KA-T or SR? HEEELLLPP!

[Sick240SX1320]

Hey, Im 16 years old am im getting my 91' 240sx se next month from a guy. I have about an extra $3000 bucks so far. Im wondering what setup should i do KA-T or swap  SR20DET red top. I heard good and bad things about both. I heard the KA-t has more tourqe when with a turbo kit but only makes about 215 hp for the $4000 turbo kit. Now if i get the SR20DET it will cost $2500 for everything i need to make the swap. And it will make about 210hp. If i keep the KA i would have to redue most of the internals right away right because it has more then 100,000 miles on it. So can someone please tell me what i should do and what would be cheaper thanx.

[AKADriver]

1. The KA turbo vs. SR debate is the oldest, most well-documented argument in the world of the 240SX.  Do a search, you'll find answers to all your questions plus questions you never thought about asking.

2. An engine swap is hardly a first mod.  It's an 11 year old car...  think about fixing the inevitable problems first.

3. You're an inexperienced driver.  Trust me when I say you can't make use of 155hp, much less 200+.

[tnord]

:::cough::: search :::cough:::

[boosteds14]

either way its going to blow up!!

Just kidding. go with ka-t if u got the money and want that torque. if you want the sr it is already turbo so not to many things need to be changed

[240 2NR]

Spend the time learning to drive.  The world goes by fast enough in an aniemic 100hp mazda 626 when you're 16 and new to driving.  Give it some time and once you feel comfortable behind the wheel figure out what your priorities are for improvement (better handling, more power, just going out and partying).

If you're paying your own insurance, that $3k won't last long.

[drift freaq]

learn your car before putting in a more powerful engine or Turbo'ing your KA.  That money could be earning interest in the bank while you are learning your car.
Plus I would upgrade the suspension first. i.e. replace all bushings because at 100K they are worn. Then I would put in some swaybars and springs and shocks. Remember the car has 100K on it which means the suspension is getting a little tired too.
Once you have done all that and spent some time learning how to  drive then you can get into the which engine should I run debate.
All I will say about that is its a matter of economics . Its what is ever more cost effective for you.


Dave

[MasterOFDrift]

Before I say anything let me tell you that both the sr swap or the Ka-t does not just happen it takes much research before you can attempt a swap even if you are not doing it yourself you still have to provide the parts and source everything that you don't have. With $3000 bucks you better know everything about the sr swap and know how to do it because with $3000 it is not quite enough to have the swap done by a shop. I agree with the others. Get to know your car first and fix any preliminary problems (which many ~10 year old cars have) that your 240 has.

[DSC]

<span style='color:red'>1st</span>, Please make use of our search function.
Heres a search to get you started on your research -
Search #1 (http://www.zilvia.net/f/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=Search&CODE=02&SID=3d59b33e1c7c512c) "ka* and sr*"

<span style='color:red'>2nd</span>, you are only 16, there is no reason you need ANY more HP. There is no way that after less than a year of driving by yourself you are ready to go turbo. There's a good chance you will wreck in the first few months. Who knows...you may pull it off fine, I know people who have, but I promise you, it will bite you in the ass later. You will not be as good of a driver, you will look fast because your car will be bad ass, but your cars speed will just be covering up mistakes you make out of inexperience.
The 240sx in stock form is a fun car. Not the fastest thing in the world, but fast enough for an inexperienced 16 year old. Do yourself a favor and don't go turbo till you've had the car a year or so...you won't regret it.

