What do you think is the perfect engine for a 240 'vert?

[Eikon]

We've danced around this topic for a while and talked about it now and then... but never really consolidated any of our opinions in one thread...

So, I'd like to have a discussion about the "Perfect" or the "Ideal" engine for a 240sx convertible. I'm curious to hear your choice of engine.. but more importantly.. your reasoning for why you chose it.

You can choose any engine you like.. but here are a few of the engines that might be most popular...

-KA24de... stock in the 240. 155 hp

-KA24de-T.. Owner modified turbo version of the stock engine. 200 to 400 hp. (see AZHitman and others)

-SR20det.. Stock engine in the silvia in japan... a very simple drop-in swap. 210hp stock. (See Tenkawa Akito and others)

-CA18det.. Stock engine in the S13 Silvia 'verts in Japan. 175hp stock simple swap. (See jdms13rhd and others)

- Rb20det... Stock engine in the R32 base model Skyline (laurel, cefiro as well). 210 to 220 hp stock. medium difficulty for swap. (see Eikon and others)

- RB25det... Stock engine in R33 and R34 base model Skyline. 250hp stock. complicated swap. (See import intellegence build)

-RB26dett.. Stock engine in Skyline GTR. 280hp stock. complicated swap.

-VG30dett.. Stock engine in 300zx turbo. 280hp stock.. complicated swap.

-VQ35.. stock engine in 350z. 287 hp stock.. complicated swap. (see 110octane)

-LS1 or other domestic big block.. 300hp stock. Complicated swap.

Any others???

Why did you pick that engine??Performance?Style?Sound?reliability?bling?economy?originality?drag racing/Autox/drifting ability?

[srphoenix]

Why did you pick this engine-Sr20det, ka blew up, its cheap, already turbo, lightweight, good power, and I trust it to make more without huge modifications to the engine itself (factory turbo setup for some reason goes a long way in my mind, just knowing that they intended the engine to have a turbo)

performance-with the simple bolt on mods we got going into this thing, im guessing we'll hit about 280-300 shortly, so almost doubling the stock ka horsepower with only about 3000 put into it.

style-the reds pretty, plus jdm tyte yo

sound-not as nice as an inline six, but a swarm of hornets isnt something you want to run up and hug either

reliability-factory turbo setup, pistons/crank/block itself able to handle up to 500ish and over while remaining just bolt ons

bling-red top is still pretty and still jdm tyte yo, plus still quite rare in the convertible scene

economy-no idea, but im hoping at least 20mpg, havent researched it all that much, and no emissions checking in beautiful wisconsin so dont have to worry about that.

originality-i'm probably still in the first 25 sr's swapped into a convertible, could be wrong though, i know i'll be the only one in gb

racing-obviously vert chassis isnt the optimal one for this, but the ladies will be able to see you better while your doing

all in all it really comes down to your personal preferance and budget, obviously we'ed all love an rb26dett, but thats not the most pocket friendly engine. I think the sr is a good mix of performance, quality, and price.... and jdm tyteness

[AZhitman]

If I had it to do over again, I'd go with the LS1.

Light, powerful, cheap to mod, and mountains of torque.

Beyond that, I think an "exotic" Nissan setup would be my next choice - VH45DETT or a supercharged VQ35.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Well I don't have it nor do I have the money or resources to do it...but I think a VK56DE resting in the engine bay would be awesome.

I wish...

[Eikon]

Here's my answer...

I don't know?!

What I do know is what I want out of my convertible. I am not building a racecar! I'm not building a dyno queen! I'm not building a show car! It's a cruiser... a well rounded vehicle. I want some of everything without sacrificing anything major. I want a nice exterior, a nice interior, clean paint, nice rims, and a flashy engine bay. I want a sporty ride without shaking my fillings loose. I want it to be fast.. but not at the expense of comfort or cost.

So... I'm very happy with my Rb20. I think it satisfies a little bit of everything!!!

Can't wait to drive the SR20 in a couple weeks in Omnikron's 'vert.. That should be pretty cool.

You guys mentioned VH or VK... what is your reasoning.. Pure drag racing potential? To be different? The rumble of a V8?

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

You guys mentioned VH or VK... what is your reasoning.. Pure drag racing potential? To be different? The rumble of a V8?

Well I have various reasons. Well for starters not a lot (if any at all) of people have done it. With about 300hp out the door, I can't complain about that. It might be a complicated swap but I think it's worth it in the end. It defintely has potential for the drag strip...a good platform to start off with. And the rumble of a V8...who doesn't like that? It's just got that badass factor to it. It will definitely catch unsuspecting people off guard on the road and will wow others when you show them what's under the hood. They'll be looking for an SR or something else that's common and much to their surprise, they will see a beefy V8 resting in the engine bay.

Some people may ask, "Why?"I'd reply, "Why not?"

