700HP KA-Turbo S13 240SX Review! Is the KA Worth Swapping?

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The S13 240SX hatch is one of my favorite JDM cars ever in the 90's era. However when the United States received the Nissan 240SX we felt like we got the bad end of the bargain. Equipped with a KA DOHC motor rather than the turbocharged SR20DET, the 240SX didn't seem to have the same punch its JDM brothers did. The SR20 by most enthusiasts is considered the better motor to have in the S-Chassis. Some people out there however decide to go a different route. What if you took the unloved KA engine and tuned it to its max potential? Today we drive this absolutely immaculate S13 equipped with a built KA-T engine setup making 700HP to the wheels. With a blistering 9 second quarter mile time ad a 300ZX Z32 transmission, this car feels like a time capsule of the 1990's. So is it worth swapping your 240SX's engine to an SR20? Let's go for a drive and find out! Thanks for watching and new uploads every Tuesday,Thursday, and Saturday!
#nissan #silvia #240sx

[@ThatDudeinBlue]

KA-T VS SR20. GO.

[@AaronsEnduro]

Hi david!!

[@tonytirabassi4885]

KA-T all day

[@klassenkustoms9932]

Ecotec swap. There’s a reason it’s the fastest 4 banger

[@S13_Zach]

Sr all day. I love mine

[@alex_k1410]

Still SR for me

[@MentleGan]

This car defies engine swaps, overfenders, bodykits, wraps, gutted interior and soooo many more things, these kind of cars is what I live for👍 And screw people who say KAs are no good, they are not good enough for the KA.

[@metalfruttolo9855]

Axe Tom382 yeah this makes me so happy, no dumb looking frp kit, no retarded riveted overfenders, full interior, nice one-color paint, we need more cars like this around, way too many get way overdone for instagram clout

[@corbinkanneman1653]

makes them cheaper for us

[@ru.bennnn]

Yea I love the retro and stock interiors on old jdm cars

[@JasonCabrera]

Axe Tom382 right on

[@charliedumbell7693]

It has full interior tho?

[@Jeremy_Hill_2020]

0:46 TDIB: possibly one of the cleanest S13 240's I've ever driven Your blue 240sx at home: "am I a joke to you?"

[@loganburnett2731]

Jeremy Hill Definitely cleaner because it has the motor that belongs in it.. easy concept

[@N3RF4LIF3]

I think he was referring to how stock it is. Like he has a full "stock" interior. "Everything" works. All the body panels are stock. He said it like hes back in past, as if it was new.

[@Jeremy_Hill_2020]

@@N3RF4LIF3 😮

[@aftrnoon_ac]

Logan Burnett The motor doesn't have nothing to do with the car's look, and it's not an easy concept let alone NOT a concept, you sound stupid

[@Murica_gaming]

@@MrBluePoochyena those engines aren't stock in this exact car tho so it doesn't matter what's stock in other regions

[@LMSILVIA]

Finally a properly done car with a proper exhaust and no dumb screamer pipes, clean and beatiful...

[@N3RF4LIF3]

A screamer pipe is on a vent to atmosphere wastegate. Which this car has a screamer pipe

[@XBullitt16X]

I agree, those get real obnoxious after a while.

[@bb6seb]

@@XBullitt16X with a mindset like yours they do

[@mguay001]

Xavier Wulf has entered the chat.

[@josephrizzo7720]

Michael only real ones understand this

[@GarretRB]

*HOLLOW SQUAD SESH HOLLOW WATERBOYS LIVE FROM THE GRAVE*

[@stephvonsmith]

Was thinking about him while watching lol

[@benjaminmoon3248]

Ka no sr u bih

[@stephvonsmith]

@@benjaminmoon3248 watch how I make these niggas mad

[@CloroxBleach-ub2lt]

When I saw the title, I thought: "700hp 240? What's it got? 2JZ? RB26?" Nope. No engine swap here. Whoever built this car has my respect.

[@DJ_BFG]

Honestly I think people are too caught up in the sr20...

[@jacobwebb8818]

@@TheRobertChannel QR25: "guys I'm right here"

[@Vert344]

VH45 and VK56: "They basically forget we exist". lol

[@hatch450sx3]

@@Vert344 VH45DE horror stories over here. Blown 3 of them. Now going 2jz like I should have.

