Dauntless Which engine and why? KA, CA, SR

[w00t_Masta]

If there is a thread already going somewhere that i missed, a link would be very sufficient. I would like your highly respected opinion, and preferance.

[I H8 UR DSM]

you spelled his name wrong, so he wont reply....He's real sensative ab0ut his TT's.

: P

[Daunttless]

I don't have an opinion, all three are great motors. Personally I prefer the SR or CA, I'm not much of a KA guy but it works for a lot of people.

Theres positives and negatives to each one, and it really depends on your personal preference, what kind of goals you have, and most importantly how much money you have.

Basically, you're not going to get away with any of them for under 3,500-4,000 unless you do the work yourself. A SR swap will cost about 4,000, a CA swap will cost about 4,000, and a KA turbo swap will cost about 4,000.

Of those "basic" swaps, the KA will be making the most power at 235rwhp, but it will take a lot of work to get it past that ( go ahead and argue KA guys, but, it will ) and you have to make sure your engine is in good shape before you do it, which can include a fairly pricey rebuild.

Next up for "stock" power would be the SR, its pushing about 185 to the ground after the swap, 205 flywheel. Its somewhat faster than a stock KA. It will cost you the same, but for every bit you spend after this its the "cheapest" way to 320-350 rwhp, with bolt-ons you can achieve it. However, past that point it starts costing you a lot building up the internals and replacing everything, resleeving, new rocker arms, rocker stoppers, valve springs, blah blah blah. But to 320-350 rwhp its great, and its as cost effective as you'll get.

The last would be the "stock" CA18, its pushing about 155-160 to the ground, 175 flywheel, however I suggest putting at least a S13 turbo on it when you swap it, but it will cost you like 100 or so more than the SR20 swap, however you'll be pushing like 175-180 to the ground. However, in stock trim its not that much faster than a stock KA. People can never seem to fathom this, but the thing you have to understand is that the SR and CA won't drive like the KA offboost, they drive like RWD non-vtec hondas. They are 1.8 and 2.0 liter engines, they aren't putting out much power without the turbo. Therefore, when you're offboost all that time you're only moderately faster than the KA. However, to get to 500 horsepower with the CA you need only put in some forged pistons and a metal headgasket while you're there. : ) So past 350 rwhp, the CA starts to become the more price effective option. However, you always have the offboost downfall of it being a 1.8 liter.

So thats that, if your KA is in good condition and you never plan on doing anything again, then go for the turbo setup. If you only want up to like 350 horsepower pretty easy, go with the SR20, also pretty much everyone carries performance parts for them now. If you want 500 horsepower, you know you want 500, and you want it right away and you have all the money, go CA, its nice.

However, it really all boils down to the three things at the beginning, its however you want to do your project, there is no right answer no matter what people tell you.

Enjoy your day and let me know if theres anything else, maybe I'll make this a sticky so I don't have to keep answering it. : )

[Daunttless]

I am sensitive, I have two Ts damnit people.

[itsallgood]

hey a stock 240sx now your saying you should replace the motor to get a dececnt hp??? and what would be the price range for getting about 300-350 our of the stock is it possible or should i just switch out engines, and turbos what do you think of them are they good or bad??

[Daunttless]

You may want to take some time, and read thru the forum, thats what I think.

In my opinion, I prefer turbo's, some people like N/A power. Unless you full race build your motor, you won't see more than around 200 N/A horsepower out of it, and tha will cost about 4,000 dollars. I'm selling N/A 200hp engines for 3,000.

For the rest of the stuff, you should look around. A lot of people pursue the engine swap, because in Japan, these cars were meant to have the SR20DET or CA18DET, instead we got the KA24DE. The best way to gain power in my opinion is to change that fact, one way or another.

[ash1y1]

I have a 95 240sx SE, that's got the KA motor in it right? If so, that's rated at 155hp right?

[ash1y1]

If at stock I have 55 hp, what can I expect to gain by adding intake w/extension, headers, exhaust? How much hp gain from each or total?

[redrocket]

about 20 extra horses if you are lucky

[Daunttless]

To the flywheel... : )

[ash1y1]

Please explain to me what you mean by 'to the flywheel"What is that?

[Daunttless]

its the thing that transfers power to your transmission in a manual car, the 155 horsepower that the KA24DE is rated at is at the flywheel, you still have about 13-18% drivetrain loss before you get "to the wheel" power aka rwhp. I'd expect about 175 to the flywheel then you have to account for drivetrain loss...

[Xeromist]

Quote »what can I expect to gain by adding intake w/extension, headers, exhaust? How much hp gain from each or total?[/quote]

Also, it's cumulative. If you put in an exhaust, but leave a restrictive intake, the performance gain will not be as large. So you'll have to do it all to get the added power you want. All totaled I wouldn't expect much more than 10-15HP (to the wheels), but considering most performance upgrades, it's the cheapest 10-15HP you'll get. However, if you decide to add fuel upgrades (cams, injectors, etc.) you're going to get a cumulative benefit from the breathing upgrades.

[w00t_Masta]

Thanks again guys. Especially Daun"TT"less... Now i know what i have to think about...and read more about the CA, cuz your right....U know i want 500 hp.

[ash1y1]

Does that 'to the wheels' also refer to automatic 240's?

[Daunttless]

to the wheels can refer to any car.

[Daunttless]

Oh, however, you won't see the same gains to the ground with an automatic, you lose more power and it doesn't maximize the power band nearly as well as a human.

[kayo240se]

Does that 'to the wheels' also refer to automatic 240's?

Yes but the loss is more dramatic maybe 19 or 20% loss.

[s14=pimpin']

RB all the way, huh daunttless? Do you think the supercharger out of the Nissan frontier could be fabricated onto the KA, SR20DE or any Nissan motor? I know absolutely nothing about that motor, so please excuse if this is a totally retarded question.

[Daunttless]

no, it can't EASILY be done. : ) Not to my knowledge at least. Easily being the key to any supercharger kit, if it was easy to transfer from one engine to another you could use a Honda kit. : )

[rwbw00]

Daunttless,When its all said and done after the swaps have been done which engine is the most stable (ka24de with a turbo or sr20det)? What I really want to know is which one will cost the most to keep running? Also, how readily available are replacement parts for the sr20det (I think down time is also very important to consider and shipping etc…)? I know with a ka24de I can pick up any replacement part easily. Further, if the whole engine was shot I could buy one with low miles on it from a junk yard for less than $800 bucks (more like $500) and simply reinstall all the performance parts. It will be around 2 years before I could do either of these, but I like to weigh my options (and dream). Thanks in advance.

[ash1y1]

SO you guys are saying that if I add an intake system to my car, I will actually lose power? Someone please explain it to me in Layman's terms because I'm not very knowledgeable on cars just yet. Thanks.

[Daunttless]

Heh, who knows how things will be in two years rwbw. : ) All the engines are reliable and stable, the CA and KA you can get parts from the local auto zone. The SR you have to go to people who carry them unfortunately.

You won't lose power ashley, what we meant is you will "lose" power thru your automatic transmission. When it transfers the power, some is lost in the conversion, you won't "gain" as much power as you would if you had a manual transmission. Nor will you be able to fully utilize the power you did gain, because you don't control the shift points.

[ash1y1]

Thanks Daunttless,

Sorry to bug you with simple questions, I'm sure it gets annoying sometime, but I don't know all that much and you have taught me so much since I've joined this forum. Thanks again.

[Daunttless]

heh, not a problem.