Pinto Car Club of America

Shiny is Good! => Your Project => Topic started by: XCorePintoLover on July 10, 2008, 09:36:48 AM

Title: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: XCorePintoLover on July 10, 2008, 09:36:48 AM
Has it ever been done? I've been thinking about it.

I have a '93 Nissan 240 SX that I'm rebuilding a KA-T block for so Ill have the other one just sitting around. I know about custom motor mounts and wiring harnesses and all, but has it been done?

Instead of spending money on rebuilding my 2.3 block I could just easily make a few changes to my KA and be done. Thoughts?
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: pbean09 on July 10, 2008, 10:19:53 PM
Keep it american and orginall
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: D.R.Ball on July 11, 2008, 06:48:53 AM
Is it a twin cam motor?    If you can  get to fit it and  has a 5 speed go for it...Just do not forget Ford had a chance with a twin cam motor and they did not make it.......TO BAD SO SAD FORD wow !!!!!!!!! BTW THE REASON WAS A 2.3 DOHC Turbo would KILL the 5.0 period no, if's ands or BUTS...So if you can get it running go for it.....
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: Gaslight on July 11, 2008, 08:46:49 AM
  I say do it.  Its as American as the 2.3 ever was.  Guys put Volvo heads on the 2.3 and now one bats an eye.  Post up progress.

Jake
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: XCorePintoLover on July 12, 2008, 08:54:41 PM
Technically, Pinto's are not American. I don't know about yours, but mine was manufactured in Canada.

I do not wish to disgrace the Ford name, but a Turbo 2.3 is so common and I wanted to do something to stand out from the rest. People have put Chevy motors in them why can't I put a Jap motor?
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: pbean09 on July 12, 2008, 09:22:38 PM
Mines made in USA. Chevy is still american though it is a disgrace to FORD. Put a Hemi in it. That ain't common or a slant six. A 318Cid aint  that much bigger than a 302. I ain't ever seen a Dodge in one. But it is your Pinto if you want to make it half candain half jap. it is your call. I guess i'm just one of the people that go out the way to support america.
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: Pinto Pro on July 12, 2008, 10:17:06 PM
Is the Nissan motor turbo'd??
I like the idea of this swap. The 2.3 is a good motor......except for the junk butt cylinder head. Try finding one nowdays that is not cracked.
Heck, at least with the Nissan motor, you can get good parts for it, and find a cyl. head that is still good in the salvage yards.

If I remember correctly, those motors have twin cams, 4 valves per cylinder, forged steel cranks and rods, and they are smaller, lighter, and more efficient.
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: XCorePintoLover on July 14, 2008, 11:06:14 PM
You got it Pinto Pro, all of the above. No, it's not turbo, it's NA. I'm swapping it for a KA-T in my 240 though so there is still a turbo motor in the mix, just not in the Pinto. And I know what you mean, half the spare parts that I have for mine are rusted, cracked, or broken. And all the stuff in the junkyards are already gone because of the guys who use them as racecars. Especially cylinder heads.

pbean09: I want to keep it a 4 cylinder engine. A hemi would be nice but it's too much power for me. KA blocks are small enough to fit in my engine bay atleast. And I support America, I was just curious. Lol. I might not even do it.
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: XCorePintoLover on July 14, 2008, 11:09:09 PM
Quote from: pbean09 on July 10, 2008, 10:19:53 PM
Keep it american and orginall
Why? It makes life interesting. You put a Mustang V-6 motor in yours. I still think it'd be bad butt.


And besides, I could have put a Mazda RX-7 Rotary engine in it too. HAHAHAHA.
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: Srt on July 15, 2008, 02:15:30 AM
do it! send pics
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: hellfirejim on July 15, 2008, 06:31:56 AM
I say do it and post the pictures.  First it is your car and you can do any damn thing you want to do to it.  Secondly most 2.3 were built in Brazil......so. do what makes you happy.

jim
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: pbean09 on July 15, 2008, 07:07:17 AM
Quote from: XCorePintoLover on July 14, 2008, 11:09:09 PM
Why? It makes life interesting. You put a Mustang V-6 motor in yours. I still think it'd be bad butt.

