rebuid KA or toss a new one in there

[Riley2.4L]

Hey me KA is approaching 200K miles. I know it could probably run plenty past that but I want to feel the power of a newer KA. So what is more beneficial as far as power is concerned. rebuilding the KA I already have or buying a new one? ( I know of a shop that sells import engines with 30k on them for supposedly a good price).

[dickie]

if you can be without a car for a while (either way you are going to be) you should have the existing engine rebuilt and maybe have some performance work done to it at the same time. if the shop does a good rebuild, youll be better off than with a low-mileage angine, unless you want to increase the resale value or something like that.

[Riley2.4L]

No I pretty much plan to drive this thing until the wheels fall off so I hear what your saying about the rebuild. What performance parts should I look into for starters? This is my first 240 so I was gonna keep it NA and go with an all engine built ya know bring as much out of the KA as possible with out boost. I mean where should I start with this?

[InsanityInc]

Just put in factory pistons from an 89 KA24E, which will give you an 11:1 CR. Performance wise you really don't need to do anything else unless you're looking at running cams that are insanely high lift.

[Riley2.4L]

ok 89 pistons. How much do you think the rebuild would cost ( labor included, sorry I'm lacking in tools for this job to be DIY)?

[fbodtrek]

WEll, coming from a mechanic in Texas (me), you're prolly looking at prolly 600 in labor to rebuild, prolly 200 for R&R, adn maybe 200 for machine cost. The required bearings, headgasket, and new rings will all together run you about 250. Buy some forged slugs for the KAE motor, don't use OEM replacements, they have minor design flaws counterproductive to a H.O. motor. Get that C.R. around 10.9-11.3, and run pump gas with a set of s13 cams. Port match the intake manifold the the head for a few extra CFM. If you are gonna go all out, replace the valvetrain (pay a machine shop to do it, get a warranty too). HAve them knife edge the intake port "splitter" as well (the venturi effect it will assist in will increase intake cahrge velocity=more torque). With a fresh motor, 11:1 compression, some minor clean up on the head, and the early KADE cams, you could prolly put 175-190 at the wheels, assuming you have the bolton stuff, and a bit of A/F calibration done. Expect a reliable, STURDY build like I described to run no less than 2K (again, this is in Texas). I plan on doing this with my current motor after the ring lands let go (I run dope on my KADE). WHen/if you do this buildup, be sure to take it to a chassis dyno and let everybody know what kinda numebrs it makes... there's a lot of debate about the NA potential of these motors, and no solid evidence to prove one way or another.

[Riley2.4L]

thanks alot fbodtrek. Yeah I agree people don't realize the potential the KA24DE engine has just being naturally aspirated that why I want to have the all motor. I'm gonna print everything you told me and keep it until the time comes. thanks again

[fbodtrek]

Oh, one more thing, you can buy good pistons through Nismo, a complete set is 175 bux...ALOT cheaper than most other aftermarket ones. They aren't "forged" they are hypereutectic, but for an all motor, or mild nitrous application, they are great, and you can get them in flat top for the 89 SOHC motor. Teh upgrade ring set is another 80 bux or so, but like I siad, it's NIsmo stuff

[Riley2.4L]

yeah you can't go wrong with nismo. I'll keep that in mind

[s13satch]

Where online can the Nismo pistons be purchased at?