Evaluate my build plan

[thomasjamal]

So my KA24DE is going to need some major work due to bad piston rings (I think, need to recheck compression to make sure). So I'm thinking that while I'm at it I'd like to do a few upgrades to add a little power and improve the response without breaking the bank. So below is the plan I'm working on. Please take a quick look and give me any feedback you have/keep me from screwing anything up. I'm still in the research phase, so I'll update this as a learn more.

Basic stuff:
Intake (already have this)
Headers (already have ebay headers)
Underdrive pulley
lightweight flywheel
Electric fan

Cam swap (maybe 248/248 or 248/232)
1990 KA24E pistons




*Oh and yes I'm planning on doing suspension and brake upgrades but since my motor needs work soon I want to do any engine upgrades while I'm at it.

[motoman399]

i have heard that if you run the sohc pistons you will have to run high octane fuel. also when you go turbo (N/A will be disappointing) thats going to be too much compression

[thomasjamal]

i have heard that if you run the sohc pistons you will have to run high octane fuel. also when you go turbo (N/A will be disappointing) thats going to be too much compression

Not going turbo, so that's not a problem.

If anything I'll probably run this setup for a while and eventually do a swap. I know I'll have to run premium but I usually do anyway (it is recommended for the KA) so that's no big deal.

[motoman399]

i mean more than premium. do a search. you will see. and if you want power for free you can port

[thomasjamal]

i mean more than premium. do a search. you will see. and if you want power for free you can port

Well I've read you need to run 93 octane. I don't think anything above 91 is available around me but would adding octane boost actually be enough or would I need to get race gas? I've seen people say they do both.

I don't think I have the skills to port it myself. At least I've never done anything like that before, but I'll do some research....

[seang]

find out exactly why certain things will work before settling on them

[poshatch]

i think i read somewhere that 89 pistons give you a much higher compression than 90 pistons in the 91+ kade...idono if thats accurate so look into it but i thinkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk....90 would give you a compression that would allow for 91

honestly you will probably be disappointed with a n/a kade...its just too much mula for power so id suggest a good rebuild of the piston rings and bearings and what not since your in there and make it in great shape again and then turbo it mildly

[thomasjamal]

i think i read somewhere that 89 pistons give you a much higher compression than 90 pistons in the 91+ kade...idono if thats accurate so look into it but i thinkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk....90 would give you a compression that would allow for 91

That's what I thought, which is why I said 90 in the first place. I've also read that the compression from the 89 is too high for the stock motor.

honestly you will probably be disappointed with a n/a kade...its just too much mula for power so id suggest a good rebuild of the piston rings and bearings and what not since your in there and make it in great shape again and then turbo it mildly

But that's exactly my point. If I'm already rebuilding the piston rings and internals, how much more money will it really cost to install the 90 pistons? They cost around $80 for new ones on ebay. That doesn't seem like too much mula for a little extra power even if it's 5hp. I'm also not planning on staying NA forever, but I'm just not interested in KAT. So I'd like to swap someday, but why not do the little things I can to add to my KA while I'm stuck with it.

[poshatch]

i defiantly feel you man i love and hate the KA at the same time haha i love mine cause its so reliable and ive always taken great care of it and i know how to work on it really well, just the power you get out of it is so minimal and not often run n/a and even if so the cost benefit ration is wacked haha...

well back when i wanted to do an n/a thing i wanted to do the ka with the 90 pistons and new rings and bearings to be safe you know, i wanted to run ITB"s or a custom intake which consisted of a small piece of pipe that went to where the battery would go keeping it short or whatever with an a/c delete, egr delete, clutch fan delete, light flywheel headers, full exhaust, tuned ignition timing to 15* advanced i believe, re-timed exhaust-intake cam swap, 1 piece drive shaft to z32 n/a diff

but even with all of that id bet you would be lucky to put down 180 lbs of torque =[ or just rebuild yours with nicer internals and make it good and reliable and turbo the mofo and be looking at a safe 200-225 lbs torque

now is probably the time to choose your route but you shouldnt really do one expecting to do the other later...dont get me wrong my pretty much stock ka is loads of fun but n/a just isnt the best IMO for power gains

[Ajax]

There should be some good info in archives about the de-e piston swap. It should confirm that there are 2 different pistons, but I don't believe its merely the year differentiation- it depends more on production sample. I believe most places that sell SOHC pistons only sell the milder version- but don't quote me, I've not done much research. The milder piston should net in the 11:1 ratio IIRC- 92-93 octane preferable (octane boost is a stop-gap solution, tuning is better), but you may be able to get by with 91 (would probably depend on driving habits too). Honestly, you might be able to find sets of pistons in the 10-10.5 range for not too much more than $80 per- might be less powerful, but safer.
If you want to try porting, you might want to get a spare head- just in case.

[poshatch]

i think retarding the timing a bit would also allow for that 92-91 octane difference so that you could run 91 octane

[thomasjamal]

So I'm scrapping this plan for the moment. Instead of rebuilding my KA and putting the extra work in it I ended up finding a much lower mileage KA in great shape for pretty cheap and I'm putting it in my car next weekend.

I'll still do basics, intake, header and e-fan, but I'm not messing with pistons or cams since this motor runs to well and I'd probably manage to screw it up.

[poshatch]

haha nothing wrong with that

my ka had intake and headers and full exhaust and you do notice a good amount, deleting a/c you notice, clutch fan you notice a slight bit.

but the greatest n/a mod ive done was the lightened flywheel and a good clutch

it works wonders!

[Dr.Noisewater]

So I'm scrapping this plan for the moment. Instead of rebuilding my KA and putting the extra work in it I ended up finding a much lower mileage KA in great shape for pretty cheap and I'm putting it in my car next weekend.

I'll still do basics, intake, header and e-fan, but I'm not messing with pistons or cams since this motor runs to well and I'd probably manage to screw it up.

I would go for the "complete" rebuild and then you have nothing to worry about for quite some time while you figure out where you would like to go next. Good luck.

[thomasjamal]

So I'm scrapping this plan for the moment. Instead of rebuilding my KA and putting the extra work in it I ended up finding a much lower mileage KA in great shape for pretty cheap and I'm putting it in my car next weekend.

I'll still do basics, intake, header and e-fan, but I'm not messing with pistons or cams since this motor runs to well and I'd probably manage to screw it up.

I would go for the "complete" rebuild and then you have nothing to worry about for quite some time while you figure out where you would like to go next. Good luck.

You been hanging out with James Westfall and the Octagon lately?