I wanna go KA-T. Tired of searching. Who has something that works under $1000.

[mikerbike]

-Gladman Performance w/35mm wg flange $300 -T3 turbocharger, ('86 Saab) $25 Ebay-Stone Mountain Racing 35mm wastegate(spring modified to run 5 psi without BC) - $45 Ebay-MF 2.5"downpipe with wastegate dump $20+/- Napa-JDMSport (Generic Garrett style) Intercooler $90 Ebay-MF 2.5" intercooler piping $70 +/- Napa-Generic BOV (probably also a JDMSport...) $25 Ebay-Vortech 12:1 FMU $50 Ebay-MX-6 Turbo injectors(not needed for 5 psi) $15 junkyard-Miscelaneous barbs, hoses, tees and stuff... $25

There's $665. There's probably something I forgot. I use a stock ECU, stock fuel pump and stock MAF. I was using a Starion intercooler which I got for $25. I also use a homemade boost controller that cost about $7 to make, but that isn't included in the price because I can take it off and the car will still be turbo'd... I welded all my own stuff except the manifold. I used the exhaust that came with the car. Oh, and if you get a wiggly turbo from Ebay, you'll need a rebuild kit which are only about $60.

Like I said though I'm not going to make close to 300 HP with this setup. Power really does cost money. I hit my goal and I'm happy.

[awesomenick]

cometic headgasket? or did you get that later?

[Edub1]

-Gladman Performance w/35mm wg flange $300 -T3 turbocharger, ('86 Saab) $25 Ebay-Stone Mountain Racing 35mm wastegate(spring modified to run 5 psi without BC) - $45 Ebay-MF 2.5"downpipe with wastegate dump $20+/- Napa-JDMSport (Generic Garrett style) Intercooler $90 Ebay-MF 2.5" intercooler piping $70 +/- Napa-Generic BOV (probably also a JDMSport...) $25 Ebay-Vortech 12:1 FMU $50 Ebay-MX-6 Turbo injectors(not needed for 5 psi) $15 junkyard-Miscelaneous barbs, hoses, tees and stuff... $25

There's $665. There's probably something I forgot. I use a stock ECU, stock fuel pump and stock MAF. I was using a Starion intercooler which I got for $25. I also use a homemade boost controller that cost about $7 to make, but that isn't included in the price because I can take it off and the car will still be turbo'd... I welded all my own stuff except the manifold. I used the exhaust that came with the car. Oh, and if you get a wiggly turbo from Ebay, you'll need a rebuild kit which are only about $60.

Like I said though I'm not going to make close to 300 HP with this setup. Power really does cost money. I hit my goal and I'm happy.

I think you set a new record. But getting a decent turbo for $25 is practicaly like finding one in the street - not likely to happen. Plus, you made a downpipe with waste gate dump for $25???? I paid 60 just for the 3" 90* Weld Bend. And you run junkyard injectors and an FMU with no fuel correction????

No offence to your super budget setup but for under $1000 I would do cam, header/exhaust, tune and perhaps a 50 shot of N2O.

[C-Kwik]

I have a friend who spent some obscenely low amount of money on his. However, he worked hard in earning credits for most of his parts and bartering. In the end he was runnign a T3 based turbo with intercooler using a JWT tuned ECU with larger injectors. He had a nagging detonation problem that even JWT couldn't figure out. Blew his motor and rebuilt it. Detonation still occurred, blew the motor again and he went and bought a Bimmer. hehe.

[Florida240sx]

This kid is lookign for kit, he isn't wanting to wait and look for deals. He just wants us to give him his answer on a silver platter. Unless you get parts next to nothign or you have the tools to make your own parts you are not going to be bale to go out today and buy all your parts for your turbo kit and have it ready for this weekend.I bought a kit off ebay, it was $400. Had to do some extra piping and downpipe $200...oil line $80. Safc II $260(new) Fuel pump $95 SR 370cc injectors $100 but this kit is reliable. If he had a frsher engine we could turn it up to 12psi but leaving it at 5 because the engine is tired...

[babowc]

aha.$1000..300hp..reliable..

AHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nzmoman]

man i hope you pasted this...so what happened again, I stopped after once upon a time

[mikerbike]

cometic headgasket? or did you get that later?

Later. When I originally rebuilt the engine, I used a crappy brand and I paid the price, so to speak...

I think you set a new record. But getting a decent turbo for $25 is practicaly like finding one in the street - not likely to happen. Plus, you made a downpipe with waste gate dump for $25???? I paid 60 just for the 3" 90* Weld Bend. And you run junkyard injectors and an FMU with no fuel correction????

