Does anybody here know what the weak point is in a KA24DE? I've heard that the connecting rods are pretty stout from the factory, so would it just be the pistons or what?

so ive heard also that the connecting rods are pretty strong from the factory.

personally I would change the pistons over 260 RWHP.

Insight about the keepers and retainers in the head?

question: how stiff are the valve springs?

There are 300+whp stock bottom end KAs that have lived for years with minor problems (search and you shall find). I think the weak link is tuning. I plan on pushing 300+whp by summer time on stock motor.

The timing chain is a weak point in both KA's.

might be about 200 for a shop to do it. Shops do just as good as a dealership for less.

Sorry man, I meant as far as what I would need to turbo the engine in the sense of what would break first. Yea the timing chain system is definately a weak point. thanks

Ring lands on the pistons

Pistons are cast also

I heard that Rods and I think Pistons or Crankshaft are forgded from the factory so there pretty strong

Rods and crank are forged

Pistons are cast

Ahh thanks Ghost :D

The KA24DE engine really has no real weak point. This is a bullet proof engine that will last forever as long as you change the oil and fillter regularly. The rings are lilely to go first though (250K).
But if you want to start being crazy and add turbos and NOS......things will happen as thois engine was NOT designed for these applications as STOCK.
You never clarified the term weak point though.
Rings are it!

Turbo and/or NOS this stock engine set-up and it is a whole new ball game guy.

PS - Even the new stock QR35 will fail if modified with turbo and NOS.
:iceslolan

I did specify in post #5. Thanks ghost.

Rods are pretty strong, but will snap once you're drag racing in the 400 hp range. Unless you're going there, I wouldn't worry. Pistons are probably the weak point, and the first thing I'd replace. If you're going turbo you'll probably be doing this anyway (to drop static compression). Many racers raise the redline by using stiffer valve springs. If you do this, you'd better go all the way and get lighter valves (ideally titanium) to take stress off the valvetrain. The timing chain will still be a concern, especially if you have a high-mileage engine, but I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. Overall, this engine is a brick. 14 psi w/ a good intercooler will double your power and torque, and it will almost certainly stay together.

If you somehow manage to break the crankshaft, you'll probably end up in the Guinness book of world records.

You can also adjust rev limit and speed limt/removal of speed limt w/ the Apex Speed/Rev Controler

rings/pistons.

- Nathan