Confused

[Powder]

I have a 1993 240sx s13 with the ka engine with about 153k miles on it and was wandering if i should just rebuild this motor or just do the sr20 swap i really wanna turbo the ka motor but worried it might run a little too high when it might cost 5k to do the swap would it be better or cheaper in the long run to turbo the ka?:help

[WDRacing]

I'd suggest doing a compression test on your motor. If the numbers are good then I'd go with the KADET. Or you could get a lower mileage KA from the junkyard for a decent price. I prefer the KA simply because if I blow it up, I can just grab another motor for fairly cheap. You can't do that with the SR.

Off topic, how's the weather there in FWB. I was stationed at Hurlburt Fld from 93 to 97. Might be coming back in December. If you haven't done the turbo by then, I'll be glad to help.

WD

[silviaNE]

I would agree with WD. Ka motors are easy to come by and a lot cheaper then any sr20s. I would recomend rebuilding the head and new rings at a minimum if you want to go turbo. Maybe finding a wrecked car with a low millage engine might be a good route for you. You can do some preventive maitenance and do whatever prep work on it while you can still drive your car at the same time. I would recomend using 92-94 KAs. I have heard a lot of stories of lesser quality internals in the s14 chasis ka motors. Might be a myth, but it might not be.

[white98s14]

I would agree with WD. Ka motors are easy to come by and a lot cheaper then any sr20s. I would recomend rebuilding the head and new rings at a minimum if you want to go turbo. Maybe finding a wrecked car with a low millage engine might be a good route for you. You can do some preventive maitenance and do whatever prep work on it while you can still drive your car at the same time. I would recomend using 92-94 KAs. I have heard a lot of stories of lesser quality internals in the s14 chasis ka motors. Might be a myth, but it might not be.

That is a myth. I believe the cams are the only difference, as well as emission control devices.

[Dattebayo]

Yeah except for the internal butterflies (and cams in the early models), there are no quality differences in s14's and 13's from what ive seen. But seriously. You ask a bunch of ka junkies IN A TURBO KA FORUM which one to get? come on what did you expect? Just foolin' around. Turbo ka's are fun with that low end torque. I just like 'em with stock pistons at 4-7 psi.

[Powder]

The weather here is not too bad except for today rained like hell, you have a good point the ka motor is much cheaper to come by but would it cost more in the long run if i had to rebuild?

[encasemyheart]

What's an SR cost normally? Like $2500?

You can pick up a very cheap KA, send it to realnissan and they will put in forged pistons, rings/complete rebuild, new bearings, overboring of the cylinders, etc. for $800 including labor, all you have to do is send them the engine. They will do headwork for extra, $575 for a set of exhaust side custom springs, mild port/polish, custom solid adjustable rockers, custom upgraded valve caps & mild valve job, cleaning and reassembling of head.

You have a complete race prepped forged longblock for $1375. That's still more than $1000 under the price of a bone stock SR.

Imagine what you could spend the extra $1000 on...plus no headaches of trying to retrofit a different engine in the bay, it is a complete bolt on affair.

[WDRacing]

Good post EMH...