I can only imagine how it would sound idling...*sighs

[Eikon]

Well I have various reasons. Well for starters not a lot (if any at all) of people have done it. With about 300hp out the door, I can't complain about that. It might be a complicated swap but I think it's worth it in the end. It defintely has potential for the drag strip...a good platform to start off with. And the rumble of a V8...who doesn't like that? It's just got that badass factor to it. It will definitely catch unsuspecting people off guard on the road and will wow others when you show them what's under the hood. They'll be looking for an SR or something else that's common and much to their surprise, they will see a beefy V8 resting in the engine bay.

I can only imagine how it would sound idling...*sighs

That's the kind of answer I'm looking for!!

What do the rest of you think?

Where's Mickey (110octane).. What do you love about your VQ?Bart (Tenkawa Akito).. What do you love about your SR?

[ishkabibble]

Relatively stock LS1 or VQ35DE/VQ35HR.

Reasons:-Ultra-reliable N/A motors that will probably outlast the 13+ year old vert chassis-Much torque/good powerband-Parts easily available-Easy to find a low mileage motor-Can rev the motor without really worrying about detonation, broken rings, etc.-I'd rather drive my cars than work on them

[Loki]

I'm a total car-newb, so I'd prolly just settle on a nice SR especially since there's a guy within 20 minutes with a lot of installation experience.

[Florida240sx]

Beyond that, I think an "exotic" Nissan setup would be my next choice - VH45DET T or a supercharged VQ35.

[woots]

Just to be diffrent, how about KA24DE Supercharged! 220hp at the rear with gobs of torque starting right out of the hole!

Woots.....

[madcowvert]

Why did you pick that engine?? rb25det thought it would be cool and cheaper then the rb26

Performance? 250 stock but very easy to move up.

reliability? like every motor you need to take care of it if you want it to last.

economy? let just say you need some deep pockets

originality? it was cool but now with all the mount kits anyone can do it

drag racing/Autox/drifting ability? i dont think i'll be doing any of it. I haven't even got the motor in the car. With the money i have put in to the car if i was to crash the car into a wall i would kill my self.

[biggie]

For me my Vert should always just be a daily driver, therefore the stock KADE will be fine, just needs to be swapped to 5speed sometime for a little more 'fun' factor. It has plenty of torque to get the heavier car moving and enough hp to be fun when needed.

If I get bored/rich I'll probably through a bottom mount T28 on the KA to run about 7psi, even more 'fun' factor. Its in the car already, cheap turbo setup, and acts almost like an NA engine, no lag.

[TIMELSS_vert]

For my vert, an RB20 or 25 will be choice, the jury is still out on which one (prolly the 20).

Reasoning:-I wont lie, I am a WHORE for the sound of a turbo inline 6, pure sex-Potential in both motors w/ bolt ons (obviously more big number potential in 25)-Swaps aren't TOO difficult with the help of others-Oh **** son, is that a SKYRINE MOTOR!?!?-It will match my front end

[GoinTopless240]

SR20DET

Why did you pick that engine?? Decent power and when I bought it .. Reasonable price.Performance? Lots of potential and strong bottom end... capable of 400+ on stock internalsStyle? When I bought it I wasn't looking at styleSound? SR with right exhaust sounds meaty...not the sound of the glorious, beastly six, but good enough of government workreliability? I'm still out on this one. Most of the engines from Japan don't have much mileage (kinda hard to put lots of KM/miles on when you live on an over populated small island).bling? I'm not a bling person....sorryeconomy? Look forward to seeing the expected MPG. If I stay out of the turbo I would guess better than the KA.originality? Hmm.. well considering I have a Silvia Front end on a LHD convertible and getting an SR20det w/5speed... well I think originality from keeping it original went out the window a long time ago..loldrag racing/Autox/drifting ability?Drag racing...no.. Auto X.. hmm maybe for fun... Drifting.. again maybe for fun.. spirited cruizin....Oh Yea..

[/QUOTE]

[ishkabibble]

good enough of government work

Did you know that the phrase originated during WWII and meant "able to pass the strictest standards"? Over time, it started to mean the opposite.

[donmeca2020]

i defintely would love to go with an RB26, but because of the complications and price of the motor itself, i doubt i would go and do that. more then likely i would jump on a sr20. why? pricewise its good, 2 it can make good power ifi were to decide to mod it. 3 im not looking for a monster vert im just trying to make a vert that has some pep in it .

[302VertMan]

I chose a 302 for my vert. It has roller rockers an abnoxious cam, 750 dbl pmpr carb, headers, intake etc. AOD transmission

I would have gotten a sr or rb motor but i didn't have the money, and i like the power and sound of this engine

Why did you pick that engine?? Because it was cheap ($250 engine + transmission)Performance? about 3** hp and 3** lb of trq.Sound? It sounds like it's running on alcoholreliability? Very reliable if you get everything lined up righteconomy? Bad for the enviornment and bad on gasoriginality? You dont see it very muchdrag racing/Autox/drifting ability? YES!!!

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

economy? Bad for the enviornment and bad on gas

Nice...

Any sound clips for us? Wanna hear what she sounds like.

[monkel.ka24de]

if your making a "showcar" why would you do something EVERY 240sx is gonna have at the show... ka24-t, sr20 up the wazoo, rb's... (the rb20 in the end will be more expensive then the rb25det cause parts are becoming so rare). If you dont wanna do the LS1 why not do a 350small block. thats my plan. i dont have the money to buy an ls1+all the custom work even though i can do everything at my school. you might not have the nice corvette engine but you still will be able to compete with c5's stock.

rb's cant do that stock... plus turbos= money pits. yea forced induction is nice dont get me wrong i love it. but how many 240's have you seen with a big v8? not many. plus the money you would spend on gettin 400hp outta your sr/rb/ka/ca engine compared to what it would cost you to make 400 out of a 350sb or an ls1? lol you do the math.

[Hijacker]

motors choices are so personal, that I can't understand why people feel the need to convince the world to do it their way.

If we were going truely exotic, try scramming a V12 up there, or a W12.

I bought my car already with an SR under the hood. And if I had had the car stock, it would have gotten an SR eventually. I just happen to really like the motor for my own reasons. Sure everyone and their grandma has one now modded to run their riding lawn mowers, but so what. I like it.

[Eikon]

motors choices are so personal, that I can't understand why people feel the need to convince the world to do it their way.

My whole idea behind this thread is to hear what those personal choices are. It's not about convincing others at all.. I'm just really curious to hear why people have chosen, will choose, or at least will dream of those engines..

[Paradox]

I would look at staying stock or going with KA-T, CAT, or SR20DET if I wanted it to be "stockish" and I am still a bit undecided. I have a KA24DE and 5 speed in the car now, not fully assembled/connected, but it will be sometime soon.

I think I would like to put a RB20/26 into it since there is plenty of aftermarket support out there for both engines, the RB25 has less support. I am ANTI-V8 in one of these for a few reasons, the main one being a VERY heavy front end and destroying the balance this car has.

If I were going to consider dragging the car I may go the V-8 route or even 20BTT from a mazda cosmo.

I know for now I am going to focus where it COUNTS on suspension. Look at all of the people who have wheels and nice paint on their verts and the car looks like a 4WD and probably has the OEM suspension from 1992/3/4 on it and has no handling capabilities.

The "Perfect" engine for the vert is really the owner's definition because they are ultimately going to be paying for parts/labor/repairs and the more "exotic" the swap is, the more it will probably cost. I am staying with the KA for now until I get the other things I want first, suspension, roll bars, brakes, exhaust, wheels, wide body...then paint.

[Mortigi Tempo]

240sx + VH45DE/VK56DE = DOOM! Know how many Mustang/Camaro Enthusiasts would be shaken to there core by one of these if done right? True it would ruin the balance of the car and everything it was meant for, but I would still do it to piss off all those "Muscleheads".

[monkel.ka24de]

actually.... if you get an all aluminum ls1 then its actually LIGHTER then the ka24de. does it still mess up the handling compared to stock? yes? is that why you upgrade your suspension stuff? yes!

if your looking at installing the rb26 be prepaired to a handful of problems and frustration. custom work is required on the 240 because of the 2nd turbo and i think the mounts/transmission ect

edited by tenkawa_akito for contect

[monkel.ka24de]

i believe the most easy engine swap into the 240sx bay is the sr20 and then the ka? i believe

[Eikon]

actually.... if you get an all aluminum ls1 then its actually LIGHTER then the ka24de.

So just out of curiosity.. is it the block only that is lighter than a KA block? Or is that true for the whole engine?? It just seems crazy to think that a V8 with the extra head, exhaust manifolds, etc.. could still be lighter than a 4 cyl...

[madcowvert]

i dont know if you guys know but we do have a very good rb section !!!

the rb 20,25 and 26 have many interchangeble parts. the parts are not that hard to find remeber they have alot of rb's in cannada(sp)

[Eikon]

huh?

The only RB's in Canada are the ones that sell roast beef sandwiches.Actually.. the only RB's in Canada are the one imported from Japan either by engine only or by full car..

But you are correct.. the RB forum here on NICO is outstanding!

[twoeightythreez]

Put an L28 in it. I'm serious, just for the different factor. R33 crossmember will allow one to bolt right in, and the L28ET's are dirt cheap and can easily make 300hp 300tq. It'll mess up your weight distr. but so will an RB26, for all the people talking smak to the V8 guys. Once you get the L28 in it, then french a Z front end to it for something truly different...people would think it was the cleanest 280z 'vert you ever saw. It'll be our secret...just kiddin