Mileage and Modding

[Bauholzwolf]

For those of you who read my previous thread in another section, you already know that I want to make a sick high-powered street & track monster. Some of you suggested the KA for reasons of reliability, costs, and pure displacement figures, so I'm checking out the option (the rides on KA-T.org are absolutely sick!).

I have a question, though... at what point is the mileage of the KA too high to really do some serious modding? Mind you, internals and head are being replaced. I'm thinking that the milage on the block is of no real concern, but what are some things I should watch for when tuning engines with many, many miles on them?

[Edub1]

Are you re-building the motor or not?

Things to watch out for when tuning - detonation.

[Bauholzwolf]

If I stick with the KA24DE, then yeah, I'll be rebuilding it of course - rebuilding it with better, higher-tolerance parts with a constant view of my end-goals in mind: to make a really, really, REALLY stupid amount of horsepower.

I'm just wondering if some of the "KA-T" articles I've seen on the ka-t.org website in regards to turbocharging and engine rebuilding are good regardless of engine mileage. People are always put off by high km's, and I just really want to know how it affects me from a tuning and performance standpoint.
Modified by Bauholzwolf at 6:03 PM 2/16/2006

[Chezedik]

First, what is a KM, is that something they use above the Mason-Dixon line (j/k)? There are plenty of people around here that are boosting on motors with high MILES (sorry, I couldn't resist) But it really will be of little concern to you if you intend on rebuilding. The formula is clear as day, but I would love to see someone hit 700HP. I have seen videos of 638 and it's pretty cool. The question would become what turbo will take you there, and how much are you willing to spend?

[Nismo_Freak]

If you want a stupid high HP engine then you need to think about one thing.

Find an engine with excellent leak down and tear it apart.

Words like "cost" should also be removed from your thought process. Building any engine to make two or three times it's original output is expensive.