KA N/A vs. SR vs. KA-t

[apzak]

This hasen't been posted and I'm preaty sure of it. After weeks of searching I become more confused. What I got is a preaty healthy KA with 40k miles and from 1998. Because of this, I'm preaty sure it will respond well to modifications, unlike peoples 300,000 miles 1989 with every bolt on running high 15s I hear about. What I want my car to do is drag racing, and something very reliable which is why I got the 240 and not a camaro. I would like to hang with the 4.6L 260hp Stang GT's that do the 1/4 mile in high 14s (14.7). Building up a KA N/A would get me about 185 crank hp, equal to the 2002 VW GTI with 180HP coming out a turbocharged 1.8L motor. This VW does the 1/4 mile in 15.3. The VW weights 100 pounds more than the 240sx, has front wheel drive and turbo lag, and 5 less horsepower. With a short shift I might see very high 14s. How bad (car lenghts) would if be If I got beat by 2 tenths saying both drivers were equally skilled because 2 tenths is realy skill?

I got a grand now so I'm getting closer to turbo. Either kit or swap I'm not sure. Turbo would definetly be the way to go for drag racing, and slight mods would destroy mustangs. But I heard of KA N/A (w/ bolt ons) people taking out stock S13 SRs, and say your modifications if you could. The main reason I don't want to turbo is because of reliability and how legal they are. Turbo would be harder to pass inspection with, if I could pass NJ Smog (NJ turbo anyone?). Reliability is a big thing, too. I hear these are reliable engines if kept preaty stock so preaty stock means it won't have huge power advantages over a N/A KA. With the SR, what worries me is I would like to take road trips across country with my friends once a summer. What would I do if something happened to my SR in some redneck town? With the KA N/A parts wouldn't be hard to find. Even with a turbo KA it might be hard to find a fuel pump say the pump went bad.. I don't know how difficult it is to find a pump for the turbo, but I know you can't use the stock pump. I guess I'm leaning towards KA N/A because it just sounds so damn simple to modify, it's only bolt ons if I keep away from cams. But I also heard pullys can destroy engines (See this review)

So hah I started another thread, but I know there are alot of people out there in my same situation (seeing threads like this posted frequently, but not realy answering my question, or making me more lost), and I did learn alot from my previous biggy (see Got a 240sx, wanna get to 60 in under 6 )

[red240ne]

you have to be pretty ignorant to not notice that this has been discussed numerous times. in fact, there are 3 different forums titled Turbo KA, All Motor(N/A KA), and SR20DET. a fuel pump wouldn't be hard to find. there are many salvaged 300zx's.