No offence to your super budget setup but for under $1000 I would do cam, header/exhaust, tune and perhaps a 50 shot of N2O.

My DP is made from a straight peice of 2.5" pipe ($5-10), cut and welded in 15* incriments. The wastegate dump is the same and I just cut a hole in the DP to plumb it back in. Yes, no fuel correction, my car usually idles rich.

No offense to your dream budget setup, but drag racing doesn't excite me.

[chi0082]

Thanks mikerbike. I remember reading one of your posts awhile back. Nice setup, and thanks for actually trying to help rather then doubt me like the others. I know you claimed to having problems with your setup and I can understand, and even though it wasn't making high hp it gives me an idea of how you did it and where I could maybe start. And I agree with you that drag racing isn't all that great. I'm looking to have power when I need it not so much for racing or anything of that nature. I believe good driving skills will always win any race in any car. Same as saying...Keiichi Tsuchiya is the drift king.

Anyways, also, thanks to everyone else who's helped me some and has tried to lead me in a reasonable direction.

Lastly but certainly not the least, thanks to those who don't think it can be done cheap, fast, and reliable. Because now, I have the motivation I need to pursue my new project. Project Impossible. I have done my homework. And no, you will not know how I did it or will do it. Maybe only those who's helped me will hear about it. I'll let you spend your hard earned money wherever you love to spend it. While me and the poor will find a way to create speed from pen and paper. Point and laugh all you want. But stay tuned....

[WDRacing]

Look Chi...its not that people are going against you man. What you're asking simply ISN'T a feasable question. You can make a very low boost setup on a tight budget with used parts and ALOT of DIY fabrication. Thats how Mike did his. Anyone who pie cuts straight pipe is on a serious budget.

Can you weld? And if you can, then you should have said so. I haven't seen you present any type of skill that would make me believe you are capable of pulling this off. Whats your mechanical background etc. The only thing I see is a kid who wants everything laid out on a platter for him. To include the research on this kit.

But you're not going to find anything in a kit form. And chances are, what you find will be unreliable.

What I'm telling you isn't biased in anyway. It's an opinion based off years of experience. I'm THE king of rigging parts and DIY fab. Take it for what its worth.

Another thing you may want to try, is losing your attitude. If you don't feel like sharing whatever you do, thats your perogative dude. But you don't need to be a complete prick about it. Honestly, you aren't going to be able to provide anyone with any info or knowledge that I or the rest of the guys here can't give them. So slide down off of that horse for a few minutes and actually put some thought into this project.

WD

[homeslicej2]

I've been reading up on going KA-T for awhile now...My goals are to go about 300 HP...while not breaking the bank...Remember my budget is under $1000...I know it can be done for under $1000 reliably . I want simplicity, ease of installation, and low cost. (, don't we all) Thanks!

See in text smileys/remarks above.

Uhm homey for under 1000 you can('t) have all three.

Look it up some where on here there is a saying. That describes how you can't have all three.

Reliable under 1k No way, Ease of installation, Unless you buy a complete kit or have done a turbo project before then prepare for some head aches. Low cost, well they do sell full kits on ebay, but then you can throw reliability out the window.

So think about it, and don't do something you will regret.

Look Chi...its not that people are going against you man. What you're asking simply ISN'T a feasable question. You can make a very low boost setup on a tight budget with used parts and ALOT of DIY fabrication. Thats how Mike did his. Anyone who pie cuts straight pipe is on a serious budget.

Can you weld? And if you can, then you should have said so. I haven't seen you present any type of skill that would make me believe you are capable of pulling this off. Whats your mechanical background etc. The only thing I see is a kid who wants everything laid out on a platter for him. To include the research on this kit.

But you're not going to find anything in a kit form. And chances are, what you find will be unreliable.

What I'm telling you isn't biased in anyway. It's an opinion based off years of experience. I'm THE king of rigging parts and DIY fab. Take it for what its worth.

WD

Double

If you want a decent setup at that power level (I don't care how good of shape your motor is in. If it has a lot of miles running high boost is like a ticking bomb, eventually it blows.) plan on more like 2.5-5k depending on what you use, DIY fab and install, etc. Or put Nos on it, till it blows. Sorry for so many flames, but your frustration at not being able to find what you want, for the prices you want, shows through in your post. All you managed to do was come across as one who wants everything handed to him, even if that wasn't your intention. Yeah, some guys have pulled off low-budget builds and paid the price in a jacked up motor, or they don't get near the power you want, but they busted their *** w/bartering, DIY, or whatever to attain what they have. Every thing's a compromise, you can't have it all if you don't spend the time & $$$. I suggest you have patience, take the advice of these guy's who have built a KA-T, and save your money until you can do the build right way. One more thing, kits are designed to work together (that helps w/ease of install) and to be cost efficient when buying new a.k.a. know to be good/reliable parts. I would save the money and buy a new kit and the few extras you'll need, then you know you have a safe, reliable, quality, powerful (rebuilt beforehand hopefully) motor.

