I've got a 4/1991 S13 240sx with the ka24de engine. I have 152,000 mile on this engine. I would love to turbo it, but i need to get to work , so i thought that ill just buy an used engine. Rebuild what needs to be done to turbo it. Whats a good price for a used KA? Is there any step by step instructions on how to rebuild it? What things should i look for before buying a used engine?
Just need to be pointed in the right direction. Thanks
Price for KA? Rebuild
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DeeZNuTTss
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Tue Apr 22, 2003 2:13 pm
- Car: 240sx 4/1991 hatchback s13
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Structure240sx
- Posts: 5615
- Joined: Sun Oct 06, 2002 5:04 pm
like other will say, first do a compression test on your current motor. it could end up being the same or better than a motor with 50k mi on it. remember you could have a completely built motor and blow it jsut as fast as a stock motor if it isnt tunned right.
building a motor is a great idea. will decrease downtime a lot. even turbo the one in your car then if that blows you can throw in the built one. a used ka cna range from $50-$300 reasonably. a factory service manual will give you the steps to rebuild the motor. without experince i wouldnt suggest doing this. it might cost less int he end to have a good shop build an engine for you
building a motor is a great idea. will decrease downtime a lot. even turbo the one in your car then if that blows you can throw in the built one. a used ka cna range from $50-$300 reasonably. a factory service manual will give you the steps to rebuild the motor. without experince i wouldnt suggest doing this. it might cost less int he end to have a good shop build an engine for you
Re: Price for KA? Rebuild (DeeZNuTTss)
^^ I agree with Structure in that you should work on a built engine on the side. Turboing the stock KA in the meantime is better yet. The way I look at it is this: there are certainly opertunities for things to not work right away when rebuilding/reinstalling an engine. There are also many opertunities for things to not work right away when turboing an engine. Turboing now eliminates possibilities for problems when you swap in a built KA later. I don't necessarily think it's wise for the average joe to install a built KA and freshly turbo it at the same time - you should at least work out the NA quirks first(in an ideal world). If anything it'll allow you to break in the engine more safely. I can't speak from experiance, but that is my general plan.
In regards to rebuilding, there's nothing that the stock KA *needs* to turbo it. Tuning asside, the first to go is most likely the pistons. I would let the maching shop take care of all the block internals... They will mic/mag everything and make sure there is no abnormal wear. Just to give you an idea: to tear down my short block KA, clean it, check everything, hone cylinders, rods, and crank, install new rings, bearings, seals, and put it all back together is going to cost me ~$380+. Parts excluded.
All-in-all, the best thing you can do right now is get yourself a service manual and read it front to back. This will give you the best indication of what you'r getting into.
Just my '02, -Jamie
In regards to rebuilding, there's nothing that the stock KA *needs* to turbo it. Tuning asside, the first to go is most likely the pistons. I would let the maching shop take care of all the block internals... They will mic/mag everything and make sure there is no abnormal wear. Just to give you an idea: to tear down my short block KA, clean it, check everything, hone cylinders, rods, and crank, install new rings, bearings, seals, and put it all back together is going to cost me ~$380+. Parts excluded.
All-in-all, the best thing you can do right now is get yourself a service manual and read it front to back. This will give you the best indication of what you'r getting into.
Just my '02, -Jamie