KA24E VS KA24DE

[JaaDogg]

First let me say that I have done quite a bit of research on my own but I still need an opinion. Here is my story in short. I have a 1989 240sx that I got for free from my buddy. He has had the engine replaced and I used it for a while until it crapped out. I went to a local shop who in the past 6 months has replaced the engine 2 times. During this time I have decided that I was going to make this a project car. I am an old school Ford guy so tuners are new to me. I live near a very reputable Racing shop http://www.rebelloracing.com and considering tell them to rebuild the enigine for me. This is my question, Am I losing much in the way of power or potential power by sticking with the KA24E or should I try to come up on a KA24DE?

[xekushnr]

if you were going to have them rebuild a ka-e to stock spec, i would say screw it and buy a junked ka-de. you should be able to find one in a junkyard or here in the classifieds for less or as much as you would pay for the overhaul.

[JaaDogg]

Actually I was going to have build something that would get me between 240-250 HP outta the damn thing, new cam, solid lifter, change compression, etc. I guess what I was asking was what is the better platform to start something like this?....tired of the sluggish stock ride...

[xekushnr]

you would have to spend way more money than its worth to get 250hp (even crank hp) out of a N/A KA. in your shoes, i would have them rebuild the KA-E and throw a t25 on it. upgrade the fuel pump (and injectors to be safe) and run 6-7lbs and you should see about 250hp at the wheels. hopefully someone else will chime in, as i really dont have much experience boosting the ka (yet)

[JaaDogg]

Thanks Sean, that is a possibilty that I didn't. I know you said you didn't have much experience but maybe I am mistaken but aren't turbos kinds of touchy things that always seem to have problems? I posted this question in the KA-T section as well. I will pass on any info I get.

[Nanaimo]

... I have a 1989 240sx ... from my buddy. He has had the engine replaced ... it crapped out. ... in the past 6 months has replaced the engine 2 times.

Find out why this is first. Are you abusing the engine somehow (you do know that there's little point in revving over 5000rpm on a stock KA24E, right?), or do you need to get a new mechanic?

[Nanaimo]

aren't turbos kinds of touchy things that always seem to have problems?

Lots of people have good experiences with them. From what I've read (not tried) 250HP should be quite reliable on a stock (rebuilt) KA (E or DE).

[JaaDogg]

I need a new mechanic...the Race Shop I am thinking of going to is very well known in NoCal.

[xekushnr]

as long as you shop around for the correct (quality) parts, there is no reason why a car running half a bar of boost would be any less reliable than a stock motor. like Nanaimo said, 250hp is easily obtainable for either motor. since you already have the ka-e, i'd say use that.

[180fan]

Definitely check out the KA-T boards for the details on what other guys are doing to hit 250+.