[@slowspecv69]

HATCH450sx ouf how much power were you pushing

[@hatch450sx3]

@@slowspecv69 first time 400whp. That MIGHT have been my fault it blew I didnt listen to my friend when he suggested 0w20 oil. I was broke when I was younger and I put 5w30 in. The second I was much more careful with and safely tuned at 385 whp. Did everything maticuosly. Driving home from a meet got a rod knock. When I go home from the tow I turned it on for only a minute and put a piston through the block. The final I had a speed shop build the engine and easily ran safe at around 500whp don't remember exact. I launched from a light and blew out a freeze plug some how. Not saying it's the motors fault but the swap is more damn expensive then a 2jz. I'll I had is headaches with vh45de. Not to mention any company that deals with parts is like non existent anymore.

[@reemeruxd]

What you said about it feeling like a car that was built back in the 90s in its prime. Totally spot on. It's beautiful

[@Hotrod_algo]

The price of ka 240's just went up lol

[@RaceGasSmellsGood]

Seth Greer truth! 😂

[@huntergibsonii4785]

Very pissed. It's only been a few days and I'm seeing em blew up for $1k... Just blew mine up and started looking and I assume it's from shit like this.. love the kas.. but nowhere worth near $1k for just stock blocks, blown, etc.

[@legacyautofocus]

Got a full s14 stock af ka chassis never abused, full interior, minus front seats, for 1100 in NJ, only thing is someone bashed in the quarter and rear frame, not subframe, so I'm making a deathkart

[@legacyautofocus]

@@huntergibsonii4785 👆

[@ryanstreuli8667]

No way the 240 can inflate in price anymore...

[@iLikpie110]

I Love KA24ET/KA24DET Builds Finally nice seeing them getting some love 😍😍😍😍

[@IqpIqpI]

Damn!! Love that car!! Appreciate seeing a 240 owner who doesnt cut it up and change everything! The kat is impressive!

[@hatch450sx3]

The car by default in America is a cut up. Nissan fucked us with a lazy truck motor with a terrible long stroke and a garbage trans.

[@brandoGTR48]

@@hatch450sx3 Stroke makes torque

[@jeffj8195]

Exactly. Awesome to see a turbo KA with a full exhaust and not hood dump exhaust that make the thing sound like shit.

[@Gcoug69]

Really like the License plate : SR20LOL

[@brotomwang8218]

I’m stealing it lol

[@manjotsandhu7715]

What evers done to this ka jimmy needs to do to nisonda

[@madmatt2024]

And he needs to get @ThatDudeinBlue to review it.

[@MrStipii]

Nisssaaanda

[@ohnissan1372]

I support this

[@aaron916]

He did say the one he bought was a built engine right? I cant remember.

[@Gsr_automotive]

he sooooo should do that

[@blazered8987]

Making these better has been around for a long time and I'm glad to see them get the spotlight for once. This is a testament to their potential, great video!

[@turbovolvos40]

I love to see under appreciated engines knock it out of the park.

[@adrian4654]

Wow, this car is amazing, now one of my favorite review from you David. It shows if you put time and effort into something you can make it your own and very special.

[@StaufferGarage]

...God I miss mine. Now I'm going to need to find one to pick up again. Thank you lol

[@hondamanvtec2894]

God luck they are worth there weight in gold 😬

[@timephire]

Good timimg. Just watched Donut Media's Silvia vs. 86.

[@Coryw133]

Me too

[@megachef0421]

Same 😂

[@aj_stillcranked]

Me 3

[@Vtoq]

S13 Hatch Gang 😎

[@aaroncook54]

Lol. Litterally me. I think afterwards ima go for a drive. It's a beautiful sunday

[@aanas_evo1713]

WOW love it! Engine bay & interior are so clean and match very well! Also that stock look of the 240 is beautiful.

[@LMSILVIA]

My car has a perfect dash, leather seats and a CA18, i've decided to keep her clean and not stock but true to her roots...

