New Guy with build-up questions...(you were once new too)

[Street Z]

First of all I own a 300ZX TT and don't know much about 240's. My friend keeps asking me questions on how to build his car (97 240sx SE). I know a lot about building cars but since I am not getting paid for this job I don't feel like researching for him. I know all the steps to building but I need to know the cars weak points and potential. He makes a good living and can afford most any build up but he is cheap which is creating problems for me (ie. him saying "Do you think I should go to some backwoods muffler shop and pay "Julio" $150 to build me a custom exhaust") I believe in you get what you pay for in most cases. What kind of hp can we expect from building up his stock setup? Would a swap be better? I would like to know which mods are worth doing (power/$). Which brands to go with? What "needs" to be changed? I know this is a pretty tall order but I have been reading this forum and know that you guys dream of this stuff. Please don't bother throwing in any RB26 dream build ups. Imagine a modest budget and street drivability. I am thinking somewhere near 400-500rwhp.

[Anand]

First Welcome

second.. tell your friend to register here on NICO and then do the search on what kind of "buildup" he wants and go from there.

there needs to be a goal set first... there are many diff ways you can take a 240.. gotta know where you want to go.

[ILikeMy240sx]

Cost-wise turboing the KA or getting the SR is about the same in the end but i would turbo the KA because you can find parts for KA chepaer and its easier to gather turbo parts for the KA as well...

If you decide to turbo the car, and you are familiar with turbos you can put parts together from various sources... the KA-T forum should be searched on about more info on this.

[H.D.HUMPERDINK]

Everyone has their own opinions as to which way is the best way to build a 240 but right now I would have to say keep the ka24. Its biggest downfall is the pistons from what i have read.

Right now I would say look at pistons, rods, and pretty much everything else. Thats where I would start. Goodluck

[Street Z]

The goal is roughly 400-500rwhp. Pretty much anything goes but I don't want to have to fabricate anything so kits would be helpful. I am sure someone has built this car up to his goal so there must be a formula out there somewhere. Thanks a lot.

[ILikeMy240sx]

quick formula.......

http://ka-t.org/rick/

buy his car...

[Street Z]

If this goal is unreasonable, then let me know. Like I said, I don't have too much experience with 240's but getting my 300 over 500 rwhp was pretty easy. Getting the 300 to 1000 rwhp is going to take some work. Unfortunately I have grown tired of the 300 and am selling it. The buyer is coming to pick it up in about two weeks. That is also why I came back online. I am am looking for a new project car. That will be another thread on another day though. However, I am pretty sure it will be a 350Z.

[Street Z]

That was a very informative link. Thank you. I would still appreciate any other comments as well.

[Anand]

for that HP, I would suggest to go with a SR...

[Doomed2Walk]

You're from Glenview? Well I'm from Buffalo Grove, I hope you come down to our little meet later this month. Street Z, tell your friend to get the Nov 04 copy of Super Street, shows different ways to get to that power goal with either the SR or the KA.

[fiznat]

..I wouldnt.

Your friend has a lot of decisions to make. A SR20DET engine will have most of its power in the higher RPM ranges, and it's an easier engine to rev due to it's design. On the other hand, you wont be seeing as much torque as you would with a KA24DE-T (stock engine turboed) due to it's smaller size. For your power goals you're going to need a new turbo setup, upgraded fuel components, and something to control the power with. This is on top of the cost of the engine itself.

The KA-T, on the other hand, usually gives 1:1 peak horsepower and torque ratios, and shows more of it's power in the lower RPM ranges. (well, low for a 4 banger anyways) For the power you are looking for, you'll definetly have to rebuild the engine with forged internals and a nice balance, probably a few other goodies too... You're looking at 7-8 grand by the time you're REALLY done. I know this because this is what I'm doing (same power goals and everything, look at my signature picture).

I really reccomend the KA for your level goals.. lots of people will argue back and forth about it but my main reasons are twofold:

1. The KA-T may end up a BIT more expensive (maybe), but then again consider what you are getting: a brand new, freshly rebuilt w/ forged internals engine. Compare this to the unknown history SR motor that came from some wrecking yard in japan.

2. Availability of parts. The KA is everywhere in the US, the SR is not. I want to be able to go to the parts store and just buy this or that whatever I need. I dont want to have to talk to some importer and pay inflated prices for JDM parts. Also, god forbid anything big goes wrong, KA blocks and heads are for sale everywhere for vveeeerrry low prices. I picked up a 1997 KA24DE complete with a manual transmission for $200, for example.

Now there are of course many other options, RBs (beleive it or not pretty much in the same price range when you're talking about this power level), CAs, even small block chevy V8s have been done. It all depends on how creative you want to be and how much money you have to spend. The KA-T and the SR are the two most popular choices I think, so look into those first for options.

....And get your friend on these boards!!!

Good luck man.

[project90]

tell your friend to get the Nov 04 copy of Super Street, shows different ways to get to that power goal with either the SR or the KA.

I just picked up that copy of super street. I was suprised at how much info they put out about the SR and KA. It was pretty specific about the parts you'd need for different ranges of HP.

[Bruno240]

if your looking at that much horsepower, research the RB motors.

[Maverick7687]

I just picked up that copy of super street. I was suprised at how much info they put out about the SR and KA. It was pretty specific about the parts you'd need for different ranges of HP.

Same here..I got it in the mail yesterday and I was really impressed that the KA is getting that much respect form the magazines..I also liked the fact that it listed many many parts for both the SR and the KA on the pages after.

Hope to see the prices on KA parts go down a little in the near future..

Mav