Open Discussion of SR20DET or the KA's

[MyFirst240SX]

My poor lil KA24E is going on 150k so im going to drive it till the engine dies. &nbsp;After that im not sure what i want to do. &nbsp;I could do a SR20DET swap, rebuild and turbo my KA24E, or swap out for newer KA24DE. &nbsp;Can i rebuild my KA24E into a DOHC?<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> And if i get a SR20DET would it be true if i had to get any part for my engine it would have to be imported and cost alot?

[MyFirst240SX]

No ideas?

[Takumi]

Just run a search and you'll find all sorts of crap that'll answer your question. &nbsp;People do have ideas, but just about everyone's been too tired to answer them. &nbsp;No offense, it's just that we get the same questions concerning high mileage KA's, KA turbos, and SR20DET's every single week, it gets repetitive.


.....I think we need a FAQ for the board.

[duderiffic]

No kidding!! I'm new and don't ask half the question I have for fear of being flamed!! &nbsp;I'm not gonna deny it... I dunno shit!! Takumi... people respect you... bring us losers a FAQ!!

Jeff

[Ni5mo180SX]

Yea read that 3 or 4 page long debate on KA v. SR on page 4 or 5

[Fahaka]

KA is oversquare (longer &nbsp;stroke than bore is wide) it produces beter power at a low RPM. SR is undersquare (wider bore than stroke is long) it likes to spin. They both have about the same potential. Just a matter of how much money you want to spend.

One thing to keep in mind, if you loose an oil pump on a rear drive SR you'll have to order it from Heavy Throttle or the like. KA oil pumps are EVERYWHERE!

[MK]

One thing to consider as I was just reading through the post on what type of fuel people use- 98RON minimum if your running a SR20DET. They arent supposed to run on cheaper stuff like 91-95RON fuel, so if thats a problem for you trying to get it or afford it then dont do the swapout.
Where I live over here 98 is easy enough to get in the metro areas but once you get out in the sticks it can get a bit harder to track down and given the amount of fuel it'll go through it can get expensive.
My PS13 silvia on the highway will use 1litre every 10-11km and if Im thumping it hard around town or on the track it will quite happily use 1litre every 5-6km. Thats running on 7-8PSI boost, otherwise its DETONATION!!!
And you really dont wanna rebuild one, its #### expensive, one other thing while Im here, the oil must be changed every 5000km and use a premium synthetic, Im using Pennzoil Turbo at the moment.

Once the turbo kicks in at 3-3500rpm though, you have a massive amount of torque and powerband up to 6000rpm that will leave most standard N/A engines for dead, up to mildly worked V6's and you'll keep most stock V8's less than 350cui pretty honest in a straight up drag to the first 300m, then you'll have to work for it <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

ED:
Oh, one other thing, a cheaper and a little less potent is a CA18DET engine which is a little older and less powerful motor. But, they are quite a flexible engine and later if your really keen, stroke the bitch out to 2L and start the upgrades as they are pretty bulletproof little bastards.

(Edited by MK at 1:10 am on Jan. 22, 2002)

[MyFirst240SX]

Hey sorry to be asking that same old debate again, but when i looked back people talked about power more than drivablilty. Can u rebuild a KA24E into a KA24DE?

[240 2NR]

Sounds to me like your SOHC KA is on its way out. &nbsp;A rebuild is not out of the question, but since the motor will be pulled anyway for the rebuild and it will cost quite a bit, I would guess you will be better off getting a low milage DOHC KA dropped in. &nbsp;Especially if money is an issue. &nbsp;Then later on if you really want to go turbo, go KA-T.

If money isn't so much an option, get an SR swapped in. &nbsp;Much cheaper and won't require a rebuild as early in the power stages as a KA. &nbsp;Keep in mind if you know what your goals are, the details should sort themselves out for which way to go. &nbsp;

I think most people look at dyno queen numbers to determine their motor choice. &nbsp;&quot;An has pulled 600 rwhp so its better&quot;. &nbsp;But its also NOT stock and probably never daily driven. &nbsp; Set realistic goals for performance, drivability, and price. &nbsp;The answers will come from a good search through past posts. &nbsp;Also consider when upgrading power to turbo levels, clutch, suspension, fuel management, etc, may be required and add more money to the end cost.

An SR is a sweet ride (my friend's is making an estimated 210rwhp and its fast), but so is a KA-T, or even just the under valued DOHC KA which is a big step forward from the SOHC IMO. &nbsp;A little tuning and its not such a slouch and more tolerable than any 180hp, torqueless honda motor (If only my car could lose 200 pounds).

Set your own goals and start looking. &nbsp;Ask our opinions, but don't ask us to decide for you. &nbsp;Its your money, your car, and you have to live with it.

[misnomer]

I have heard from several sources that to go from SOHC to DOHC, you really need to change the entire engine. A head swap won't cut it. Though, you can pick up KA engines from folks doing SR swaps pretty cheap, prolly $500 give or take. . .

i say just rebuild it, the ka is the way togo and is just stronger than that sr20 thingy, com'on its a truck motor, it is made to take alot of abuse. hehe...!!