Is a SR20DET worth it?
 

I blew my KA24...which was modified (getting it ready to take a turbo). I was wanted to know if I'd be better off saving up some more $$$ and getting a SR20, but I want to know if it's worth it? Do I have to do anything to the stock tranny and drivetrain?

I'm really cheezed off, after all the $$$ I put into that KA...I was trying to build something unique...as it seems that everyone's dropping SR20's in the cars now a days.

Any advice, help, or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks all...peace.

go rb instead

Pick whichever engine you feel is better for you. The SR is pretty much a direct drop in, everything will bolt to the chassis, just needs re-wired and you will be good to go. Personally, since you seem like you really wanted to do the KA, I'd just rebuild the KA...pretty much replace everything in the bottom end and then boost.

just do whatever swap is right for you

I personally am an SR guy. The KA can be fine, but it just seems a lot of effort to me, and I am always for OEM motors that can handle power over building a motor just so it can handle the same.

What are your goals and what is the primary use for the car?

i don't like the SR, i'm a RB guy

everybody and there effing grandmaw have SR's. go RB25

I am all for doing something different, but sometimes there is a reason for why everyone gets it. Its a solid motor that makes plenty of reliable power for the chassis. It the most cost effective, and provides a correct weight distribution.

The RB IMO is best left in the skyline. However, for certain people it is the correct option for a 240. I would only ever recommend one if you are going to push in excess of at least 400whp and you are more concerned about power and speed than handling and practicality. The handling detriment is not massive IF you make proper adjustments for the added weight and distribution, but it is there. If you do not have such power aspirations, its sort of a waste.

this is funny to me..here there are like 11 RB cars and 2 SR..i just thought that was funny..

To the OP, the question you pose in the title is yours to answer.

You can essentially rebuild any of these engines in turbo-charged form and they'll still be completely different from one another, let alone the fact that it will greatly differ from how it was stock (especially KA and SR in NA-T form). However, with all of this variety present in engine choice, modification, and tuning, the most important variable is your goal. That is step one.

Quick run-through off the top of my head:
SR- light, balanced, reliable, easy swap, cheap for a swap, expensive to replace.
KA-T- torque, "unique", as reliable as you make it, child's play-swap, could cost the same as a swap, $200 to replace.
RB- powerful, heavy, considered "custom", swaps more difficult than SR&KA-T, spendy for a swap, expensive to replace.

With the pack I run with, it's more important to drive with skill and technique, than having something unique under the hood. Think about what is important to you, like such things as power-band, reliability, balance, and gas-mileage. I don't recommend you exploit the car to be unique. I suggest you make the car exploit your skills and driving style. ...besides, with the aftermarket of all of these engines... any could be unique.

I love my 240SX...and after doing some research, it looks like the best way to go is the SR20DET. I'll just have to save my duckets and pinch pennies to get her back on the road. I liked the KA24, but most of the "reliable" replacements are a little on the expensive side...so I guess a decission has been handed down. I'll keep you all posted on my progress...it's going to be a while :( but worth it in the end I believe.

Thanks for all the advice and help! You guys are awesome! :)

if is the KA24E then definnetly go for SR20. if its the KA24DE, then consider rebuilding.

just put the damn SR in it and be done with it..

That's the plan dude...chill!!!! It's all good.

i know..i was just f'n with ya

i still say go rb, nothing sounds like a straight 6 turbo. rb25ftw!