*THE BIG QUESTIONS* KA vs SR + Other

[Tmckinney33]

Hello all 240 gods! I have been looking into the 240 motors for quite some time now, I have been asking a few questions along my journey. There is just one huge problem, I never get the same awsner, and frankly I am getting scared. These are just a few questions that I need awnsered!

1.) Is the SR20det worth the money?2.) Is turbo really the best way to get horsepower?3.) Is the SR24de just as competible as the det if it is rebuild to perfection?4.) What is the specs on stock KA24de s13+s14, SR20de s13+s14, SR20det s13+s14

Besides these questions I just want someone to educate me on these issues...

1.) I really want to stay away from anything turbo. But I want as much horse power as I can get. I am a master mechanic, and I intend to rebuild the motor completly from the ground up, with some of the best preformance parts. What motor should I get to accomplish all of this?2.) I also heard that there is only 15 more horse power from the s13 KA motors vs the s14 KA motors, is this true?3.) What all do you really need to swap from a KA to an SR? I heard that you wont have air or power steering?

Well guys I am sry for typing so much, but I hope someone can help me. And...

Thanks,Tyler McKinney
Modified by Tmckinney33 at 7:48 PM 4/8/2005

[2_Liter_Turbo]

It is Sr20det not SR24det same goes for the SR20de. If you want to get crap loads of horsepower (400 or more) then you pretty much are stuck with a turbo (not saying it's impossible). If you want just about 175-250 hp area, then N/A is attainable (not cheap). The N/A SR20de is a higher revving motor (7.5k redline I believe) than the KA24de (6.9k redline). The KA24 is a more tourqy engine however. So it really depends on how you like your car to "feel" and what you intend to do with it. Now a stock SR20det will produce more HP and tourqe than a stock KA24, but is pretty spendy. The KA24de(t) is also another option. Growing support and a very strong base motor make it a very good option. Again it all depends on budget and your goals.

[Tmckinney33]

I am sry for the typo, I just fixed it. Well like I am going to be making the car mainly for stop light to stop light, but isnt turbos used for long distance, or should I say moreless topspeed? I just want a good motor to rebuild, and money isnt too big of an issue...

*QUESTIONS* If you know anything about my questions, anyone, please help.

Thanks,

[1991S13]

Alright, as far as stock horsepower goes, the KA24E (89-90 USDM 240) came with 140. The KA24DE (91-98 USDM 240) had 155hp, and the only change between s13's and s14's is the cams. The s13 cams have longer duration.

CA18DET (89-91 180sx) came with 175hp.SR20DET (92-98 s13 180sx/Silvia) 202hp.SR20DET (95-98 Silvia) came with a T28 turbo instead of the old T25, and variable intake runners. Not sure about the power numbers.SR20DET (99-up S15 Silvia) 250hp.RB20DET (sorry but Im not 100% sure on this one, correct me) RWD-190hp and AWD-250hp.RB25DET (R33 Skyline) 250hp.

Anyone correct my numbers if Im wrong, I had those written in a notebook don't remember where they are from.


Modified by 1991S13 at 11:05 PM 4/8/2005

[Tmckinney33]

Once again sry for typo, I was too lazy to type SR blah blah, so i just copyied KA24de and changed the KA to SR sry, i forgot to change the 24 to 20. But anyways, I am just doing me a 240 to not be a daily driver. I am sry for not including this in my post, but I want it too be a completitive auto car, but street legal. And maybe kick some kicks *** light too light...

And I have been looking on google, and on these forums using the search tools. No luck, why I posted mate. Not so swift with searching, or getting motors correct. lol!

Can you please tell me a little about these other motors mentioned?

[Tmckinney33]

Alright, as far as stock horsepower goes, the KA24E (89-90 USDM 240) came with 140. The KA24DE (91-98 USDM 240) had 155hp, and the only change between s13's and s14's is the cams. The s13 cams have longer duration.

