Datsun 510 KA24 Engine Swap

Datsun 510 KA24 Engine Swap

WARNING! BEFORE YOU CONTINUE READING... THIS IS NOT A HOW TO. FOR NOW AND UNTIL NEXT NOTICE THIS IS SOMEHOW WHAT I PLAN TO DO TO MY 510 (ITS NOT DONE YET). PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GIVE ME YOUR INPUT.

(UPDATE 04/28/2016)

I got a good deal on a KA24DE with EVERYTHING for a swap. It came out of a 240sx but I'm unsure of the year. I need to adapt it to my 510. 

After hours of searching, I have found a very promising webpage with a list of stuff that I will need. the list is here:
http://www.the510realm.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=12697

And you guys should check out this guy's build:
http://community.ratsun.net/topic/55383-ka24de-datsun-510-build/

What I know:

Engine:
I have a KA24DE.

A KA24E can work too. These engines can be used off Nissan's 240SX and Nissan's D21 Pickup. The Nissan Altima or any Front Wheel Drive vehicle needs extensive modifications to fit a RWD Datsun, and to me they are not an option.

Transmission:
I have a 5 speed transmission which was originally mated to my KA24DE.

The transmission has to be out of a Rear Wheel Drive vehicle. I have read that the pickup transmissions are different from a 240SX transmission but I believe either one will work. A main difference is the way the starter is mounted.

Driveshaft:
I only have a 510 driveshaft.

Maybe just shorten it.

Differential:

I only have the stock differential. It will stay the same until the stock one blows up. The stock differential is an R160. To learn more about Datsun Differentials, read this:
http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/49194-differential-cv-lsd-hp-torque-r160-r180-r200-r230-diff-mount/.

Motor Mounts:

The original KA24 motor mounts and the original L16 motor mounts welded together should work.

Wiring:
I have a wiring set which came with my KA24DE.

Radiator:
I have a KA24DE radiator.

Radiator Hoses:

I havent looked into it yet.

Engine Crossmember:

I knowthe 510 crossmember has to be flipped. Some aftermarket cross members are available but these appear to be more expensive than cutting the original one and flipping it.

Transmission Crossmember:

I havent looked into it yet.

Z22 block with L-series head?
This is no longer an option. Read this for more info on the Z22 build:
http://newprotest.org/projects/510/jasonGray.pl

KA block with a KA head and a carburated intake manifold.
This is not an option.
I saw an KA24E carbureted intake at the junk-yard in a 720.

Stock internals:
According to this web page
https://en.m.wikibooks.org/wiki/Nissan_240SX_Performance_Modification/KA24DE_and_KA24E/TurbochargingStock
internals can make 350+ HP. The following are specs for parts according to the web page:

Pistons - Good for approx. 275-300 hp
Rods - approx. 400 hp
Crank - Indestructible
Valvetrain - No known issues
Head Gasket - approx. 320 hp WITH A GOOD TUNE (see below)
Head Studs - approx. 300-320 hp

Another webpage that I will be reading is

www.ka-t.org/index.php?sid=a424d865466148ce5ac8aa7e294f6425