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?

Someone on another forum suggest this:"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)"

Any and all opinions would be appreciated...

[thekawaii]

first, buying low mile KA24de could be cheaper than that guy rebuilding your engine.second, nobody know if he's using oem parts.third, there is no way 7 psi of t25 can make 250 wheel hp, even turbo max out itself. bigger turbo can.forth, I have single slammer, no complain.

[nismofly]

rebello is amazing, plain and simple

that said, the NA KA engines they build are more for race purposes, where getting the most HP from a limited number of mods is important

those > 200 rwhp ka's they build really arent all that streetable

the turbo route is much easier and less expensive to do, just get something in the t3 family instead of the t25 family, youll find almost everybody runs something t3 related, another part that will make it easier

done right, 250 rwhp is maybe a $3,000 project, everything youll need...and the expensive parts behind you so another 50 hp is only a few hundred dollars

[hannibal]

The two motors have similar potential. In stock form, the SOHC makes 15hp less. I dont think it makes a difference unless youre shooting for serious power. I'd just get the KA-E rebuilt since it'll be cheaper than buying a KA-DE and having to rebuild that. You cant go wrong with either one.

Its definitely cheaper and easier to hit 250whp with a turbo than staying NA. But a smaller turbo like the T25/T28 will need more than 6-7psi to make 250whp. I'm guessing 12-14psi.

What are you and your buddy doing to this motor? Why wont it stay together?

[JaaDogg]

Actually it is just a local shop..Car is my daily driver so I just wanted it running reliably. Just recently got the idea to tune it. Turbo seems like a very cost effective way to get the power I want. One last question while I have all of your attention. Does putting a turbo on a engine limit what else you can bot on or modify. I can only assume that turbo are touchy things and slappin things on the engine after the fact can screw things up. Let me know if I am totally off base.

[JaaDogg]

Is the Walbro install something you do in conjuction with a turbo install?

[coolbone28]

what do you mean by limiting things you can bolt on??? a turbo setup done right should be reliable and not touchy at all. and most bolt on stuff that you would think like intake, exhaust, stuff like that would more than likely get upgraded when you boost it. also the fuel pump upgrade has come to be synonomous with turbo just to have the increased fuel flow capabilities. but you will have to upgrade your injectors for sure, or get an aftermarket fpr to flow more fuel.

[hannibal]

Some things dont belong with a turbo, like high compression pistons and certain types of cams. But thats the only things I can think of. A nice 3" catback exhaust would be good for NA or turbo. IMO, turbo motors arent necessarily picky, but a good fuel system (pump and larger injectors) plus great fuel and timing control are required.

[thekawaii]

Some things dont belong with a turbo, like high compression pistons and certain types of cams. But thats the only things I can think of. A nice 3" catback exhaust would be good for NA or turbo. IMO, turbo motors arent necessarily picky, but a good fuel system (pump and larger injectors) plus great fuel and timing control are required.

Actually, 3 inch pipe for N/A is not an good idea.

[sunnys14]

Actually, 3 inch pipe for N/A is not an good idea.

why do ppl keep saying this when it was proved NUMEROUS amount of times that 3" on KA gained hp and tq throughout the ENTIRE powerband WITHOUT any losses?!

[hek1620]

i put 3in. on my single and felt a lil kick all the way thru. now that i'm going turby it's coming in handy.

[Chezedik]

If you go on to read in that post there was another person running a nearly identical setup that LOST power. Less backpressure isn't always for the best. But let it be known that I have a 3", that doesn't make it for everyone. Plus, no one ever mentions how noise increases exponentially. But that was off topic and I am done. I agree with everyone here that you will find an NA KA to be far from completely streetable, not to mention, probably more expensive than a modest T25 setup. +1 for turbo.

[steaminhotryce]

If you go on to read in that post there was another person running a nearly identical setup that LOST power. Less backpressure isn't always for the best. But let it be known that I have a 3", that doesn't make it for everyone. Plus, no one ever mentions how noise increases exponentially. But that was off topic and I am done. I agree with everyone here that you will find an NA KA to be far from completely streetable, not to mention, probably more expensive than a modest T25 setup. +1 for turbo.

Yup, it's true that most 3" catbacks are a lot louder. BUT...that's why I spent so much more for the Blitz Realize TT. It is supposedly the second quietest for our cars (without a butt plug silencer). The quietest one should be the RSR Exmag which are hard to get your hands on. Anyways, after the exhaust swap, I felt power all the way through. If there are any loss in low end, it's insignificant. I also have an AEM SRI and Greddy header to be installed shortly.

Sorry...off topic =| Just wanted to share my experience while we're on that topic.

[Chezedik]

If it were my post I would tell you I don't mind... but I love the name.

[DriftSpecS14]

apparently the SOHC has a lower compression then the DOHC its like 9.1:1 for the SOHC the DOHC is 9.5:1 so u can bosot higher on stock sohc

[Chezedik]

Yes it does, but I don't know if it would be enough to overcome the breathing a DOHC can do over SOHC.

[Edub1]

Wow, I totally confused your post. Time to edit.

A direct swap is always easier, so that's a good argument for staying SOHC. DOHC would require ECU and harness swap.

The DOHC has tons more aftermarket support but many parts cost a little more. Manifold/turbo options (SR20 turbo) go to the DOHC.

[nismofly]

sr20 turbo would require either an ssautocrack mani or one from jgs tools, nobodys getting the ssac and the jgs route you can do the exact same for sohc

there are 2 things dohc has the advantage with, wider range of manifold choices, and off the shelf stronger HG's

the HG is an easy fix for sohc, and the mani's are just as good, theres just less brands

the sohc is a lot easier to work on, and can make just as much if not more power, who knows

simple as that

[Chezedik]

There are actually a ton of people using the SSAC manis, just start checking sigs.

[nismofly]

and theyve either had to modify them to get them to be work in an acceptable manner, or they absolutely hate them

[Chezedik]

KAtwo40, brunswick240, etc. No probs, whatsoever. Enough people are running them to convince me to buy one, despite what everyone says. The only problem I have is one of fitment.

[Florida240sx]

They'll last abotu a year.And if you stay under 10lbs you should be alright with it.Still mine as well go buy a revahrd.

[Edub1]

A lot of people run the SSAC and for the mony I'd get one hands down. Plus you can get a top mount to run the SR turbo.

There was a post in which the JGS was tested against a equal length header style and the JGS didn't fair too well.

I just ordered an SOHC mani from http://www.Gladmannperformance.com - $250 shipped and I like the design better. But the SSAC is real tough to beat.

[Chezedik]

Well, I am basing my opinions on those experiences of others. But since I have the SSAC already installed, I may just give it a try.