rebuilding a high miles ka

[SX APPEAL]

My problem is simple, I have a 91 240sx 5 speed with nearly 190,000 miles on it. How much does it cost to have a ka fully rebuilt with stock internals? And what all does that involve? I would think new bearings and seals and machine work to the block and head, but beyond that Im not sure. Do you think I could get away with just rebuilding the head? Or would I just end up blowing something out the bottom end if I ran it hard? Im sure a few of you guys on here have done this so hopefully you can give me some advice about it. Thanks

[VCthuglife]

my 89 coupe has 191k mi on it and i only ran into problems when i ran it hard....do you know if your engine is running on original stock parts?

- LJ

[SX APPEAL]

I'm pretty sure its on stock parts, not confident though, as I bought the car with 169,000 already on it. I have no idea what the previous owner could have done to it. I'm wanting to take it down to the drag strip but Im afraid of blowing something up. That leads me back to my original question.

[Red coupe]

Does your engin have any abnormal sounds? does it burn oil? If it still seems to run strong I sure it wouldnt blow up. Ive heard people say they are still abusing thier old ka with 200+ miles. However I get the feeling that if it was running strong you wouldnt be thinking about rebuilding it. Your cylinders could have worn to an oval shape so that the rings dont seal right, or you could have taperd cylinder(s) (where the diamiter is larger at the top or bottom of the cylinders), you most likely could use new bearings, New rings and/or pistons might be needed, the oil passages of the block could most likely need a good cleaning, the head work you were thinking about, your crank could be but probably isnt bent or worn/tapered. the saddles for the crank could be worn out of round or streached. There is more... but it depends on how well taken care of your engin is. Id say if it still runs good then your ok, As for nubers I have no first hand knowlage but I recent read a post in general or technical about the cost of rebuild, they said around 800 if you do yourself or I belive he said 2,400 before head work for parts and labor.but give some more info on the condition its in and any of its problem and hopefully some one can tel you how hard it can be ran

[Zyphar]

I too am thinking about getting a rebuild for my KA cuz it has 195k miles as well.

I bought it at maybe 193k and it seems to run strong, only problems it the timing chian and some very small oil leaks (no drips on the floor, you can just see it on the exterior on the engine.)

hmm when the car is idle i also sometimes here the engine pop a little, not loud or anything but it does sound like a small misfire. what could that lead to ??? ( i havent done a compression yet either)

[SX APPEAL]

Well I dont exactly have another 240 to compare it with, but it seems to run strong. Its all stock and it runs toe to toe with my friends cavalier z24, witch according to tests, its supposed to. So i dont think its down on power. It does smoke a tiny bit above 4500-5000rpm. You cant even see it at speed, but if its just sitting and you rev it up in neutral (only did it once btw) you can see a little smoke. Other than that it runs perfect. I was just asking about rebuilds because I plan on going turbo sometime in the future and was doubtful that a stock engine with 200K on it would hold up to that kind of abuse.

[SX APPEAL]

anything else?

[p00t]

SX, its most likely your rings worn from age... do a compression test if you want to know how "healthy" your engine is inside.

but just cause they are worn doesnt mean your down on power much. difference in a properly working 200k mile motor and a 5k mile motor is probably less than 10hp.....

I honestly wouldnt worry about it untill the smoke is starting to become annoying, or its eating alot of oil.

The biggest disadvantage you have is if you beat on your motor it will get to that high oil consuming state much quicker then that 5k mile motor.