rebuilding my KA24E

[ca240]

alright...i'm rebuilding my KA24E really soon...planning to go with boost by the end of summer so keep that in mind...my goals are only around 260 rwhp max...here's a list of machine work, parts, and prices...tell me if you know how to get it cheaper and if this sounds like a good plan for my goals...

Machine Work +Hot Tank…..$60+Align Hone…..$125+Grind Crank…..$110+Recondition and Grind Out Rods…..$80+Surface…..$70+Bore .040 over…$80 Total Cost…..$525

Parts +New Piston Pins & Snap Rings…..$30.00+New Connecting Rod & Main Bearing Bolts…..$25.00+New Front & Rear Oil Seals…..$30.00 +New Oil Seal Retainers…..$20.00+Check All Specifications+Top Line Re-Ring Kit including Main and Rod Bearings .020 over, Oil Pump, Pistons .040 over, Top Line Piston Rings, and Top Line Gasket Kit EKD28R ImportPerformanceParts.net…..$309.00 -Main and Rod Bearings .020 over -Rings .040 over+Water Pump WPD28…..$33.00(IPP.net)+Spark Plugs $6.00 (courtesy)+Oil Drain Plug and Washer $2.50 (courtesy) +Fuel Filter $12.00 (courtesy)+PCV Valve $9.00 (courtesy)+PS, A/C, & Alt. Belts $30.00 (courtesy)+(4) injector O-rings $12.00(wholesale)+Top and Bottom injector Holders $32.00(wholesale+Timing Kit #CTKD28

OR

I could get a rebuilt short block(my head has already been disassembled, spec'd, and new retainers put in) and then only have to buy a couple more things...but i wouldn't pay for machine work and it has a 1 year warranty

which route do you think i should go?...i'm leanin towards the assembled short block...anything else i should do?

thanks...and sorry for the gigantic post

[robertwb70]

a few points-machine work is not a better safe than sorry situation-if the parts don't need it-don't pay to do it--specifically the line hone and to a lessor extent the crank turning-it either needs these or it doesn't.also go for the smallest overbore required to re-new the cylinder walls(don't automatically go for 0.40)

also on the rod resize install some ARP(or equivalent)high strength rod bolts

you want forged pistons-I'm not sure the pistons you listed are-and for the price they probably aren't

the pre-assembled shortblock would be a good option IF you can get forged pistons in it

[robertwb70]

double post

[ca240]

these pistons are pretty much oem replacements either way...these blocks have proved to go about 300+hp on stock internals...i'm not worried about gettin high stress pistons and all that even thought i'm goin turbo...maybe this should be moved to the ka24et/ka24det forum?...thanks

[ca240]

alright...i've now pretty much made my final decisions on this rebuild as far as parts and what i will have done...

on the machine work i'll just be taking my block, pistons, rods, and crank to the shop...i'm expecting for the worst and everything to be a little off since the engine was overheating at 175000 miles so here's what i'm planning to do with the block...

Machine Work-Magnaflux, Align Hone, Bore Over, and install Freeze Plugs………………………….$75.00-Turn Crank………………………………….$110.00-Hot Tank……………………………………….$80.00-Recondition Rods and Pistons………...$120.00-Surface Block………………………………..$75.00Total Price…………………………………………….$460.00

Then I will be installing the following parts myself

Rebuild Parts

Topline Platinum Engine Kit EKD28P-Complete Gasket Set-Pistons w/ Rings (.010 or .020 over)-Main and Rod Bearings( .010 or .020 over)-Timing Kit-Front and Rear Oil Seals-Oil PumpPrice………..…………………...………………$419.00

Topline Water PumpWPD28 Price………………………………$33.00

Head Bolt KitHBD28 Price………………………………………….$33.00

(4) injector O-rings $12.00

(4)Top and Bottom injector Holders $32.00

Perfection Hytest OEM Clutch Kit MU475941Price……………………………………………….$95.88

Total....1086.88

i talked to the machine shop today and he said i should really lean towards doin it myself to save some money rather than havin them do it and as long as i've got the manual i'm good to go...i think i've got everything covered on that list just lemme know if it sounds good and all the prices sound good

[deviousKA]

The prices you are getting on both machine work and parts sound decent. You also have a grasp on everything you will need and need to get done, so it all sounds good.

[ca240]

thanks man...i'm thinkin it should work out good as long as i keep my manual handy and take my time..i'm replacin just about everything except my crank and rods...does anyone have some kind of "engine break in" page or somethin...i know there are several ways to do it but what's right?...also how should i break in the clutch...thanks

[Slide180SX]

hey ca240 you should document your progress with some pictures. I'm going to boost my ka24e as well. I could use some pointers.

[ca240]

good idea man..i always mean to take pics of things i'm doin but never get around to it...i really need to this time so i can make a webpage and help out others though...i'll try to take pics of my progress...see ya

[JNM240]

You mentioned you plan on going boost soon, have you decided what your final compression ratio is going to be?