[@martianweed089]

i dont think any car guy can keep it stock its not how we're wired

[@AY-xd9rk]

@@martianweed089 I guess sometimes you can hold yourself 😂

[@LMSILVIA]

@@AY-xd9rk No you can't lol, i'm just gonna give it some 21st century engine management which is the main issue with them and some forgies, turbo and stuff. I'll feel happy with 350-400 hp but keep it nice and clean stock looking because they are beautiful like that.

[@zevuse_440]

LMSILVIA where u from we didn’t got that engine in the US 😢

[@schafer240]

@@AY-xd9rk lol best of luck with that, the ca is essentially a rb20 with two cylinders hacked off, even a fully built one with a ton of works max potential is 350, not to mention the aftermarket support is almost non existent. Great little motor stock but you kinda have to come to terms with what it is and what it can do

[@nissanpartscc]

Nice! Car is rad. Awesome to see you seriously enjoying ripping around in it.

[@cameronbarry1996]

I saw this car at Ace Cafe in Orlando a few months ago. Wasn't sure at first, but pulled up a pic of the same identical engine bay on my phone. Super clean car, not a dent on it.

[@justcars9547]

I remember this car Classic designs are the best, love this channel keep up the good content really engaging and entertaining which by watching his content has helped me to open up my channel as I love high performance cars!

[@mikeschaner5853]

Got me looking into the 90's altimas now... They had the ka... Had 1 years ago and LOVED it. Been hooked on nissan truck engines since

[@EnSnusTack]

Damn that's one clean 240, loved the KA btw. Sounds really really nice!

[@galengallman]

ka all day had my built kat running driving to and from drift events running for 5 years just now rebuilt it and love it

[@NGKGMR]

I honestly like the stock looks of the 240sx. The bumper are beautiful everything is beautiful

[@xchrisxwoodsx]

Same here, I used to love hella modded stuff. I grew up and realized I appreciate more OEM+ stuff than over modifies things

[@streamlineperformancevideo1926]

Awesome review! I love clean ka-t builds :)

[@capyfanvok]

That's a sick looking S13 if i do say so my self,love the vids

[@capyfanvok]

Cheer from hungary people,heads up,just like pop ups

[@aidanbrock8046]

I 've always liked it when somebody actually had the determination to build the KA's in 240's. I follow monsta performance out of Florida and they have a KA-T s13.5 drift car that makes 500hp. KA is a good engine if built right.

[@original__gmebvy]

@ThatDudeinBlue we actually did get the SR20 here in the States, the caveat is that we never saw the turbo version of that engine (SR20DET) but the naturally aspirated SR engines were available here in a number of Nissan vehicles. The Infiniti G20 (aka Nissan Primera), and the Nissan Sentra 200SX (aka Nissan Lucino. This is not to be confused with the European S-chassis 200SX, which is based on a Silvia) came with the SR20DE engine which makes 140hp at the crank, and can easily be built into a makeshift SR20DE+T with the huge amount of aftermarket mods that can be installed. The funny part about those 2 cars I mentioned is that they came with SR20 engines in the States but they were FWD as opposed to RWD. In addition you can get them with either an automatic or a manual, and they can be built up and hold a decent amount of power in stock form. I drive a 2016 Nissan Note, which was sold alongside the Versa platform in the States, and I’m currently saving up to buy a FWD SR20 engine to do a swap within a year or two. On their own, they aren’t that powerful or fast even. But the low cost of entry to afford one, and the abundant amounts of OEM parts availability, as well as the small size of the vehicle and a low curb weight (under 2500lbs) makes for an interesting platform to build a fast but reliable daily driver. People overseas in parts of Asia like Japan and Thailand do SR20DET engine swaps into their Nissan Almeras, which is just another name for the Versa overseas, and the stuff they come up with is absolutely incredible despite the lack of an actual aftermarket support system. You should find someone who has a FWD SR20 engine in their car and review it, and see how it stacks up to the RWD SR20. There was also an SR20 that came in Nissan cars with factory AWD in some parts of the world, so if you ever go to Canada, be on the lookout for someone with a Nissan X-Trail SUV or a Nissan Avenir, since those came with the SR20 engine and all wheel drive.

[@jonj4357]

Your info is correct!

