Should I turbo my 167k mile engine?

[smokin240]

I have a 93' 240sx, KA24DE, is this safe? How long should I expect the engine to last?

[smokin240]

by the way, it runs fine, I just need to replace the MAFS because of its high and low rpm sluggish problems, but other than that, it runs perfect. even looks clean under the hood and i never wash it because it doesnt need it

[candela]

cylinder compression? does it smoke? have you done a leak down test?

[smokin240]

doesnt smoke, and it doesnt leak. not sure about cylinder compression. im pretty sure i heard about checking that before.... what do i need, how do I do it, and what should it read out?

[candela]

For me (sicne you have a DE) I would want at leist ~170psi across the board without to much variance.

Get a compression gauge from someone, rent or buy one. Simple search will yield results but here it is in a nutshell.

1) run car to operating temp and shutdown2) remove spark plugs and wip out the gauge3) put gauge in #1 cylinder all the way tight4) get in car and crank it for ~7 seconds or so (so u here the motor cycle at leist like 5 times) with the throttle to the floor5) check your reading and write it down6) continue with the other cylinders...

Im not sure what factory minimum pressure are off hand, but if you are gonna turbo it, then its better to be above them. As long as they are at leist about 170psi and teh cylinders arent more than 10psi off from eachother than its probably sealing pretty good, I woudlnt hesistate to turbo it. If a number or numbers are low in one of the cylinders, put a few drops of oil in teh cylinder and let it coat around teh rings and then redue that one. If the compression goes up then obviously yoru rings prolly arent sealing to well, or the walls are scarred up for some reason.

[youngturk]

I have a 93' 240sx, KA24DE, is this safe? How long should I expect the engine to last?

I can't tell you how long your engine will last but I can tell you where mine is to give you some assurance of the possibilities. I have 203,6xx miles on my stock engine with no smoking. Still running pretty good.

I think of have read on NICO of a few people who have more than 220,000 miles on their stock engines.

I am glad you posted this thread as I am considering turbo'ing myself (can't decide to turbo or swap).

Candela: Thanks for your input. It helps a lot.

[smokin240]

Ok thanks candala, i'll look around for a compression gauge. I know the KA engines are known to run flawless until about 250k but I know turbo'ing totally throws it's lifespan off track. I just don't want to pay $3K on a turbo, intercooler, etc... just so my car can go out on me 40k miles later, because then im stuck with a decently new turbo, intercooler, and broke down car with high mileage. So if it lasts to 50k miles, I would be happy. Thanks

[youngturk]

Even if you get only 40,00 miles from the turbo'd engine, you could always have that engine rebuilt and reassemble it back again with the turbo setup. Please let me know if there is some reason this can't or shoudn't be done.

Instead of looking for and purchasing a low-mileage stock KA which you have no idea of how it ran and how well it was taken care of, by using and then, if necessary, rebuilding your own KA, you have the assurance of knowing what you are exactly dealing with. If your own KA runs well right now, that's probably the least risky engine to go with IMHO.

Just my two cents.

[smokin240]

I've only had my 240 for about 8 months but from what I can tell, it was taking care of well, just driven alot.

[K240]

I believe slos13 has his coupe turboed, with over 200,000 miles on it...impressive....

[Structure240sx]

turboing an engine doesnt decrease its lifespan, detonation fom bad tunning decreases an engine lifespan. factory spec engien compression is 179psi. rebuild time the factory says is around 145psi.

[ziggy682]

I have 190,000 miles on my turbo KA, and it runs just fine. Don't be scared of the mileage. In reality, the general healthiness of your engine doesn't have much to do with mileage, it has a lot more to do with how well it's been maintained.