Here are some places to get you started on learning how to drive you new car...
http://www.turnfast.com
http://www.drivingtechniques.co.uk
http://members.aol.com/doggiesnot hehe
http://www.scca.org go racing...can't think of a better way to learn <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>

Have fun with the new car and welcome to zilvia.net! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[jarnld]

3,000 dollars isnt going to get you very far. a s13 sr20det is going to cost you with shipping from heavy throttle 2600$. Thats with everything you need to do the install, however, you still need a new clutch, probably a new intercooler, a new 'hot pipe', probably gonna want to get a new catback, and other important things like injectors, ecu, etc... And then if you plan on going over 375-400HP you need to work on internals, rods, pistons etc. So like i said, 3 grand isnt going to get you far. hell, you have enough to buy the engine, but installation is going to run you about 1200-1500 dollars assuming there arent any problems installing it.
and dont forget. &nbsp;once you get the engine installed or get a turbo you also need to get a boost controller and turbo timer and guages. &nbsp;You dont want a brand new (to you) engine to detonate. &nbsp;And on top of all that...once you start pulling more horsepower you need, (this is not a "want to" kind of thing), i repeat, need to get a better brake system. &nbsp;Sure going fast is cool, but if you cant stop...well...you get the idea. &nbsp;So think about what you want to do, which will better suit you, KA, or sr20, and then plan your project so you can start building from the bottom up. &nbsp;Get the parts you know youre going to need in order to do the swap, or to build up and turbo the ka, first. &nbsp;I also agree with some of the other previous posts. &nbsp;Learn how to drive and respect other drivers on the road. &nbsp;Learn YOUR car and how it handles in every kind of situation before you start modding it so fast you had no idea of how it handled stock. &nbsp;I know when i was 16 i thought i was the shit on the roads. All i had was a 140hp or so 200sx. &nbsp;I was not used to driving yet and thought that my car was incredibly fast because i had nothing to base the speed and power on. &nbsp;Eventually i got used to it and began to upgrade. &nbsp;Trust me, you have no idea how much power 250-300+ horses is. &nbsp;That is way too fast for someone who has only been driving not even a year. &nbsp;And then again...i could be completely wrong. &nbsp;Just my opinions. &nbsp;Sorry for the long post...i hope it helps ya.

[S14 Drift&#33;]

Please, don't kill yourself.... &nbsp;

You don't need more power for now...

I'm 22 years old, I just did my SR swap, it's expensive, and you have to know what you're doing! Yes the Sr is insane!!! I love that power....but it's really easy to make mistake with 300HP under the foot.

I use to drift often when it would rain...now with th SR, I don't event drift, it's too scary for now, I have to get use to that turbo <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'> because the power come very fast...

Enjoy your stock 240SX...then next year put some money &nbsp;on a good suspension setup...and then a year later do a swap....take your time!

[Apparition]

lol talk about mazda 626, a 323 sedan was my first car. 87 monster horsepower. Mind you, it made me learn how to squeeze every inch of power out of that car. Drove it for 3 yrs. Now I'm 20, and own a s13 240, and the 140hp felt like a rocket. I was fortunate enough to drive cars with more power, so I know the difference. Trust what the others are saying, learn your car inside/out first, then go from there. Otherwise, if you totally do up your car, without driving it, what are ya gonna do when the next upgrade is insane money? Take your time with the car, enjoy it as stock, and its really cool to see when you change your suspension, how much of a difference it makes. Or just change little things, like the air filter. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

[BEISSEN]

Ok i know where you can get a s13 blacktop sr20det for 2950.00 that is shipped with everything that come stock on a sr.Plus a shop does not have to put it in a good way to learn is to do it yourself.a sr can have alot of torque as wellcivickill make 270 pounds of torque and 246 hp alot of torque and less hp but torques get you going quicker and hp just adds up in the end.

[SIEKER]

Just turned 16 and you want to either turbo the KA or go S13 Redtop? Sounds rediculous to me. You haven't even had good drive time with the car stock yet. Follow the advice of these other cats, get some experience in driving first...it'll help you in the long run. besides, no use in having massive ammounts of power if you can't drive the car properly... <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'> I might also ask if you even know much about turbos as well. there's a lot more to putting a turbo onto the car than one would think...

