I can get a cheap DE for cheap... worth it?

[sommmatt]

So right now I'm planning on going turbo with the car eventually, it's an E, but I've run across a bit of a deal, I can get the DE for around 2-300 in complete running condition (guy hasn't taken it out of his car yet) with the auto transmission still attached.

Do you think I should go ahead and turbo the E or spend a little bit extra and have a DE?

My E has 120000kms on it, the DE has 170000kms.

Keep in mind, I'm not trying to do a hugely expensive Greg-style turbo here.

[S13xCrazy]

thats a tough call there. I have seen some pretty sick Es out there. But there are also a lot of DE's that put down sick numbers. I guess its basically down to, do you want to spend the extra 2-300$ + the labor to swap the motors out.

What do you have for compression on your E? Anything wrong with it? How about the DE?

[boznuttz]

People have more ease finding parts for the DOHC. Not to mention, there are several issues with boosting the SOHC. Spark plug wires on the SOHC are in danger of heating without proper heat shielding for starters.

[sommmatt]

Hmm... what really breaks my heart is how young the E is (mileage wise), it runs flawlessly... well its needs a MAF, but when thats off it runs smooth, proper compression across all 4 cylinders. Not sure about the DE, it's a 4 hour drive away but the guy says it runs just fine (of course I'd be doing some serious inquiries and whatnot if I was actually negotiating buying it right now).

I was thinking about how easy it is to find parts for the DOHC and since it is newer you would have less worn parts, too.

The other thing is I'm not sure if I'm going to spend like, 5grand on a turbo setup or just something between 1 and 2.

Lots to think about...

[480sx]

Man, i love my ka. I have three extra KA's sitting in my woods, and one on a motor stand waiting a rebuild. Iv got a few sitting in my collection of 240's too.. In total iv paid like 300 bucks for them all together.

The thing about this motor is that no one(except us..) wants it. It lets us pick them up for really cheap. When i get some cash saved im always going to have one sitting around waiting to be swaped in in case i blow mine. They are great motors, at a great price.

[sommmatt]

So then are you saying that a deal like this is something that I'll definitely be able to find again? haha.

How many people have had success boosting an E? I want to do it fairly cheap (obviously not 200 dollars cheap, since I don't have an RB25DET lying around), but I want it to work, too. You know, under 10PSI of boost just to give me a little more power while my buddy's SRT4 with a stage 3 turbo is embarassing everyone.

[480sx]

Well its actually a pretty good deal, if you can get it for like 250 or cheaper. The going rate on a running KA now is about 350 here on nico.

Just depends on what your goals are. If your boosting i would definitly go for the DE, the parts made for a SOHC are really limited.

[sommmatt]

Icic... I've got lots of battles going on in my head, turbo it properly or have 180sxfaktory hook me up with an SR front clip... or just stay NA... or swap and use the E motor in a big gokart...

[480sx]

Haha gokart FTMFW!

[sommmatt]

Actually I got myself thinking about that now... I'd need some HUGE brakes.

[placham]

dont know the differences of boosting eather E or DE, because I havent done it myself personaly (yet). But I know that DE's come with piston squirters/oil jets and E dont. DEs have more support if boosting over Es because they were used from 91-98 in 240sx and Es 89-90 and pickups+Stanzas(FWD). You could get the DE and keep it as a spare when you boost the E. Or get the DE and throw the E cyl-head on it or wise-versa. Its your decision money is the only issue no matter what motor you got even the SR20DET clips arent cheap. It cost couple greenbacks to get any kind of performance no matter what you got.

Just my 2cents

[eazye2000]

Both have their ups and downs.The E's are awesome because you can tune them easier, or so I've heard. And you can swap to MAP with a stock ECU somehow. Also something I've heard.The DE's you can build up and make good power with. And they also get good gas mileage too when off boost.I just made a thread yesterday about my gas mileage. I'm running 18 psi sometimes, and yet still maintain 27-28 mpg on the highway.. ]Just read about them, and decide for yourself. There are pro's and con's for everything you will do with your car. Read up!

[sommmatt]

Thanks for all of the replies this far.

I was checking around in classifieds because I needed a MAF sensor, and I ran across this guy's setup.

zerothread?id=287357

I sent him an email asking him about it, because personally I would rather not do an engine swap, and I'm wondering how all that performed for him. (No, I'm not going to buy his stuff). It actually looks pretty sharp, too. Sort of inspired me to keep the E, but I'm still a turbo noob. Who knows.

[spooled240]

I think you should get the de, it's not a ton of money and installation should be straightforward. I'd say this is the only downside for the de in your case. the de's should be faster and more reliable anyway because they are newer and have dual cams..but make sure what you are getting, you don't wanna get a kade that burns an azz load of oil and has a thrown rod lol