Forced Induction vs. Naturally Aspired

[mrnabeehhasan]

My brother who is a loyal BMW owner, was contemplating coming into the import world. He wanted performance along with rear wheel drive, so I suggested the 240 sx and get a SR20DETT. As soon as he found out it is turbocharged, he wanted no part of it. He has hang ups with forced induction from bad experiences with volvos and saabs. I was wondering if anyone had a naturally aspired KA in a 240 sx that could put out some great performance on par with the SR20DETT powerplants. Or should my brother just look for another car?

[Bean Bandit]

maybe a Infinity Q45 engine (208kw/400Nm) but I don't think that will fit a 240SX But he shouldn't doubt the SR20 engine, it's reliable as hell, if tuned well *rimes*
I got a friend who's driving a BMW E30 and he's against turboing too. I hope to convince him if I get my car

[J SPEC SilEighty]

Originally posted by mrnabeehhasan
My brother who is a loyal BMW owner, was contemplating coming into the import world. He wanted performance along with rear wheel drive, so I suggested the 240 sx and get a SR20DETT. As soon as he found out it is turbocharged, he wanted no part of it. He has hang ups with forced induction from bad experiences with volvos and saabs. I was wondering if anyone had a naturally aspired KA in a 240 sx that could put out some great performance on par with the SR20DETT powerplants. Or should my brother just look for another car?

I'm guessing you mean the SR20DET, unless your making it twin turbo. Hence the "T" at the end of the engine code. The KA is a very strong motor that can handle up to about 400 hp on the stock internals. There are a few KA powered 240's that have been in magazines recently and one of them I remember reading that it ran a mid 10 second 1/4.

[mrnabeehhasan]

I was incorrect in writing SR20DETT, it should have been SR20DET. But were any of those KA's naturally aspired? I've heard about KA's being turbocharged reaching 400hp, but not naturally aspired. The one in SCC a month or so ago was a turbo'd built KA.

I appreciate the responses so far. Thank you.

[revjunkie]

Non of those cars were N/A. he could however do a SR20de swap. But why not keep the bimmer, he's technically already in the import scene?

[J SPEC SilEighty]

Nah the KA's were still turbocharged. If he wants to stick with the stock KA and go naturally aspirated then he's not going to be very fast. I don't really know how much power can be gotten out of the KA naturally apirated but I would guess about 275 max with excellent programming. 275 hp will probably get him around mid to low 13's

[JDMEddie]

BMWs are bad ass & RWD & Imports (the catigories he is looking 4)... if he likes BMW tell him to go BMW...I am a S13 fan but BMW Motor Sports is very cool. It seems to me that its monkey see monkey do. You want him to go from BMW to Nissan? N/A BMW is a decent race car. Why does he want a 10sec drag car?(very hard & expencive) There are more ways to race that going straight (any1 can wait for a light and switch gears). Learn to turn

[mrnabeehhasan]

I should have been more explicit in my original post. My brother wants an asian alternative for motorsports instead of his daily driven 5series. I consider BMWs imports, but it was my mistake to not mention my brother wanting to try out asian cars in motorsports.

I had just suggested a 240sx, but I don't know in the long run if its more than some 3series BMW to autocross. We were just exploring different options to just have fun that's all.

[Fliquer]

If you want a strong NA engine for the 240sx, you might want to look into getting a VG30DE - the engine used by the '89+ 300zx (the NA model). At 225hp/201lbs it would definitely kill a redtop SR20DET. However, I've never heard of this swap being done so I dont know if it will fit in the 240sx...

[mrnabeehhasan]

Hey Fliquer, you live in the Research Triangle. My brother lives out there, maybe you would have some automotive contacts out that way. I would appreciate some contacts to pass on to him, so he could talk to some people and gain a better understanding of 240sx and SR20DET swaps. Or just somebody that would be local to throw some possible ideas at him. He was just looking at something as an alternative to his 5series to compete in.

Thank you.

[Fliquer]

A 240sx is a great auto-x car. He would be wise in buying one for racing purposes. However, I cant really help him with contacts. I have only has my car for a month, and also the 240sx.org club contact who lives in raleigh doesnt respond to my emails. So I am in the same boat.

[mrnabeehhasan]

I would appreciate your sharing any information you may get in the future. I know the experience of living in an area without support for imports all too well.

Thanks,

Nabeeh Hasan