KA-T Build This Summer

[badass8]

My background: I am 20 years old going to college and working I don't know much about cars at all, but really wanting to learn even though I don't really have any friends that are into cars. So if your local and need a hand with something I'd love to learn.

I plan on purchasing just the KA24DE block to take it all apart and put everything back on basically learning everything I can by "rebuilding it" I hope to buy a block for about $200-$400 not really worried about miles.I plan to not purchase a 240sx shell until I learn almost everything I can about rebuilding the block.
My budget would have to be $4000 on the block and $2000 for the shell and transmission.

I would also like it to become a drift car.
Mods I'd plan hope to have to



Ka24det Build

Eagle Rods, Wiseco Pistons Combo: $779.99- http://realstreetperformance.com/store/wiseco-pistons-eagle-h-beam-rods-combo-nissan-ka24de-2-4l-29.html

Z32 MAF: $129.99- http://www.forcedfabllc.com/isis-oe-replacement-z32-mass-air-flow-sensor-22680-30p00/

Walbro 255 Fuel Pump: $99.00- http://treperformance.com/i-133066-nissan-240sx-walbro-255-lph-fuel-pump-1989-1998.html

550cc STI Injectors

Ethalpy Tune


Turbo Kit:
Precision 5252E Turbo: $589.99- http://www.enjukuracing.com/products/Precision-5252E-Turbocharger.html

ISIS RS3871 Turbo: $499.00- http://www.enjukuracing.com/products/*ISIS-RS3871-Turbo-%252d-Nissan-SR20DET.html

T3/T4 Turbo: $679.15- http://www.summitracing.com/parts/tnt-11035/overview/

S13 Sr20 FMIC kit w/ BOV: $263.00- http://www.cxracing.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CXR&Product_Code=KIT015-IC0022-TF-BOV009

W/out BOV: $198.00- http://www.ebay.com/itm/CXRacing-89-94-FMIC-INTERCOOLER-KIT-S13-SR20DET-240SX-/140557706537?hash=item20b9e46529&item=140557706537&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr

Megan Top Mount Manifold t3/t4: $180- http://www.frsport.com/Megan-Racing-SSH-KA24TOP-TOP-Top-Mount-Turbo-Manifold---240SX-KA24DE_p_7731.html

(If i go external) Tial 38mm External Wastegate: $250- http://www.frsport.com/Tial-38mm-External-Wastegate-Silver_p_1252.html

Rebuild Necessities

KA24DE Chain Kit: $194.95- http://www.frsport.com/OSK-13028-53F02-KA24DE-DOHC-Timing-Chain-Kit-1991-1998-Nissan-240SX_p_3225.html

Clevite Rod & Main Bearings: $109.99- http://www.enjukuracing.com/products/Clevite-Rod-%26-Main-Bearings-%252d-Nissan-240sx-KA24.html

Felpro Head Gasket Kit: $124.95- http://www.enjukuracing.com/products/Clevite-Rod-%26-Main-Bearings-%252d-Nissan-240sx-KA24.html

ARP Main Bolt: $119.99- http://realstreetperformance.com/store/arp-main-studs-nissan-240sx-ka24-ka24de-2-4l-28.html

ARP Headstuds: $149.99- http://realstreetperformance.com/store/arp-headstuds-nissan-ka24de-2-4l-27.html


Supertech Valves: $269.99- http://realstreetperformance.com/store/supertech-ss-valves-black-nitrided-nissan-ka24-ka24de-841.html

Machine Shop: Bore, deck, still trying to look into what else ill need from the machine shop.



I have searched and read sticky's on ka-t.org but I just wanted another opinion!
Again suggestions are highly recommended please

[Memberofthe600hpkaclub]

Won't even go near 4k with that build sheet...but yourheading the right direction looks good to me

[badass8]

That's always good to hear, spending less $$ then I thought. Still lots to learn especially when problems occur.

