Ka24e-t

[Snuffy]

Looking to see how many of you have done a single cam build and need as much info on good reliable builds that make decent power itd be greatly appreciated and if you have parts even better shoot me prices!

Thanks!

[RedRedWine]

If you have'nt checked out ka-t.org yet that would be a great starting point for the information you are seeking. There are a variety of builds with different goals in mind for you to research on there. Enjoy :2f2f:

[Snuffy]

Ive checked on there but trying to get answers from more than one source but thanks for the quick reply ill read up a little more on that site!

[e1_griego]

I did one. Wouldn't recommend it.

Buy an SR and enjoy fewer headaches.

[Snuffy]

dont like SR to common want to be a bit different. I've seen a few people that have done them on a budget and they take such a beating. Just weighing my options for things besides a SR. Honestly my dream build would be a built CA or 1J just too expensive at this point and i already have 2 single cams with good compression so figured why not.

[KendallH]

Geez man you can't even figure out how to search Zilvia let alone use Google, how do you expect to be able to put an engine build together?

[Snuffy]

the post was more leaning towards finding parts didnt find many in the for sale threads. And i have used google and searched zilvia figured asking would get some more info.

[signals13]

Don't listen to these dang negative Zilvian's, the decision you make for your vehicle is yours alone. Peeps on ka-t.org are a lot more friendly. I have a DOHC KA w/built bottom end. Just make sure you spend the money on the most important parts, i.e. tune, turbo, manifold, and motor internals good luck.

[ixfxi]

dont like SR to common want to be a bit different.

^ This is why you have no idea what the fuck you are talking about...

There are multiple reasons as to why the SR is a choice motor. Work on a KA, then work on an SR - you'll quickly understand. Even moreso when comparing the SOHC to the DOHC KA, SOHC KA is a fucking turd.

SR. It came stock. Keep it fucking simple, moron.

[Matej]

What car is this going in? Hopefully not a 240SX. Everybody has those.

What fuel economy does a KA24E-T get? Twelve miles per gallon?

[Dboyizmlg]

I did one. Wouldn't recommend it.

Buy an SR and enjoy fewer headaches.

A few harsh comments on here, lol. (^ not you)

Like what you said, fewer headaches is always best!

[RedRedWine]

the post was more leaning towards finding parts didnt find many in the for sale threads. And i have used google and searched zilvia figured asking would get some more info.

As you have found out already there is'nt much aftermarket support for the sohc. Thats why everyone is suggesting an easier route. I had a sohc ka-t as well and to do a quality build would place you in the same budget range as swapping in a sr20 with less headaches.

You have to be patient but parts do come up for the sohc ka-t.

[mewantkouki]

If you want a sohc ka-t car build one. Plain and simple. Not my first choice of a motor but it's not my car either.

550cc rx7 injectors
Track down a gladman manifold or make one yourself.
t3 t04e 50 trim
rom tuned ecu
z32 maf
stock rebuild
felpro engine gasket set
arp hardware
S14 sr intercooler kit should be pretty damn close to fitting too
Parts for those engines are scarce, ka-t.org is really your best bet.

Should easily net you 300whp
Reliability wise, if it's tuned correctly and you don't cheap out on things I see it lasting for a while. For any sort of motorsport or racing you are at a significant disadvantage due to the harmonics of the engine and it's tendency to experience oil starvation at high RPM / sustained lateral G force. It also is not very rev happy and the stock valve train isn't the best if you plan on cough* drifting it like 90% of the people on this site.

[bmaddock]

Being different isn't always a good thing. Successful KA-T builds (single or dual cam) are largely dependent on the effort, knowledge and budget put into it. This can be true for many other setups, but KA's are especially susceptible to failure because people seem to think running 10psi with a SAFC on a 150,000 mile engine is going to last long.

Best of luck, if you are seriously considering it and willing to learn and be patient with the build send me a PM and I can give you some more advice. If you aren't willing to put some time in to research and understand what you're doing then stock SR is a much better option.

[e1_griego]

I don't regret doing one since it was my first foray into turbo cars and I learned a ton, but I spend 2x what a stock SR would have cost me and the power that it made wasn't worth the hours and dollars invested.

It's a 240, everything has already been done. If you want original, this is not the right car to build. Also, true originality costs a lot more since there are no kits or anything else.

And there is a reason that not many people bother with sohc-t...

[bmaddock]

I don't regret doing one since it was my first foray into turbo cars and I learned a ton, but I spend 2x what a stock SR would have cost me and the power that it made wasn't worth the hours and dollars invested.

+1, I've had my fair share of trouble with my dual cam KA-T and at times think I should have gone SR. What I really like about the KA-T community though is everyone is very DIY and it almost feels as if you're in uncharted territory when it comes to modifying it (even though you aren't).

Even SR guys will run into similar issues when reaching for greater than stock power but they appear to have it a bit easier as parts and information are more readily available. Just keep this in mind, hopefully we haven't scared you too much from this setup haha.

