Nismo Dreaming KA-T build thread

[nismo dreaming]

Well I finally got my engine back from the machine shop and have started my ka-t build.

Parts of build are listed below:

Engine:

Eagle H-beam RodsCP pistonsBrian Crower stage 2 camsArp Main/Head boltsCometic MLS head gasketBlock/Crank cleaned, machined, and honed

Drivetrain:

Spec 3+ clutchFidanza aluminum flywheelB&M short shifterRedline MT-90 transmission fluid

Fuel:

AMS/Turbo 240 fuel system50lb High Z injectorsWalbro 255 lph HP fuel pumpAeromotive FPR300zx fuel filter

Turbo/accessories:

Garret T3 60-1 Turbo w/ anti-surge machined housing (.63 ex AR)PHAT KAT Exhaust manifold/dumptubeJGS turbo oil line kitGreddy RS blow off valveTial 38mm wastegate w/ .4 bar spring

Intake:

Xcessive Manufacturing intake manifoldKA24DE Thermal intake gasketKA24 IAC remote mount kitQ45 throttle bodyGreddy VSPL intercoolerCustom intercooler pipingHKS rechargable air filter

Exhaust:

HKS Hi-Power 85mm Exhaust3" DownpipeCat deleteAll exhaust heat wrapped

Cooling:

KOYO Aluminum RadiatorFlex-A-Lite Fal-220 Dual 12" FansNismo thermostat

Engine Management/Misc:

AEM EMS uego 1611AEM Tru-boost controller/gaugeAEM Water Temp gauge

Sorry the copy of War and Peace, heres some pics

Eagle rods, CP pistons, stock crank

Garret T3 60-1 turbocharger

Xcessive Motorsports intake manifold, Q45 throttle body

KA24DE machined block

Crank, ARP main studs installed

Pistons, Rods, ARP head studs installed

Installing the head

Torquing everything down

Brian Crower Stage 2 cams, new timing chain kit

Turbo, PHAT KAT exhaust manifold installed

Everything mocked up, ready to be installed

Thats all for now, much more to come.......
Modified by nismo dreaming at 2:01 PM 8/21/2008

[MastaYu]

looking good that engine looks like its ready to kill

[nismo dreaming]

Thanks, i hope so.

[nissanfanatic]

What did you gap the rings to? And what clearances did you see on the rod bearings?

[nismo dreaming]

Well i had the rings custom gapped by the head machinist at my local machine shop for up too 30 psi, and while building the bottom end, i plastigauged everything, and it was all to spec.
Modified by nismo dreaming at 9:28 AM 8/18/2008

[nissanfanatic]

Well i had the rings custom gapped by the head machinist at my local machine shop for up too 30 psi, and while building the bottom end, i plastigauged everything, and it was all to spec.

Modified by nismo dreaming at 9:28 AM 8/18/2008

All rings are custom gapped. They have to match the bore size that you are using.

They aren't gapped for a boost level, but it is dependent on the operating temperature of the piston.

Did you check ring end gap before you assembled the engine? Nissan spec is kind of whacked, like every manufacturer. I dare you to run .011" ring gap on an engine with no oil cooler and a stock thermostat at a track event. I also dare you to run .0004" rod bearing clearance.

I would always check those clearances. The limits are ridiculous. Would you believe that rod bearing clearance limit is almost a tenth of an inch (.09")...??!! That is ****ing nuts. You would have to run 140 weight oil custom blended with peanut butter to maintain oil pressure. The machine shop could give you an engine with those clearances and hold up in an argument with FSM data. Of course, they will give you **** for requesting certain specifications, but that is usually because they would like to build you another engine after the first one blows up.

I was just asking for reference. It would be good if your engine blows up to know some hard facts on what was used. I used .017" top ring and .024" second ring. My connecting rod bearing clearance came to .0015" on all four.

[nismo dreaming]

I’m sorry, I should have specified. I followed a write-up I found on Ka-t.org on the proper way to build the ka. I used the specifications of piston gap, along with the fsm data on clearances for the plastigauge. The reason I referenced psi is the engine builder used that information to cross reference with CP pistons to make sure the gap was sufficient with the amount of boost and compression level I would be using. That sounds pretty ridiculous though, peanut butter with oil haha. All the piston rings were blueprinted, along with the bore of each piston, etc. I trust the machinist, but I still double checked all clearances of the motor. I’ve put far too much time and money into this build to not be completely sure of this bottom end. Thanks for the insight though, any advice is always appreciated.

[eazye2000]

Good Gravy. I love that manifold. I think that's the first design of the AMS manifold. I've never been able to find one...!

Looks good though. Take your time, and dont rush it.

