Compare and contrast; Jesus and Spiderman.

So, finaly after a few months of scratching my head at a MK1 with electrical issues, its has been figured out and is running pretty well.

And because I have been converted to the S12 (from the S13) I feel that I should give my observations of the differences of the two cars.

The 240 seems to be a little more sure-footed in everyday driving conditions probably due to its weight, however, at higher speeds the front-end becomes light and shifty. For instance, I found myself heading straight for a concrete divider on an off-ramp because the car wouldn't turn.

The 200 seems to be a polar opposite. A bit jumpy through normal driving, almost as if you have to concentrate to drive nice, but once you have some space, no one's around you and you can push the car it's very very happy and controlable. At high speeds and under throttle, it turns on a dime. I can't say that for all of them, haven't abused the MK2 with an IRS.

The KA24E (and DE) are much stronger engines in stock trim than the CA20E. However... The CA20 is a lot of fun if you keep it above 3500 rpm, with plenty of "drift" power.

The 200's driving postion is much better than the 240's, and even tho the tranny in the MK1 has longer throws than the 240's it's not as "lazy". You really need to know how to shift... 200's are not as forgiving as 240's.

I leave it at that for now... More to come at a later date. It would be cool if others posted their observations.

Very interesting observations, certainly this is new information and you don't seem to candycoat it in either direction, the way that an S13 worshipper or even an S12 worshipper like myself might. Very objective. Nice.

Cool! Odd that it would be new information... thought there would be a lot of comments on how these cars behave.

One more quick one, MK1's are awsome to shift lock drift!

shift-lock drift?

Yep, enter the turn at speed, downshift without heel-toe, and let the clutch out fast. The rear wheels will lock for a second, like if you used the e-brake, this initiates the drift, then its all the the gas pedal and steering work.

Yep, enter the turn at speed, downshift without heel-toe, and let the clutch out fast. The rear wheels will lock for a second, like if you used the e-brake, this initiates the drift, then its all the the gas pedal and steering work.

DAmn kinda harsh on the 15yr old trans ah!? haha

Yeah shift lock is a little harsh on your driveline in general, but then again since when have drifters had mechanical sympathy...

yeah i thought drifters were more like "go till it breaks then worry about finding the money to fix it ;)"

Money? Drifters don't use money, they use gaf and wire to fix things ;). Just like Macguyver.

Money? Drifters don't use money, they use gaf and wire to fix things ;). Just like Macguyver.
Hey, Hey, Hey, we use zip ties and duct tape too...*lol* ;) Plus I don't know a single member around me that doesn't carry enough tools to try and at least make an attempt to fix their ride if it rusts out around them on the road...

and Dan just wait till all the snow flies...trust me you really won't have to shift-lock...just floor it!!! ;) 8) God it is great having a light weight RWD car!!!

tee hee, Mr Frost, I already have pirelli snow/ice tyres on the little beastie.

As for shift-lock being harsh... it is, but I haven't noticed the car getting out of shape at all. I think it quite likes it! E-brake drifts are pretty easy in this thing too, but not as fun and power over drifts are a little wierd without an LSD so for now... shift lock.

More observations;

The Digital dash at first is kinda cool, but there is no living with it on an everyday basis. (any one have an analog one i can have?)

and Dan just wait till all the snow flies...trust me you really won't have to shift-lock...just floor it!!! ;) 8) God it is great having a light weight RWD car!!!

I like to refer to it as 'Polish Drifting' ;) Due to the fact I am a Polack. I practiced doing drift figure 8s and ovals in a small apartment parking lot. The lot is about 17 to 20 feet wide and 45 to 55 feet long (I am not a good visual estimator). And I slid my car perfectly. Never hit anything. And that was in about 4" of snow.

Can't wait for the snow! I wanna abuse the little beastie "rally" style thru Caladon Mountain...

Yet another observation;

A stock 200sx with a stock CA20E is NOT a drag car!!!

To my shame I lost today against a 84 prelude... **Shudder**

Interesting observations. When I got my S12, it was just plain scary at anything above 80mph. It got sooooo floaty and light, it felt like it didn't want to stay very connected to the road. After lowering it and doing some suspension work, it feels rock solid at the end of the speedo.

Hehe too bad for you, my mates sister has an 84 prelude twin carb that we used to race, my old CA20e with miles of advance used to just edge it out over the quarter. Prelude had 2" exhaust and the gazelle had advanced timing. They were pretty much even but the gazelle got it off the line with more traction :).

Yeah, haven't done that "advance the timing" thing... I do believe it next on the list... I had one of those twin carb'd prelude, I liked it. but then again it was a free car that i could have cared less for, it went thru a lot of abuse... a lot of it!

Can't wait for the snow! I wanna abuse the little beastie "rally" style thru Caladon Mountain...

Yet another observation;

A stock 200sx with a stock CA20E is NOT a drag car!!!

To my shame I lost today against a 84 prelude... **Shudder**
Pick a day; I'll gladely be there!!! 8) hell the Caledon Mountain is only 5 minutes away from where I live!!! Oh and on a side note I got mine going again...a wire going from 12V + to the fuse was intermittent, I replaced it, and now everything in hunky dori...8)

tee hee, Mr Frost, I already have pirelli snow/ice tyres on the little beastie.

As for shift-lock being harsh... it is, but I haven't noticed the car getting out of shape at all. I think it quite likes it! E-brake drifts are pretty easy in this thing too, but not as fun and power over drifts are a little wierd without an LSD so for now... shift lock.

More observations;

The Digital dash at first is kinda cool, but there is no living with it on an everyday basis. (any one have an analog one i can have?)
I have an analog cluster that you welcome to, it is not for a 200, but most can be adapted. The cluster is from a Stanza...

Really?! You are too cool! :bow:

Any one know what the wieght difference between the KA's and CA's? Mr Frost, does that KA24DE block have a dizzy boss on the left side? What's the average airspeed velocity of a swallow? Also got a line on a VG30DE with all the trimings, 400 dollars... So, how much of a pain in the ass is it to change the syncro's in this Ol' Skool crashbox that is in the MKI?

Ahh too much coffee!!!!!!!!!

Interesting observations. When I got my S12, it was just plain scary at anything above 80mph. It got sooooo floaty and light, it felt like it didn't want to stay very connected to the road. After lowering it and doing some suspension work, it feels rock solid at the end of the speedo.
mine felt abit unstable especially coming out of corners at speed. I lowered by 35mm stiffened by 30% front tracking set to 20mins tow in and rear set to 30mins tow in, now it feels much better less under steer ! back end is a little less predictable but I like it like that :)

hmm, I find that mine leans a bit exiting a tight corner at a really high rate of speed (like a 30kph off ramp at 120) I guess the solid rear axle helps a bit?!