CA18DET (89-91 180sx) came with 175hp.SR20DET (92-98 s13 180sx/Silvia) 202hp.SR20DET (95-98 Silvia) came with a T28 turbo instead of the old T25, and variable intake runners. Not sure about the power numbers.SR20DET (99-up S15 Silvia) 250hp.RB20DET (sorry but Im not 100% sure on this one, correct me) RWD-190hp and AWD-250hp.RB25DET (R33 Skyline) 250hp.

Anyone correct my numbers if Im wrong, I had those written in a notebook don't remember where they are from.

Modified by 1991S13 at 11:05 PM 4/8/2005

Hey man thats for tha load of information mate. Really, really helps me out. (SRY FOR DOUBLE POST)

What does everyone recomend for performance cams, headers, pipes, intakes, valves, pistons, rods, recommended bores, after market cranks, cam timing... what do you guys prefer? And I am talking about the rebuild of a stock KA motor.

[1991S13]

That last question is something you will have to decide for your self IMO. Just to throw a few ideas out to you - For cams, a lot of people go with JWT or PDM. Header - DC Sports just started making a header for KA's, but Hotshot is a popular choice. Intake - Injen, AEM, homemade...I think an intake is an intake, know what I mean? Most intakes, no matter which company they come from are gonna get you the same gains. I have heard talk of boring KA's cylinders .020 over, so from my research that appears to be the most popular. If you are staying NA and want to up the compression, the pistons from a KA24E will drop into the DE and put it up to 11.1:1.

Check out all the sponsors on this site, they probably have all the parts you are looking for. ITM makes E pistons (with rings, pins, and locks) for $140.

[Tmckinney33]

Thanks again mate...

I have a quick question as well, the KA24-E motors arent double cams right? And the KA24-DE are? What year models did these too engines run till?

[s13EastTN]

89-90 SOHC KA24E92-98 DOHC KA24DE

Btw turbo is not just a top speed thing. It helps through out your speed range. I say you goto a shop, suggest you study a LOT more about what you are getting yourself into before you throw $3k down on an engine you might not even want.

[Tmckinney33]

89-90 SOHC KA24E92-98 DOHC KA24DE

So my 92 KA has double overhead cams?

[2_Liter_Turbo]

So does the 91. 91-94 (S13) have the higher profile camed KA24DE's; the 95-98 (S14) have the lower profile camed KA24's.

[Tmckinney33]

Yeah, that is what I was told. The 91 motors have the best stock cams.

[2_Liter_Turbo]

The 91 92 and 93 are all the same cam profile.

[ossBASHA]

So my 92 KA has double overhead cams?

How could you be a "master mechanic" and not know if you car's engine is sohc or dohc?

[new_to_drift]

oss i agree with u.idk how u can state that ur a master mechanic and plan on doing a full rebuild,and u have no idea how many cams your car has.sry if i seem like an ***, it just doesnt make sense to me.

[180fan]

Getting harder to find an SR in good shape. My original SR had only 30k on the blacktop but had bad rings. This new SR I've got about 6k invested in it already and the cost is still rising. Find a good running KA and stick with that instead of pumping a fortune for an SR. Chances are you probably won't hit the super high hp figures of some of these shop sponsored cars but you'll have something more cost effective and streetable with the KA-T.

[Tmckinney33]

Well I have been a mechanic for over 30 years now, but I work on only fords...

And my 240 I just obught has no motor, just a shell mates. I am just looking for information before I go getting motors.

[ossBASHA]

Then your S13 has a KA24DE....
Modified by ossBASHA at 8:39 PM 4/12/2005

[Tmckinney33]

What car does the sr20de motor come stock in?

[2_Liter_Turbo]

Japanese NIssan Silvia, Non Turbo. The J's and Q's I believe. K's are the SR20DET.

[ETTInnov04]

You would have to import a SR20DE as well. Though they are made in the states(Sentra SE-R, Infinity G20) they are FWD and connot be converted to a RWD setup.

[2_Liter_Turbo]

The good thing is that you can find them for pretty cheap, but my question would be why? Why would someone want to run one, It is not better than the KA24de in my opinion.

