I just bought a 1972 Coupe and have been putting parts together for a japanese resto-rod project.... Want to know if anyone else has put a KA24E into a 1200 or if I'm just going way too far. I'd like to hear, because it looks like a tight but doable fit. Any tips would be helpful. Was looking to keep it fairly simple and straightforward. Not looking for a rocketship, but not looking to get embarassed. I intend to drop the motor in and fab up whatever need be, then pull the motor and perform a full body restoration. In other words, not my main driver, my datsun truck is, so I've got nothing but time...

Also, what kind of rear disc choices do I have. I think the rear disc setup off the S110 200SX would fit, but there again, I'm a Datsun 720 truck guru, not a Datsun 1200 know-all.

Sure, it's been done. Expect 14 second 1/4 miles with a stock KA24E. So not a rocketship, but as fast as a 5.0 Mustang or 5.7 Camaro.

14 second 1/4 mile, thats pretty quick! you wont be embarassed by that!

think the height of the engine would be the biggest worry, i know there block is the height of a Z24 which stands no chance of fitting in a 1200. but the KA heads are smaller so might fit in

KA24 fits under the bonnet of a Datsun 1200.



KA24E in Datsun 1200

KA Swap

Great! I work for a performance shop in Las Vegas and have access to a professional shop and equipment, so fabrication was never a problem. The motor was given to me by a friend, and will be gone through extensively. As I said earlier, I know my way around cars, but I don't know everything.

that 14.0 quarter with a stock engine statement isnt really correct

solid adjustable lifters, a lightened flywheel, decent exhaust and twin 45s on a nismo manifold arent really factory items

no doubting it would be reasonably fast in a 1200 and have loads of torque though

The car in pic is mine. I have had many different ka motors in the car. it would run 14.0 at 99 with broken motor mount. it had 45mm webers, nissan comp manifold. Once i put a header, mild cam, and solid lifters it ran 13.4. Then i built a 12 valve with slightly bigger cam and more compression. Ran 12.4. The stock ka24de in the 1200 with 45mm carbs I was running 13.4. I think i will be doing a ca18det now. I want to take some weight out of the front end. The carbs on the ka motors probably made more power but i really think with stock efi tuned the car would have been faster.

a CA would be a bit of a step backwards from a 12 second NA KA wouldnt it...guess it depends on how much work you plan to do to the CA to get it back on par

well..the 12 second ka motors also snap datsun 510 wagon axles like no other. lol. I was thinking a stock ca18det at 10psi. aiming to get about 200 at crank. this is a street car. I dont mess with the ka motors anymore.