[nismo dreaming]

Ya its actually the same one Cain used on his s13 on ka-t.org. I believe Ivan designed it when he was working for Sound Performance. The quality is second to none. And taking my time is an understatement. This build is about 2 years in the making

[1sikS13]

that there is some good **** that motor looks like a stealth b0mber all black n **** i love it. get some vids up when its running... and i have been dieing to use this but never found anything worth relly using it good job man

[nismo dreaming]

I really appreciate the compliment 1sikS13, Ill def. get some videos of the completed project ASAP. I got the motor installed last night and fired it up for just a few seconds. 0 leaks! Pics and vids on the way....
Modified by nismo dreaming at 9:12 AM 8/19/2008

[kouki_hmongster]

Wow love the way it looks. i think i should change my turbo set-up now. i have a built motor but small little t25. maybe just for break-in then upgrade to gt2871r .86.

i also have the brian crower stage 2 cams+dual vavle spring retianer kit. (getting my motor back thursday)people say its just a bolt on and some saying you need camgears to adjust.

want a video want to hear how it idles. i'm pretty sure this is going to be a monster.

[nismo dreaming]

Ya the BC cams def add a great sound to the KA. I ran them both N/A and on my first turbo setup. On N/A, it made my car sound like a STI, and on my NA-T setup, it sounded like an RB (could have been due to my exhaust setup?) but the top end power is apparent with these cams. I too have heard that the cam gears are needed to really get the true power out of them though, but they are def drop in, minus the cutting of the exhaust cam lol.

[simmode1]

Nice! Another Ag-Town KA-T!
Modified by simmode1 at 1:10 PM 8/19/2008

[nismo dreaming]

Word brotha

[nismo dreaming]

Alright, so engine's installed, and pics follow as promised.....



Everything fits great, had a little bit of trouble getting the turbo in there, but other than that smooth sailing. After some buttoning up, I started it up and I'm having some pretty load valve lash noises coming from my intake cam, so I'm going to have to adjust them all . Looks like the machine shop didn't number the buckets and place them in the correct order!

Anyways, besides that it seems to idle ok, and absolutely 0 leaks!

Leave me some love....

[nismo dreaming]

Update,

I finally got everything buttoned up last night, and got a chance to take it for a drive. Unfortunately, I’m running into a few problems....

During Idle, there’s a strange high pitched noise coming out of the head, but as soon as throttle is applied, it goes away. At first, I figured it may have been the bucket shims, but after swapping in some from a head I know didn’t have this sound, nothing changed. Next, I took the valve cover off and spark plugs and rotated the engine to see if I could hear some kind of valve tic or interference issue, but found nothing.

I took a video, but the audio quality is ****. I will try to upload the video tomorrow. If anyone may know of some things to check for and eliminate out, id def appreciate it.

Then, after driving, I was worried that my oil feed line wasn’t sending oil to the turbo, so I primed the motor to test for it, and found no issues there. Upon threading it back on to the CHRA, the line broke.... Luckily a friend of mine has an extra JGS oil line kit and I’m swapping it out tonight.

The car drives great though, really fast throttle response, and the turbo spools insanely quick! Highest boost hit was .2 bar, with very safe AFR.

Thanks....

[1sikS13]

strange noise from the head the only posible thing i can think of is maybe one of the cam caps is torqued to much or is warped. or somehow the idler gear in the head is to tight. any idea if its coming from the front or the back of the head?

[240sxvaj]

you should get a video up. really anxious to hear how it sounds since my set-up is pretty much the same.

[NismoJ30]

Nice set up man, that is very pretty

[spooled240]

beautiful engine...

IIRC, the valves should be self-adjusting but they may have to be manually adjusted.

[nismo dreaming]

Yeah i figured that out after installing them ,and found no difference.

Update*

I finally got her to idle and run decently last night. Got the oil feed line fixed and routed a much better direction, and found a crack in one of my spark plug wires, arching on my intake pipe causing a short! After fixing all issues, the car feels very strong, and I have minimal issues. Ill take some pics of the car tonight and try to record a decent video.

Thanks for all the feedback

[gak-custom]

Well i had the rings custom gapped by the head machinist at my local machine shop for up too 30 psi, and while building the bottom end, i plastigauged everything, and it was all to spec.

Modified by nismo dreaming at 9:28 AM 8/18/2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4AnLOoJPus stock internal 15psi 345whp

[nismo dreaming]

Very nice numbers man, excellent sounding run.

Now for da movie



Tell me what chu think!
Modified by nismo dreaming at 10:19 PM 8/29/2008

[Rev_D21]

Awesome!

[WDRacing]

Good job man...looks very nice. What wheels are those? I like them alot.

WD

[sr20deTsomeday118]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4AnLOoJPus stock internal 15psi 345whp

specs on the setup plz

[nismo dreaming]

Thanks Reverend D and WD, the wheels are TSW Nobarus.

[dennydizzo]

i will

Alright, so engine's installed, and pics follow as promised.....



Everything fits great, had a little bit of trouble getting the turbo in there, but other than that smooth sailing. After some buttoning up, I started it up and I'm having some pretty load valve lash noises coming from my intake cam, so I'm going to have to adjust them all . Looks like the machine shop didn't number the buckets and place them in the correct order!

Anyways, besides that it seems to idle ok, and absolutely 0 leaks!

Leave me some love....

that is one sexy engine bay mann

i too will b ka-T one day...far far farrr one day

[aaronscomp]

congrats on the build man its looking pretty good