S14 240SX base vs. SE

For those of you well versed in S14 nissans I'd like to find out what the differences are between the base car and an se optioned car. I have come up with a 95' Base with 35k and a 96' SE with 88k, unfortunately both are automatics. Which leads to the next question, how hard/expensive is a manual swap and will I have any OBD2 issues if done on the 96' car? I want to stay away from SR20 swapped cars because I can see some one in pennsylvania screwing me when inspection time comes around.

95'

96'

I won't be much help, I only know the difference between the S13 base and S13 SE. The difference is basically: tighter rack ratio, HICAS (rear wheel steering), rear toe adjustment from the factory, and LSD. I think the biggest thing is the LSD. The toe thing might be a stupid ricer myth that was passed onto me, it makes no sense to not be able to adjust toe in the rear of a car.

IMO you are paying for an LSD, which you can swap in anyway. If you're racing in SoloII STS or something then you're going to want to go the SE route, because you cant just drop in an OEM LSD and stay in the STS class.

With the SE you get the 5 lug hardware that allows you to easily swap 300ZX brakes and wheels. The base S14 is 4 lug like the older cars.

I drove a '97 SE with automatic for about 5 years as my daily driver. I found it to be a great "touring car." It was not fast but it sure liked to head down the highway as a comfortable 2 seater. The back seat is really just a package self and the trunk is pretty small. I always sort of saw it as a poor man's Lexus 300sc.

It was one of the most reliable cars I ever owned.

There are really not many differences between a '95 base & '96SE. Aside from the 5 lugs (as mentioned) the SE also got White interoir gage faces and fog lights. Not many other differences. In '97 & '98 the SE's alsp got a factory ground effects kit (not offered in the early years.)

Attached is my window sticker from the pictures I posted to sell mine about 2.5 years ago.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2983508340035467440vwSAvV

Contrary to popular belief not all SE models had an LSD (mine didn't) most of the S14's should though and you can check by looking for an orange sticker on the pumpkin or by jacking the car up and turning the wheels, they should both go in the same direction if it's an LSD. As for the 5/4 lug thing, the only main advantage is a wider wheel selection in some areas, as you can find 4 lug drilled 300ZX rotors now you don't have to swap to 5 lugs to do the 300ZX brake swap.

I did the 5 lug swap on my S13 and after I got it done I really couldn't figure out why I had done it, other than the beefier front spindles that the S14 has.

You can also use Q45 brakes, which some people prefer due to the fact that it works fine with stock MC, and works better with Z32 MC. The Q45 brakes were scary good in my S13.

I forgot about the 5 lug on S14s. I don't know man. A 35k base model sounds pretty schmexy.

Taiden wrote: You can also use Q45 brakes, which some people prefer due to the fact that it works fine with stock MC, and works great with Z32 MC. The Q45 brakes were scary good in my S13. I forgot about the 5 lug on S14s. I don't know man. A 35k base model sounds pretty schmexy.