At 2.4 liters, the KA24E or KA24DE engine is the largest Nissan 4-cylinder engine. In many countries, it is readily available and inexpensive coming out of Nissan pickups. It will make a Datsun 1200 into a quick accelerator.
KA24E in Datsun 1200 = 14.0 second 1/4 mile
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Overview
The main downside of a KA swap is that it is fairly heavy -- as heavy as an L-series engine (the KA24 is based on the L-series engines). One or two club members have swapped this into their 1200s with good success, reporting 14.0 second 1/4s with a stock motor (http://datsun1200.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=6248&forum=2). Reportedly, a stock KA24DE can handle a fair amount of turbocharger boost, 250-300 hp without modifying the stock engine internals. The SR20DET or CA18DET can be similar modifed to a higher HP level. So the KA is a good engine for street use, but the others may be better for high-dollar supercar buildups.
KA24DE Nissan 240SX (S14) 154 HP @ 5400 RPM 160 lb-ft torque @ 4200 RPM
KA24DE Nissan D40 Frontier Pickup 143 HP @ 4300 RPM 160 lb-ft torque @ 4200 RPM
KA24E SOHC 140 hp @ 5600 RPM 152 ft-lb @ 4400 RPM (aftermarket carburetors)
- Fit a front sump oil pan and use the stock Datsun 1200 crossmember.
- Nissan D21 Pickup is rear sump
- Nissan 240SX is front sump
- Fabricate custom engine mount bracket
- Fabricate custom rear transmission mount
- Use a short (26.3") transmission and 1978-1979 Datsun 510 rear axle with stock 510 driveshaft
- Good aftermarket cams are available for KA24E, but not for KA24DE. So for a stock engine, use the DE. If you plan on building it up from stock levels, use the E.
There isn't much information on this swap into 1200s, so here are some links to 510 swap information:
Datsuns.com 510 swap info
In stock form [the KA24] produces a large amount of power and impressive torque compared to the L-series motor. It would take a very carefully built L-series motor to equal the power and torque of the KA24. It has a very fair redline and will easily spin the tires in lower gears. If you are converting from the average L20b with mikuni's or built L16/L18 you will be happily surprised.
Donor Cars
North America
SOHC 12-valve
1988-1990 S13 240SX KA24E 1990-1992 U12 Stanza (Bluebird/Pintara) KA24E [only engine] 1989-1994 M11 Axxess CANADA (Prairie) KA24E 1990-1994 D21 Hardbody Pickup KA24E 1993-1997 U13U Stanza Altima 0692-0597 KA24E [only engine]
DOHC 16-valve
1991-1993 S13 240SX KA24DE 1994-1998 S14 240SX KA24DE 1995-1997 D22U Hardbody Pickup KA24DE 1999- WD22 Pathfinder KA24DE 1998-2008 L30 Altima
RWD vs FWD Engine
KAs were popular from 1989 through the 2000s.
- Nissan pickups: RWD
- Nissan 240SX: RWD
- Most other Nissan cars: FWD
The differences include
- FWD: Distributor at rear of engine
- RWD: Distributor similar to L-series engine
- Different location of engine mounts
- Different accessory brackets
- Inlet manifold point opposite direction
- Transmission bell pattern differs (???) or is this urban legend?
Truck blocks are about 3/4" LONGER. they have a bellhousing flange that sticks off the back of the block an extra 3/4".
11251-30R00 PLATE-ENGINE,REAR MT 11251-30R10 PLATE-ENGINE,REAR AT
Oil Pans
Sumps do not use a traditional gasket, but use "gasket fluid":
- KP510-00150 GASKET-LIQUID
- replaced KP710-00150
KA24E 1989–1992 Nissan Pintara/Ford Corsair 1993-1996 Nissan Terrano 2 Europe
KA24DE 2000-2004 Nissan Xterra 1998-2004 Nissan Frontier 1993-2001 Nissan Altima 1991-1998 Nissan 240SX 1997-2000 Nissan R'nessa (4WD model, Japan) 1998-2001 Nissan Presage U30 (Japan) 1999-2001 Nissan Bassara U30 (Japan) 1993-1997 Nissan Bluebird U13 Isuzu COMO (Japanese: Isuzu COMO) Nissan Largo
North America Market
Aftermarket supplies traditional gaskets:
12-bolt Gasket (common) Rockauto.com
- CORTECO 16618
- VICTOR REINZ OS32151
- FEL-PRO OS30617C
- 1993-1995 Axxess (Canada)
- 240SX/Pickup/D22/Frontier/Xterra KA24E & KA24DE
14-bolt gasket F ENGINE CODE Rockauto
- CORTECO 16627
- DNJ PG606
- VICTOR REINZ OS32152
- Fel-Pro OS30629C
- 1990-1992 Stanza
- 1990-1992 Axxess (Canada)
12-bolt gasket (Late 240SX) Rockauto.com
- DNJ PG622
- VICTOR REINZ OS32110
- Fel-Pro OS30644C
- 1991-1998 240SX
Front Sump (RWD - 240SX)
0788-0790 11110-40F00 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24E S13 0790-0993 11110-53F00 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24DE S13 0294-0698 11110-53F00 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24DE S14
Front Sump (FWD - Stanza/Altima/Axxess)
0189-0394 11110-65E00 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24E M11 0789-0692 11110-65E00 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24E U12 0692-0597 11110-65E00 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24E U13U [2-piece pan]
Rear Sump (RWD Trucks - Pickup/Hardbody/Xterra/Pathfinder)
0192-0196 11110-86G00 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24E KA24E D21, D21U 2WD * replaced 11110-3S500 0196-0897 11110-F4000 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24E D21U 2WD 0890-0897 11110-86G06 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24E D21, D21U 4WD 0599-0700 11110-4S100 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24DE WD22 0700-0902 11110-F4500 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24DE WD22 0898-0898 11110-86G06 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24DE D22U 4WD 0701-0499 11110-F4500 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24DE D22U 2WD 0599-0700 11110-4S100 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24DE WD22 0700-0902 11110-F4500 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24DE WD22
Transmission
KA uses the same bellhousing pattern as the Z-series engines. This in turn is just like the L-series engine, but straight up unlike the slant of the L. So L, Z, or KA transmissions may be used.
Use a short stumpy (26.3") transmission and H165 rear with stock A10 510 driveshaft or B310 automatic driveshaft.