KA-T or CA18DET?

[machinehead]

The answer to this question isn't easy, but a lot of it depends on preference, usage of the car, HP goals, and mechanical experience. I myself do not auto-x or drag race (although i will go to e-town so i can post my time). I don't need a car that revs like a mofo or has a 176mph top speed. That basically evens out the field between the 3 engines, in my case.

The CA and SR are about the same in strength, the sr a lil better. Everyone says the KA is weak, but like the SR it has a forged crank and rods, with cast pistons. Much stronger then these H motors i see all over, and most likely able to handle atleast 300hp. Any ka-t's that have blown were most likely detonated to hell or just too old. remember the comp ratio is higher in ka's

Mechanical experience plays a huge factor in your choice. If you know how to fabricate things or build engines or have connections, the KA-T is a great choice. pick up one for 200, rebuild it, balance it, rebuild the head with better stuff, and then turbo it. If you can do all of that yourself (except maybe the machine work) then for the same price as an SR you will have an awesome motor thats basically new. If you are uncomfortable opening up the KA or are unable to find a cheap low mileage one to turbo without building up, then the SR or CA are probably a better option. Another plus to the SR/CA swap is that you also get a fresher transmission. Everyone seems to forget that with all of this engine talk. I have never built an engine, but would love to learn on a KA-T project, or atleast get a cheap low boost junkyard setup. I think it was TPR that recently showed costs of machinework for an engine, and its not as bad as you think Personally, the only swap I am entertaining at this time is an RB25. Its either that or a KA-t.

As for the truck engine comments. It was not designed as a trunk engine. Nissan was in financial ruin and couldnt afford to import all the j-spec engines. They needed to save money and decided to design a multi platform engine that would perform well in multiple vehicles. Just because it ended up in a truck doesn't make it a truck engine, and it doesnt mean its not a good engine. If that french guy didnt save nissan, they'd be using the "truck" engine in japan too lol.

No matter what you choose, it will put a smile on your face. All 3 engines are capable of meeting your realistic goals. If you have plans for a 400hp or more engine, i highly recommend an RB instead. Not only will it take the abuse easier and for the same money, it will also give you a lot of headroom

[aleph1]

Aleph, thanks for coming around. I hate fighting, though I do have to correct you on the weight thing. I know for a fact that the KA is the heaviest. I've heard conflicting #'s but the CA and SR are pretty much the same, but from my experience, the CA is just a tad lighter. (I think they were w/in 10lbs).

I dont think the CA is lighter than any of them because its block is iron. However, what is good about the CAs design is it doesnt stretch as much past the front struts, because it is a smaller engine.

[NeedCAforS13]

CA is tiny (but not much lighter than the SR) but isn't the KA an iron block too? I can stand in the engine bay with my motor,and have plenty of room to spare! :pface

Sean

[float_6969]

Both the KA and CA are iron blocks. And being that the KA has .6L of displacement on the CA, I know that the KA is heavier. I've actually weighed all three motors. I have the exact #s written down somewhere, but I can't find them for the life of me. The CA was the lightest, but was really close to the SR, then the KA was undoubtedly the heaviest. Due to the class im in in autocross, weight was another major concern, as was the weight distribution. These were also factors that I took into account when deciding on my motor.

[aleph1]

my god, I totally forgot the KA has an iron block as well...DAMNIT! I keep thinking the block is aluminum for some reason!

[nissanrcer240]

I never said I hate the SR cuz its popular, its just that some people do make their decision based on that and it shouldnt be made that way.

Haha, I guess your talkin about the people who post on here occasionaly.... "I drive this.....but Im looking for a 240 so I can swap in the sr20 ":rolleyes

That definetly gets annoying

[Dattebayo]

Nissanracer, and how many of them actually do it too? Like 10% maybe. yeah but you know why i love the 240? How many other cars have such variety in engine swap possibilities? 4 types of engines that came stock in their 2 chassis'. And the motors all have the same mounts so you could plug 'n play any one you want. (well not exactly, but that would be interesting idea).

[cosmo]

I had the #'s from suomewhere and I can't find them anywhere, but CA is lightest thanks to it's lightweight valvetrain, and small(est) dislpacement. The SR may be aluminum-block, but they needed to put sleeves in there too which add weight, and it has a more complex valetrain(read-more weight) and KA has a similar valvetrain design of the CA and iron block, but as already mentioned, the .6L of displacement.

BTWSR->350->13B->RB->2JZ->KAT->CA

[k6kicker]

the sr is heavier then a 350 or an rb??????? ummmm

[aleph1]

no way, the 13B has to be lighter than that?? ESPECIALLY lighter than a 2JZ...

[Nathan]

Cosmo, is that weights or just what you think is the best engine? I'll go ahead and disagree with you on either of those

[aaronsnocker1]

Can't we all just agree to disagree and be on with it. We all like Nissans and we all like going fast. Who gives a crap how you do it. Quit arguing like a bunch of old women. I think these f'ing threads should not be allowed just for the sake of sanity.

[Onizuka]

I think these f'ing threads should not be allowed just for the sake of sanity.

Im in favor of an all-out ban of threads of this sort, they are useless

[jdmfreak]

Yea thats deffinately not right.

[float_6969]

ditto!

[cosmo]

No I meant the engine I would put in my 240 (in order) not weights. I should have clarified. My bad

Nathan-Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love KAT(in fact I'm going to build one) but if I had an endless supply of money, i'd have to pick the CA over KAT

[k6kicker]

i dont see whats wrong with a thread liek this...sure opinions are flying but we are tlkaing about cars, it happens...most of the disagreements have some facts/stats behind them...its good car talk...

[Nathan]

Cosmo, I believe I read your "ranking" wrong, my apologies I still disagree a bit though, I'd take a 2jz over any of the other choices. I like CA's a lot though and it kinda depends on the intended use of the car as to which one I would choose.

[aleph1]

2JZGTE VS RB26DETT

OOOO. Good match up. Id rather have the RB. Once I saw Top Secret's RB powered Supra, I was like "this proves it" =P

[cosmo]

I've always said I'd rather have a Supra if I live in America, a Skyline if I lived somewhere else. So that'd be the same for the engine in a 240.

If I was building a balls out drag car, I'd have the 2JZ or 350 first, but since I want a dominate-every-aspect-of-performance car, I'll go with a turbo 4.

And guys I think this is pretty good thread. There is almost no arguing, everyone has stated their cases and had valid points for their choices. If they do engine vs. engine threads like this, that'd be all right, IMO.

But if it turned into a "**** YOU. My engine is better, cuz more people use it in japan." sort of thread, those need to stopped immediately, before anyone who reads it becomes dumber

[nissanrcer240]

guys I think this is pretty good thread. There is almost no arguing, everyone has stated their cases and had valid points for their choices. If they do engine vs. engine threads like this, that'd be all right, IMO.

But if it turned into a "**** YOU. My engine is better, cuz more people use it in japan." sort of thread, those need to stopped immediately, before anyone who reads it becomes dumber

:Werd I like readin these threads, as long as theres no putting down of others opinions and choices, these thread can be pretty informative IMO

[float_6969]

Just let it die peopl, just let it die!