At 2.4 liters, the KA24E or KA24DE engine is the largest widely available Nissan 4-cylinder engine (except for the newer QR25DE). Not only is it larger, but has the best flowing (stock) head compared to L20B or Z20/Z22/Z24 -- it makes more HP right from the factory. It has either 4-valve heads (KA24DE) or 3-valve heads (KA24). In many countries, it is readily available and inexpensive coming out of Nissan pickups and Nissan 240SX (USA silvia S13 & S14). 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). Club members have swapped this into their 1200s with good success, reporting 14.0 second 1/4s with a stock motor (see discussion). 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)
- 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.
Wiring up the KA is the same for a 1200 and for a Datsun 510, 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
Australia AR Market
For Australia and worldwide export RHD markets. Export means outside the Japan market.
1989-1992 U12 Pintara (australia assembled) T, Ti, and TRX trims KA24E 129hp/96kw (FWD)
Europe EL Market
For Europe and worldwide LHD markets (other than North America).
D21 KA24E D22 KA24E R20 KA24E
Japan Market
KA24E SOHC * 11044-40F00 GASKET-CYLINDER HEAD 9009-9508 M11 Prairie (Not 1988) 9701-9712 D22 Datsun
KA20DE * 11044-70F00 GASKET-CYLINDER HEAD 0104- E25 Urvan 9906- D22 Datsun 9906- F23 Atlas by UD Nissan Diesel (Volvo AB) 9906-0104 VE24 Caravan/Homy Van KA24DE DOHC * 11044-1E401 GASKET-CYLINDER HEAD 9911-0108 JU30 Basara [MPV type vehicle] 9806-0108 U30 Presage [MPV type vehicle] 9710-0107 N30 R'nessa 9305- W30 Largo 9308-9511 U13 Bluebird
* 11044-70F00 GASKET-CYLINDER HEAD 0104- E25 Caravan/Urvan/Isuzu Como 9906-0104 VE24 Caravan/Homy Van 9906- D22 Datsun
North America
* 11044-40F00 GASKET-CYLINDER HEAD ISHINO 0788-0790 * 11044-40F10 GASKET-CYLINDER HEAD MITSBISHI/REINZ 1089-0790 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 1995-1997 D21U Hardbody Pickup KA24E
* 11044-53F00 GASKET-CYLINDER HEAD 1991-1993 S13 240SX KA24DE
* 11044-70F00 GASKET-CYLINDER HEAD 1994-1998 S14 240SX KA24DE
* 11044-3S500 GASKET-CYLINDER HEAD 1995-1997 D22U Hardbody Pickup KA24DE 1999- WD22 Pathfinder KA24DE
* 11044-1E401 GASKET-CYLINDER HEAD 0697-0899 * 11044-9E000 GASKET-CYLINDER HEAD 0899- 1993-1997 U13U Stanza Altima 0692-0597 KA24DE 1998-2001 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".
Bellhousings
11251 PLATE-ENGINE,REAR
30411-30R00 U12 KA24E.MT 30411-30R00 M11 2WD.KA24E.F5 30411-30R01 M11 4WD.KA24E.F5 30411-1E411 U13U [ring type] * superseded 30411-1E400 KA24DE.MT * superseded 30411-1E410 KA24DE.AT * superseded 30411-2B600 KA24DE 30411-30R10 U12 KA24E.AT 30411-30R10 M11 KA24E.FA 30411-2B600 L30 [ring type] 30411-40F00 S13 KA24DE.MT, KA24E.MT 30411-40F01 S13 KA24DE.MT 0194- 30411-40F11 S13 KA24DE.AT, KA24E.AT * replaces 30411-40F10 30411-40F11 S14 KA24DE.AT 30411-40F01 S14 KA24DE.MT 30411-07G00 D21/D21U/D22U 4WD KA24E/KA24DE 30411-W0402 D21/D21U 2WD.KA24E.MT.F5 30411-21000 D21/D21U/D22U KA24E.AT/KA24DE.AT 30411-F4000 WD22 30411-F4000 D22U 2WD.MT 30411-F4500 D22U AT 0798-0898 30411-F4501 D22U 4WD 0789-0898
Oil Pans
Fit a front sump oil pan and use the stock Datsun 1200 crossmember.