[C-Kwik]

Lastly but certainly not the least, thanks to those who don't think it can be done cheap, fast, and reliable. Because now, I have the motivation I need to pursue my new project. Project Impossible. I have done my homework. And no, you will not know how I did it or will do it. Maybe only those who's helped me will hear about it. I'll let you spend your hard earned money wherever you love to spend it. While me and the poor will find a way to create speed from pen and paper. Point and laugh all you want. But stay tuned....

Noone here wants you not to try to turbo your KA. But keep in mind many of us here have a lot of experience in having done this ourselves and watched others do this as well. If you want to try this, feel free. It will not be easy and just be prepared to run into problems and perhaps unplanned expenses here and there. Hell, I ran a prefabbed kit and it still cost me plenty of money to address issues that came up. I'd speculate just from thefact that you are asking this question here that you are likely not an experienced turbocharger. And that's okay. But, while the general concept of turbocharging is simple, there are a lot of details that aren't covered in books very well or at all. Fabrication requires a lot of considerations for the stress and heat involved.

All I will say is this. Go for it. But have a back-up plan so that if you run out of money and it isn't up and running, you have something to drive. Be prepared to spend more than you planned for. And lastly, feel free to search here and ask plenty of questions. We are here to help. You may not like the answers you get, but I assure you, they will come from experience and knowledge.

[GlacierFreeze]

*Dnt Dnt Dnt* "Another one (KA) bites the dust!"

[Edub1]

You also need to factor in the BS factor. As in what kind of BS are you going to have to deal with because you put junk in your car. Can you get injectors from a junkyard for $15 - yes. Should you risk using $15 injectors - hell no! Can you buy a junkyard turbo for $50 - sure. Will that turbo burn up right away or blow oil - probably.

In the end, the most cost efficiant system is the one you only have to do once. If your budget is $1000, do a nice cam, tune, headers, exhaust system and you'll have a fun reliable car.

I would even be happy to help with your tune.

[awesomenick]

You also need to factor in the BS factor. As in what kind of BS are you going to have to deal with because you put junk in your car. Can you get injectors from a junkyard for $15 - yes. Should you risk using $15 injectors - hell no! Can you buy a junkyard turbo for $50 - sure. Will that turbo burn up right away or blow oil - probably.

In the end, the most cost efficiant system is the one you only have to do once. If your budget is $1000, do a nice cam, tune, headers, exhaust system and you'll have a fun reliable car.

I would even be happy to help with your tune.

yeah. i haven't read this whole thing, so i don't know what mike has said about his car. but he knows what he's doing, and does it himself. so i'm sure he made sure the injectors would do okay, and i think he rebuilt the turbocharger himself.

[C-Kwik]

In the end, the most cost efficiant system is the one you only have to do once. If your budget is $1000, do a nice cam, tune, headers, exhaust system and you'll have a fun reliable car.

On the other hand, if the goal is to be turbocharged, better to just save the money, get some more and put together a better list of parts.

[chi0082]

Look Chi...its not that people are going against you man. What you're asking simply ISN'T a feasable question. You can make a very low boost setup on a tight budget with used parts and ALOT of DIY fabrication. Thats how Mike did his. Anyone who pie cuts straight pipe is on a serious budget.

Can you weld? And if you can, then you should have said so. I haven't seen you present any type of skill that would make me believe you are capable of pulling this off. Whats your mechanical background etc. The only thing I see is a kid who wants everything laid out on a platter for him. To include the research on this kit.

But you're not going to find anything in a kit form. And chances are, what you find will be unreliable.

What I'm telling you isn't biased in anyway. It's an opinion based off years of experience. I'm THE king of rigging parts and DIY fab. Take it for what its worth.

Another thing you may want to try, is losing your attitude. If you don't feel like sharing whatever you do, thats your perogative dude. But you don't need to be a complete prick about it. Honestly, you aren't going to be able to provide anyone with any info or knowledge that I or the rest of the guys here can't give them. So slide down off of that horse for a few minutes and actually put some thought into this project.

