KA24DE-T Tune Questions

[Mr240dude]

What's up? 1993 240sx hatch. I've been learning more and more about turbo charging the KA by reading forums but still want to shed some light into the tuning part of this process. First let me start by asking #1)has anyone here turbo charged a KA with 140K+ miles or knows someone who did? The engine is well taken cared of and runs good, it's also an automatic. Secondly #2)I know there are tunes that can be bought such as Enthalpy and Nistune...I saw this one on ebay, is that a good price most importantly legit?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/240SX-Enthalpy- ... 02&vxp=mtr


I've searched of course, but can't seem to find much on these ecus. Last question #3) I plan to run low boost (7psi) Do I NEED 370cc injectors,walboro 255,and z32 fuel filter? Is that only needed after higher numbers? If someone can show where I can get a decent priced turbo charger (garrets are a fortune) I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

[krash]

First of all, do not skimp on the tune. This is what makes or breaks it for a lot of KA-T guys.

Now, as far as turboing you 140k+ KA. Do a compression test first. You're going to want really good numbers here. Anythiing from 170psi to 180psi is your goal (151psi is the absolute minimum, as stated in the FSM). The cylinders should not be more than 14psi apart. If your compression test is good, then thats a good sign. Next, fix ANY issues you have mechanically with the engine. Boosting it will just compound your problems. If you're good here, then you're ready for boost.

For the ECU, I wouldn't buy that ebay one. It says enthalpy, but the guy only has 3 ratings as an ebay seller. Getting the tune straight from R.S. Enthalpy won't cost much more, and he'll work with you to get you what you need. Also, check out EFI Specialists. A member here is using an EFI specialists tune with a stock KA and he's having good results.

You're going to want atleast 370cc injectors. Don't skimp on fuel delivery. I'd use 550cc injectors, and a walboro 255. As far as MAF, you might be able to get away with the stock MAFS, but I think its a better idea to go with the Z32 MAFS.

For the turbo itself, don't be fooled by ebay. Intercoolers and piping I might buy from ebay, but not a cheap no-brand turbo. There is no quality control there and you're pretty much gamb|ing with bad odds on those turbos. Get the good stuff. You can either use any factory turbo from the SR20DET. The S13 SR T25 is the cheapest/most common and the S15 SR T28 is the bees knees, its what you want.

Good luck man! Take your time, read up on each aspect of the turbo build, and dont buy cheap parts! All your time and money will go down the drain if something fails due to quality. Shop around and maybe find some good used parts and slowly accumulate goodies. Thats what I'm doing!

[biggie]

Never seen anyone turbo an AT KA. Don't know if they have tunes on AT ECUs and you can't use MT ECU on AT car.

And we have a KA-T section:
ka24et-ka24det-forum.html

[krash]

Actually, one of our vert members did. I don't know if you remember onosqv (he hasn't posted in a while), but his vert was AT turbo KA. However, he was running a standalone ECU

[biggie]

Oh yeah, forgot about him.

Did he have to swap any transmission parts, different torque converter or anything?

[krash]

hmmm I'm not sure. I assumed it was all stock stuff that was in good condition

[Jabberwocky]

Never seen anyone turbo an AT KA. Don't know if they have tunes on AT ECUs and you can't use MT ECU on AT car.

And we have a KA-T section:
ka24et-ka24det-forum.html

Car Craft magazine turboed an AT KA S14 then did a writeup in their magazine years ago. There used to be a section on NICO that had 240sx articles from magazines but I tried to search quick and couldn't find it...

[Mr240dude]

Would you trust Godspeed? They seem reputable..

[krash]

ONLY for intercooler and piping.

[Lobo240sx]

Would you trust Godspeed? They seem reputable..

Not for tuning or anything that moves..

[pepesilvia]

My car is an auto KA and i turbo'd it. I actually ran an FMU and DAILY'D my 240 to work (40miles away) and school (20 miles one way) everyday ANDDDD THEY WERE ALL GODSPEED PARTS lmfao. it was fun til the oil rings on the turbo blew though. manifold never cracked... but then again my engine had 60K on it when i threw it on....

[CJH]

I don't know anything about AT tunes so I cant help there.

I have a KA-T with 140K+ miles on it. It was fine to daily, but it didn't hold up in drifting and blew quickly at the track.

I originally bought a nice expensive turbo kit, but when it came I found out it was an ebay kit and I couldn't get my money back, so I decided to use it. The turbo blew on the dyno and my BOV wouldn't close.

I use Nistune and I love it, but you have to learn how to drive with two feet because if you let the RPM's free fall from a high rev, the car will die. You need to bring it down and give it a little gas to stabilize. It was weird at first, but I'm use to it now and it doesn't bother me.

Don't go with an FMU, they aren't very accurate. If you race at all with it, it wont last. I've known plenty of people that blew their motors with FMU's. The tune is Very important.