Common Failures for KAT's

[fritts]

I wanted to start a list of common failures that are suffered by KAT's. What was the cause of the failure and the component that failed? Also at what power level did this failure occur. Thought it might help to know how some people's engines have blown under boost.

Thanks

[kevy8up]

most obvious is the weak internals.....always a thrown rod or piston blown through the wall ....ppl tryin too much boost...lol

[C-Kwik]

I'd say most start with detonation...if we are only referring to boost induced problems.

I've found the KA is quite reliable mechanically though other than the timing chain issue on the SOHC.

[WDRacing]

Here's a list of forced induction killing problems...

1) Detonation....easily the leading killer. In fact 95% of all the other weak pints are usually because of this.

2) Timing....without boost retard of some kind your motor will detonate. I'm not saying you can run 8-10 psi without it. But much over that and your getting into the danger zone.

3) Piston ring lands....Any detonation and these will brake or melt.

3) Rods....See Above

4) The valvetrain and stroke....make it hard for the engine to rev much over 7000.

5) The head and cams....serious drop in power over 5000, needs a port/polish and more aggressive cam profile.

AHHHHH..................thats all for now, the rest of you guys can pick up from here.

WD

[MikeMurphy]

clutch

[S14tat]

also another cuase of failure is when the car runs lean. alot of people tend to just do a turbo without doin a proper fuel system. like me. lolz i was running without a fuel pump at first, at 7 psi. very unsafe. then i got the pump and raised to 8 psi. which is borer line limit, then i fixed my crank shaft position sensor and then the boost jumped to 9 psi on its own, and that was no good, so i needed 370cc injectors. after i put those in, i was running soo rich on boost that i destroyed my cat. so i had it dyno tuned and now it runs beautiful.

[WDRacing]

In case you didn't know S14tat, running lean causes detonation. Thats why its a bad thing, the leaner the A/F mixture the more power you will make, you just have to find the spot where it isn't detonating. Usually the highest you want your numbers on boost is 12.7/1 Thats where I've seen the most reliable power made.

PS. Very Funny Mike

WD

[TrunkMonkey]

the most common failure for a kat is bad tuning. period.

-demetrius

[klattr1]

never assume your stock fuel pressure regulator is in working condition with a Jim Wolf ecu.Dynoing is always key! Something I have forgot to do before and now I regret.Checking your spark plugs is always good. They will always remember what happened on a previous run.