WD

I'm not one to boast nor talk highly of me and my accomplishments or capabilities, but my mechanical background is well established. Also, not that a degree in mechanical engineering proves anything, but I have a clear understanding of what I'm getting myself into and what is involoved in a turbocharged system. I completely understand the theory behind such a system and the thermodynamics and fluid dynamics involved as well as the benefits and consequences of forced induction. Yes, there will be reliability issues if I am not careful with the parts I put into it, and yes, I will have to make compromises to meet my goals. I just wanted to see if anyone had a setup that already works or had ideas to throw out. It's called brainstorming. I just had a plan. And now I will implement it. And if you would've read what I wrote in my previous post, I WILL share my experiences and setup with those of whom was willing to help. None otherwise.

[chi0082]

homeslicej2 - Yea it sounds dumb doesn't it. A turbocharged system for under 1G. Not likely huh?! Thanks for pointing that out. I needed that.

[superDorifto]

well that wasnt very appearant from your original post, and frankly you asked for opinions and ideas....we gave them to you. You aked if anyone had achieved 300hp reliably for under $1000 dollars, and most everyone replied no. YOU didnt like what you heard and now you want to press forward with your great idea. Don,t pull the "im an engineer, i know what im doing," crap, because if you already knew it was going to work why did you ask in the first place. If you had phrased you original post differently you probably would have gotten a lot more interest and help, but instead you came of like a jerk know it all that doesnt accomplish much in the end.

[Craving4Boost]

Turbo for 1000$ = easy....300HP reliable power from boost = impossible. When I tell people I got things for cheap I don't include birthday presents or hand me downs from other friends. They have to be sources that is availible to everyone, whether it be the junkyard, or your own fabrication. With your experience, boosting for 1000$ is cake but for a reliable 300hp I'm not sure anyone can...maybe you can enlighten us. But I'll say it like I've advised before...nitrous may be your solution. If not, why not settle for the 200-250hp? It's still pretty fun....

good luck

[homeslicej2]

homeslicej2 - Yea it sounds dumb doesn't it. A turbocharged system for under 1G. Not likely huh?! Thanks for pointing that out. I needed that.

You're welcome.

But in all seriousness, I agree w/and I even think I wrote something along the lines, of what superDorifto wrote. It sounded like you were pissed off and your anger bled through into your post. So, you ended up w/a lot of heated remarks and people telling you that if you want what you want it's nearly impossible. Then you tell many people who have tried the budget build up that you can do it better for less, they get mad. It's that they've been there and done that and things cost a whole lot more than expected. That's how it usually is and that's what these guys are trying to tell you. If you can somehow manage to find everything you need @ really good prices, rebuild/fab a lot of stuff on your own w/materials you already have or can can get for free, then maybe you can get what you want. There is no guarantee of that though. I say go for it and when you blow your motor or get partway through the build and realize that you need a whole lot more stuff and $$$, or have to settle for less power than you want, then maybe you will have wished you had listened to those who have experience in the matter instead of getting more frustrated and telling them they are wrong. Even if you're an engineer, you still need things, and those things cost money or time to find, which is essentially money. Best of luck. If you manage to reach your goal for the price, kudos. You will have proved us all wrong and can rub it in our faces, we're just saying that it's highly improbable that you can accomplish that goal given the parameters you have set up. Many have offered alternatives, less power but turbo and reliable, or nitrous, or N/A tune, save your money until you can do it right to get that kind of power, etc. I would suggest that you follow one of these paths. If you try it your way and mess something up, you are going to spend even more money fixing things and still not achieve your goal.

[babowc]

bahaaha..this is a joke, right?

[WDRacing]

For someone with a mechanical background and a degree in anything, you have failed at basic comunication. Effective comunication requires two seperate parties exchanging information on a level both understand, or one party speaking to the other on a level that the recipient can completely understand. You didn't give us anything to work with, other then asking for everything to be laid out for you. As if building a cheap turbo setup isn't difficult enough. You wanted someone else to do it for you. If that wasn't your intent, then you failed to make us understand the situation.

Perhaps if you mentioned you have a mechanical background and some knowledge in engineering. We could have begun to explain things on a different level. But you came across as arrogant and unwilling. Tired of searching is right in the thread title. That implies you have read quite a bit on the subject of turbocharging the KA or any motor for that matter.

Nico and KAT are one of the most welcoming forums on the entire internet. I don't turn anyone away or try to make anyone look dumb if I can help it. I'm am all for sharing knowledge and assisting members in attaining their goals. I offer my email and AIM account information on a regular basis so people can ask me anything they want to, without having to post up certain question they don't want everyone to see.

We enjoy helping each other here. We love the KAT community. We love when new members join and contribute to conversations. Here's somthing you should stop and listen to. If everyone says the same thing, who do you think is correct? If people say you come across in an arrogant fashion, perhaps you should evaluate the way you comunicate.

