High-mileage Prep for a Greddy Turbo Kit?

[itsRaine]

I'm seriously contemplating going to my bank and withdrawing the funds needed to turbo my 95 S14, but here's my situation:

1) I live in California 2) I daily drive my car3) I have a high mileage engine

With that in mind, the logical choice for me would be the Greddy turbo kit, since I've read that it's CARB legal and designed for stock/mild KA24DE's. That CARB part is super important for me since I drive my car on the streets everyday, to and from work and school and my girlfriends house =)

As for mileage, it's pushing the 160k mark. She still runs rgood and pulls strong, but I know that I'm going to have to replace/rebuild the engine to get it ready for the turbo kit. Aside from the standard rebuild procedures (compression check, gaskets, etc.) a lot of people I talked to recommended Ross pistons for a KA-T and ARP headstuds. With that Greddy kit, am I missing anything else? I'm talking internals during the rebuild. I don't plan on going high boost or anywhere past 250hp - what I'm trying to achieve is a reliable, driveable KA-T that's also (???) CARB legal. Will internal strengthening affect this?

Note: I posted this on 3 different message boards to get as much feedback as possible; if you see this same post on another board, now you know why

[andrave]

I don't see why you would need ARP headstuds for that mild of an engine.Then again, I think the ross pistons are overkill too (since AFAIK they require a 5mm over bore).

[Rockenreno]

I don't see why you would need ARP headstuds for that mild of an engine.Then again, I think the ross pistons are overkill too (since AFAIK they require a 5mm over bore).

I agree, if you are *only* going for 250hp you probably don't need to worry about upgrading internals much. Also, if you are going with forged internals a rebuild will cost you around $2000.

PS From my understanding the Greddy kit is not CARB legal yet, but they are in the process of getting it certified. Just FYI...

[itsRaine]

Well I set the "limit" at 250hp because I'm figuring that anything else I add besides a boost controller would maybe cancel out the whole CARB legal thing. Plus I live in Los Angeles so most of the time I'm stuck in freeway traffic.

So if the head studs and pistons are overkill, then a standard engine overhaul would be sufficient? I'm just worried about the fact that the engine has about 160k on it, and I'm not sure about about 159k of that since I bought the car used about a month ago.

I know for sure I'll be upgrading the flywheel and clutch, as far as the "transmission side" goes. Any clutch suggestions? I'm thinking an ACT HD and a Jun flywheel might be good.

Right now I'm in one of those spots where you think so much about a project, day and night that you somehow forget something simple! :thinker

[itsRaine]

Rockenreno, if it doesn't get the CARB E.O. then that'll change my plan a lot!

[WDRacing]

The kit has no C.E.O number yet. Not even sure if it will, they'll probably wait to see how the kit sells first.

The stock block on the KA can go to 300 easy, no need to even lift off the head. If you have decent compression then just add boost and tune the fuel/ignition and you'll be golden.

WD

[Nathan]

Hey andrave, you can get the ross pistons in a standard size, or any overbore you specify (personally, I went with a .020 )

[andrave]

ok, I only saw them at ka24de.com, and they only have them in .20 over (I think).I don't think I would overbore unless my engine needed the cylinder walls resurfaced.In another post, a member suggested some nissan chromoly rings and a hone job with the stock pistons...

[Nathan]

I think KA24DE.com just only has the .020's in stock...I ordered mine through IAP and just specified my own overbore which meant it took a little longer for them to be ready but I have what I want I bet KA24DE.com could do the same.

[andrave]

if you don't mind sharing, what did you pay for yours, and what rings did you go with? (I've heard total seal is the way to go, but you certainly pay a premium for them).

[itsRaine]

Yeah the CARB thing is the deciding factor for me; I was also told that Total Seal rings are a good idea when going turbo, but as andrave said they're $$