Help me decide on a new motor!

[StryfeS13]

Alright so I've been running a fully built KA for a while now, forged rods/pistons, etc, holset H1C. It was a pretty fun setup, with a lot of power, but I'm looking to move on from 4 cylinders.

I have about a budget of $3500 at the MOMENT, but am willing to put my car into project mode for 7-8 months to complete a motor swap, etc.

I am looking for a decent amount of power, and to be able to run 12.8's and below. I'm sure my KA would've been a high 12, but still, as I said, I want some change.

What I've been looking at is a RB20/RB25 for this goal. I don't have the cash flow to do RB26, 1/2JZ, or LS1, etc, so I think the RB series might be the best choice.

Are there any other motors out there I am over looking that can put me where I want to be? I am open to anything....I6, V8, etc..maybe a VH..?

[hessianben]

maybe VQ time !!

.....annnnd if your built KA needs a home... i can probably helllllp... :]

[sebastianwrx]

SR lmao....

[StryfeS13]

Sebastian gtfo!! I've had enough of your SR already lol

[alexanderig]

ls series- best choice most reliable
rb20- no
rb25- nice numbers sound holy
1j/2j is where its at imo. my friend got his 1j swap done for about 3500 bucks. and right now hes making around 300+ on stock twin turbos with simple mods. and the car feels on point and the power delivery is great. and they sound great. this would def be my choice

[Boostin240sx]

MY RB25 dynoed at 386hp in 98 degree heat and sounds :cj:

I definitely don't regret the decison of RB25 but $3500 probably isn't going to quite cut it.

[GroundPerformance]

IMO.. If you have a well built KA already and with your budget will take your KA-T to the next level unless something is wrong with it. With 3K you'll only get a stock RB25 with some mods and RB20 would be a big mistake. If you're tired of the 4cyl then skip 6 and just go V8. might cost more than what your budget but should be more satisfying than 6.

[millsaps]

get yourself a chevy truck motor. the lq4 and lq9 are great. the 6 liter one makes retarded power and uses all sorts of ls parts.

look into it.

[millsaps]

LS1, its the most reliable, and easiest to get parts for

Rb20...lame

Rb25...only if you wanna keep it nissan (Second Choice)

1/2jz...Pain in the ass

have you been in an rb20. you'd be very surprised.

[GroundPerformance]

have you been in an rb20. you'd be very surprised.

I've been several times and your right I was very surprised that anyone would actually swap one unless you picked one up for dirt cheap. while it does have some power. It has no torque, power and displacement of an stock SR with the weight of an RB. Seriously.. Its not worth it!

[StryfeS13]

How about LT1?

[Bryants95240sx]

How about LT1?



im gonna pretend you didnt even mention that pos


if your ka is already built why not just throw some more boost at it? it should not be hard to break under 12.8's with a built turbo ka. i understand you want a change but if it aint broke why fix it ?

[s13 @ fullboost]

put a m50nv and boost it do able with your budget if you do all the work your self and dont pay for labor

[theboy]

5.0 mustang shit box for $600, $250 for a drive shaft and trans, $1000 in heads/what ever else and your running 12s. All under $3500. Theres a reason the mustang is the poor mans race car.

If your drag racing and you dont give a fuck about 50/50 balance. Then find a small block 400 (chevy) for less than $600 for a good built short block. Go from there. $1500 to finish it off and then another $1000 to mount it in your s13. I guarantee mid to low 11s.

[StryfeS13]

if your ka is already built why not just throw some more boost at it? it should not be hard to break under 12.8's with a built turbo ka. i understand you want a change but if it aint broke why fix it ?

Because I'm tired of the KA and 4 cylinders in general. I want something new, that I've never had before. I've done SR's. I've done KA's. I want something new.

5.0 mustang shit box for $600, $250 for a drive shaft and trans, $1000 in heads/what ever else and your running 12s. All under $3500. Theres a reason the mustang is the poor mans race car.

If your drag racing and you dont give a fuck about 50/50 balance. Then find a small block 400 (chevy) for less than $600 for a good built short block. Go from there. $1500 to finish it off and then another $1000 to mount it in your s13. I guarantee mid to low 11s.

5.0 EFI or 302 carb?

I can get pretty much any sbc for close to nothing. My grandpa races a nostalgia eliminator and has a bunch of spare motors and parts. But I do care about the weight balance to a point. With that motor I think I'd lost a lot of the handling a 240SX has.

[StryfeS13]

What about an LM7? They make close to 300HP stock, and 350TQ. And they seem to be in my price range, ranging anywhere from 800-1200 for a motor.

Only downfall is that it's 518 lbs wet.
A KA is like 317 or something.

[PoorMans180SX]

1. VQ30's can be had complete swap from a junkyard for $600.
2. Make mounts, throwout bearings spacer, flip intake manifold.
3. 350Z exhaust manifolds, oil pan, and starter.
4. 350Z trans for $600ish.
5. Get driveshaft made.
6. Add a turbocharger.
7. Tune.

Reliable 400whp with way more torque than your KA ever thought of making.

Or just put a VH45 in and call it a day.

[jdm213]

how bout a 7mgte??

[StryfeS13]

how bout a 7mgte??

Nah no way. I heavily dislike that motor.

I've decided to just save up more money, put my car in project mode for a little longer than I had expected to, and go LSX. I need the power AND reliability. Should be fun.

Thanks