I wish you the best of luck. I'll help you out with anything you ask. I can fabricate parts and I know how to rig just about anything when it comes to turbocharging.

Here's what I recommend. Find what you're looking for and when you run into a problem or need to ask the best method to accomplish somthing, make a new thread just for that question. This thread has been ugly from the beginning. I see nothing good coming from it.

For the record, my AIM username is WDRacin and my email is [email protected] should you need a hand with somthing, feel free to ask.

WD

[Logan76]

I'm not one to boast nor talk highly of me and my accomplishments or capabilities, but my mechanical background is well established. Also, not that a degree in mechanical engineering proves anything, but I have a clear understanding of what I'm getting myself into and what is involoved in a turbocharged system. I completely understand the theory behind such a system and the thermodynamics and fluid dynamics involved as well as the benefits and consequences of forced induction. Yes, there will be reliability issues if I am not careful with the parts I put into it, and yes, I will have to make compromises to meet my goals. I just wanted to see if anyone had a setup that already works or had ideas to throw out. It's called brainstorming. I just had a plan. And now I will implement it. And if you would've read what I wrote in my previous post, I WILL share my experiences and setup with those of whom was willing to help. None otherwise.

No one cares if you have a degree in mechanical engineering, have you ever turbo'ed a KA before? probably not...do you have vast knowledge of the KA motor? im guessing not. So what you know about fluid dynamic's, have you ever gotten your hands dirty and did the job is what we want to know? I know guys who have a highschool degree that are probably 10x the mechanic you are, and they dont have any fancy degree...Best of luck to you and your cheap turbo kit, last time I checked guys with mechanical engineering degree's made enough money to be able to buy a decent turbo kit.

[redtop91]

pwnt. You can have a cheap, fast car, but it wont be reliable. You can have a cheap, reliable car, but it won't be fast. You can have a fast, reliable car, but it won't be cheap. That is the saying. Those are the rules. Just like gravity, you can choose not to respect gravity, but you'll just end up getting your a$$ busted.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

last time I checked guys with mechanical engineering degree's made enough money to be able to buy a decent turbo kit.

Thats exactly what I was going to say. In the time it takes you to "sift" through all the BS to find a good deal, barter, searching for crap, etc, you could have just worked and made enough cash to buy a great setup. 300HP is nothing to shake a stick at... You WILL need quite a bit of stuff:TurboManifoldwastegate (if turbo isn't internally gated)Injectors w/ some sort of controlFuel PumpIntercooler with Piping, silicone connectorsNew MAF (also requiring some sort of control)Oil line send and returnClutchExhaustProbably some sort of timing control... unless you REALLY want to roll the diceI just see this as being REALLY difficult to acheive for under $1000 unless you have a butt ton of steel and steel piping laying around in your yard with all the correct tools/equipment.Besides, if you can't afford more than $1000, you probably have some bad habbits you can kick for a little while to save up more. You will need tires/ and gas when its all said and done too you know.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

#1 thing I hate is when someone ask for help and then argues with you

Man, I hate that too! Not just limited to this thread either, but that happens to me ALL the time! What is with people?

[nissanfanatic]

Nico is definitely one of the more "N00b" friendly forums on the internet. Go post this on FA and see what you get..

And if you are so well rounded mechanically, then why did you ask for our help..?? I put my first kit together when I was 17... Search for all my "How do u turbo da KA threads".. You might find one after I had been boosted for a few months about a random problem..

Quote »Man, I hate that too! Not just limited to this thread either, but that happens to me ALL the time! What is with people?[/quote]Oh lord.. I STILL get that ****.. IT never stops..

[redtop91]

Go post this on FA and see what you get..

Just imagine z1lv1a. Haha NICO turns the Z word into 240sx.org. Communist

[WDRacing]

He gets the point guys...

Chi, like I suggested in my last post, make a new thread or two with some seperate questions. If you can do it cheaply, then by all means go for it. Ebay does have some killer deals. Non of which were available when I started. I spent big bucks on a FMIC and had to custom fab all my piping.

Honestly, if you reduce the HP goal, then cheap isn't a problem.

Turbo w/ In WGTurbo ManiCustom DPFMIC Kit from ebay FMU 8:1MSD Inline boost pump

You might get in for around $1000

But for 300whp, the things required make a huge difference. Timing control, fuel injectors and a fuel controller will need to be purchased. Thats with no tuning, I'd highly recommend a wideband O2 meter.

Here's the point and the big miscommunication in this thread. You can do a turbo kit cheap and have it fairly reliable. But you can't have it put out 300WHP.

After this post, I don't want to see anymore flames, by anyone. I'll just delete them if they show up.

Chi, open a new thread, consider your options.

WD