[ca240]

it should be very close to stock...which is 8.5...at the most it will bump up to 8.6 with surfacing the block and head...but that's the most i'd expect

[ca240]

i believe i will be going with the flatlander racing rebuild kit now since it saves me 100 bucks...i did some searchin on the forums tonite and found out that the kit they sell is actually a topline kit...i'll have to call to confirm this...anyone have any satisfaction or dissatisfaction with this kit?...thanks

[JNM240]

I rebuilt my SOHC a little over a year ago with parts from flatlander, and yes, i recieved a topline rebuild kit. A little miscommunication between them and me because for some reason i got the kit without the oil pump or timing chain/guides. But all of the gaskets are there for both the car and truck version of the KA24E. Came out pretty good, been going strong over a year now. Flatlander also ordered me my JE forged pistons and cost me less than going through JE themselves. Not too shabby.

[ca240]

thanks for that reply man...i've been waitin for someone to say somethin good or bad about that kit...

good news...i should be sending my block to the machine shop on monday or tuesday if the rain holds off this weekend:D

i'll let you guys know what's up by wednesday

[Touchdown038]

Hey JNM240, did you get your kit from RPM Ron's? Or where?

And did you have to mic the crank and determine which bearing size you needed?

[ca240]

welp...still dont quite have the money to send it off to the machine shop but i should have it by the middle of next week...i'll have to take some pics before and after to see if my block turns as beautiful as they made my head..thanks

[JNM240]

Touchdown038:

i sent my block, head, crank, (old) pistons and rods to the machine shop for machining. He didnt even touch the crank it was in such pristine condition (after 176xxx miles!). I used the bearings that came with the rebuild kit, and they work perfectly.

And i got my topline rebuild kit from http://www.flatlanderracing.com

My machine shop did a bang up job cleaning up my block and replacing all the freeze (exansion) plugs. They even painted it a nice gunmetal gray for me. My head was checked and turned out to be just as good as my crank and did not require decking, so they cleaned up all of the valves and replaced the valve stem seals. When i got it home i ported the exhaust side with a dremel tool then painted it a bright silver. Still looks nice. Basically, just have fun with it and dont rush anything, it will be better in the long run.

[ca240]

yeah i'm definitely gonna try to take my time and just make sure i do everything right...looks like it's gonna cost about 150 more though for the machine work cause they quoted me a waaaay wrong price over the phone:mad:...oh well, i gotta get it done anyways...they should have it ready by the end of the week...sorry but i didn't get to snap any pics...

when i took it there he felt the cyl walls and said he's probly gotta go .040 over with the piston rings...just hopin everything turns out good...

how much did you pay for the topline kit from flatlander?...you got the ultra kit right?...thanks

[SilviaSativa]

does anyone have some kind of "engine break in" page or somethin...i know there are several ways to do it but what's right?...also how should i break in the clutch...thanks

Break In Secrets [mototuneusa.com]Tell me what you think of that. My brother found it on his prelude forum where people backed it.

I just overheated my car and fried the rings. Took the compression test today. Thanks for all the info on the rebuild. I think imma have to go NA though unless someone can convince me I can make a junkyard turbo setup work for next-to-nothing.

[ca240]

welp...they said it'd be ready by the end of last week and it's this week so the block should be ready tomorrow...i'm gonna go pick it up tomorrow and go ahead and order the ultra rebuild kit while i'm there...hopefully i can start buildin the engine by next weekend, would be nice...but yeah...just though i'd let you know what's goin on with my rebuild...i'll take some pics of everything brand new and update you guys next weekend...later

[ca240]

i'm goin to pick up the block and the whole rebuild kit...statin to rebuild on sunday...

i saw somethin up at the machine shop..some lubricant for the bearings...should i use this? and are there other lubricants i need to use while buildin my engine?

thanks

[ca240]

well i picked up all my stuff and it looks absolutely beautiful...too bad the cylinders are that big...just kiddin...anyways i'm bout to pull it all outta my car and take some pics of it...i believe i'm gonna use an engine assembly lube, the guys at the machine shop said it was better so...

still don't quite know how i'm gonna break in the engine...maybe some combination of almost everything you guys have said...thanks for the help

also...they said i really need to clean up the block and the other stuff before i start puttin it together..what should i clean it with?...thanks

[ca240]

welp...put it up on an engine stand today and pressure washed the hell out of it then cleaned it off with some rags since i couldn't find my nozzle for the compressor...then quickly gave it a bath with 5w-30 oil...just sprayed it out of a squirt bottle and made sure i just coated the cylinder walls and where the bearings go then used the rest all over the block and head to keep it from rusting...and did the crank...just gotta clean off the pistons tomrrow and i'm good to go...should start assembling tomorrow nite...i hope to get the pistons, crank, and bearings in and also put on the head and oil pan..then i'll save the rest for wednesday...i've been takin pics that i'll post for ya'll later...thanks for all the help