Witch is cheaper the KA-T or SR20

[Gunburn]

I've been thinking about puting a turbo on my KA but it is coming up to a lot of money to do it right....so I wondering your opinions on wether is it cheaper to do a KA-T or go just SR20?

Anything will help....

[Dousan_PG]

SR is cheaper by far
KAis more work but imho its worth. freaking torque BEAST.
but its personal preference. KAT will require more research and money. SR is pretty straight forward. both are illegal 100% but thats just the risk of it.

[Gunburn]

Well I have a 91 s13 with 100k miles and I have the tools to do both. The money thing well thats were this post comes in.

If ppl can list the amount of money they spent on doing the SR swap and the KA-T that would be very helpful.

Thx again.

[uiuc240]

first thing: do a compression test and then a leakdown test. that will tell you if you can go turbo or not.

if you can, then chances are the KA route will be *marginally* cheaper. The SR is really not a cheap conversion, since you're spending $2500 or so JUST TO GET THE MOTOR. That's $2500 you're not spending on intercoolers, piping, turbo, etc. But honestly, for ~250-300 hp, the price is roughly the same. Seriously. Don't let anybody tell you one is way cheaper than the other. It doesn't matter. Taking the car to this level is NOT a cheap endeavor. Before you know it, you'll be adding more power, and going even further. Oh, and you NEED better tires/wheels/suspension/brakes before you add 50-100-150 hp. Trust me. My Z brakes have saved my ass more times than I can count.

Eric

[Gunburn]

Well as seeing that everone says they are about the same....what would be the better?

I'm kinda leaning to the side of the KA-T b/c of the fact that the KA is bigger and it has more tq. but that big of a 4 can have many probs....so hmm....?

any opinions?

[uiuc240]

Originally posted by James
Only you can answer which is better by how you plan to use the car.


For example you concluded "we think they're about the same", this is far from the truth. You have a lot of reading to do to get up to speed- so get busy!
Otherwise, welcome to this forum, hope you like it.
Just don't expect us to hold your hand through the whole process.

Well said, James. I do have something to add, though. 100k miles is generally NOT a good point to throw a turbo on a motor. Not saying it can't be done, but it just seems kinda silly to turbocharge an old motor...that's why I suggested a compression/leak down test.

Oh, and the SR is quite torquey...trust me. But a KA turbo will be very fast and awesome. What do you want? What is your goal? How much money do you have? These are the questions you have to ask yourself...

Eric

[tnord]

ugh............somebody lock this.

it has been discussed many times. it depends on so many variables (none of which you provide) that you can't provide a general "this one is cheaper" statement.