[@abdullahisdanul107]

People keep saying that KA were trash yet this car proof me wrong. So glad you review her 240 David

[@aslineNk]

Ka all day much respect ive had e et and de. Nissan builds amazing and sturdy products from the jump. Take a little time to learn how it all works and allot of powerful from them get tossed i love vg also. 💯💪🏾 my man keeping the OG'S Alive

[@JCE10NYC]

I saw this 240sx on INSTAGRAM, happy to see it on your channel

[@TURBOMOOSE]

Holy crap is that morgans!!! so cool to see builds from people i know!!!!

[@bryanrios8429]

Hell yeah I love seeing the ka get the rep it deserves with all the aftermarket parts for it now it’s reached it potential

[@BobThe9534]

hi David. nice vid. liked b4 watching b/c I knew it was goin to b good

[@erick_bst]

I love the weird builds like this, that's the best way to achieve your build goal and specially set yourself apart from the crowd.

[@thecrazymonkeyjumper]

Got a Rb20det in my s13 hatch right now. But In hopefully a few days I’ll be getting a borg Warner ka-t with a forged bottom end. Great timing man. And that car makes me more excited then I was

[@wantsomegreen4677]

Just clean and simple. No fuss and it works. Props to the owner!

[@basithph8958]

That has to be the best sounding 240SX ever!

[@iliraliko1510]

It’s as if it’s all original souped up from factory, I love it. This ka-t setup all day long. It’s so different but almost as if original at the same time. The vibe is real

[@icestormgaming9357]

My car has the ka24de, its a 97 altima. I love it, it may be slow in its fwd configuration but it definitely its reliable and fun, hardly any accel lag

[@twoeightythreez]

The Ka24de in the 240sx was never used in a truck. The ka24de used in the 1998-2004 Frontier had enough differences to almost be considered a different engine family.

[@allday3433]

Not true

[@BigBoyz33]

This 240 looks so damn perfect my god. I love how he did a sneak diss at the beginning when he said it had a full interior 😂

[@RaceGasSmellsGood]

Damn, that car looks so damn good with the RPF1s upfront and the welds with slicks in the back! 😍😍😍😍😍

[@MrJeroenreyns]

Such a clean build, it isnt obnoxious like most modern builds are, clean and simple. Yet an absolute monster

[@GevXander]

Another great video 💪🏾

[@jamesalmieda9051]

I love this car ka moter clean paint clean interior no stupid exhaust and the car isn't loaded with stickers it's nice to see a clean fast 240 Good job beautiful sleeper and of course thank you David for the great video and God bless 🙌 😊

[@slickviet121]

The motor sounds so good and smooth going through the rev range. The boost on that car comes on quick looks sounds like a car with a healthy 3.5-4k + worth of rpm in the boost. Love the ka24de as a street motor platform.

[@jonj4357]

A built KA is a street weapon

[@nonog294]

I miss my ka-t. Back in the day. Set me apart from all the sr20s that was a fun project back in 2009.

[@Hippiemechanic]

Nono G who knew it would be worth 10k now

[@MrDaoby]

Same! First build ever was a forged bottom end and cammed ka-t! Definitely one of the most simple motor I've built.

[@CutieSocks]

Oooo a KA that’s been built up. This should be interesting. Never see them built, especially since I come from a land of CA18s and SR20s

[@ThatDudeinBlue]

Exactly. When I saw it in person I was blown away.

[@Noahreyes1112]

I miss my KA-T Altima😢😢, makes me want to get another one

[@Tig_Supreme]

What a beauty! I’ve got to see this car before at a car meet and she’s mint. The reason why I built my ka24de and installed a turbo on it. That’s definitely a freight train. A true sled. The Ka motors get bad rep. But if you take the right steps to build it right you get a great solid engine.

[@jayyb3744]

Xavier Wulf Approves! “This a KA not a SR”

[@triplebutted]

Xavier Wulf has a SR hatch. The song goes, he's being asked "KA?" and responds "No, SR you bitch!" He's flexing on KA owners. Which is funny but I had a KA motor, it was great! Even the single cam was stout.

[@z33avery30]

its actually "KA NO SR YOU BITCH"

[@Xxassass1n021xX]

240 is a damn fool!

[@XBullitt16X]

I love that this car kept the stock body, just something about it .

