New To The Forum

Started by sweet16v · Nov 5, 2010 · 22postsSMF 2010–26

sweet16vNov 5, 2010, 11:29 pm · #1

Hello everyone. I have seen some really sweet s12's and decided I need to get one. Smiley The idea of having a light rwd car sounds fun. What suggestions do you all have for picking one up? I'm not afraid to work on it so mods are not a concern. Basically, what should I look out for? Thanks for any help and I look forward to browsing the site.
Tim

vegasS12Nov 5, 2010, 11:47 pm · #2

welcome
i guess it doesnt really matter which model you want......its all preference 84 s12's came with SRA rear ends and 85-88 came IRS
SE versions came with a V6 so if you want that look for a SE
i prefer notchs over hatches but each there own likings do what you want if your planning on a swap look for a decent shell

sweet16vNov 5, 2010, 11:57 pm · #3

I guess my question might need to be narrowed down some. I'm looking for the best bang for my buck. I think IRS is definately the direction I would like to go. Which engine, year combo is the best for spirited driving? I would probably do a swap later on but would hope to find one that I could run for now. Does a specific one come with a better rearend or better suspension, ect?

RedneckNov 6, 2010, 2:08 am · #4

sweet16v on 11:57:07 PM / 05-Nov-10I guess my question might need to be narrowed down some. I'm looking for the best bang for my buck. I think IRS is definately the direction I would like to go. Which engine, year combo is the best for spirited driving? I would probably do a swap later on but would hope to find one that I could run for now. Does a specific one come with a better rearend or better suspension, ect?

There really is no best year but the best engine the US market saw was hands down the SE with the vg30e. If you want to do a 4 cylinder swap in the future however the SE is the worst way to go. Not only do SE's tend to be more expensive and a lot more rare but you have to source a 4 cylinder s12 cross member as well. Most SE's are sought after specifically for the engine and a lot of people consider it blasphemy (myself included) to swap out vg30's for 4 cylinder. So if you do opt for an SE, keep it an SE. If you want to do a 4 cylinder swap down the road pick up a 4 cylinder s12.

As for IRS versus SRA you will most likely end up with a IRS s12. SRA's are fairly rare like the SE's as they were only offered in 84 ca20e s12's. 85-88 are all IRS as well as the 84 ca18et (turbo) s12's. SRA overall tends to be more preferred due to lack of camber gain when lowering but again the vast majority of members own the IRS models.

Considering your in California you should be able to find s12's for sale fairly easy. The best area for s12's for sale in the US is definitely the west coast and especially California. A lot of members on the boards are from Cali as well. ca20e s12's seem to be the most common followed by ca18et's then vg30e's. The ca20e and ca18et s12's both are not anything special so if you find a ca20e model you really like don't think your missing much if you can't find a ca18et with a little extra horsepower.

SlickS12Nov 6, 2010, 4:31 pm · #5

If you aren't building a showcar (s12 showcar? lol) you don't want to spend anything over $1k for it. Lots of people out there, not on the forums, that sell superstock/rough cars at ridiculous prices. Most of us have found our 12s at and under that $1k mark.

sweet16vNov 8, 2010, 1:56 am · #6

Thanks guys for the responses. I hope to find one soon. I have been all over this site and others trying find the most amount of info on what mods I want to do.It sound like the S13 front suspension is the way to go so I can run coilovers. Thanks again.

One more question for y'all. Any difference in chassis stiffness between the trunk cars and the hatches?

2toneSilviaNov 8, 2010, 5:01 pm · #7

Hatchback is heavier and stiffer than Notch (but not much). Welcome & best of luck on the search! cool2

MaxpowNov 9, 2010, 8:49 am · #8

Cali!

Let me do a quick search of our current crazedlist market:

http://visalia.craigslist.org/cto/2035354060.html
posted image
Doesn't look too bad.

http://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/2049917498.html

needs a little work

Those are the only 2 I found worth looking at in Cali. If you're a crazy asshole like me and are willing to trek to a car and drive it back here is what I could come up with:

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/pts/2046443944.html
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Gotta love how Oregon and Washington have all the cheap cars now adays. WTF!?

http://portland.craigslist.org/grg/cto/2046022007.html

Interesting...

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/2048252650.html

Looks like an SE. Rough but could be made nice.

http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/2045020237.html
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Super cheap turbo needs some work

lexlaxluxNov 9, 2010, 9:13 am · #9

Man I just might hop on that white notch in Monterey. It's a 720 mile trip for me though, I'm having second thoughts lol.

Max.uaNov 9, 2010, 12:46 pm · #10

hallo
welcome you

i think its a nice idea to buy s12

ArroNov 9, 2010, 9:42 pm · #11

Yeah I've never paid more than 500 bux for one, and that was a 1984 Turbo model. The lowest I paid was 100 for the club slut (a car passed around from clumb member to club member, to club member to club member to me lol).

EightySix200SXNov 9, 2010, 10:02 pm · #12

Max.ua on 12:46:53 PM / 09-Nov-10hallo
welcome you

i think its a nice idea to buy s12

i demand moar pictures of your machine sir!

MaxpowNov 10, 2010, 4:26 am · #13

lexlaxlux on 09:13:13 AM / 09-Nov-10Man I just might hop on that white notch in Monterey. It's a 720 mile trip for me though, I'm having second thoughts lol.

Go get it!

gerrybgNov 10, 2010, 5:58 am · #14

Yep white notch is the pick

sweet16vNov 10, 2010, 10:09 am · #15

I drove 3hrs each way for my Gti so driving wont be a problem for me. I had some things come up recently that are limiting my cash flow but as soon as I get that sorted I will be hunting a good one down. How do you search all of craigslist at once? Their sites make you go through them one at a time.

tommyNov 10, 2010, 2:31 pm · #16

2toneSilvia on 05:01:04 PM / 08-Nov-10Hatchback is heavier and stiffer than Notch (but not much). Welcome & best of luck on the search! cool2

I thought the notch was stiffer because of all the metal between the 2 rear suspension towers that closes the trunk area from the rest of the car... as in the hatch, it's all open with fold down seats. And yes the hatch is heavier, in part because of the FREAKING big back window that makes the hatchdoor weight as much as me, compare to the 10 pound rear trunk cover on the notch... and overall, the notch has less window area and glass is pretty heavy...

MaxpowNov 10, 2010, 2:55 pm · #17

sweet16v on 10:09:46 AM / 10-Nov-10I drove 3hrs each way for my Gti so driving wont be a problem for me. I had some things come up recently that are limiting my cash flow but as soon as I get that sorted I will be hunting a good one down. How do you search all of craigslist at once? Their sites make you go through them one at a time.

Secrets. Its called Crazedlist just google it.

s12swedenNov 20, 2010, 12:40 am · #18

sweet16v : Hello and Welcome to S12.org smiley

Drft-s12Nov 20, 2010, 2:20 am · #19

Welcome i believe i spoke to you at my job my name is Victor.....anyways this site is very useful and we have a great community....good luck on finding a s12 and trust me you wont regret owning one Thumbs Up!

JordanNov 20, 2010, 2:46 am · #20

Welcome to the forum. That white notch is nice looking but S12's are really a dime a dozen on the west coast so you can be picky. There have been 3 on craigslist in my town just in the last two weeks, and all of them where $500 or less. Personally I like the VG30e, it has plenty of power and is cheap to replace. If you you get a 4cyl don't drive it hard cause both stock engines are weak. Good news is all the 240sx engines bolt right into the 4cyl crossmember and trans (KA24e, Ka24DE, SR20 ect).

Keep your eyes out for a Infinity M30 if your looking for something different. They are also have the VG30E but all came automatic.

sideways_s12Nov 21, 2010, 12:16 am · #21

Welcome to the site and if you go 4 cyl def go ca18det awesome motor with good power (they don't call it the mini rb for nuthin) lol

ArroDec 7, 2010, 6:05 am · #22

Something I thought I should mention...

S12 Engine Swap Guide:

http://club-s12.org/v3/index.php?topic=27031.0

Might help you decide which platform to start with. At least will help you decide between an SE or a 4-banger version with plan to swap.