KA24DE Setup: Few Questions

[Tedzy]

Hi guys.

I'm planning on building a fun-to-drive, driftable S13 NA 240SX. I've got a 91 SE and I'm just starting my first phase of upgrades. I haven't started yet, so its all just plans. I AM ON A STRICT BUDGET!!!...but I am aiming for 180hp to the ground, if that is possible. So here goes:

First Phase:Interior:S15 seats, manual S14 seatbelts, CG Locks

Suspension:KTS Coils, and Megan (or what brand do you recommend?) front strutbar (I'm not too interested in a rear strutbar, because I'm told that just getting the front tightened up helps turn-in, which I imagine would help my drifting. Correct me if I'm wrong, please.)

Engine:AEM V2 intake or Injen intake (which, or what do you recommend?), headers and downpipe (I really dunno what to get), and megan catback (I was planning on the 2.5" Drift Spec until i started reading stuff off this site, it seems that people have been getting really good <or better> results off of 3" catbacks. Do you recommend that I shell out the extra hundred bucks for the 3" Drift Spec? Or do you recommend something else?)

Second Phase:KAAZ 2-way LSD (This is the second phase because I want to practice wiff the open diff. Some professionals recommended that I play wiff the stock diff before upgrading to an LSD, so I plan on doing this modification after about six to eight months of my first phase of upgrades. Do you agree this is a good idea?)

My main concern is mixing and matching the exhaust system to get the most out of each component. I am in California, but I imagine I can swap exhaust when its sniffer time. Bad idea?

Anything that can help would be deeply appreciated. And Yes I searched all of this, so I am sorry if I've overlooked things already posted. I still thought it would be best for me to just explain what I'm planning and let you guys tell me what you think. Thanks!!!

[BadMojo]

AEM doesn't make a V2 for an S13 240SX. Their website has only the Short Ram and note re: AEM's reasons for not offering a Cold Air Intake on the 240SX.

I have an AEM intake and haven't had any problems with it. I'd get whichever of the two is cheaper between the Injen and AEM.

I also have a Hotshot Header. Again, it fits well and seems very well made. DC Sports also makes a header for the KA24DE. AFAIK, neither one is gonna fly in CA.

As for exhausts, some say that 3" will get you nothing but gains at the expense of noise. Others say the larger exhaust will result in lower exhaust gas velocity and loss of low end torque.

Do you want a single tip exhaust? Dual? Do you care how loud it is? I've got a 2.5" BRM exhaust with a resonator and really like the sound.

I've also got an Unorthodox Racing lightweight crank pulley that I haven't installed yet.

Even with all of this stuff, there's no way I'm putting 180hp down to the ground. Getting that much power NA is going to require some fabbing and/or larger sums of money.

Edit: S15 seats are obscenely expensive. S14 seats are nice and much cheaper if you want to stick with an OE interior.

[Tedzy]

Thanks for the reply, Brad. Please other people, reply too! =)

I would think that a single tip would be more inexpensive than a dual. Um, anything that won't get me pulled over at idle or make my ears bleed would be fine.

So header's won't fly? I can alway swap 'em out at the sniffer I guess.

I've heard of people getting around 17hp off of a 3" catback alone, so it is hard to believe that it would take that much more just to get the extra 8hp from further exhaust and intake. (155+17=172; 180-172=8; for those bad wiff numbers) So it seems to me, and I'm no expert, that the tricky part is piecing together parts which assist each other. I personally think its possible. I could be wrong. Also, this is my ultimate goal, while it may not be met during my first few phases of modifications, I'm determined it will eventually.

Edit: The S15 seats are pretty much my only luxury I'm allowing myself, I can easily get a pair for 400 bucks which isn't bad for me.

Also, what do you think about these plans? how does it sound? and your thoughts on the LSD?
Modified by Tedzy at 8:57 PM 6/9/2006

[Clearalbino]

You cant strickly go off those HP numbers going to the ground, even with just a intake and exhaust you might be lucky and gain at most 10hp but its very unlikely

[DjPantsSpecR]

the only reason why that math is poor is because 155 horse is not a wheel horse number.

130-135 would represent a heatly KA24DE wheel horsepower figure. Ive seen some dynos of DEs with intake header adn exhaust and about 150-155 wheel horse is all thats extracted.

to get to 180wheel would be SOHC pistons, cam gears and 248/248, and probably and SAFC

it starts to get really expensive when you shoot for 200wheel.

and as for diff, if you are serious about drifting this thing i would weld the open diff. And i would also suggest upgrading the clutch, flywheel and driveshaft. All three things are indispensible in drifting just as much as a good seat and wheel.

[BIGT94z]

ok man well u can get 180 whp...but it is going to be hard...i with all my mods (see sig) i dynoed at 152.3 whp and 165.8 for torque...now u can remove the scv's for an easy 6 whp....now i have my timing 6 degrees advanced but right now im wasting money bc without retuning the ecu and/or cams its pointless...the best cheap cams out there are pdm racing...or u can drop some $ on some jwt cams..its all up to u! just turbo ur ka

[pr240sx]

I remember quite back in time when Alex Chang dynoed his 91 (I think) with all bolt ons possibleHe got 180 or so in his best run.My opinion, aim lower and realistic, retune your ECU after all bolt ons to maximize power.Also, think about weight reduction, will not give you power, but making your car lighter will help a lot! I would start by getting my car on a diet, then add parts, and last, retune.