[Apex Eight]

Smh at some these replies lol.
My two cents for a very mild entry level build:

Have a healthy, well-maintained KAE to begin with. Compression test your motor. Look into cleaning your lifters, freshening up the valvetrain (valve stem seals and shit) Water pumps and oil pumps are really cheap for these motors, so now would be a good idea to replace them. I believe the L28 turbo oil pump from the 280ZX is higher volume and bolts right in. Also get a timing kit if you haven't already changed yours and make sure everything is perfectly in time. You also need to consider some of the electronics of your old as fuck motor. On my KAE, a lot of the connectors on the wiring harness are old and corroded. Wiring specialties can help you with that shit though. Make sure your TPS is set correctly. An aluminum dual core radiator would be a good idea. You can retain your clutch fan. If it seems weak replace that shit. They're cheap and really move air. Deleting emissions will simplify things. I did it on my single can and it wasn't too bad. Bay is a lot less cluttered and everything is simplified. It also gave me the opportunity to change out all old rubber lines that are prone to cracking and fucking shit up. As you can see, you need to pay attention to these little unsexy things like replacing rubber hoses to have a reliable motor. This is the shit people don't do that cause their shit to fail and then they go on forums and call KAs turds. Rockauto.com will have all of the maintenance parts you'll need. For the actual turbo setup, you can find a good used T25 or T28 for cheap. You can get a manifold fabbed by a local shop or you can buy one on the internet. Get a FMIC and piping with BOV. O2 housing, downpipe and exhaust. Upgrade the top feed injectors and fuel pump. Z32 MAF. Colder NGK plugs. Replace your spark plug wires and distributor cap and rotor if you haven't already. Upgraded clutch. Send out your ECU to RSEnthalpy and boom. You have a reliable 240ish to the wheels with a good amount of torque for cheap. Keep it on the stock T25/8 internally wastegated boost and you'll be safely pulling on stock SRs that have been halfassed. The downfall of the KA is that it doesn't rev out like the SR, which is also a great motor, I'm not shit talking it all, they're really great. They rev out which gives you more time in full boost making them great if your road race and shit or just in general. Once again, great motors. Don't be discouraged by people saying to skip in the KA. They have potential and I think there biggest pro is that they can be boosted for cheap with solid power IF you are building on a solid foundation. I cannot stress this enough, do not turbo your KA if it is not in good condition. I wouldn't do a aggressive turbo build on stock internals. That's how you blow your shit up and become a salty bitch. With all that said, I'm not speaking from experience, just my own research and opinions. Good luck!

Also, if you want to do a full build (forged internals, externally wastegated, standalone , etc.) that shit gets expensive quick, but you can boost the fuck out of the KA iron block that way and make a lot of power. Just make sure that you have a good machinist and tuner.

[zeebrah]

Ka24ets are rad as fuck. People who generally hate are close minded cunts or just read online and spew the same bullshit everyone says. Its a cheap motor...cheap parts...easy to work on...makes heaps of torque. Biggest issue I ran into reliability wise was overheating. Ran GREAT as daily but at Track it does get hot quick. Solved with good radiator sworl pot and fan set up. Plus the never ending satisfaction of throwing it down and people losing their shit when its a single cam

[ehhhregartless]

^That's some helpful info. I have an sr built ama my buddy bought a kade-t that's already been built. He's spent 3 times more than me getting to a solid 400whp. When you look for easy answers and it's not what you want to hear, at least consider the info. I wish the best, kid from Florida

[Snuffy]

Thanks to the people that actually put in helpful info and didnt tell me to go sr. Reason being that i was choosing to go KAE was because the motors are dime a dozen and they are underestimated.

[e1_griego]

A cheap sohc is gonna be one that doesn't hold up super well in the long term. And building a sohc gets expensive quick. I have spent all those dollars in the past, I'm not just sitting here talking shit.

If you're going to go ham on it, do headwork and a cam so it can at least breath.

[ixfxi]

Reason being that i was choosing to go KAE was because the motors are dime a dozen and they are underestimated.

Yeah. Underestimated.



Thats what I tell the ladies about my penis. Dont "underestimate" it.

Measure it from the balls, honey.

[Snuffy]

what i was planning is doing a cheap(er) build maybe just to see how i like it and if i dont then most of the parts can be swapped to a dual cam or i can resell. I love my SOHC never given me any major issues and itd be thrown on stock block with 160 comp across the board. WOuld be buying another SOHC to build in the mean time for a much better build. All the help is much appreciated guys!

[KendallH]

what i was planning is doing a cheap(er) build maybe just to see how i like it and if i dont then most of the parts can be swapped to a dual cam or i can resell. I love my SOHC never given me any major issues and itd be thrown on stock block with 160 comp across the board. WOuld be buying another SOHC to build in the mean time for a much better build. All the help is much appreciated guys!

Nothing will swap over. Manifold, injectors, ECU, intercooler piping, all different. Also, slapping a turbo on a 20+year old engine is kind of like slapping a turbo on a 20+ year old engine. A recipe for a bad time.