KA Rebuild or SR Swap????? Your opinions

[Jpod9]

Hey Everyone,


If you saw my last post my KA has run into a little issue with the headgasket and the coolant going into the engine oil. I know i need to rebuild my engine, but i wanted to get some opinions about rebuilding my KA or possibly swapping it for the SR.. Give me your pros and cons on the issue....

Thanks for all your insight..!!! It is always appreciated!!!

[badbob2121]

well the sr is a great motor, reliable, durable and very easy to work on/ swap... they are very user friendly and they have a large part availability. i love my sr20det, the only other option to me would be a rb25/26.. thats my 2cents

[thomasjamal]

Hey Everyone,


If you saw my last post my KA has run into a little issue with the headgasket and the coolant going into the engine oil. I know i need to rebuild my engine, but i wanted to get some opinions about rebuilding my KA or possibly swapping it for the SR.. Give me your pros and cons on the issue....

Thanks for all your insight..!!! It is always appreciated!!!

Are you talking about a stock rebuild of your KA or a rebuild, upgrades and turbo kit for your KA? The cost difference between a stock rebuild and swapping in a SR is pretty big. What are your goals? You looking for lots of power or just a reliable stock motor?

[Jpod9]

If i plan to rebuild id like to give the KA some balls. Idk what the price difference is between the 2? Or the time that each will take to complete.

[night240]

SR is gay. just rebuild ka and give it decent turbo.

[S13_RB25]

Yea if you rebuild the KA its going to end up being cheaper. Then you can buy the turbo parts for the ka, which will be close to the cost of the swap for the sr. Also when you rebuild you can get aftermarket pistons and have a reliable turbo ka pushing around 300-350whp. Since the the rods are already forged from the factory. Also do some research in the ka24et and ka24det section to get all your questions answered about going turbo on the KA.

[Drakelee]

I just went threw the process of making the same choice. the best price i found i reliable sr for was $1700 PLUS you have to buy all the other shizz FMIC, Hotpipe, BOV, Downpipe, exahust and other stuff. so thats like another grand or so if you are buying reliable parts maybe more. You could get the whole package for like $4k from enjuku. THEN unless you are doing it urself you gotta pay the shop. take into account fluids plugs wire misc lines and hoses. so your looking at $3-4k. Thats just you motor, I dunno about you but i got my 240 bone stock so then you gotta think do i wanna upgrade my suspension (im not talking about slapping on some lowering springs) Im talking struts, springs, or coilovers as well as control arms tie rods all the good s***. Do you wanna paint it/repair any dents dings or rust maybe even spray the underbody clean the s*** out of everything, wanna get any interior mods seats cage stearing wheel, do you what new rims and rubber? You really have to step back look at you car and think what do i wanna do, Daily, Weekend beater, drift/track. After all this and more went around in my head for weeks i decided i want a beautiful Clean reliable daily, so i got a ton of suspension stuff, paint, and some power upgrades as well as a rebuild kit for my KA plus im gonna strip the whole car down and clean and restore everything mostly myself. All that for about if not cheaper the same price as a nice sr swap. I am 21 and i go to school fulltime so i dont make alot of money which is what it all boils down to, so HOW MUCH YOU GOT TO SPEND?

Im starting my car in August and will have a build thread. keep in touch

[Drakelee]

OH and one more word of advice that I think every car owner should live by COMPONENT before COSMETIC meaning dont spend money on rims and paint and wings before you drop cash into your motor no matter what its gonna be. I see to many people make that mistake.

[sR13.5]

i have an sR, really great esp with it's stock internals. i respect ka'ts. there are alot of other parts when going for the swap but i'd say go sR honestly. i'd keep the ka and build it up as a "bench" motor.