KA rebuild advice please

[cricha5]

Time to rebuild my ka24de. It smokes quite bad when getting on the gas from idle. 200K+ miles. Engine is already out of the car and I have plenty of time for the rebuild. I haven't done a rebuild before, so I'm asking for advice on the prices of things and all the unexpected things that I might come across. I'm on a budget and also would like to keep things mostly stockish so that I can stay in certain categories for auto-x. I figure what I'll do is:

1. strip motor2. bring block into machine shop (price??? $200-$400)3. machine shop lets me know what I'm dealing with, get a rebuild kit (price??? $250 -$500)4. Leave heads alone except for hot tank, valve seals and resurface (price??)5. Timing chain and tensioner, etc (price??)6. water pump (price??)7. oil pump (price??)8. gasket set (price??)9. arp head studs ($150)

Why do most kits come with new pistons? Seems like they're not a wear item and I could use the old ones?Not doing much to the heads since I figure that if I decide they need more work, I can always work on them without pulling the whole engine. Saves money if they perform fine.

Any help or advice or criticism would be appreciated. Thanks.

[needmorenissan]

u could use the old pistons but u have to measure them first to make sure there in spec and go oem and the timing chain dont go ebay it sucks

[liquid_cool]

since you have the time.....before you jump into an engine build for the first time...get some know how under your belt...

go down and BUY the SA brand book (Engine Blueprinting)..its all about performance building the correct way..read that ..then try your first build..we will all be here to back ya up and help ya along the way.

[Vegascorbin]

Most Rebuild kits include pistons because when you have the block gone through they usualy have to bore it out and the old pistons etc won't fit anymore. This is normal. Do not buy anything until you hear from the machine shop on what size to buy. They will tell you somrthing along the line of "xx over".

Also have the machine shop go over the crank.

If you have a friend that has done an engine before it would be worth the cost of a meal or two and some beverages to have them help keep you on track.

Take your time and don't be cheap. Your reward will be a good strong engien that will last for years with proper maintance.

[cricha5]

Been reading more and understand about the new pistons now. I was looking at forged, but I think it will be a long/never while until I would reach 300hp and need them.

I was also looking at prices, and it seems the going rate for everything I need including timing set, water pump and oil pump will run about $1000. Seems a bit pricey, but I guess all that precision metal adds up.