[@raymac8577]

Perfect example of do not listen to online BS. Not everything needs to be built the same. Great build. ✌🏼

[@benitamanzanarez3520]

What I needed to see (again) I’m building a kat currently on a budget but sooner than later will be firged

[@LNR6SPD]

I have 2 KA's Dual cam. Fun little engine! This pushes me to fully build one

[@HellaNorCal916]

Thought we determined the KA turbo was legit years ago now. 😕

[@Lancevehoek512]

Jason Colby it’s pretty popular now everyone builds them they will outlast sr20s with the right machine work

[@tommeeboy]

Right??

[@Flako92]

Always want to get my hands on an automatic 240sx and turbo it.

[@MrDaoby]

Definitely a more stout block and crank compared to the SR

[@lorollinls]

Jason Colby, you are correct sir. Not sure how this is news...

[@calebmcghee5912]

I have a ka24de in my old beater altima and the dang thing is so solid stock and great for trolling civics

[@SecretCrowds128]

Man the second I saw this I knew it was Morgan's hahah. One of my fav builds

[@OregonChronic]

Great video👍

[@ctrl-alt-bingo]

Lots of datsun guys love putting ka motors in their sunnys, because kas give gobs of torque, making the super light cars, so much fun to drive, not to mention ka (and sr) are litterally plug and play with extremely minimal mods, and a mish mash of nissan oem parts, it basically turns them into nissan subcompact musscle cars, and god they just shred tires, and give smiles for days

[@artysmotorsports]

Man that's a sweet set up. Hope my s14 gets somewhere close to it 🤙🤙

[@FriedEggsandJellyfish]

Yes. It's so overlooked because it's the stock motor, it's not "jdm", and considered a truck motor. But holy shit is a proper built ka-t so much fun to drive. I've had numerous setups on mine, 50 trim, 60-1, t28, 6466. And the spool on every turbo is so amazing. It's almost instant with the extra displacement. No knocking on the sr20s but I'll choose ka everyday.

[@HondaCivic-xy3qe]

IT LOOKS SOOOOOOOO GOOD

[@ThatDudeinBlue]

Clean and simple!

[@jesselowry]

Yep. I had a '93 KA before, fun car. Had a few mods, ran like hell.

[@luisocasio9365]

Built mine in 2006 KA-T stock bottom-end Ebay turbo (57trim) custom intake electromotive tec3 did 420 RwHP at 18psi, lasted 2 years before breaking the ring lands. V-2 same block .060 forged internals, head work, cams, valvetrain, GT42 hyb. turbo, dual disc exedy, power everything with A/C. No dyno yet, currently working on the suspension and interior.

[@zanky196]

you should review a Volvo S60R. you thought that 240 sounded good lol wait until you drive a big turbo S60 haha there sick. you gotta love them 5 cylinders.

[@rexracer7192]

That Racing Channel did a vid awhile back on a ka-t with over 950 hp it was in an s14 I believe.

[@effingwrecked1917]

There y'all go SR guys. KA have good pontential. Cast iron block all day.

[@hatch450sx3]

Might wanna ask him how much he really put into the car.

[@micahhill4786]

effing wrecked SR also take a lot of money to built it to make 450 to 500 plus where a KA24 build is much cheaper than it

[@effingwrecked1917]

@@micahhill4786 You damn right.

[@effingwrecked1917]

@@hatch450sx3 KA still cheaper. trust me. U think a SR20 jdm motor is cheap. lol If you gonna buy a sr20 you might as well buy a RB.

[@djchasingsummerjoan]

when does a ka stop being reliable ?

[@jdmcarboy64]

I’ve known lee for 10+ years now and aside him putting a vq35HR in his skyline this was the most wild build he’s ever done.

[@jonj4357]

Does he have an insta?

[@jdmcarboy64]

@@jonj4357 @leebird @monstaperformance

[@jonj4357]

@@jdmcarboy64 bonkers. Long live the KA, seems the FL crowd loves these things 🤙🏼

[@jdmcarboy64]

@@KARRwrong car for what? I said he put a 350z motor in the his r33 and pissed off the Internet. I didn’t mention this car at all.