[95silvia]

Sick240sx1320

I know a lot of peeps want you to go get some driving under the belt. I know its hard to resist going all out on the car and making it even better, performancee wise. But, you already made a wise decision to own a 240. Now, get some driving under your belt or take advace driving courses to find what your current car can do and what you like it to do.

just putting money right away now wouldn't help you later when you find out that you don't want what you got and you are stuck with it. I am 23 years old. i have a s14 sr in a 95 240. My first ever sports car.

When i was 16, i had a camry, than a honda accord, than came a 2000 dodge ram quad cab pickup truck, and after all that, currently a 1995 S14 Silvia that's putting down 270hp and 270tq at the wheels.........It was worth the wait.....

No matter what, respect your car and the power. A wrong turn, oversteer, or understeer can be costly.

RINKU

[ruf]

It will cost more than $3000 to do an SR swap. Even if you do it yourself. Only the guys that have done a lot of these things can do it for that little money. You will need tools, time, and experience. Same goes for KA+T.

Realistically, it will take >$5000 for a quality setup. If you halfass it, then you will drive yourself crazy when it a) takes forever to get done cuz you don't have everything you need, or b) blows up. Save your money and do the job right (whether it's KA or SR). While you're doing that, learn how to drive and wrench. Make friends that know what they are talking about and doing instead of those that shop Pep Boys for the latest APC products.

I know everyone here is telling you to learn HOW to (performance) drive, but it's not even about that. It takes time to learn WHY and WHEN to drive. For all we know, you could be East coast 125cc shifter kart champion and be able to run circles around any of us. Figuring out how NOT to be an idiot on public roads is a different thing altogether and I'll admit it's not something I've gotten the hang of yet even at 25. Be patient, save up, and learnlearnlearn. &nbsp;<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'>

[BEISSEN]

QUOTE]It will cost more than $3000 to do an SR swap. Even if you do it yourself. Only the guys that have done a lot of these things can do it for that little money. You will need tools, time, and experience. Same goes for KA+T.

Realistically, it will take >$5000 for a quality setup. If you halfass it, then you will drive yourself crazy when it a) takes forever to get done cuz you don't have everything you need, or b) blows up. Save your money and do the job right (whether it's KA or SR). While you're doing that, learn how to drive and wrench. Make friends that know what they are talking about and doing instead of those that shop Pep Boys for the latest APC products.

I know everyone here is telling you to learn HOW to (performance) drive, but it's not even about that. It takes time to learn WHY and WHEN to drive. For all we know, you could be East coast 125cc shifter kart champion and be able to run circles around any of us. Figuring out how NOT to be an idiot on public roads is a different thing altogether and I'll admit it's not something I've gotten the hang of yet even at 25. Be patient, save up, and learnlearnlearn<!--QuoteEEnd-->


if he has a friend that has tools then it will not cost much but if you dont have the basics that is need to do an engine swap or a place then you are looking at more then 3gs.there is only one thing you are going to need that is a boost controller and the rest you ca live with out it is know as a stock sr.

[sileighty]

it would be a lot more fun to do the suspension setup for 3000.. bout 300 for sway bars 1300 for coilovers with pillowballs.. 300 for front and rear strut tower bars.. bout 500 for bigger brakes and lines.. and the rest for tires and install... prolly run you more than 3000..

[speedemon]

What about the greddy turbo kit comming out?

[ca18guy]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (speedemon @ Aug. 19 2002,07:46)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What about the greddy turbo kit comming out?</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
People have been waiting years for that kit to come out. I would'nt hold my breath waiting for it.

[180wanab]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (ruf @ Aug. 16 2002,4:46)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Figuring out how NOT to be an idiot on public roads is a different thing altogether and I'll admit it's not something I've gotten the hang of yet even at 25. Be patient, save up, and learnlearnlearn. <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/thumbs-up.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':thumbsup:'></td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
worse than that is learning how to drive WITH idiot's on the road <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cry.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':cry:'>