what does rebuilding an engine mean?
 

im curious. cuz if i cant get the money for an sr20, i could ust take a newer ka24det and just add parts to it and if i think what rebuild is, then rebuild it.


rebuild. im taking a shot, like new headers, polishing parts and boring out others, etc...

Rebuild means to take apart an engine and replace all the internals (pistons, rods, crank, etc) with either OEM or aftermarket parts. This in essence gives your engine a new life, and more power if you replace with stronger internals.

is it worth it. $$ money wise. or am i better off getting an sr20det??

thats been argued by many. Some say just get an SR and call it a day. Some (like me) say BUILD YOU KA. Theres alot of potential in these motors but no ones wants to work work them. If you build a KA and turbo it, youll be faster than some SR swapped 240. its basically up to the owner. theres no DEFINETE answer to tha question.

hrmm... any guides on that, seeing i dont know jack about engines?

Whether to rebuild a motor or not is really up to the owner IMO. If you want to have instant power, just swap an sr. If you were a grease monkey and enjoy working on cars, then rebuild a KA- turbo later if that's what you want. A lot of people don't really have the time nor the space to rebuild a motor themselves so the sr route would be the logical choice-but remember the legality issue that comes with rb or sr or ca motors or any j-spec motors. (there's a thread on this subject. search it)

a KA can be rebuilt/upgraded
an SR can also be rebuilt/upgraded
what's your plan for the car? what's the hp goal?
You asked if rebuilding a KA is worth the money. Well, after finishing a project doesn't it feel good to say, "I did that"

GL with whatever decision you make. Search button is your friend

:thumb:

well. i dont plan to really do much.. i just have an old240 that i wanna keep around forever.. My current engine has 140,000miles on it and i also plan to change the transmission from auto to manual...

if anything, i plan to drift just to have fun in the future, but not hardcore, just to have fun....

and im debating on an s13 front end conversion...

my car has 211k on the dial, but the person I bought it from had the cluster changed so I don't really know how many miles it has. Still rolling tho! You can drift with that car as is. Get a real lsd so you don't do a one legger. If you're on a budget, then I guess just find a vlsd. Get coilovers. If you're planning on getting a spring/shock combo and THEN upgrade later, just save your money for the coils. Don't waste your money on the spring/shock combo if you plan to upgrade anyway. Do it right the first time. I've heard that the best bang for your buck spring/shock combo are tein s tech springs with agx strut/shocks

I want to rebuild my KA-E. If i replaced my piston's (w/ stock ones) do i have to do anything to the cylinders, like hone them?

It'd be a good idea to hone them out just because the more miles with the original pistons and block....the more wear. The pistons will wear against the cylinder wall a certain way and the new ones might get caught up if it's uneven a little bit. You DON'T want your engine to seize up, (no sh*t). lol. If you do rebuild, test the movement, if it's touchy, hone the walls.