Ok, help me decide on a new engine...

And keep in mind that I\'m on an EXTREMELY tight budget... About maybe $800-$1000

CA18ET:
Pro - Easy to wire in, mates up to my current drive line without change, and I already know my way around it, direct bolt in.
Con - It\'s aging, if I can find one it would probably need a rebuild, SOHC, not enough power potential (not in my opinion).

CA18DE:
Pro - Mates up to my current drive line without change, know my way around, non-turbo ( :laugh: ), pretty damn cheap, direct bolt in (I think).
Con - Wiring, non-turbo ( :laugh: ), hard to get lot of power out of it (doesn\'t work well with turbo charging with out expensive changes).

CA18DET:
Pro - Mates up to my current drive line without change
, already know my way around it, good stock power, turbo, DOHC, direct bolt in (I think).
Con - Wiring, price (about $1300), might need a rebuild.

KA24DE:
Pro - Good stock power, handles very well to turbo charging, cheap, easy to get parts.
Con - Have to change bellhousing, wiring, can\'t seem to find one in decent condition for low price lo.

SR20DE:
Pro - Good stock power, handles well to turbo charging, cheap.
Con - Have to change bellhousing, wiring, hard to find in RWD.

SR20DET:
Pro - Turbo, really nice stock power, easy to find.
Con - Have to change bellhousing, wiring, expensive... Did I mention expensive? Yeah, probably. :no:

I was leaning twards the SR20DE and KA24DE, both get good power in NA form and also respond well to being turbo charged, but I always seem to have a problem finding either of them at a decent price...

There are also some issues with belts on both of those... On the SR20 I can have the water pump and alternator on the same belt (right?), but on the KA, the water pump and power steering are on the same belt. Any way around that? I have no power steering and no plans to put it back on, so it\'s a bit of a problem.

Thanks for any help...

keep an eye out for someone that just did a sr20 swap in their 240 and grab their old ka.

not enough power potential (not in my opinion).

im going ca18det. i changed my mind from the ka24de for the same reason as u. hard to find a nice one for cheap. i liek the idea of dropping in my engine, so ca-T is a excellent choice. no making it fit

wiring is a pain, and so it finding parts, but hell. 180hp in a s12 is plenty for right now. 2k for a turbo upgrade and ur looking at 325hp. seems like a good way to blow 3k eh?

250hp at the wheels on a bone-stock long block ain\'t enough for ya?

I think the CA18ET is one of the easiest and sensible swaps for us here in the US.  After that would come the KA24DE.  Like you said, the CA18ET\'s are mostly older, but if you luck out and find a low mileage car, I\'d definetly do that.  KA\'s are somewhat easier to find, but the KA-T revolution is upon us, and prices are quickly climbing.  If you want to check on some KA-E\'s, same power potential, but in a much cheaper package.  Plus, I just like the way the old-school S12\'s look with SOHC motors...

Well, only thing I\'ve got to say then is BEWARE of the JDM CA18DET\'s.  I cannot tell you how many people I\'ve seen have to rebuild them SOON after getting them in their cars and running.  As far as parts availability, SR\'s are easier to find parts than CA18DET\'s because of the sheer numbers of how many have come over to the US in the past few years.

If you\'re dead set of DOHC, I\'d still go with a KA24DE.  Just keep your eyes open, and keep looking around, they\'re still out there, and they\'re still cheap.  But if you want to talk about big power without upgrading the bottom end, out of all these choices of motors, you\'re still limited.  I wouldn\'t trust over 300-350 reliably on a CADET or SR, and I wouldn\'t trust a KA over 300, and that\'s with a REAL good tune.  IMO, 250 whp is plenty for a lightweight car like this, especially when you\'re used to the ground-pounding 70 whp CA20...  :laugh:

i only want 300hp for my s12, thats counting the 50 shot backup plan, so 250 on a ca18 is very possible. besides, i wouldnt just drop it in without making sure its not in need of some TLC, including a rebuild

Well, only thing I\'ve got to say then is BEWARE of the JDM CA18DET\'s.  I cannot tell you how many people I\'ve seen have to rebuild them SOON after getting them in their cars and running.  As far as parts availability, SR\'s are easier to find parts than CA18DET\'s because of the sheer numbers of how many have come over to the US in the past few years.

If you\'re dead set of DOHC, I\'d still go with a KA24DE.  Just keep your eyes open, and keep looking around, they\'re still out there, and they\'re still cheap.  But if you want to talk about big power without upgrading the bottom end, out of all these choices of motors, you\'re still limited.  I wouldn\'t trust over 300-350 reliably on a CADET or SR, and I wouldn\'t trust a KA over 300, and that\'s with a REAL good tune.  IMO, 250 whp is plenty for a lightweight car like this, especially when you\'re used to the ground-pounding 70 whp CA20...  :laugh: