differences in KA head between s13 and s14

[NemeGuero]

What are the differences in the cylinder head for the ka24de between s13 and s14?

I've heard:
1. compression, s14 heads are super bad
2. bolt pattern for valve cover

[projectRDM]

1. is BS.

2. The valve cover is different so it has to be used in conjunction, along with the upper timing cover.

Otherwise they're the exact same.

[s13_maJiK]

hmmm...I thought they were the same

[NemeGuero]

does the upper timing cover affect the distributor too then? or is it just the bolt pattern?

[DALAZ_68]

no, ive seen s13 KA Dizzy on an s14 KA...

the only difference between the 2 dizzy's is one has internal ign coil (s14 KA), the other has external (s13 KA)

[ManoNegra]

1. is BS.

2. The valve cover is different so it has to be used in conjunction, along with the upper timing cover.

Otherwise they're the exact same.

does the upper timing cover affect the distributor too then? or is it just the bolt pattern?

Hmmm.... I think Russ means you need to use the upper timing cover since the S14 KA valve cover uses a different type of bolt than the S13 one.
Doesn't affect distributor one bit.

[mobilesuit818]

no, ive seen s13 KA Dizzy on an s14 KA...

the only difference between the 2 dizzy's is one has internal ign coil (s14 KA), the other has external (s13 KA)


Werd, your right on that one.

[NemeGuero]

Hmmm.... I think Russ means you need to use the upper timing cover since the S14 KA valve cover uses a different type of bolt than the S13 one.
Doesn't affect distributor one bit.

cool..

NOW GO MAKE MY OIL BLOCK! haha

[projectRDM]

Hmmm.... I think Russ means you need to use the upper timing cover since the S14 KA valve cover uses a different type of bolt than the S13 one.
Doesn't affect distributor one bit.

Correct. Swap those pieces with the head and you're gold. The head is only different on 97-98s where there's no final cam tower at the rear, so if you're using 91-96 cams you'll need to make a baffle plate above them on the valve cover so oil doesn't spray from the cam journal into the breather on the cover, and then dribble out the vent. It's commonly discussed though if you're confused what all I just said.

[burnsauto]

wait....isnt there a difference in the amount of cam caps the s14 head has compared to the s13?

Granted if you're using s14 cams it won't be an issue...but I'm just basing this off something i THINK i read awhile back (i looked, but couldn't find it)

[projectRDM]

I just answered that above. 97-98s don't have the rearmost cap/tower.

[S14DB]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v108/S14DB/240sx/Engine/KA24DE/Towerless1.jpg

[NemeGuero]

So where do you put some baffling?

[projectRDM]

Alright, see that picture above? That's a 97-98 head. If you look at the bottom of the valve cover there's two long openings right above the rear of the cams. On 91-96 cams you'll have an oil journal on the cam, used to lubricate the cam tower, which will spray oil as it rotates. The oil typically goes right into those two openings in the cover and get sucked right out the breather port, into your intake piping.
So, take a piece of flat sheetmetal, tin, anything, and rivet/screw it to the bottom side of the cover on one side, leaving a 'flap' on the other side to allow pressure release but to keep oil from shooting directly into those openings. This will prevent oil loss and a dirty intake pipe.

Note this is only for 97-98 heads when using 91-96 cams. 91-96 heads will not need this done at all since they have the rearmost cam tower.

[NemeGuero]

Alright, see that picture above? That's a 97-98 head. If you look at the bottom of the valve cover there's two long openings right above the rear of the cams. On 91-96 cams you'll have an oil journal on the cam, used to lubricate the cam tower, which will spray oil as it rotates. The oil typically goes right into those two openings in the cover and get sucked right out the breather port, into your intake piping.
So, take a piece of flat sheetmetal, tin, anything, and rivet/screw it to the bottom side of the cover on one side, leaving a 'flap' on the other side to allow pressure release but to keep oil from shooting directly into those openings. This will prevent oil loss and a dirty intake pipe.

Note this is only for 97-98 heads when using 91-96 cams. 91-96 heads will not need this done at all since they have the rearmost cam tower.

sweet, ya I knew that was a 97 head. Thats what I have.

[burnsauto]

I just answered that above. 97-98s don't have the rearmost cap/tower.

whoops, my bad. :ghey:

I'll have to pay attention more in class.:l101::l101::l101:

[Dream240]

I'm bringing this one back because I have a question about the compatibility. I did search for an answer but to no avail.

Okay, so get that you can swap an S13 head onto a 95-96 block, and all you need is the upper timing cover and valve cover from the S13.

My questions is regarding the cams.

If I buy a fully rebuilt 91-94 head, swap it on my 95-96 block, can I just swap over my current 95-96 cams and I'm good to go, or is there something I need to do to the cams before hand? I just want to make sure I don't damage the head because I'm putting 180k mileage cams on a reman'ed head.

Or would it be better to just run with the 91-94 cams and be done with it? This engine will be getting about 15 psi of boost in the near future if that matters at all.

Thanks guys.

[projectRDM]

It depends on exactly which cams you have.

'91-mid '93 cams are the better ones, 240/248 degree. The changeover was done to replace the SCVs, so later models without the SCVs (essentially all 1994 models, but some late '93s) have the newer S14 cams, 232/232 degree.

But, you can use any of the cams in your head, just shim them as needed.

[Dream240]

Thanks Russ.

Hey one more question.

A bit off topic but, when resurfacing your mating surfaces on the engine, is it better to shave off the block or the head? According to the FSM, .008 is the max total listed in the block specs. Would that be the overall total or just the resurfacing total for the block?

So basically, do I have .008 or .016 total available resurfacing to work with?

Mainly because the head I'm looking at has .005 amount shaved off, which i'm thinking is a bit high. So I just want to make sure how much room I have to work with on the block before I buy a reman'ed head with that spec. I'm thinking no more than .003 per part should be standard. What do you think?

[projectRDM]

I wouldn't go over .008 total. I've tried to work with a 'shaved' head before, a rebuilt head I bought from a shop several years ago. The problem you'll run into is alignment, this one was just short enough that the distributor fit extremely tight and didn't mesh with the idler gear dead on, causing both to wear prematurely and chip off pieces into the oil pump. A slightly thicker head gasket can be used but I'd check parts fitment at every corner before final assembly.