KA24E pistons into KA24DE

[wicked]

Hi guys,

Just an interesting discussion about dropping KA24E piston into KA24DE and the cost involved in doing so. 



http://www.drifting.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-6905.html

[Colby]

Well basically to do so you gotta pull apart the whole engine... a set of nice pistons should cost about $400 i think.
probli the most cost will be in labour if you get a mechanic to do it. (maybe $700)
If your doing it yourself then you might as well take out the whole engine.  I was thinking about doing it, but only if i cant find the parts for turbo cheap enough then i'll do that instead.

[Leopard-Man]

I was considering this as well in the not so distant future also.  However it would be a very big job and if it wasnt done by you it could get very costly indeed. I think $700 for labour would be the minimum you would pay.

[JIMB0]

If your goning to replace the pistions you may as well do a full performace rebuild as well while you have it apart.

[Colby]

if you are going to get the work done by a mechanic and not DIY, then i honestly wouldnt bother.
But if you have the time, and a little know how then i would recommend doing a rebuild... just get a gregories book to guide you, and you will learn so much about the engine!  And lets face it which will make you feel better? 
  Getting some punk to do it for you and not know so much about your engine? or
  Do it yourself so you can see exactly what condition everything is, and then can recomend to others what to do etc.

[Leopard-Man]

if you are going to get the work done by a mechanic and not DIY, then i honestly wouldnt bother.
But if you have the time, and a little know how then i would recommend doing a rebuild... just get a gregories book to guide you, and you will learn so much about the engine! And lets face it which will make you feel better?
 Getting some punk to do it for you and not know so much about your engine? or
 Do it yourself so you can see exactly what condition everything is, and then can recomend to others what to do etc.

I agree entirely

[wicked]

Trying to calculate the cost effectiveness of NA against turbocharged......

So I guess with cam, valve springs, aftermarket piston, con rods, gaskets, fuel pump, bigger injectors, aftermarket computer and labour costing a minimum of 3 grand (rought guess, someone please quote a more accurate figure), properly balanced crank to rev the engine up in order to gain about 30 to 40 horse power at wheels.

40 horses for 3 grand = $75 per horse at wheels


How much does turbocharge cost? Guess around 10 grand to run about 8psi boost?

240sx gain about 90 horses at wheels (8 psi)?
http://www.ka24development.com/dyno_charts.html

That work out to be about $110 per horse at wheels


I guess that cost effective way to hit about 200 horses at wheel would be NA mods, Anything more than 200 horses at wheel will probably involve turbocharging, big bucks with much more potential. Any comments guys???   

[ehh]

you should be able to get a low boost (ie 5-6psi) turbo set up for around 4 grand (without pulling the engine apart), which would give a pretty good gain, especially torque

[Colby]

Nissan conrods have a good name to be strong as hell... you could probli run around 8 to 10psi with the stock ones!
As far as turbo goes you could easily put a low boost turbo in, without changing the engine or fuel system much at all... you would definately have to get a chip for the ECU though, but you will need this if you just to the piston swap too!
Point being you could put on low boost turbo for around similar costs to the piston swap, and get very similar gains in HP.

[SSS]

wicked/ehh: It all depends how much you can do yourself. If you have to a work shop to do the work, that's when it costs you.

[wicked]

Hey ehh,

U've got any idea what the 4K turbo setup consist of and the price breakdown? 

[ehh]

well i there isn't a particular kit i was refering to, but if i was to do it i prob would use either a garrett gt25 or t28 turbo, with either a custom exhaust manifold or flange to bolt the turbo onto,a second hand gtr or supra intercooler....would need larger injectors and fuel pump(not sure specific types)....and at least a major retune of the factory chip if not a complete after market computer......

as SSS said it depends on if your doin the work yourself or getting a mechanic to do it which would blow out the cost

[wicked]

Mmmmmm...... Looks like I'm going to blow my BUDGET then. DOH!