Rebuild or Swap?

Post by **Ixath** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

Okay, first off I'm going to say this. I know next to nothing about cars =) Learning slowly, but was never able to risk messing something up and not being able to drive (College wouldnt like me not showing up).. but now I'm in the navy and have the ability to live on base, hence making my having a working car 100% of the time not as important. Erm, and when I say next to nothing, I can change the oil and thats about it.

Anyways..

I've got an 89 hatchback, with about 215k miles on it. Driven it cross country 2 times and back and forth all up and down the east/mid east since I got it 6 or 7 years ago. Put a bit more than half the miles on it. Recently decided to keep my 240 instead of getting a new car, because I like the 240 a whole hell of a lot.

Now, my question is, I'm not sure if I should do an engine swap for the sr20det or keep my ka24e, have it rebuilt by somebody (whatever goes into rebuilding, I don't really know ..sigh) and toss a turbo on it while its out. I'm not trying to start some kinda sr vs ka debate here... BUT, would it be better in the long run (plan on keeping the car for a while) to have the engine rebuilt with a turbo put on it, or to swap?

I have no clue what normally gets changed with a rebuild or how much it costs. I just want a reliable car with a bit more power. Got a few grand right now (bout 3500-4k) and will have another 1-3k after my enlistment bonus gets in (rest is going to my stock broker)..sigh, anyways.. order I plan on doing crap in, in case anyone wants to offer some suggestions:

1) rebuild engine, get an intake/exhaust/all that jazz.2) get a body kit and some rims /lower it a tad (not a fancy body kit with a 5' spoiler, something to make it just a little bit not stock), and then re-do the interior again (already did it once myself, wanna do it better now that I know what i'm doing)..

Yeah, so, anyways, to recap my long winded crud:

So I get an SR with xx,xxx miles on it which might not be as reliable in the long run (since I plan on keeping the car for a while) ORRebuild my engine (assuming it'd be more reliable in the long run) and put some other turbo on it. Oh yeah, uh, the engine currently is in great shape.. taken very good care of it, the only problem is 2 broken bolts in the front of the exhaust manifold making it rattle a ****load (which will be fixed if i get it rebuilt im guessing)..anyways, thanks for the help.

ord0x

Post by **Onizuka** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

Honestly, you'll run into all the same problems associated with turbo motors weather you go SR or KAT. Really, pick your prefrence and go with it. You've got time and space to make it work, so go with what you want to see under the hood.

Post by **Ixath** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

Awesome, thanks, now uh, will the cost be about the same? Or will I be looking at a whole lot more going with one option or the other? (I wanna have some idea what I'm talkin about before I call a shop and start talking to them) Think i'd rather stay with the KA just because.

Post by **BuddhistWitch** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

There's always RBs man, don't leave them out.

Post by **Ixath** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

Erm, RBs? Havn't heard much about them.. I'll go do a search and read up, but feel free to respond with the benefits of going with an RB over a turbo KA or an SR..

Post by **IveBeenBad** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

The main advantage of an RB is the MAX power output possible...

Post by **Onizuka** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

Cost is what you make it. You can have a SR done for $2200 or a KAT done for $20,000. Or visa versa. I would say $3000 for either one will net you a decent setup.

If your looking for low buck and turbo, look no further than the CA18DET.

Post by **BuddhistWitch** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

For what he's looking for the KA would probably be the best. But for the money he has, his best shot would be a cheaper RB, an SR, or a CA. It all depends man, if you want to build a monster high revver, go for the SR or CA. If you want torque like crazy, go with the KA. You can always replace the valve springs and retainers with better materials in the KA to support higher revvs. It's all in your preferences and experiences.

Post by **Ixath** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

Allright, thanks. I think i'm going to try to stick with the KA if possible, just because I like the idea of having a 'fairly original' engine. Guess i'll try to find a decent shop down here in Pensacola and go over to them and ask about pricing the various options. I mean, if it's gonna cost $1000 more for the same amount of HP in the end, i'll go with the cheaper option.

Thanks.

Post by **IveBeenBad** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

If you want cheap horsepower, any of the motor swaps are just that...

Post by **PhaneSoul** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

yea u can get the same amount of horesepower out of all of them as far as ive read, but the difference is the torque and the high revv's

Post by **BuddhistWitch** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

Oh, I completely forgot that you could also swap the KA24E for a newer, lower mileage DE and build it up while the E is still running. That way you won't be too long without an engine, and for the money you have you could have around 400+ hp easy.

Post by **PhaneSoul** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

thats what im doing, im getting a 94 or 95 de rebuilding it, putting on dual turbo's if i can get em on w/o blowing myself up, one will be big, one small, the big will be for faster speeds, the small for like starting off, ill do a few mods here n there, and pull sum plgs and ill have bout 400 if not over, only the engine name will be ka24de-tt HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, lol sorry got a lil carried away.

Post by **jdmfreak** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

Or just get a newer ka24e for a couple hundred $. Then rebuild it.

I believe all the options have benn laid out on the table for you. All you gotta do now is search all the previously listed options and choos what like best. It may take a while, but it'll definately be worth it.

Post by **xxtrizz** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

I think this thread desirves a group hug there was no engine bashing and I think we did good on relating the information to this guy. I applaud everyone here. Yes basically its been laid for you buddy jsut gotta take a look at what you really want.

Post by **marshun** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

i like rebuilds over swaps just because of the fact the motor will be at ZERO miles. meaning it hasnt been used and its practically a brand new motor.

Post by **drifter sx** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

i agree with marshu.. who has a bad azz sig by the way, and go with no mile engine. and props for the excellent info and no bashing indeed. peace..

Post by **jdmfreak** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

Yes this thread is a good example to those other engine threads.

Post by **PhaneSoul** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

lol yea, for once a peaceful engine thread, and id rather go with the ka24de cuz its dual cams, and that would namrally mean more hp right?

Post by **fastblue240sx** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

I had the same question at one point. I just decided to rebuild my KA. I still don't know how much it's going to cost or what parts I'll end up putting in it. I just don't want to spend an ***load of cash on it. I've also been debating putting a turbo on it when I'm done. If anybody knows some of the better parts to go for a KA motor, let me know.

Post by **marshun** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:49 pm

PhaneSoul wrote:lol yea, for once a peaceful engine thread, and id rather go with the ka24de cuz its dual cams, and that would namrally mean more hp right?

not necessarily. its just easier to tune and puts less stress on the engine.

Rebuild or Swap?

Rebuild or Swap?

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