Is a KA24E completely useless?

[Derp]

So im looking at an 89 S13 Coupe, and it has a KA24E, and it really just seems to me like its terribly slow and not cool. But it cant be any worse than driving an Integra... without VTEC. I would love to eventually swap it with something with boost, unless i should just boost it? So is it worth it? Or should I just look for a different car? Because this is easily the cleanest 240 coupe, or 240 in general around my area.

[fliprayzin240sx]

Your car, your money, your decision. You're 16 yrs old, stay with something slow and reliable.

[brndck]

So im terribly slow and not cool. it cant be any worse. I would love a different car?
fixed that for you.... :hide:

[blessedhellrider]

just drive it . coil overs and wheels !

[BoostSlideWayz]

I own a ka24e-t and i love it, and the people that i see all the time throwing out these engines or just giving them away i feel bad for them.. It may not be liked much by many s chassis owners but its been a great motor for me.

How ever i will say it is a slugish motor stock, i remember when i first got my s13 coupe it had the same motor you have now. At first i was like every other s chassis owner just wanting to go SR or RB but eventually i started to have faith in that engine and imagine what it would be like boosted.

Another advantage in my opinion is everything on the SOHC is so easily accessed and easy to work on it doesnt take much effort to change or modify things on this engine.

Generally the engine is a very bottom end based engine so it doesnt have much top speed but i will say dont lose hope in the ka. It has more potential than what most think.

When i built my ka it was a very fun and easy build, mechanically the engine is sound. My only problem right now is engine management so i dont drive it often.

Under boost the engine is literally a completely different feeling engine, the funny thing is the SOHC engines stock compression ratio is 8.5:1 which is the ideal ratio for boost. Which is mainly why the engine is so weak when not boosted... Typically on an na engine you want more compression. But on boost this engine seems to almost be ment for it, it handles the boost so well that it seems like it should have been sent off the assembly line with a turbo.

After i finished the build and took my car for a drive it was like the engine came alive and theres really not much lag at all.. it spools the turbo easily and the torque is amazing in my opinion... once it spools the car seriously feels nuts.

I own an MKIV na supra and that thing is pretty torque yet the s13's ka takes off on the supra like its standing still. ofcourse not top speed wise.

All in all its your car, how ever atleast take it into consideration. That little ka has alot more potential than you think.

Ventura Racing KA24E - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8nHYhY6vmU)

[zooopreme]

Take the engine out, rebuild with new parts, boost the KA24E, gut the car, go kart feel. Fun.

[InsTanCeZ]

Who needs an engine? As long as you have cool wheels that's all that matters.

[BoostSlideWayz]

I too gutted my interior and swapped all my front end with fiberglass and shaved about 100 lbs off the car from removing all metal fenders and hood and steel lights along with all climate controls and fan. the car feels very torque and quick.

Mines not the cleanest kat out there but this is my project.

http://i590.photobucket.com/albums/ss342/CustomGundam/Picture015.jpg

I absolutely love this engine, its not only fun but if anything its one of the most boost friendly na engines ive ever worked on.

Another thing i know most people will dog on me for is the fact that i have a cxracing kit for my car.

Im not sure why, but every negative thing ive heard about this kit for the ka24e is false in my position.. Ive not had any cracks in the manifold, the waste gate works perfectly fine, the fitment was just as good as the stock manifold. Im not sure if its just over time they havent spent as much time on the kits as they did a couple years ago but for me its turned out fine.

Cx racing in my opinion makes decent products, i do support their radiators and intercoolers 100% of the way.. I have one in my supra and this project and they function well. Ill even go as far to say that its just as good quality as any mishimoto or koyo etc.. the welds are nice and the construction/fitment is perfect.

Never godspeed though ive seen so many products from them with welds that look like they were done with a blind man.

One thing i will say if you do go this same route, spend time on it and get the proper engine management.

[di-devol]

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/1936/sdc10884.jpg
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/9977/sdc10885e.jpg
went the same route. Built the bottom end with AMS parts, cam, aem ems, the works.

All said and done, spent a LOT of money, only made 305hp. Ain't with the money:hp ratio.

CXracing kit we ran at first, wastegate broke off the manfold when it cracked and caught the spark plug wires on fire.

If you want to ka-t, go ahead. Sr is easier and more power for the money. ka24e-t, anyway. Ka24de-t is different.

[7RIFT0]

If the price is right and its as clean as you say then just pick it up and swap it down the road. Drive the piss out of the single cam and work on your aesthetics.

[JIMB0]

if you really want a 240, then pick it up. at your age, you will learn a lot through trial and error so be ready for that.

[stealthj]

I was your age when I bought my first one. If its clean, go for it. I went through 20 S chassis cars and I still haven't found my super clean one that I want...

... I guess I'l just have to import a 180sx or s15 or something :D