KA piece of @&*#!

[sowerline]

Well ... today i blew up my motor. I heard a rattling noice like some one threw a rock in my valve train, at first i thought i broke a valve, but the car didn't hesitate or anything it still felt the same. so anyway i wasn't far from home so i took it easy. But i didn't make it. the motor stopped the car locked up and a big puff of smoke followed by shrapnel was all over the road. However there was no oil puddle but i could smell it burning. and my oil dip stick was stuck, it took some yanking to get it out, and now it won't go back in. What the hell could have happened?[IMG]http://www.streetracing.org/events/battleswing/012602/gallery.php?path=page3&img=dsc05391.jpg

[sykikchimp]

sounds kinda like what I did to my 90 model.  One of the pistons got oil starved and locked in the Cylinder and it threw a rod.  When we took the engine out, and took the oil pan off we found peices of the rod laying in the oil.  VERY small shrapnel type peices.  Kinda crazy.  
You probably threw a rod.  If the engine won't even turn over, then thats probably what happened.  You are screwed.  Time to get you an SR!  (or rebuild, or buy a used KA)

What year is it?

[prInce]

KA doesn't suck!  now that your engine is toast, get the KA24E (not DE) and purchase a T3/T4 Hybrid turbo kit.  It's cheaper than an SR swap and you can get upto 450HP depending on the tweaks...

just a suggestion <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[NoTuchn]

we all know sr's are wonderful! id love to see you get one! id love to have one! ... on the other hand, if you cant afford it just remeber how good your ka was to you. another one of those couldnt be too bad, could it?!

[prInce]

don't get me wrong, i love the SR engine and would love to have it too. &nbsp;just think about the several months wait you'd have to go through if something breaks down. &nbsp;not to mention the $$$$ for the new parts... &nbsp;that's the only reason i'm scared to do the swap &nbsp; <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>

[sowerline]

It's cheaper to do the swap than it is to put a sohc KA24 in there and then buy a t3/t4. The car is a '91 it'll be back on the road soon. I just bought a front clip for around $2000 <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

[sykikchimp]

Sweet.. &nbsp;Keep us posted with updates on the status. &nbsp;Get pics of the clip when you get it too. &nbsp;are you getting body panels?

[240racer]

It also sounds like you may have been running a little low on oil. &nbsp;I blew up my first car that way too. &nbsp;Just make sure you don't do that on the SR20 or you'll really be pissed.
Also, in your case, the SR20 is a good choice, good luck and have fun with the new engine.

? for prInce, why would you recomend the 12 valve over the 16 valve. &nbsp;The 12v has a single camshaft with rockers and only 3 valves per cylinder. &nbsp;The 16v has a much newer design with two cams and buckets instead of rocker arms so there is less recripricating inertia. &nbsp;Also the 16v make 15hp more stock, you know that HOnda guys spend like $1000 to get 15hp on their already crazy tuned NA engines. &nbsp;Also, there are many more turbo kits available for the 16v so the chances on getting one that is more competitive (better) is much greater.

[prInce]

<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/eh.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':eh:'> the torque on the 12v and the 16v is the same. I've heard from ppl that SOHC is a lot easier to work with, than a DOHC. I don't know, I guess it's everyone's personal choice.

[hurleyboi514]

some people choose to buy toyota tercels too, whats your point? &nbsp;some designs are better than others.

[prInce]

u talkin to me? <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>
tercel?... i say buy an echo and throw a turbo in it <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/crazy.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':crazy:'>
anyways, all i meant was IMO SOHC is better canditate for a turbo... but that's just my "opinion" <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

[hurleyboi514]

yeah i know its your opinion and all, but why did u decide on that? &nbsp;can u even get an SOHC turbo manifold at all? &nbsp;i thought u couldn't but maybe you can. &nbsp;what exacltly do you find superior about it? &nbsp;i know u said its easier to work on, but why would that matter, would u konw how to dissable and ressemble either valvetrain? &nbsp;i mean, i dont mean to sound like an ass, but you may want to rethink your turbo plans yo... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>

[prInce]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (hurleyboi514 @ April 17 2002,7:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">you may want to rethink your turbo plans yo... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
yeah, that's what i'm doin. &nbsp;I haven't yet installed a turbo on my car but plan to do that soon. &nbsp;And what i've discovered is that the turbo kit for a DOHC costs more than an SOHC. &nbsp;I mean, I can get a SOHC turbo kit for $1600 from www.realnissan.com &nbsp;and for the 16v engine, i haven't been able to find great prices <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'> &nbsp;greddy is terribly expensive (but of course good quality). &nbsp;hmm, i guess i haven't really done my research properly and i don't mind your comments/suggestions at all cuz i do want to learn about both engines and what i learned so far is that SOHC recommended for turbo... that's all <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[whateverjames]

the SOHC valvetrain is easier to work on, should something go wrong, but a KA has a good head on it's shoulders... (waits for laughs...no laughs) anyway the kit at realnissan is an incomplete kit, so you'd still have to buy an intercooler and the fuel system upgrades. it would still come out cheaper though &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> &nbsp;

and there are manifolds for the SOHC, i know of about two or three.

