Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hey Guys!

I typically spend time looking over the forum before I post, especially being new and all, but I have yet to find really what is needed to make a turbo KA24DE swap actually work?

I currently have a fresh built, by me and my old man, KA24DE-T and Five speed rated at a dyno'd 385WHP with a more aggressive tune at 17 PSI. I wanted to swap this engine into a 1970 Datsun Roadster 2000 I found on craigslist for 675 dollars. Obviously this car needs a complete rework and seeing as me and my father are gear-heads we thought this would be an ambitious but do-able project. So I pick up the car this Saturday.

If the car turns out to be too much work - aka I didn't do enough research and/or it turns out to be a huge undertaking - we will just build the engine it comes with. Can I get some type of pointer and/or list of what needs to be done to make this work and if a turbo-KA will fit? I am running a t3/t4 set-up right now, the engine is on an engine rack because we've decided that the car we wanted to put it into, a 240, wont smog and therefore be a track queen. So the only exhaust-based part is the manifold and I am sure I can get a exhaust build to work in the confines of the Roadster. I guess I am wondering what fabrication work did you guys do - did you have to relocate anything significant and what about rear end/suspension/brake work did you guys do? Steering rack?

Sorry if I missed this in a previous thread, I really hope this will not only benefit me but others who want to do a turbo-KA swap.

Cody.

Welcome and good luck. The KA24 swap has been done many times but has not been very well documented. I am sure you will be able to make the swap work. If you can shoe horn a turbo SR20 into a roadster-the KA24DET should work as well. Hopefully someone with a KA swap will chime in and give you some insight. Maybe we could get some good documentation and pictures of your swap so we can get it documented.

Steve

Antigrandbean wrote: I guess I am wondering what fabrication work did you guys do - did you have to relocate anything significant and what about rear end/suspension/brake work did you guys do? Steering rack?
Cody.

There are several threads on basic KA24 engine swaps, but nothing step-by-step. Charlee's KA build, there are few others as well:
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.ph ... s&start=30


The KA requires new engine mounts/tranny mount to be fabricated and an oil pan mod to fit into the roadster.
This engine swap section has lots of threads outlining exactly what is needed to do an SR20DET engine swap:
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7326
http://www.311s.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=27500

In those threads you can get an idea of the fabrication involved with the turbo manifold, routing around steering rod, downpipe, plumbing the IC, etc. and apply it to the KA.



There are also several options outlined on the forum for rear end upgrades to handle extra power, big brake options and available suspension upgrades.

A few pics of KA24DETs and KA24DEs

370whp KA24ET:



Ken's supercharged KA24DE


Herb's '66 KA24DE:


A KA24DET build documented on 311s, (hot piped)
http://www.schradersspeedandstyle.com/s ... dster.html

My friend Sean (Captain Canada) has just redone his KA24 ET but I do not have pics and I don't think he is on here. It is a beast. Runs some kind of stand alone computer programed out of Florida (he could not attend Shedd because he fried the computer). Not much help there, but he did say it is almost frightening how much power it has... a Hellcat has nothing on him was his statement.

So I'll chime in here.
It's not hard at all engine mounts, trans mount and the shifter lines up beautifully!!
The hard part is the turbo piping. I'm going to steal sr guys method of going through the inner fender.....I'll add more later; my daughter just got out of school

Matthew

What state are you in ?
Just saying with a 70 ,trouble with vehicle inspection time ?

Okay I'm back, drove to Houston last night to visit and help a friend and go to a wedding that not even the power of Harvey could not ruin!!

So Cody a KA-t swap is not hard (relatively speaking) especially if you have the engine all worked out. I believe it was Tacomaboy that used the factory engine mounts, I've decided to go with custom full capture mounts being that I I'm adding power, going for 250-300hp. Which brings me to my next point; you can have an engine that makes 385hp but getting to it the ground is another story. I will probably be closer to the 250hp mark be that I only have a 205/50-15 in the rear. Other wise you would have to flare, as shown above in Alvins picts(btw nice picts Alvin) or tub the rear as akpilot has done on his kick-ass build.
Otherwise as I said before the hardest part is the plumbing.

Some of the items I've decided to use:
-Champion 3row radiator for roadster, some use delsol radiators
-Intercooler of eBay item# 250892428875, I believe Shannon (sfdaugherty) recommend this one to me
-Sport Comp Springs with Konis (from JT68) to bring the front end down, being that the KA and SR engines are lighter than the original ones.
-rx7 lsd rear end
-4bar rear suspension w/coil overs
-I'm designing my own brake kit for the front use the na300zx calipers, which I wouldn't recommend unless you have an engineering background. As much as I don't care for Spreadberry (Spriso) personally his brake kit would be a good idea, beacause you need to stop and his knowledge of swaps is outstanding and is helpful being that SR and KAs are similar, he's a good resource of info, he knows his shit.

I have a question for you Cody. I'm looking at ecu's for my swap and am not sure which way to go. I'm thinking aem, jwt or megasquirt but am also thinking of trying to get away with a factory ecm. Which are you using? Do you have advice for me there. If you need anything else just ask, always willing to help.

Hope this helps
Cheers
Matthew

Please remember to help those in California, Texas and Florida, were all Americans!!

Also where are you located

Matthew

ECU....I have used several SDSEFI systems.
The site has lots of information even if you don't use their system.
Very easy to tune.

SDS EFI

Phil,
That is a good looking option for the Ecu. After poking around and reading I like the 4E/MSD. And reasonably priced. I like the options and it looks a lot easier to deal with than the others I've been looking at.

Thanks!

Have you put one in either of your roadsters?

Again thanks

Matthew