KA dilemma

[Dream240]

I was pondering my 240's future this morning on my way to work. Here's what I thought.

What's more cost effective and yet still allows me plenty of power and daily driveability? A turbo KA or a RB25DET or RB25DETT? I've been thinking about the price to do all of these and from the looks of it a built up KA engine would cost me about 1500 for bottom end good for up to 15-18 psi and then there's the turbo kit say 4000. Where on the other hand I could just buy a whole RB front clip for about 4000 and then say 1000 max for the install from a reputable shop. So for a little less I end up with the potential for near unlimited power cababilites and a motor that will last me as long as I take care of it. On the down side it's not exactly cheap to maintain the RB25 motor, like replacing starters, alternators, water pumps, radiators etc.... I'm sure this would cost me alot in the long run. Whereas the KA motor is a US motor therefore many parts are readily available for repairs and cheaper. Also there the question of daily driveability. I want to be able to drive my car everywhere!! Not just on the track. Would the RB25 even be street legal in Cali? I'm guessing I would have spend a good chunk of money to "downgrade" it for smog purposes.

So any thoughts? I know, I know this discussion has been done to death, but humor me anyways.

Thanks guys.

[sykikchimp]

none of those options are street legal in CA.

[Dream240]

Damn that sucks. What about the SR20 is it street legal?

[silkkysmoo]

nope. its illegal

[sykikchimp]

Until Greddy get's carb approval, there isn't a way to turbo your car in CA that isn't illegal afaIk.

[christopher]

Someone please explain to me what you crazy Cali guys do since none of the common swaps are legal there. They aren't legal here either yet we do it. We don't have smog though.

I know many folks in Cali have sr swaps and so on, does that mean you have to swap back to a KA every time you smog??

Also, if it were me, I would go with the RB25.

[Dream240]

Thanks christopher, that's the input I'm really looking for. I kinda figured that ANY engine mod would be illegal here. Hell EVERYTHING is illegal in cali. You can't even put standard clear bulbs in for sidemarkers, they have to be amber bulbs. Trust me I've been pulled over for it. Also you can't even have a spoiler on your car that even partially blocks your rear view. Basically most stock spoilers are illegal here if the cop wants to be a dick. And even the front license plate issue, even if the car came with no front license plate from the dealer (i.e. 1993 RX-7) you will get a fix-it ticket. It's just dumb. So don't think for a second that every car straight from the dealer is street legal here. EVOs and WRX STi model spoilers aren't. It's really :ghey:

And I think that if you take your turbo setup off when you take the car to get smogged then you should pass then simply put it back on afterwards. Even on the RB25. I'm sure you'd just have to find some gaskets and caps to cover the turbo inlets on the manifold and you'd be set. Maybe adjust the mixture to lean out a bit might help too. I know there's guys out there that do alot of rigging to get the smog certification. I'll just have to figure something out. And yeah i'm leaning toward the RB25DET hell even a RB20DET would be better IMO than a KA24DET since it has the extra two cylinders, more potential.

[Bliss]

Originally Posted by Dream240

And yeah i'm leaning toward the RB25DET hell even a RB20DET would be better IMO than a KA24DET since it has the extra two cylinders, more potential.

sorry, i guess i always just assumed...but an RB20 is a 6 cyl.??

[Hawd]

rb20's run on 5 cylinder''s everyone knows that.............. Honestly if you have the money for an rb25det do it.

[Dream240]

Originally Posted by Hawd

rb20's run on 5 cylinder''s everyone knows that.............. Honestly if you have the money for an rb25det do it.

I thought they were 6 cyl. oh well you learn something new everyday.
Still from what I've read they have more turbo potential than a KA.

[Dream240]

oh heh, hawd you're funny...

You had me second guessing myself so I found this.

http://4wheelsfast.com/aboutrb20det.html

I'm so gullable....

[Dream240]

You know talking about 5 cylinders, the only engine I've ever heard of is the AE86 NA inline 5 cylinder engine. Like the one in the second season of Initial D. Were there any others?

[SW20Racer]

it isnt a 5 cylinder engine it has 5 valves per cylinder

[ICKY]

Hey Dream240, you could try to PM my brother, s14slide, and try to make a deal with him on a motor. He could get you one for like 2k MAX. But the question is, are you willing to trust him with that money? I could get an S14 SR20 for $700 shipped, complete motorset, uncut wiring harness, ect. The only reason he would charge more, is if he wants to make some money, or your not me Seriously though, PM him and see if you cant get a deal.

[bkfill]

just build your own kit it'll prob be 2000 or less or a little more

if you get the motor good luck with the RB25DET
find out how much the motor mounts and driveshaft is and what else, crossmembers was it? i dont' recall but ask around man the RB25DET isn't a direct fit

[Dream240]

Originally Posted by bkfill

just build your own kit it'll prob be 2000 or less or a little more

if you get the motor good luck with the RB25DET
find out how much the motor mounts and driveshaft is and what else, crossmembers was it? i dont' recall but ask around man the RB25DET isn't a direct fit

Well there's a few places that sell the RB25DET front clip. So all that stuff should be included. I pretty sure the driveshaft too. The RB25DET clip was like 3500 plus shipping so more closer to 4000. They had the RB20DET too. But no RB25DETT.

As far as the engine being a direct fit, I'm pretty sure it's not that difficult. Especially if you had the front clip and could use it to figure out how the S14 chassis would need to be modified. But definitely not for the weekend mechanic.

[OptionZero]

Dude. Aren't all Volvo's 5-cylinders?

Also, the acura Vigor is a 5-cylinder (faster than the legend i heard!!!)

[Dream240]

Hell man Volvo's are way off my radar. Never even looked under the hood of one. Can't really say I have the desire to either. But really interesting if they do all use a 5 cyl. setup. And I never knew that about the Vigor. I guess I always assumed Hondas were 4 or 6.

[s13Dr1ft]

Yes all volvos are 5cyl. i dont think they have thrown an extra one in at anytime yet.

RB25DET is not a direct fit, Unless you dont wanna spend money on driveshafts, mounts and crossmembers then go with a SR. Im doing RB25 but then again i dont care about the extra stuff that goes with it.

uh...If your worried about being Illegal then stay KA, its your choice so choose wisely =0D