[prInce]

well the intercooler is $600. &nbsp;hmmm yeah you maybe right <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[SR20Fastback]

Go with the SR. You'll be surprised about how nice it is. Parts dont take months to get, its only a smaller wait than having a KA (extra couple days maybe). The SR would be good for you man. Mine with install and them converting it from auto to 5spd is only 3500 after tax. Thats a pretty good steal by my oppinion.

[sowerline]

I just paid $3300 and some change out the door for a turn key installation. &nbsp;As far as pictures of the front clip sykikchimp have you ever seen what one looks like by the time it gets here it's nothing pretty to look at most of the time, And it's off of a 180sx anyway so the panels are the same. sorry to dissapoint you. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/hehe.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':hehe:'>

[prInce]

yeah the front clip looks the same, but it's not the "same". &nbsp;I know that when doin an SR swap, gettin the front clip makes life hell lot easier. &nbsp;can someone back me up <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[crazycuban]

Yeah, I would have been fucked without the clip.

[sykikchimp]

Yeah I realize that it looks a lot alike and it'll be beat up as hell. &nbsp;I mean they Cut it in half... &nbsp;What I want to see is location of all the auxilary peices. and to compare. &nbsp;Just curiousity

[240racer]

prInce, sorry about the other guy ripping you apart, I hope I didn't come across that way. &nbsp;I am actually taking the 12v out of my car and putting in a 16v since they are so cheap because people are geting sr20 to replace them. &nbsp;I think that it will be easier to make the same power with the 16v. &nbsp;I plan on making my own exhaust manifold anyway, so it didn't matter to me what was available. &nbsp;I didn't know that both engines make the same torque stock. &nbsp;I didn't really pay much attention since I knew the peak torque was really low and didn't matter for any kind of performance driving anyway. &nbsp;Also, the 16v makes 15 more hp. &nbsp;which also means it makes more torque up high, which is where it matters. &nbsp;Either way if you are going to add a turbo, both heads work fine. &nbsp;if you want to stick with the engine you have instead of going through all the work to get a new one, great. &nbsp;Just remember that the main reason that there isn't a complete bolt on kit for the 12v is because the demand isn't as high so you might have trouble finding people who are familiar with the setup, if you care.
sorry about the tangent in this post, but I thought it was fairly relevent. &nbsp;
sowerline, it's going to be a lot less headache since you have the front clip.
have fun with whatever route you choose.

[rancid240]

$3300? thats a damn good price. &nbsp;sowerline, where did you get it at? &nbsp;also about the SOHC, DOHC, sr20 thing is that the battle will never die. &nbsp;Pretty much the way i'm going right now is SR since I am going to Japan in May and my uncle knows a body shop. &nbsp;I would go with my SOHC in my 90 otherwise, it only has 65K miles, but honestly I think the future of the SOHC engine depends on who and for how much a turbo kit will be. &nbsp;I've heard of realnissan, but it seems that they do not return emails, and until I hear from them or see an install, they are out of the picture. &nbsp;my .02cents

[sowerline]

sykikchimp give me a couple days i gotta get a hold of a digital camera i don't have a scanner. &nbsp;I bought the front clip from a shop in Sacramento. &nbsp;My car (http://www.streetracing.org/events/battleswing/012602/gallery.php?path=page3&img=dsc05391.jpg)

[hurleyboi514]

i wasnt meaning to tear him up, i was just tryin to understand what he was talking about it. &nbsp;it doesnt make sense to me and it still doesnt, but yeah, i hope he builds a kickin car too, whatever works, right? &nbsp;sorry prince... &nbsp;good luck!

[prInce]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (rancid240 @ April 18 2002,5:19)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I've heard of realnissan, but it seems that they do not return emails, and until I hear from them or see an install, they are out of the picture. my .02cents</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
i got a reply from realnissan. &nbsp;They said they're willin to do the install this summer. &nbsp;Just need to make an appointment. &nbsp;Their reply took 2 days <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

and hey hey, come on guys... we were all sharin opinions. &nbsp;there are none and were never any hard feelins from my side... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

[prInce]

here, i found the reply i got from realnissan <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>
--------------------------------------------
Hello,
&nbsp;Thank you for your inquiry and visit. The price of the kit and what is included is on our site ($1599.00 as opening sale). Yes we can do the install if at the time you visit we are not overbooked, we would not want to keep your car longer than your visit :-) It may be advisable to set a date.
&nbsp;The choice to rebuilt is upon you and what you plan on doing from here on. Of course at the mileage you have, it would be advisable to recondition that motor. Then again is also depends on how the car was used and how those miles were accumulated. Some have high miles but are well kept and we have heard of motors with high miles able to handle
boost, some have low miles but were abused. Have you thought of taking it to your local shop for compression testing? That can give you a good idea of where you stand. Where are you located?
&nbsp;Again, thank you vey much for the support and talk to you soon.

Sincerely,
Staff
realnissan.com

[whateverjames]

i wish they would have replied when i sent an email 2-3 weeks ago. i had the money ready to go. BUT....no....I'm talking to Louis at boostdynamics.com to install an SR. but it's better this way, i talked to my local domestic performance shop that i take my car to for now on, and they're a little intimidated by the KA. they know it's true power, no really, they've never worked on one, and as much as the guy wanted a sale, he didn't want to lose money by having to keep fixing the engine if he messed something up. such a shame, i loved my under rated SOHC. still do.