Should I Rebuild my KA24DE or swap?

[mouse]

I just bought a 90 240 for 450 bucks, the engine has 135000 miles on it and it needs work, the car is rough but not bad, the engine is ticking and clunking and not good. I was thinking of buying a RB20DET engine for around 1800. THen i thought maybe i could just rebuild my Ka and save some monye and still have fun. Late on i would like to build a ghetto turbo but thats later. I just need to get some feedback. I've been reading a lot and I just want to hear other people becuae I am indecisive. THanks. Note that I am looking for 300 hp in the end, but I mean in the end which is a long time, Id like to just have fun for now. Will the rb be more fun? or more costly in the end? Sorry correction I have the KA24DE.

[blacks13ek]

I'm in the same position as you, but my car sounds like it runs better... They have forums all over with good arguments for each engines...and they have an especially goodone here that thoroughly discusses the pros and cons about each engine. I dont consider my self knowledgeable enough to say which engine is better. But i believe the ka build up would definately be cheaper unless you are installing the rb/sr...(Labor fees are crazy) Where can you find the Rb for such a low price? is it just the motor? If not is it a complete front clip?

[dabum]

your looking for 300+hp? are you plannin to achieve this through all motor, nitrious, turboed with the ka? I think you'll have a hard time gettin 300+hp all motor with the ka inless you have a 75 shot of nitrious or inless u turbocharge it. It all depends on what your plannin to do with the motor and how much your willing to spend if money is a factor. On stock internals the ka24de can handle 250-300hp. The Rb20det can handle 400-450hp on stock internals..

[mouse]

venus auto

its 1200 for a front clip

[marshun]

well since you've said that youre gonna keep the motor for a long time...... rebuild it. the car is well over 10 years old. so if you rebuild it and start with 0 miles on the motor, then that would be allot nicer

[keepingthe240]

AS someone thats been around the block .............. With 135k on your engine....find a lower milage ka to turbo. If you do rebuild the ka...come on..do it right and spend $6-8k ( good turbo kit,pistons, rods, machine work...it adds real quick) You might spend under $1k for a low mileage ka and ghetto a turbo kit for $2k ...which it sounds like thats all you have to work with... and i'll last you till you wreck it or pass it off to the next buyer. If you can swap it yourself...go with the rb25. I'm keeping my ka (117k)and doing the rebuild for 400+hp@18psi on 91 octane when my motor lets go. Oh...go with a ka- de since yours is a '90

[PhaneSoul]

i have a ka24de too, 89 240 and mine runs so smooth, no ticking, no noises, nothing wrong with it, with 239k miles. how much hp could i pump out if i revuilt it ya think? money isnt an issue, i make close to a grand a month and have nothing to spen it on besides gas and a small cell bill