- Nissan D21 Pickup (Harbody) is rear sump
- Nissan Silvia S14 & S15 (240SX) is front sump
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 early gasket F ENGINE CODE Rockauto
- CORTECO 16627
- DNJ PG606
- VICTOR REINZ OS32152
- Fel-Pro OS30629C
- 1990-1992 Stanza
- 1990-1992 Axxess (Canada)
14-BOLT LATE (FWD 1993-2001 Altima) two-piece pan Rockauto.com
- VICTOR REINZ OS32184 (upper - pan to block)
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 KA24DE U13U [2-piece pan, 14-bolt] 0697-0899 11110-5B600 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24DE L30 [2-piece pan, 14-bolt] 0899- 11110-5B605 PAN ASSY-OIL KA24DE L30 [2-piece pan, 14-bolt]
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 Z, or KA transmissions may be used. L-series transmissions are sometimes use but the slant is wrong.
Recommendation: Use a short Stumpy (26.3") transmission and H165 rear with stock 1978-1979 Datsun A10 (Stanza/510) driveshaft. Cut the stock dust shield off the driveshaft so it fits into the Stumpy all the way. You can also use a 1975-up B210 or B310 (Sunny/210) automatic driveshaft, which are the same.
Rear Axle
The torque of a KA24 requires at least an H165 differential. The H145 of Datsun B110 and H150 of B210/B310 is not strong enough.
See main article: H165
Engine Mounts
Some guys cut the stock crossmember horns (brackets), and weld on brackets from a KA-powered vehicle. Then you can use stock KA rubber mounts
Others create new engine-side mount brackets, and use stock B110/B210/B310 rubber mounts
For Z-series swaps (and so might work for KA too), you can use the stock A14 type crossmember and fit low-profile rubber mounts to it. Then drill simple angle iron to bolt to the engine to match up to the rubber mounts.
Datsun B310 (210/Sunny) can use the crossmemer from the Datsun A10 (Stanza/510) with the Z-series engine.
Details? Please share.
Wiring
Wiring up a KA with its stock EFI involves getting the entire donor engine-room harness, the computer and all connected wiring. Eight wires from the KA harness connect to the car's wiring. Use severals relays and new fuses. It's a chore but you'll have OEM EFI -- power and economy both with awesome smoothness. A CAN/AM Box (engine swap wiring distribution box) makes EFI wiring swaps easier -- and easier to troubleshoot (though not required). Wiring up the KA EFI is the same for a 1200 and for a Datsun 510, so see Ratsun article How to wire a KA, CA, SR, and VG into anything.
Alternatively, get a carby manifold and go with carbs and the stock 1200 wiring can be adapted (oil pressure sensor, temp sensor, distributor feed). It'll be a rowdy powerful sounding engine with none of that high tech stuff!
A third alternative, particularly useful if you didn't get the KA24 wiring harness/ECU is to use the 200SX EFI -- see article "4-wire EFI".
And of course for the tinkerers or serious modders, you can use an aftermarket ECU such as the MegaSquirt or one of many other brands. If keeping the engine relatively stock, there is no reason to use other than the stock ECU.
Swap Notes
You can remove these from the engine and wiring harness and still have the engine function (seemingly) great:
- Secondary (post-convertor) O2 sensor
- CAS (Crank angle sensor, located on transmission bell housing S14 models)
- IAT (Intake air temp sensor, usually located in intake tube or air box)
- EGR system and associated sensors
- transmission sensor/switches (except reverse switch, if you want your lights to work)
- emissions control sensors and actuators
These are needed for the stock EFI system:
- TPS (Throttle position sensor)
- Water temp sensor
- Knock sensor
- MAF sensor
- Injectors
- Distributor/coil
- Primary oxygen sensor
- IAC (Idle control motor)
- Fast idle valve
- Fuel pump
Accessory Belts: S14 comes with power steering. For a delete option see ka-t.org power steering delete
See Fuel Injection, section "Fuel Tank". Feed and return lines should be 5/16" (8mm) instead of the stock Datsun 1200 1/4" (6mm) lines.
Exhaust: Use the stock cast iron exhaust manifold and have a muffler shop fit 2" exhaust tubing and muffler.
Sway-bar should fit fine.
Steering linkage is fine with cast iron exhaust manifold and the front-sump oil pan.