[Tmckinney33]

Well I will not have a turbo, I have had too many bad experiences with them, and besides I have a firned who has an stock sr20de and it kills my KA24de all over the place. And his car is like 700 pounds heavier as well.

I just dont see putting $7,000 for a turbo motor, and I didnt even pay $1,000 for my car. I see these dudes selling there cars for like $3,500. Its just crazy in my opinion.

[2_Liter_Turbo]

What kind of car is your friends??? Also a built n/a KA will produce more power because of the larger displacement. I have seen a 250 hp N/A Ka24de in a datsun 510, and holy crap was that car fast. Sounded very awesome too. Kinda like the ol' L motors...... Anyways, it is your choice man. If it were me, I'd do n/a in the KA24de because it is cheaper (less hassle too) and you have more "engine" to play around with.

[Tmckinney33]

My friend has a g20, and it straight up killed me! I think it was just becuase the motor I am running in my current 240 has like 140,000+ miles on it, and has g20 has like 20,000 maybe not even that. So his motor isnt as worn as mine is.

So a KA will make more horespower than a sr? But does the SR's weight differnce help it?

I just hear so much different stuff... somone call me and educate me on all of this please! 336-624-4894I just got off the phone with JGY cusomts, and he said that an SR will most definatly over power a KA, becuase of weight difference.

[2_Liter_Turbo]

The wieght difference isn't that much I believe. There was a different posting on all of that info, don't remember where though. the SR has an aluminum block, the KA's is cast Iron. That's where the majority of the weight difference is. The KA however, can push more air in and out of the combustion chambers, so it can produce more power than what the SR can in a single stroke. This is of course two fully built motors. Also the KA will be the cheaper route because you already have it sitting in your engine bay and it works correct? If you go n/a SR then you have to pay for the clip (or motorset) shipping, and labor unless you are doing it yourself (wiring included). This will most likley cost you close to 2k dollars after labor (about 1,200 before). That is money that could have gone to performance parts for your KA. Also what kind of speed comparison did you and your friend perform? Drag, lap times, etc? In my opinion, if you are sticking with N/A then don't bother swapping in an SR20DE, it is a waste of time but most importantly money! The only reason I would think of doing this, is if my KA blew up and there was an SR20DE that was close by and available to me for 400 bucks or less (with transmission and ecu).

[spider_slayer]

first....if you want a fast N/A car go buy an IROC camero otherwise i wouldn't bother trying to make your car fast the ka is a good reliable motor. its fine.....

you won't be getting much power out of a 4cyl car without a turbo

you don't have to import the sr20de.....they come in the usdm se-r sentra

lastly, if you DO for some reason pull out the sauce and get the money for a fast car the sr is the cost efficent way to go. the motors CAN be duds i agree, thats becasue most come out of totaled cars from japan...otherwise the bottom end can handle around 500 hp without a build. they also come stock turbo so all you have to do is find a bigger turbo, injectors, mafs, fuel pump and you have a pretty damn quick car.......its jsut not legal

[lancefloyd]

I GOT IT!

You don't like turbos. I will never understand why, but hey, lets roll with out them....

You said you are an accomplished master technician, dealing with Domestics. Fair enough. How 'bout you use THAT skill to install an LS1 and T-56 transmission out of a GM car? Then, you would have a N/A motor, but you wouldn't lose....ever.

BTW if this sounds wild and insane,...you might want to keep searching these forums, about 11 people have done the same thing on here...and they all love it. Personally, if you would just stop worrying about the turbo things...I'd get a built shortblock from our lovely sponsors http://www.phatka-t.com or http://www.boostdesigns.com , and build up from there.

[2_Liter_Turbo]

Why do people ruin 240's with 8 bangers??? What a waste in my opinion.

[2_Liter_Turbo]

If you want a RWD SR20DE you do have to import it. G20's, 200sx's, Sentra SE-R's , and NX2000's are all FWD, and their engines are not compatable with RWD transmission's and the like.