KA N/A head work

[Heavy D]

First time here in the KA-only section of NICO...this is kind of a long story, so bear with me...

I'm at a crossroads with my '95 240 as far as what to do with it. I've got some things done here and there, like 300ZX brakes/master cyl and stainless lines, I/H/E, full stereo system, Eibach Pro-Kit w/ KYB AGXs and will be doing paint/body work very soon. Up until now, I've tried to make my mods cost-effective and have tried to be very sensible about what I do to the car. My main goal is to make it as complete as possible (i.e. well-rounded) and as fun to drive as I can. I'm leaving for college in the fall, so it's decision time. Do I continue to put money into the car and do something like an engine swap or KA-T? Or, do I keep it the way it is and just enjoy it through college, then decide what I want to do?

Then, I thought about N/A power and what could be done. The first big idea that comes to mind is head work. What kinds of things are people doing to the KA's head when they stay N/A? What does it take to get some substantial power out of the KA when staying N/A? I really don't know much about how well the KA head flows stock and what kinds of gains can really be extracted from it, so if anyone could provide info/advice for the questions above that would be great. Any articles and other info out there on N/A KA power would be great, too. Again, sorry for the long post, but I think it helps if you guys know exactly what my situation is. Thanks!

[ddgsxr504]

I personally still run an N/A KA right now. I have CAI/Header/Exhaust with JWT Cams, JWT Tuned ECU, Port and Polished head. You can get even more power by bumping compression to 10/1 and getting a better intake manifold. You are not going to get substantial power but you can get it pretty close to right around 200HP.

[Heavy D]

Sorry it took so long to reply...

Do you, speaking from experience, think it's worth it to make modifications like the ones you mentioned for someone in my position - just about to go to college? Am I better off just leaving the car the way it is until after college or going another route i.e. turbo/engine swap?

See...the car is great and all, but there's just one thing that prevents it from being perfect for me...it's an auto!! I really, really wish it was a manual, so sometimes I wonder if I'd just be better off selling it now or after college and finding something I really want, be it another 240 or a completely different car. Then there's the paint/body work that it's going to need this summer if it's going to last me through college...then the new wheels and tires I eventually want to get now that it's lowered... So you see, I really have to weigh my options carefully, with money unfortunately being the deciding factor with everything. I love the 240; I think it's a great car and I'd like to stick with it, but power seems to be so elusive to a kid my age...

I mean shoot, I just checked the JWT website and the cams + ECU come in at $1100+. That could go towards something else for the car...or *GASP* college stuff!!! Man...life's a B.

BTW, your car rocks. Mine's white too and I'm thinking about gunmetal or black wheels. I love the way yours looks. Very nice.

[TDS]

If money is not an object then you can definitely do a lot while in college over time. Everything i've done to my car, I did it through college and money was an issue for me. Yet little by little and with what i can save up, i've been restoring it and its not fast, but very fun and responsive. I guess if you're worried about the money, then just wait a little while after you're settled in college to see how your financial situation is, and if you will be able to invest in your car. You can replace you auto trans with manua this summer and I'm sure that will increase the fun factor. In terms of all motor, or turbo, im not gonna go into that but again you gotta think about the money that will be invested if that cocnerns you and the downtime to set up your car right. In my case, as a college student, I only have the weekends to work on my car and thats if hw, midterms, and finals are not in the way. Building the motor would prob require lots of weekends of work and weekdays without a car. So its things like that you gotta think about.

[Heavy D]

Yeah, that makes sense. How much do you think a 5-spd swap would cost, altogether?