Just own a 240SX, and we can almost guarantee the typical SR20DET engine swap straight from Japan. For Viado, being typical wasn't good enough. He wanted to stretch the factory KA24DE powered engine to its full potential and prove to himself and others that this 2.4 liter power plant was more than just a "truck motor." Looking to ramp up the factory horsepower, a Turbonetics S14 kit was ordered, complete with a hybrid Turbonetics T3/T4 turbo and external wastegate setup. With the help of longtime friend Jensen Oda, the kit was installed and tuned using an AEM EMS fuel management system. Unfortunately for Viado, a lesson was learned the hard way that stock KA powerplants don't necessarily favor boost for extended periods of time. After grenading two engines, the time had finally come to do things right. In a weeks time, the block returned from Bensons Automotive of Santa Ana with a fresh set of sleeves while Len Higa, R&D director of A'PEXi, extended a helping hand in building the KA block using a set of 9:1 compression CP pistons connected to a set of factory shot peened rods. The head was buttoned up using a Cometic head gasket and ARP head studs. XS Engineering of Huntington Beach, Calif., played an integral part in providing their Power Core intercooler (GTR) and Power Ignition Pack. Fuel delivery was ramped up using an A'PEXi N1 fuel pump (R32 Skyline upgrade), A'PEXi 550cc injectors, and AEM adjustable fuel pressure regulator. Jim Wolf S1 cams and sprockets improved the KA's response with the turbo while spent exhaust exits the rear bumper though an A'PEXi N1 Exti titanium exhaust. Danny Oda of Design Craft cherry picked the newly revised engine while taking the time to install a C&R dual pass radiator with separator tank and C&R extreme fan. Controlling boost to a stable 14 psi, using an A'PEXi AVCR boost controller, final tuning of the EMS was performed by Greg Nakano of AEM to the tune of 312hp and 300 lb-ft of torque. Content with the vehicles horsepower and reliability factor, the vehicle was sent to Baker Precision for a fitment of a Setrab 16 row oil cooler, Baker oil filter relocation kit, 600-series Setrab power steering cooler, with both coolers ducted with 55-56 aluminum.
Perhaps the big questions on everyone's mind are: Has the engine blown up yet? Has Alan driven his S14 into the grave? Surprisingly, both Alan and his car have survived a series of Drift Day and Just Drift events throughout the year without a hitch, even with his relentless beating on the S14. "The built KA has surpassed all expectations and delivered its goal of sufficient horsepower with unsurpassable reliability," says Viado. We couldn't agree more.