Various Nissan cars and trucks is utilized with Nissan KA24DE Engine series. It is a 2.4L inline four-cylinder engine that uses an iron cylinder block with an aluminum cylinder head. The KA24DE is the engine that almost all Nissan 240SX series used in America.
If you have been around the drifting field especially in the US, well then you’ve probably familiar with the Nissan KA24DE engine.
Nissan KA engine first introduced in 1988 as a replacement for the outdated Z24 engine. There were 3 engines in the Nissan KA series.
- The KA20DE
- The KA24E
- The KA24DE (had the most power)
The breakdown of the KA24DE engine code is as follows:
KA – Engine Family
24 – 2.4 Liter Displacement
D – DOHC (dual overhead camshafts)
E – Multi Point Fuel Injection
KA24DE Engine Specifications
The KA24 engine is crafted with shaped iron block and an aluminum head. The valvetrain for this engine, is dual overhead camshaft. This 4 cylinder engine has a total amount of 16 valves, with 2 intake and 2 exhaust valves every cylinder.
The KA24DE engine is very similar to the KA24E, but you will find a few fundamental differences that separate these kinds of engines. The only major change is the cylinder head design. As the KA24E has a Single-Overhead Cam (SOHC) with 3 valves per cylinder, the KA24DE has Dual-Overhead Cams (DOHC) with 4 valves per cylinder.
Other development changes include the use of a knock sensor, oil injection at the base of each piston, and top-firing spark plugs.
| Manufacturer | Aguascalientes Plant Yokohama Plant |
| Also called | Nissan KA24 |
| Production | 1988-2004 |
| Cylinder block alloy | Cast-iron |
| Configuration | Straight-4 |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 4 valves per cylinder SOHC 3 valves per cylinder |
| Piston stroke, mm (inch) | 96 (3.78) |
| Cylinder bore, mm (inch) | 89 (3.50) |
| Compression ratio | 8.6 (SOHC) 9.1 (SOHC) 9.2 9.3 9.5 |
| Displacement | 2389 cc (145.8 cu in) |
| Power output | 99 kW (134 HP) at 5,200 rpm 103 kW (140 HP) at 5,600 rpm 105 kW (143 HP) at 4,300 rpm 110 kW (150 HP) at 5,600 rpm 114 kW (155 HP) at 5,400 rpm |
| Torque output | 209 Nm (154 lb·ft) at 3,600 rpm 206 Nm (152 lb·ft) at 4,400 rpm 208 Nm (153 lb·ft) at 4,000 rpm 208 Nm (153 lb·ft) at 3,600 rpm 217 Nm (160 lb·ft) at 4,400 rpm |
| Redline | 6,000 (KA24E) 6,500 (KA24E) 6,100 (KA24DE) 6,400 (KA24DE) 6,900 (KA24DE) |
| HP per liter | 56.1 58.6 59.9 62.8 64.9 |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Weight, kg (lbs) | 167 (370) |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (mpg) -City -Highway -Combined | for Xterra 12.4 (19) 9.8 (24) 11.1 (21) |
| Turbocharger | Naturally aspirated |
| Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles) | up to 0.5 (1 qt. per 1200 miles) |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 5W-40 10W-30 10W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity, L (qt.) | 4.1 (4.3) |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | 5,000-10,000 (3,000-6,000) |
| Normal engine operating temperature, °C (F) | – |
| Engine lifespan, km (miles) -Official information -Real | – 300,000+ (180,000) |
| Tuning, HP -Max HP -No life span loss | 350+ – |
KA24DE-T’s
In addition to the increased power and torque, the KA24DE engine has a slightly wider power than the KA24E. These engines have already been proven to be quite tough. In turbocharged form with stock long block 500+ whp has been achieved but short lived and 1000+ whp fully built.
There are a variety of stock block 300+ whp daily driven KA24DE-T’s. This engine has pushed into the 7 seconds in the 1/4 mile in some Nissan 240SX’s. With their large stroke these engines are well known for getting low revving torque monsters considering the torque numbers have already been known to stick to or even higher than hp outcome.
Cars That Use the KA24DE Engine
Nissan set the KA24E and KA24DE in their various car production series. Some engines were destined for light duty pickup or trucks and SUV series such as the Nissan Hardbody or Nissan Xterra, but the nissan KA24 engine is best known for its appearance in the 240SX. It makes sense just to adapt the engine for multiple platforms rather than creating an all-new engine.
| KA24DE engine is installed in | Nissan 240SX Nissan Altima Nissan Pathfinder Nissan Xterra Nissan Bassara Nissan Bluebird Nissan Caravan Nissan Hardbody Nissan Navara Nissan Pintara Nissan Prairie Nissan Presage Nissan R’nessa Nissan Serena Nissan Stanza Nissan Terrano II Ford Corsair |
KA24DE Engine Reliability and Common Problems
The Nissan KA24DE engine has a couple of known problems that are common. The manufacturer is known for failing on earlier versions of the KA24 engine. Another typical KA24DE problems is a rattling timing chain, which occurs when the timing chain gets loose from age and begins to rub against the timing chain cover.
It’s advised to maintain KA24DE engine periodically and buy only high class engine oil. Oil pressure on front-wheel drive cars can decrease if to press oil pan slightly. In this instance, it’s necessary to remove oil pan to examine the condition of oil receiver pick up pipe. You can easily destroy the engine if you using low-quality engine oil. When timing chain begins to work too noisy, the process of motor destruction has already started.
Widley known for having great endurance and reliability, Nissan KA24DE engine doesn’t require any special care. Yet KA24DE engines have high fuel consumption (do not be surprised with it). But in total, KA24DE engine is a secure and durable motor.
Nissan KA24DE engine production stopped in 2004 due to the release of more advanced 2.5L Nissan QR25DE.