[Kevin920415]

even though I don't have much knowledge I'm down to help if you are local

[badass8]

Oh yeah your in Garden Grove I am in Cypress shouldn't be too far. It probably wont be until June I'll get started on it though.

[nismoninjagtr]

S13 or s14?

[badass8]

S13 or s14?

Would love s14 with kouki but probably s13 fastback

[EDacIouSX]

if I were you.... I would get a block and just do a basic rebuild on it. tear it down, clean everything and put it back together. It's scary to assemble your first motor with expensive parts when you don't know what you are doing. Nothing beats experience and you are better off experiencing it with stock internals. Overall less risk in the wallet department.

[badass8]

if I were you.... I would get a block and just do a basic rebuild on it. tear it down, clean everything and put it back together. It's scary to assemble your first motor with expensive parts when you don't know what you are doing. Nothing beats experience and you are better off experiencing it with stock internals. Overall less risk in the wallet department.

Exactly what I planned on doing. However there is no point on purchasing a rebuild kit for the stock engine since I'll just be cleaning things up correct?

Also another question. Should I take the block to be machined at a shop before I put all the forged internals and what not in?

[ultramagnus]

Exactly what I planned on doing. However there is no point on purchasing a rebuild kit for the stock engine since I'll just be cleaning things up correct?

Also another question. Should I take the block to be machined at a shop before I put all the forged internals and what not in?

It's always a good idea to have the head checked and the block cleaned out and decked, since your in Cypress your close enough to Fullerton there is a head shop there that does a ton of KA's since our your going turbo they might even recommend you to get advice from a local bulder in the area. A rebuild kit w/good gaskets is a necessity. especially the cyl head.

[EDacIouSX]

yea pretty much just the gaskets is what you will need.

[Butcher240sx]

Machine work is a must for me. No sense rebuilding the engine and not being sure everything fits right. Rebuild the oil pump, new timing and gaskets. Rings, bearings. Valve seals, seats and valves recut. Head clearances checked. If you have the money for forged rods and pistons do it. Take your time and have someone who had done it before help on assembly.

[StryfeS13]

I'm going to have to agree with Butcher240sx. I only paid $200 to have my motor resurfaced, bored, and they also gave me the sizes of main/rod bearings I would need. No guesswork was needed.

For the oil pump you can buy the gears from nissan for $53.00 and do that much cheaper than paying $250 for a new front cover or however much it is. New timing components are a must in my opinion, especially on a KA where it's such a bitch to do lower timing while it's in the car if something fails.

Also change your valve seals, freeze plugs, lap your valves, check your clearances, etc.

Something else to note is when you send in your cylinder head to get resurfaced, leave the front timing cover bolted to it as that needs to be resurfaced too. And make sure to double and triple check your work, make sure you have the right ring gap set (should be in piston instructions), make sure you dont put your rod caps on backwards, etc. Also you might want to consider using ARP main studs too. They are only $120 or something.

And BTW I have an S13 running KA if you want a motor to build and you're near Fresno any time soon.

[Butcher240sx]

Absolutely use new hardware. The prime failure on most engines is rod bolt breakage and cap failure. The S13 block is better, having more nickle content. And you get the better cams.

[badass8]

It's always a good idea to have the head checked and the block cleaned out and decked, since your in Cypress your close enough to Fullerton there is a head shop there that does a ton of KA's since our your going turbo they might even recommend you to get advice from a local bulder in the area. A rebuild kit w/good gaskets is a necessity. especially the cyl head.

yea pretty much just the gaskets is what you will need.

Machine work is a must for me. No sense rebuilding the engine and not being sure everything fits right. Rebuild the oil pump, new timing and gaskets. Rings, bearings. Valve seals, seats and valves recut. Head clearances checked. If you have the money for forged rods and pistons do it. Take your time and have someone who had done it before help on assembly.


Absolutely use new hardware. The prime failure on most engines is rod bolt breakage and cap failure. The S13 block is better, having more nickle content. And you get the better cams.

Awesome thank you guys very much. However, I don't want to get away from the subject that the KA24DE will be Turbo'd eventually. I would take apart the STOCK KA24DE to learn about all the components basically long story short how to take apart the block and rebuild it and cleaning everything, WITHOUT turboing UNTIL I know how to take everything apart and put it back together.This being said would I purchase a STOCK rebuild kit for the KA24DE or purchase aftermarket parts? For example I would of course buy a turbo kit which includes a turbo manifold as well as a the manifold's gasket. I do apologize for my Noobiness just trying to learn.

[badass8]

I'm going to have to agree with Butcher240sx. I only paid $200 to have my motor resurfaced, bored, and they also gave me the sizes of main/rod bearings I would need. No guesswork was needed.

For the oil pump you can buy the gears from nissan for $53.00 and do that much cheaper than paying $250 for a new front cover or however much it is. New timing components are a must in my opinion, especially on a KA where it's such a bitch to do lower timing while it's in the car if something fails.

Also change your valve seals, freeze plugs, lap your valves, check your clearances, etc.

Something else to note is when you send in your cylinder head to get resurfaced, leave the front timing cover bolted to it as that needs to be resurfaced too. And make sure to double and triple check your work, make sure you have the right ring gap set (should be in piston instructions), make sure you dont put your rod caps on backwards, etc. Also you might want to consider using ARP main studs too. They are only $120 or something.

And BTW I have an S13 running KA if you want a motor to build and you're near Fresno any time soon.

Thank you so much for the offer I'd love to get the opportunity to do that, but I am in Orange County which is pretty damn far. Also for the machine work, Do I need a specific bore size etc..for the KA-T or is it all stock sizes?

[StryfeS13]

Thank you so much for the offer I'd love to get the opportunity to do that, but I am in Orange County which is pretty damn far. Also for the machine work, Do I need a specific bore size etc..for the KA-T or is it all stock sizes?

Bore size depends on the size of pistons that you buy. If you buy 89.5MM pistons I believe that that is a .020" overbore over stock. I think that 89MM is stock KA24DE bore. Might as well get the oversize if you're gonna send off your block to get machined. It's really easy, you just give your pistons and block to the machine shop and they do everything for you.

There's a set of Arias BNIB pistons in the for sale section right now for like $400. That's super cheap considering Supertech's are going for like $500 and they're the cheapest forged pistons for a KA.

http://zilvia.net/f/sale-items/491207-new-ams-ka-240-300zx-parts-cheap.html

[badass8]

Bore size depends on the size of pistons that you buy. If you buy 89.5MM pistons I believe that that is a .020" overbore over stock. I think that 89MM is stock KA24DE bore. Might as well get the oversize if you're gonna send off your block to get machined. It's really easy, you just give your pistons and block to the machine shop and they do everything for you.

There's a set of Arias BNIB pistons in the for sale section right now for like $400. That's super cheap considering Supertech's are going for like $500 and they're the cheapest forged pistons for a KA.

http://zilvia.net/f/sale-items/491207-new-ams-ka-240-300zx-parts-cheap.html

Okay makes sense. Wow that is very cheap considering I was gonna purchase the CP Pistons which are $621.80 on frsport.com

Only if the holidays weren't here I'd buy them already spent a lot on others. Once again thank you for your help learning a lot.