[@jdmcarboy64]

@@KARR it’s on his IG as his car, but I mean you’d know, I don’t remember if he had a hand in your hellcat swap or not

[@nismox6460]

Both great platforms I had the HKS ka turbo set up in the 90 Back then it was unstoppable. I only changed when I go hold of a built SR22 vvt Built by Japan race shop. P.S. The setup I miss most is my NA ka24de quick and balanced. Great for time attack , grip and drift.

[@Dylanschillin]

KA is my dream JDM engine, definitely picking one up this summer

[@jonj4357]

KA are about as USDM as it gets lol ol

[@dmsasko]

Bro welcome to Merrit Island, too bad I didn't spot you while you were here but I think I've seen that car around

[@that-dude666]

I once sat in the passenger seat of a 500hp ka-t, 240sx fastback that runs 10 sec in the 1/4 mile. I went and picked up a clutch for my 240sx and he took me to the back roads, as he lives out in the country side of Wisconsin, and did a few runs down the stretch. By far, its the most powerful car that I've ever been in. That was 15yrs ago.

[@Linkedchief]

America did get SR20s in the G20, SE-R 200SX, NX200 and SE/SE-R Sentras, they just weren't turbo charged.

[@tylerallen3876]

I always find it funny that my mom had one of these back in the 90s, but returned it a day later because it didn't feel like a sports car, but more like an economy car. Lol

[@F14Goose37]

Well, that helps me make up my mind. I was thinking about running a different motor in my 620 for a while after I finish with the chassis work. A built KA-T would be a fun for a while, then after I swap the truck back to an L series, maybe I can find a 510 or something for the KA to live in.

[@Daniel-hq2tx]

few seconds in the video and im already loving it

[@alext4234]

I’ve seen this car before! Its beautiful 🥺

[@xMetcine]

ikr same here bro. Its so precious!

[@nathanlodder1006]

👍for the vid on the KA-T..WIKI has information on the Nissan 4 holes bro

[@victorbernabe4294]

The ka24de with wolftech cams freaking rips!.... the only draw back is the long runner intake manifold , solve it with a custom plenum and runners ..... I luv the sr20’s and ka24de’s high port head design of the 90’s

[@PapaTroll86]

I had a KA24DE-T S13 coupe and it was an absolute monster. Sounded better than the SR's and was much torquier and needed much less boost to make power. 325whp and 400 ft. lbs of torque on 9 lbs of boost (forged internals and a few other bolt-ons tuned on an APex'i SAFC-2.) 12 second car on street tires and much cheaper than the SR swaps all my other friends were doing.

[@blixxy1320]

This is honestly inspiring

[@joedirte9343]

Proper way to build a 240sx imo. Love jzs, but origional engine, untouched body, love it.

[@The_True_]

Love the full size fire extinguisher im the floor. Noice!

[@motoadrenaline1006]

I think I cried a little in the intro. Such a beautiful car.

[@ramonesfreak2010]

I just picked up a stock 240 and was thinking about going KA-T after seeing SR prices. This was definitely a sign.

[@jonj4357]

Do it

[@brianobrian9334]

1991 was the first year of the ka24de ( D= dual overhead cam ). Its been also said that the 1991 ka24de had a hotter cam profile. The single overhead cam ka engine code was Ka24e

[@mackosajt8291]

Dream car. Just with a track setup, and a silvia front end

[@benbirch2393]

Never driven a ka car (I'm in the UK), but I definitely always preferred the CA to the SR over here.

[@rodney81500]

Very nice build 👍

[@alvinteo1110]

It is lit af, cool to see that somebody keep it simple and mod the fuck up with the stock engine

[@nielsei]

Jimmy oakes Needs to see this for his RWD civic!

[@barrientos92]

I remember reading a super street article about the K vs the Sr. The K was better because it had more compression. Blast from the past!

[@wintonbain]

Ka t currently build mines lots of useful information and detailed work into the engine

[@goracks69]

I’ve seen enough of David’s vids to know that this car scared David as much as it impressed him and made him laugh.

[@dreednlb]

99% of his "reviews" he talks with this attitude like the car is just a f'ing joke. He actually showed this one a little respect.

[@Athoroughgamer]

When you get here 16 seconds after the video uploads