hardbody ka24de swap

[eksavior]

so i own a '92 hardbody with the ka24e in it. The engine is old and i'm tired of looking at it. I have the opportunity to get a de out of a newer frontier. the listing says it will fit 2001-2004 models. I'm wondering if there is any reason it wouldn't fit in my hardbody, and if anybody knows any issues i might have trying to make it work. my hb has over 200k miles and the engine i'm looking at has ~30k. all opinions are welcome. the more the better.

[dvdswan]

well, you would need the engine wiring harness and computer also. DEs are OBDII. aside from that it should drop in, not sure if you would need to fab engine mounts or if it bolts to the transmission.

is your truck 2 or 4WD? that could be another issue for the oil pan.

[eksavior]

thats what i was hoping to hear. my truck is a 2wd, with a 2" suspension lift, so hopefully that will help with the oil pan clearance if it does turn out to be a problem.

[seang]

Some Frontiers have QR25DE motors. I thought only the 98-00 models have twin cam KA's.

[eksavior]

i'll have to look into that. the listing definitely says ka24de though. I've been looking around for clutches, and i've noticed that they list them as working on 2.4L of certain years. Does anybody know what the difference is? If a late model engine bolts up to the old transmission, could the clutch still be a problem?

[nismoka24e91]

a single cam ka trans. will bolt up to a duel cam ka . the blocks are the same its the cyl. heads that are different, but the flywheel may be different depending on the years. i dont know for sure but if listings for a clutch have different years then i would think so. the ka block was used up to 2004 in the frontier. but if you have the flywheel off your old ka block you may be able to put that on your new ka block so you can re use your clutch if its still good and you want to save a few bucks. i would be more worried about what dvdswan said though... it is very important that you get the de harness and ecu. but if your wanting to do a swap you might want to look into a 240sx engine. its the same engine but it has a different intake manifold. the truck engines have a smaller intake manifold with a smaller throttle body. if you can get a 240sx intake you would get more power for the same engine.

[eksavior]

do you know if the 240 intake will bolt onto the frontier head? i've heard a lot of oil pan issues with the 240/hardbody swaps, in addition to the same wiring problems.

[moneymike]

i did the swap not to long ago i swapped out my old ka24e to a 240 ka24e. the oil pans are the same the only difference is the 240 one has a slump in the front as to the truck has it in the back so i just switched the pans and the pick up tube and went in with no problems. the clutch im not 100% sure but i bought a 6 puk act racing clutch and i have to change my fly wheel and get a new starter and modify it so it would work and fit in right. the intake manifold from the 240 had about 4 extra sensors on it no maf and the tps was different so i just swapped them as well untill i get more info and the parts i need to make it work. if your going to do the swap i suggest you get all new engine and transmission mounts while your at it and some break cleaner.
if you need any help or questions be sure to ask its not a hard swap to do
Good luck

[nismoka24e91]

the 240 manifold will bolt on to the frontier head. its the same engine block and head. i have a 240sx single came intake for my truck and the bolt pattern is the same. i just have get the manifold machined because its warped. but like i said before and other people said.... id be most worried about getting the right wiring.


* also sorry i forgot to add this in but the 240sx engine has a crankshaft cradle. the truck ka24 engines don't, they just have crankshaft caps.
the 240 ka24 also have oil injectors at the bottom of each cylinder. i don't know for sure if the truck ka24 has that but im pretty sure they don't.

[seang]

Trucks don't have oil squirters, and they aren't the biggest deal anyway. Truck motors do have seperate main bearing caps, but even that is not the "nail in the coffin."

the 240 manifold will bolt on to the frontier head. its the same engine block and head. i have a 240sx single came intake for my truck and the bolt pattern is the same. i just have get the manifold machined because its warped. but like i said before and other people said.... id be most worried about getting the right wiring.

I think OP was talking about a DOHC 240sx manifold bolting onto the Frontier DE, I'm pretty sure it has been done if I remember correctly.

I know of an owner who put twin S13 exhaust cams in his frontier and it pulls to 7000rpm, with the stock truck manifold.

[purplesan]

thats what i was hoping to hear. my truck is a 2wd, with a 2" suspension lift, so hopefully that will help with the oil pan clearance if it does turn out to be a problem.

I'm about to do this very same thing. I've read before that you had to cut both oil pans and weld them back because of the right front bolt holes won't line up. I'd rather not do that. I'd like to see the truck with a lift as well. Would you please let me know how this works out? Other than that, I have every wiring harness (ECU too) from a 92 240 except the under dash. A little scared about that part but my KA24E blew the side out of the number 4 and I miss the truck dearly. A $400 is worth it to me to save from cutting and welding a futuristic leaking oil pan. Please keep me posted. PM me..maybe we can help each other.