will cost you more in the long run and likely require a rebuild sooner than a Prelude.

If you want to go fast, get the 240- it will get you faster, cheaper. If you want reliability, or want the lowest long-term cost, go for the 'lude.
altxchink,

I will try to give u some feedback from personal exp. I used to drive a 240SX as well(92' SE coupe). And let me tell u, RWD is a blast!!!!
The way it handles corners and turns are so much more responsive and fun than FWD. But when it gets wet or even snow, LOOKOUT! U better keep the revs low or u'll fishtail like nothing! Ever seen those Mustang/Camaro guys speeding around in bad weather?

Ur deal for a 95 for only $3k sounds real good,(I sold my 92' for the same $$) but I'd chk the car out carefully B4 hand. U could care less about the engine since ur swapping, but other parts(tranny,linkage, suspension pcs, etc...) may need replacing and cost u extra $$.

If everything u listed plans out u will have one badass ride.
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I think the motor swap would run upwards of 5-6K. If you won't regret it, then do it. The silvia is a mighty fine machine.
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How many miles are on that '95? I'd be concerned about the car's condition if it costs 3 grand. I've seen a 240SX with a Silvia front end in town (last gen Silvia)...looks sweet. If I could import over a new Silvia, I'd sell my Prelude at a heartbeat
!

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AIM screename: jsarino
'99 Ficus Green Pearl Type SH:
AEM cai, DC Sports SS header, Mugen exhaust, RH Evo CP-035s, GC/Konis
ALL YOUR BASE ARE BELONG TO US http://www.planetstarseige.com/allyourbase/
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yo Sam, go for the 240. that way, you can do DONUTS like Master P


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KQ
98 Pearl White SH
92 Baby Blue S (sold)


[This message has been edited by KQ (edited March 31, 2001).]
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I would have gotten the 240SX if it just had an extra 30-40hp. The later models looked really nice and they offered a good bit of tuning even though they're relatively limited production. I wanted the RWD drive badly but the hp difference and the fact there were only autos around left since they stopped making them in '98. Just check the car for rust and frame damage. If you're planning on engine swaps etc, just be prepared for the car to spend a lot of time in the shop getting the work done. If you don't have anything else to drive while the car's getting built then, I'd avoid it. Nothing worse than spending tons of money on a car you can never drive.

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'99 Milano Red Prelude 5spd (In Atlanta)

'90 Accord EX 4 door (In Ithaca w/ me)

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Hey sam!

Well dude if you love to have 275/40/19 in your car then 240 is the best thing. My friend got 275-30-19 all around, That thing is a badass!look like a skyline after hook up..
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The car has 120k miles on it, its 95. Its actually on ebay w/ no reserve. This is what my car should look like if I get it done.

YOU LIKE???!!!!

SAM

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Former Lude owner, now pimping my mom's 1987 Cutlass Supreme w/ custom rust paint job for now :(
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Even tho i really love my prelude....i would get the 240sx hands down if i could find a nice used one in excellent condition. I stress the excellent part. SR20DET just kicks major ass...i love the 240sx's style, and it's so much more rare than the lude. Lately in socal, there has been a huuuuuge increase in the number of preludes around. Sucks i tell ya. But yah...i'd go for the 240 project. The s15 headlights aren't mandatory...but just add icing to the cake. The 95 stock lights are sweet in themselves.....


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[This message has been edited by OvaDaLimiT (edited March 30, 2001).]
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by OvaDaLimiT:
Even tho i really love my prelude....i would get the 240sx hands down if i could find a nice used one in excellent condition. I stress the excellent part. SR20DET just kicks major ass...i love the 240sx's style, and it's so much more rare than the lude. Lately in socal, there has been a huuuuuge increase in the number of preludes around. Sucks i tell ya. But yah...i'd go for the 240 project. The s15 headlights aren't mandatory...but just add icing to the cake. The 95 stock lights are sweet in themselves.....


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the stock 97-98 are even sweeter(i.e. non fujita's)
You're right...those cars are so damn rare. I haven't even seen one yet out here, but I see 5-10 5th gens daily
The S15 silvia is my dream car, but it's just too bad they won't sell them in the states. I did hear that motorex might bring some in though after further testing
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not to flame anyone, but I took my friend's s13 for a joyride while he was drunk, naked, and passed out at my friend's party(I felt really sorry afterwards. He woke up the next morning buck nekkid with his palms glued together, feet tied together, hairclip on his dingaling, and his entire body was marked up with tic tac toe games that people did in permanent marker) and it was much more exhilerating to drive than my 5th gen.
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Guys, if no one helps me w/ this damn 240 project, then screw it. No one is willing to email me back or anything. I need to find a good shop to do the swap and a good motor. Then its all gravy. I've emailed like 6 people, no replies. I do want it though. Its like 220HP, 205 TQ I think at the fly, perfect weight to power distribution, rare, RWD. But I can't stress the fact that I need a reliable car, not a fix every other month car. Shi*, I wish I still had my Lude, that way I wouldn't have to make a decision =( By the way, anyone heard of VSPEC in So Cal? I think its in Baldwin Park? They do a lot of SR swaps.
SAM
hey sam....are you planning on doing this work in Atlanta or cali? If you do get the nissan, that would be great
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<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Jspec81:
not to flame anyone, but I took my friend's s13 for a joyride while he was drunk, naked, and passed out at my friend's party(I felt really sorry afterwards. He woke up the next morning buck nekkid with his palms glued together, feet tied together, hairclip on his dingaling, and his entire body was marked up with tic tac toe games that people did in permanent marker) and it was much more exhilerating to drive than my 5th gen.
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Holy shi*, that was funny as hell! Why can't I have a friend w/ a 240?

SAM
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