Waste of money to rebuild KA?

[allblackS14]

Here's my predicament. I want to get an S13 for a daily driver [currently have SR powered S14] and since most 13s are extremely high-mileage and beaten on I plan to have it rebuilt. Pending that it needs a rebuild. Anyways, I'd do this for a solid daily driver, but...I would also like to make it somewhat fun and responsive. What I would like to do is after all essential OEM pieces are replaced; port the head, add pullies, *maybe* throw in the '91' cams and up the compression, not a whole lot but to something acceptable. Would retain stock piping and exhaust, while adding stage 1 clutch, and maybe light flywheel. The idea would be to have something peppy but reliabe, however when I look at this list of what I consider minor mods, it seems any of these could make for an unreliable vehicle. So would it be a waste to rebuild a KA if I had all that in mind? Should I just do a complete stock rebuild? Again the goal was to have something peppy and reliable. Not worried about hp or top-end speed, just something torquey and quick, which hopefully could be reliable.

*Some of you will say the SR is reliable, but some of my experiences prove otherwise. Also, the purpose of that in my current car is to beat on it and have fun. Daily driving, + hard weekend driving will eventually lead to no driving. When I say beat on it, I don't mean run it into the ground without doing maintainence, but just driving the motor in a sports car the way the entire package was meant to be used.* Thoughts, opinions and suggestions welcome.

[ALTRNTV]

If I had the money, I would rebuild my KA. OEM rebuild or not, I don't think it's a waste of money. There's plenty of KA rebuild kits out there for under a grand.

[TipStylez]

I would rebuild a KA too, fun little engines when running right brand spankin new.

[projectRDM]

If it's a 91-mid93, it already has the cams.

A set of rings, rod bearings, and head gasket will run you $130 or so, timing chain kit the same. Add a water pump, oil pump kit, tstat, and you're still under $400 for everything.

[allblackS14]

I would rebuild a KA too, fun little engines when running right brand spankin new.


So true!!!!!!!!!!

[Ricks15]

Hell yeah rebuilding KA24E's is cheap rebuild parts are very affordable, But the thing is who do you take it too is the problem finding shop or mechanic with good rep is hard now a days since there are so many mechanics that do shitty work.

[allblackS14]

I think I have some credible associates here in Jacksonville, FL that can help me with this.

[KoukiJAR]

http://www.amsperformance.com/store/index.php?cPath=24_62_304

AMS sells some rebuild kits for both the KA24DE and KA24E mainly for high boost applications but just a thought....

[fromxtor]

yea it's unbelievable how different driving a "fresh" KA is, as opposed to one with 100k+ on it. OEM rebuild ftw

[Edgar]

pistons get expensive and some machine work
well not really getting block,head cleaned up real good before a rebuild

[Neejay]

If I supply all the parts, I got quoted $1,200 for machine work + labor. Is this a good price?

After doing some serious thinking, Im just gonna do a rebuild (if I keep the car). I doubt it's gonna be rebuilt for turbo, but probably just a semi-stock rebuild.

[allblackS14]

Anyone know of some sites that offer full OEM rebuild kits?

[420sx]

let me tell you something. unless you are doing the rebuild yourself dont even get into it since its going to cost you a pretty penny.

i just finished a rebuild of a ka to put it in my coupe. and i dont even drive that car. i daily my track car - sr. its fucking reliable.

like any engine you need to take care of it and it will run for a loooong time. and i do beat the fuck out of it on the track.

if you REALLY REALLY want to do a rebuild yourself make sure you have plenty of time. cause that shit aint gonna happen fast you need to be careful and everything to spec. otherwise you gonna waste your own time redoing shit (my experience trust me).

now, rebuild KA versus SR, RB, or other swaps.
ka-t is not all that great for daily. N/A ka is pure sex when it comes to dependability. so is SR is somewhat stock trim. going larger turbo or making ur N/A engine turbo dont expect dependability.

so it all depends on what you do. ok, if you want just a daily driver and occasional weekend race car dont rebuild. jesus. just buy a lowmileage KA or SR and swap it in. so much less pain in the ass. if this is your only car rebuilding shouldnt be an option.