Mine already had it when I got it.
And besides, I could have put a Mazda RX-7 Rotary engine in it too. HAHAHAHA.
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: XCorePintoLover on July 16, 2008, 08:22:22 AM
Quote from: pbean09 on July 15, 2008, 07:07:17 AM

Oh I see. Well then I can retract my statement. I'm sure yours runs great though. Right now mine doesn't. Which is why I want to do any kind of swap. I can't even pull out into traffic without having to worry about being rear-ended because  my car is too slow.

That and right now my transmission is slipping a lot so that doesn't help.
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: XCorePintoLover on July 16, 2008, 08:23:19 AM
Thanks for the support guys!!!
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: pbean09 on July 16, 2008, 09:01:20 AM
Mine runs that about it. It runs like shizod right.
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: XCorePintoLover on July 16, 2008, 09:28:57 PM
I started out wanting to do a motor swap to a 2.3 turbo for safety reasons mainly.

But then I got to thinking about different motors that might fit. And since I have an available KA, and it's a four cylinder, I figured it's safe enough and it's definitely different so why not?

I'll post pictures when I can. Right now I've only got pictures of the new block, head, and crank.
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: hellfirejim on July 21, 2008, 06:42:06 AM
So post the pictures of the parts.  Got to start somewhere....
jim
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: XCorePintoLover on August 15, 2008, 08:11:04 PM
The whole swap may have to be post-poned for a while. Can't prepare for a baby when you spend all your money on a car!
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: dga57 on August 15, 2008, 11:13:32 PM
It would appear that congratulations are in order.  Here's wishing you the best!
Dwayne :smile:
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: 75bobcatv6 on August 16, 2008, 12:14:27 AM
grats on the baby, KNow what your having yet? I've got two boys, one still cookin in the oven =)
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: Srt on August 16, 2008, 02:32:47 AM
you've been "8 weeks pregnant" for a while now !  Kids 1st.  Cars 2nd.  Do what YOU need to do
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: XCorePintoLover on August 26, 2008, 06:45:42 AM
Quote from: dga57 on August 15, 2008, 11:13:32 PM
It would appear that congratulations are in order.  Here's wishing you the best!
Dwayne :smile:
Thank you very much!
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: XCorePintoLover on August 26, 2008, 06:47:24 AM
Quote from: 75bobcatv6 on August 16, 2008, 12:14:27 AM
grats on the baby, KNow what your having yet? I've got two boys, one still cookin in the oven =)
Thank you, I won't know till next month if it's a boy or girl. But I can't wait!

The only problem is I have to put my car on the side and get a four-door with air.
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: turbo74pinto on August 26, 2008, 07:31:52 PM
congrats on the baby!! 

im an all ford guy so i gotta ask.  ever thought duratec? 

bob
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: 75bobcatv6 on August 27, 2008, 12:41:54 PM

Quote from: XCorePintoLover on August 26, 2008, 06:47:24 AM
The only problem is I have to put my car on the side and get a four-door with air.
Trust me i know that one. I had to sell my little Ford aspire because the AC didnt reach the baby, and got a Volvo 940 GL now
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: dholvrsn on August 27, 2008, 12:46:28 PM
I take it that it would make too much sense to put the baby closer to the AC?  ;)
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: XCorePintoLover on August 27, 2008, 12:47:38 PM
Quote from: turbo74pinto on August 26, 2008, 07:31:52 PM
congrats on the baby!! 

im an all ford guy so i gotta ask.  ever thought duratec? 

bob
Duratec is that new a/c thing right? I can't keep a pump in my car for some reason, they all fry. Maybe it's because they're also really old, but so far nothing has worked. I'll look into that though. I would do anything to keep my car on the road!

And thank you!
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: XCorePintoLover on August 27, 2008, 12:49:48 PM
Quote from: dholvrsn on August 27, 2008, 12:46:28 PM
I take it that it would make too much sense to put the baby closer to the AC?  ;)
I don't have any A/C in the car right now, just permanent heat from the motor. Lol.

But that would make too much sense. Haha.
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: 75bobcatv6 on August 27, 2008, 12:56:56 PM
lol cant have the baby upfront at all. I dont want a ticket
Title: Re: Nissan KA motor swap into Pinto
Post by: dga57 on August 27, 2008, 11:54:03 PM
Don't know about the laws anywhere else, but here the only issue with having a rear-facing baby seat in the front is if there's an airbag... not exactly a problem in a Pinto.
That's why vehicles that are not equipped with rear seats (ie: standard cab pickups) come with an airbag shutoff switch.
Dwayne :smile: