DrDubbleB
03-21-2002, 10:21 PM
Ok, I just wanted to lay it all out, and compare two of the biggest options for us 240 enthusiasts. The KA24DE-T, and the SR20DET (in no particular order).
First up, let's go with the KA-T (this will go in the order listed above).
Advantages:
Torque. It has loads of torque. You can attribute this to the extra .4 litres that it has over the next closest engine's displacement. Torque is a good thing, and it's fun! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
The previously mentioned .4 litres. It can help to give you extra power, and some people believe in the "there's no replacement for displacement" saying. Displacement is a good thing.
The iron block. It's iron, strong, and durable stuff, practically bullet proof.
Linear power band. The KA can deliver the power very equally at all RPM's. This allows a good launch, and a good finish, and also good pickup no matter where you are (of course, not if you are trying to speed off in fifth gear at 15 miles an hour, but you get the point).
Disadvantages:
It's not designed for a turbo. Never has the KA come straight out of the factory turboed. This could possibly lead to a shorter engine life under the added stress of a turbo. Of course, the higher the HP, the lower the life-span will be, w/o proper upgrades.
Revs. The KA is not a rev happy engine. It has a relatively low redline compared to the SR.
Cam design. The cams are not designed for turbo applications, and therefore are not performing optimally.
The compression ratio. 9.5:1 compression is tetering on the high-side for turbo applications. Ideally, you want it somewhere between 7.5 (low) to 9.5 (high), so it's on the very edge. Remember, if you lower the compression, you can raise the boost.
Second, the SR.
Advantages:
The SR's aluminum block. It is slightly lighter than the KA due to the material used. To all those concerned with every pound that your car has.
It is designed for turbo use. It came out of the factory turboed, and in NA form. It's cams, and various other parts of the engine, are made for turbo. The engine's life is not shortened because of a turbo, however, under high boost, or high HP situations, it could be.
Higher revving. The SR's redline is higher than the KA, allowing rev happy people to go about their fun. A higher redline usually means a larger powerband, but not always (in this case it does though).
The compression ratio. 8.5:1 is right in the middle of the optimal compression for a turbo charged engine. Keep in mind it's not necessarily the best compression just because it's in the middle.
Disadvantages:
The power band. The SR's powerband tends to be more on the high side of things, and less linear than the KA. This allows for a lot of pull at higher RPMs, but less at take off.
Displacement. At 2.0 litres it has a disadvantage in some people's minds. Some people believe there's less potential, however technology improvements to minimize that.
Stock HP. S13's 205, S14's 220. There's no real contender with a turboed KA until you get to the expensive S15's which have 250.
This comes straight from driftfreaq..."well I will add to the SR's disadvantages the rockers you can spin them at high revs. You also need to replace them every 60-70K that is expensive and a big disadvantage in my book." I thought that should get mentioned, as it did slip my mind, and is a disadvantage (even though it has nothing to do with performance...just reliability). I would like to add that this is not normally a one time thing, but it comes after quite a bit of abuse.
Anyways, I did not put some things because this was getting long enough. That's what I came up with, feel free to add/correct as you please, I do not want to misinform, and I would like to get more knowledgable as well.
I did not mention the CA because honestly when I looked at it, I was just not impressed enough. Anyone that cares to add that, do so, I would like to see the advantages and disadvantages.
Most of the disadvantages listed are curable as you can see, so that is why the argument and bickering as to which is better will not end.
First up, let's go with the KA-T (this will go in the order listed above).
Advantages:
Torque. It has loads of torque. You can attribute this to the extra .4 litres that it has over the next closest engine's displacement. Torque is a good thing, and it's fun! <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':D'>
The previously mentioned .4 litres. It can help to give you extra power, and some people believe in the "there's no replacement for displacement" saying. Displacement is a good thing.
The iron block. It's iron, strong, and durable stuff, practically bullet proof.
Linear power band. The KA can deliver the power very equally at all RPM's. This allows a good launch, and a good finish, and also good pickup no matter where you are (of course, not if you are trying to speed off in fifth gear at 15 miles an hour, but you get the point).
Disadvantages:
It's not designed for a turbo. Never has the KA come straight out of the factory turboed. This could possibly lead to a shorter engine life under the added stress of a turbo. Of course, the higher the HP, the lower the life-span will be, w/o proper upgrades.
Revs. The KA is not a rev happy engine. It has a relatively low redline compared to the SR.
Cam design. The cams are not designed for turbo applications, and therefore are not performing optimally.
The compression ratio. 9.5:1 compression is tetering on the high-side for turbo applications. Ideally, you want it somewhere between 7.5 (low) to 9.5 (high), so it's on the very edge. Remember, if you lower the compression, you can raise the boost.
Second, the SR.
Advantages:
The SR's aluminum block. It is slightly lighter than the KA due to the material used. To all those concerned with every pound that your car has.
It is designed for turbo use. It came out of the factory turboed, and in NA form. It's cams, and various other parts of the engine, are made for turbo. The engine's life is not shortened because of a turbo, however, under high boost, or high HP situations, it could be.
Higher revving. The SR's redline is higher than the KA, allowing rev happy people to go about their fun. A higher redline usually means a larger powerband, but not always (in this case it does though).
The compression ratio. 8.5:1 is right in the middle of the optimal compression for a turbo charged engine. Keep in mind it's not necessarily the best compression just because it's in the middle.
Disadvantages:
The power band. The SR's powerband tends to be more on the high side of things, and less linear than the KA. This allows for a lot of pull at higher RPMs, but less at take off.
Displacement. At 2.0 litres it has a disadvantage in some people's minds. Some people believe there's less potential, however technology improvements to minimize that.
Stock HP. S13's 205, S14's 220. There's no real contender with a turboed KA until you get to the expensive S15's which have 250.
This comes straight from driftfreaq..."well I will add to the SR's disadvantages the rockers you can spin them at high revs. You also need to replace them every 60-70K that is expensive and a big disadvantage in my book." I thought that should get mentioned, as it did slip my mind, and is a disadvantage (even though it has nothing to do with performance...just reliability). I would like to add that this is not normally a one time thing, but it comes after quite a bit of abuse.
Anyways, I did not put some things because this was getting long enough. That's what I came up with, feel free to add/correct as you please, I do not want to misinform, and I would like to get more knowledgable as well.
I did not mention the CA because honestly when I looked at it, I was just not impressed enough. Anyone that cares to add that, do so, I would like to see the advantages and disadvantages.
Most of the disadvantages listed are curable as you can see, so that is why the argument and bickering as to which is better will not end.