[Neejay]

So what did you decide to do?

[TanbouTaTsubasa]

let me tell you something. unless you are doing the rebuild yourself dont even get into it since its going to cost you a pretty penny.

i just finished a rebuild of a ka to put it in my coupe. and i dont even drive that car. i daily my track car - sr. its fucking reliable.

like any engine you need to take care of it and it will run for a loooong time. and i do beat the fuck out of it on the track.

if you REALLY REALLY want to do a rebuild yourself make sure you have plenty of time. cause that shit aint gonna happen fast you need to be careful and everything to spec. otherwise you gonna waste your own time redoing shit (my experience trust me).

now, rebuild KA versus SR, RB, or other swaps.
ka-t is not all that great for daily. N/A ka is pure sex when it comes to dependability. so is SR is somewhat stock trim. going larger turbo or making ur N/A engine turbo dont expect dependability.

so it all depends on what you do. ok, if you want just a daily driver and occasional weekend race car dont rebuild. jesus. just buy a lowmileage KA or SR and swap it in. so much less pain in the ass. if this is your only car rebuilding shouldnt be an option.

Im in this situation now myself, only its slightly different. I bought the car and it has rod knock out of NOWHERE and im stressed to balls trying to choose a path. rebuild OR new motor. you said rebuilding shouldnt be an option, what exactly do you mean? im broke like crazy and I have to baby the beast until I can afford to fix her...

[420sx]

said meaning rebuild will take alot of time its going to be quite a downtime. its alot faster to do a swap. hell, buy another ka - its less pain in the ass.

[TanbouTaTsubasa]

whats a good reliable place/site/source to get a new KA motor? is there an fabrication involved in a dohc swap?

[djtrickz]

If you don't have the car yet, just shop around for one with a taken care of ka. 420sx is right, just take care of it and it can last for a long time, caus you can push an engine and still maintain it. Mine is at 190,000 mi and is still running strong! i mean, if its not for track only why rebuild it if the engine's cheap to replace especially if your mods are going to be mild. good luck!

*edit* oops this was from a while ago. haha. yah what did you decide to do???

[95Blue240sx]

I have some problems with my motor and I am looking to get my motor rebuilt. I dont like the idea of a swap just because of the hassle from Cops and I dont want to pay $300 for smog each time. That is just me and I have no problem with my stock and slow KA. Reliability is #1 for me.

I got quoted $840 from this shop that imports motors, rebuilds, resells, pretty much any motor. They said the $840 would cover labor and parts. I just need to drop off the car. It was Attarco in San Jose. I dont want to trust them, so Im still shopping around. What I really want to do is get another motor, and have that rebuilt, then I can just swap them.

[drftwerks]

yo bj, i told max about a ka on craigslist, for you, he told me you were looking for one

[ms!3]

rebuild it man. change rod bearings, rings, all gaskets and clean up the block real nice. and for those cams i hear 248/232 is the best set up to run. shouldnt be spending over a 1g unless your getting rods and pistons also.

[speedstar01]

i think rebuilding a KA would be great just for the experience :)

[projectRDM]

You guys are throwing out numbers that include forged internals. The basic theory being a 'rebuild' is to simply replace the wear parts. Bearings, rings, gaskets, and seals will run more than $400. Take a brass brush to the pistons if you feel the need, otherwise just reassemble it. It's a day's work at best unless you start painting shit or replacing hardware. That alone gives you a zero mile engine versus $250-400 for a 80K+ mile one. There's no need to replace rods, pistons, cams, or start boring/tanking parts unless there's substantial damage.

If you're planning on upgraded parts, yes the cost and time significantly increase, but no one in the thread has specifically discussed that route.

[xblack240x]

I say rebuild it. If you're doing it yourself it should be a fun experience and the motor should be just as reliable as new (obviously its rebuilt). So my .02 is go ahead and do it, I know I will in time (for my DD) and have an SR or RB for my track slut =)