[badass8]

Kind of reviving the thread, but I updated it with links and prices. If I was to buy brand new hardware

[ReEducation]

*ISIS Turbo Upgrade Package - Nissan KA24DE 91-98 - Enjuku Racing Parts, LLC (http://www.enjukuracing.com/products/*ISIS-Turbo-Upgrade-Package-%252d-Nissan-KA24DE-91%252d98.html)
Depending on your power goal, I don't think I've seen any bad reviews on Isis. Check out this thread. It will give you somewhat of an idea of what it could do
www.ka-t.org :: View topic - ISIS RS3871 @ 12psi (http://www.ka-t.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=57158&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=isis&start=0)

[badass8]

*ISIS Turbo Upgrade Package - Nissan KA24DE 91-98 - Enjuku Racing Parts, LLC (http://www.enjukuracing.com/products/*ISIS-Turbo-Upgrade-Package-%252d-Nissan-KA24DE-91%252d98.html)
Depending on your power goal, I don't think I've seen any bad reviews on Isis. Check out this thread. It will give you somewhat of an idea of what it could do
www.ka-t.org :: View topic - ISIS RS3871 @ 12psi (http://www.ka-t.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=57158&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=isis&start=0)

Yeah just seems cheaper to piece things together rather then buy a turbo kit.

I go on there quiet a bit, thank you.

[chino38]

Nice set up

[Bentleyness]

nice just to hone/cut/hot tank block, clean/cut/hot tanked/3 angle valve job/valve lash set with part provided on head, polished crank cost be under 1300 for all the needed block and head work.

I rebuilt my first motor with oem rings and piston/ timming kit, king bearings. arp head studs, felpro gasket kit. dual s13 ex cams cx racing ic kit, ebay topmount looks just like the megan one,RS-E tune with ebay t3/t4 @8psi and its fun. i would invest in clutch too lol i thought oem one @8psi would be ok but it isnt so I have to be pushing more then 250ft lb.

i ran out of funds thus the used ebay and oem internals and new stock clutch.

this summer ill be running a gt35r. rocketbunny clutch set up. im 6k miles in and still running.

[cincity240]

Not sure if it's still relevant but Zerolift does a piston/rod deal for 799 or maybe less and you can pick between a couple different manufacturers

[badass8]

nice just to hone/cut/hot tank block, clean/cut/hot tanked/3 angle valve job/valve lash set with part provided on head, polished crank cost be under 1300 for all the needed block and head work.

I rebuilt my first motor with oem rings and piston/ timming kit, king bearings. arp head studs, felpro gasket kit. dual s13 ex cams cx racing ic kit, ebay topmount looks just like the megan one,RS-E tune with ebay t3/t4 @8psi and its fun. i would invest in clutch too lol i thought oem one @8psi would be ok but it isnt so I have to be pushing more then 250ft lb.

i ran out of funds thus the used ebay and oem internals and new stock clutch.

this summer ill be running a gt35r. rocketbunny clutch set up. im 6k miles in and still running.

Really that much work for the head and block? Figured $300-$400 depending where I would go. Figured 3 angle job, over bore, decked, and hot tanked

Not sure if it's still relevant but Zerolift does a piston/rod deal for 799 or maybe less and you can pick between a couple different manufacturers

Thanks for the heads up ill look into them

[badass8]

Nice set up

Thank you ill post pictures when I buy the 240sx. Looking for one now

[Bentleyness]

well there was a fee to have the valves cut and installed with new seal spring and stuff as i didnt have the tools to install. i had a head rebuilt on a 99 teggy and that cam up to 900 bucks so the extra 400 for block work makes sence

[GroundPerformance]

Ditch that turbo manifold and find something better. Depending on your power goal. Bottom Mount setup will be less of an hassle. If you still want to go top mount LMK I got something you can use which is better than those.

[badass8]

well there was a fee to have the valves cut and installed with new seal spring and stuff as i didnt have the tools to install. i had a head rebuilt on a 99 teggy and that cam up to 900 bucks so the extra 400 for block work makes sence

Ill have to get some quotes from different shops then, thanks

Ditch that turbo manifold and find something better. Depending on your power goal. Bottom Mount setup will be less of an hassle. If you still want to go top mount LMK I got something you can use which is better than those.
Okay figured the manifold wasn't much of a huge concern since ill probably not go any higher then 350whp. Yeah heard its best to purchase the down pipe and manifold from the same company. I just always loved the look of a top mount with the turbo right on top.