Turbo the KA or drop in an SR20DET? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

quicksilver · 10-17-2001, 04:45 AM

And now for the five thousand dollar question, do I get a 240 with a good engine and turbo it, or do I get a crapped out one and drop in the SR engine? It lookes like the KA engine is actually a bit stronger sans turbo, but the kits are all around 4000 bucks! Were I to shell out the extra cash for a good origonal engine plus a turbo it would end up costing more than it would to drop in a new engine, but starting with a less expensive car. Any suggestions?

(Edited by quicksilver at 12:45 am on Oct. 17, 2001)

*ca18guy* · 10-17-2001, 05:00 AM

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

burgy240 · 10-17-2001, 07:16 AM

I like the sr20det swap but over all it all depends on the prices of the car, the turbo, the sr20, the swap and the install.  and of course the time.  Your preference is also a big key.  u have to drive it!  good luck

10-18-2001, 12:45 AM

i guess another thing to keep in mind too is that the SR20DET engine is built from the factory WITH a turbo... and the KA24DE isn't really made w/ a turbo in mind, so reliability/durability wise, the SR engine may be better than the KA

as for me... my vote goes for the SR swap <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

misnomer · 10-18-2001, 01:08 AM

There's an sr20 sitting in the Sentra in my driveway, it ain't turboed. There's little doubt that the KA has a weaker bottom end than an sr20det, but to disregard it 'cause it doesn't come with a factory turbo is a bit shortsided. The factory internals on an s14 should be good for 'bout 270 hp or so, 230 or so on an s13. As for reliability, I haven't heard anybody question the lifespan of a KA motor. Anybody here actually wear out the motor itself? I'm all for turboing the KA, the sr20det swap is becoming a bit overdone *yawn*.

ZeroGS14 · 10-18-2001, 01:15 AM

haha ive worn out my ka...the ka is a good motor dont get me wrong...it does have weak piston rings that don't like more then 7psi or so....i like the sr because it's a race motor...it's designed to be in the high rpm band where you will be when you are racing...also the sr has a direct fire ignition versus the ka's distibutor...the ka is a torque monster and isnt as efficient as the sr at yielding high rpm hp...they are both good motors...so it's just more like what do u want to do

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10-17-2001, 04:45 AM	#1
quicksilver Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	And now for the five thousand dollar question, do I get a 240 with a good engine and turbo it, or do I get a crapped out one and drop in the SR engine? It lookes like the KA engine is actually a bit stronger sans turbo, but the kits are all around 4000 bucks! Were I to shell out the extra cash for a good origonal engine plus a turbo it would end up costing more than it would to drop in a new engine, but starting with a less expensive car. Any suggestions? (Edited by quicksilver at 12:45 am on Oct. 17, 2001)

10-17-2001, 05:00 AM	#2
ca18guy Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Clearwater FL Age: 39 Posts: 3,226 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: ca18guy Feedback Score: 0 reviews	do a search <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

10-17-2001, 07:16 AM	#3
burgy240 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Tampa Age: 45 Posts: 2,151 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	I like the sr20det swap but over all it all depends on the prices of the car, the turbo, the sr20, the swap and the install.  and of course the time.  Your preference is also a big key.  u have to drive it!  good luck

10-18-2001, 12:45 AM	#4
Guest Posts: n/a	i guess another thing to keep in mind too is that the SR20DET engine is built from the factory WITH a turbo... and the KA24DE isn't really made w/ a turbo in mind, so reliability/durability wise, the SR engine may be better than the KA as for me... my vote goes for the SR swap <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

10-18-2001, 01:08 AM	#5
misnomer Nissanaholic! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 2,293 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	There's an sr20 sitting in the Sentra in my driveway, it ain't turboed. There's little doubt that the KA has a weaker bottom end than an sr20det, but to disregard it 'cause it doesn't come with a factory turbo is a bit shortsided. The factory internals on an s14 should be good for 'bout 270 hp or so, 230 or so on an s13. As for reliability, I haven't heard anybody question the lifespan of a KA motor. Anybody here actually wear out the motor itself? I'm all for turboing the KA, the sr20det swap is becoming a bit overdone yawn.

10-18-2001, 01:15 AM	#6
ZeroGS14 Zilvia Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 181 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	haha ive worn out my ka...the ka is a good motor dont get me wrong...it does have weak piston rings that don't like more then 7psi or so....i like the sr because it's a race motor...it's designed to be in the high rpm band where you will be when you are racing...also the sr has a direct fire ignition versus the ka's distibutor...the ka is a torque monster and isnt as efficient as the sr at yielding high rpm hp...they are both good motors...so it's just more like what do u want to do