How to tune my ka24de?

[unahanaretsu]

Hi, I'm pretty new to the tuning scene and just wanted to have a little input from you guys about tuning the ka24de. I've dropped in a ka24de in a 1989 s13 fastback. Had to take out the air conditioning. I have a limited budget about 3000 maybe a little more. My goal is to get the engine to 175. It's gonna be a daily driver so i don't want to drop in a turbo. I want it to be a NA. Reliability and mpg is important too. I really don't know anything about tuning the engine though. What are the weak points of the ka24de engine? What should I be working on? If I had more money what should I work on with suspension and drivetrain? Also are there components that I really don't need? For example I already took out the AC Unit should I change to a manual steering rack? I've been reading around a lot and the information is so massive It's really hard to find a starting point lol. Thanks for all your help though

-UnahanaRetsu
Modified by unahanaretsu at 1:30 AM 4/25/2009

[Razi]

Hello and welcome!Do all the normal maintenance things, like new spark plugs, wires, etc...Should get you a little more horsepower.

As for making 180 hp on NA, it could be very difficult to make that much as NA on the KA24 engine.Most people turbocharge their engines to make 200-ish hp.My car is my daily driver and has a turbocharged KA.

To make your steering rack a true manual steering rack, you should disassemble it and remove the middle seal and then loosen up the spring inside the rack, which I heard gives you more of a real manual steering feel.But most people just loop their power steering hoses.And of course you need to remove the PS pump.Removing PS might net you a little bit more power but probably not a noticeable amount.

[liquid_cool]

well...#1.) if your looking for serious HP gains..then your thowin gas milage out the door man..if ya want a gas sipper may i recomend a prias, if you so decide to sell your extreemly cool 240 to someone..make shure its a sports car lover..with that said..if you choose to keep her..then think in a different light...performance!...the 240sx is the most versitile racing platform ever created...#@.) you can add HP by going all electric fans..#3) you can add HP by changing exauhst and intake setups...#4.) you can allso add HP by changing pistons and compretion ratios...you could lighten the valve set up by using titanium springs and retainers..you can add power by changing cams and even using aluminum flyweels and drivelines..there is a million ways to add power......BUT FIRST..you need basic know how...i sugest reading some (S/A) books found in any library..get to know engines and how to build them..start with (how to blueprint an engine)....dont get me wrong with my post..im not putting you down..im just pointing you in the rite direction for the car you own...good luck