boosting options

[NoahMast]

Boosting my 240 has always been on my list of mods but recently I've started to actually look at my options. I've been looking at KA-T set ups, SR20 set ups, and lastly an RB25 set up. I'm not really big into drifting so I'm not looking at a drifting set up power train wise. But so far from what I've looked at as far as turbo set ups (correct me if I'm wrong anywhere here) but the KA-T will be the cheapest way of boosting my car, get me around the same power as an sr but is also a little more involved. An sr20 isn't as expensive as an rb25 would but is more expensive than a ka-t and I'll still get around the same power as a ka-t. Lastly there's the rb25 which would give me the most power and is the most expensive. Now what I'm asking here is what would be the best bang for your buck setup? I don't mind spending the extra coin for a more reliable/best set up (within reason). Also what can these motors handle power wise without them blowing up? Thanks in advance

[2_Liter_Turbo]

What is your intention with the car? What exactly are you looking for? Do you want a lightweight motor that promotes good handling or do you just want the best powerband regardless of handling. Yes you can turbo the KA cheaper than the SR, but then again you will be boosting an older high mileage motor so things will eventually go wrong and you will start spending a lot of money fixing things. Unless of course you have a low mileage or rebuilt KA, ha ha. If you want any kind of serious power however, you have to build the KA anyways, so the savings vs the SR goes out the window anyways. Both the KA and SR are good motors, not trying to start a forum war here, but in factory form, the SR will be more resilient with a turbo attached to it, because it was designed that way. Plus you get a lower mileage motor (typically). Both have their ups and downs, but both are good choices. The RB will add a ton of weight to the front, so the car's handling will change. It will increase the already front bias of the S chassis and it won't be as nimble in the corners. However, the RB is a fantastic motor than has a very nice powerband and power potential in stock form; and who doesn't love that boosted straight six sound?! Any of the three motor choices are good, it all depends on my first two questions what will fit better for you.

[NoahMast]

What is your intention with the car? What exactly are you looking for? Do you want a lightweight motor that promotes good handling or do you just want the best powerband regardless of handling. Yes you can turbo the KA cheaper than the SR, but then again you will be boosting an older high mileage motor so things will eventually go wrong and you will start spending a lot of money fixing things. Unless of course you have a low mileage or rebuilt KA, ha ha. If you want any kind of serious power however, you have to build the KA anyways, so the savings vs the SR goes out the window anyways. Both the KA and SR are good motors, not trying to start a forum war here, but in factory form, the SR will be more resilient with a turbo attached to it, because it was designed that way. Plus you get a lower mileage motor (typically). Both have their ups and downs, but both are good choices. The RB will add a ton of weight to the front, so the car's handling will change. It will increase the already front bias of the S chassis and it won't be as nimble in the corners. However, the RB is a fantastic motor than has a very nice powerband and power potential in stock form; and who doesn't love that boosted straight six sound?! Any of the three motor choices are good, it all depends on my first two questions what will fit better for you.

I'm looking for a fun good handling and decent power car to drive maybe not as a daily but definitely a lot. With whatever motor I choose I would like to make more power which is sort of obvious I assume. And I'd like the most reliable set up because I don't have endless money but I also understand that with more power comes less reliability. Also I don't mind not having a/c but it would be nice to have and I do agree boosted Nissan in line 6's just sound amazing

[jbracy7]

Yes the sr is more stable on boost ,however it is still a older engine you will have to rebuild whichever engine you choose with new bolts and gaskets at a minimum, the kadet is a bit cheaper on the front side because its available domesticly,longrun its has a very long stroke that causes problems under heavy boost. in my opinion Kadet would be a fine start.then you can look into more difficult Nissan vudo

[2_Liter_Turbo]

The SR can handle 350whp for many years on the stock long block (without changing gaskets) providing you get motor from Japan with lower miles, not someone else's high mileage abused motor. I know this because this is what I did

If you have a very healthy KA currently, that will be a solid route as well. How many miles does your KA have? What's the compression across all four cylinders?

[NoahMast]

The SR can handle 350whp for many years on the stock long block (without changing gaskets) providing you get motor from Japan with lower miles, not someone else's high mileage abused motor. I know this because this is what I did

If you have a very healthy KA currently, that will be a solid route as well. How many miles does your KA have? What's the compression across all four cylinders?

SR is sounds better everyday. But my KA has around 184 thousand on it it's just now starting to burn a little oil which I think is the valve seals going out and I'm not sure on compression. But if I were to go KA-T I'd buy another KA and rebuild that then drop it in

[jbracy7]

The SR can handle 350whp for many years on the stock long block (without changing gaskets) providing you get motor from Japan with lower miles, not someone else's high mileage abused motor. I know this because this is what I did

If you have a very healthy KA currently, that will be a solid route as well. How many miles does your KA have? What's the compression across all four cylinders?

That's. What I mean most sr's that are lower in cost are someone's else's goofs and require a bit of sorting out.while a low mileage ka is easier to find ,especially with the drift craze, while every fan boy knows they want a sr, none want the truck moter.

Btw congrats on 10yrs nico vet

[NoahMast]

The SR can handle 350whp for many years on the stock long block (without changing gaskets) providing you get motor from Japan with lower miles, not someone else's high mileage abused motor. I know this because this is what I did

If you have a very healthy KA currently, that will be a solid route as well. How many miles does your KA have? What's the compression across all four cylinders?

That's. What I mean most sr's that are lower in cost are someone's else's goofs and require a bit of sorting out.while a low mileage ka is easier to find ,especially with the drift craze, while every fan boy knows they want a sr, none want the truck moter.

Btw congrats on 10yrs nico vet

Yea that's another thing I can pick up a ka with a transmission for cheap and build that up but my concern with that is it wasn't meant to take boost so that's why I lean towards the sr just because that's what it was made for