KA-T build, just the basics

[RFcool]

Thanks guys for all the info that you've helped with. Ive searched all over for crap but you guys have answered most of my questions and now I know alot more of what to look for and also what parts to get.

[RFcool]

if you want a cheap kat, get the

ssautochrome manifold $100sr turbo $100turbo elbow, downpipe $100walbro pump $90rising rate fpr $100sr intercooler, piping, bov $150oil lines $75

And there ya go. kat for ~ $700. I'm not sure on the prices of those specific parts, but that's ballpark +- $100.

Also, you're gonna have to upgrade the clutch soon after. If you want more boost, I highly recommend eventually ditching the rrfpr and getting bigger injectors and a good tune, a boost gauge, and a fmic. sell the smic and rrfpr to someone else whose starting a barebones kat project.

[Edub1]

^^^^ Ought to be good for 2 months.

[MarkEmark]

^^^^ Ought to be good for 2 months.

Seriously, if that. Most decent turbos cost at LEAST $500, by themselves!

All these jimmy-rigged ghetto cheap kits I think are an insult to the 240sx turbo community--it comes off as so rice to me, and it's companys like SSAC that make everyone think they can turbocharge their car, although I should add that there's a difference between budget-turboing and jimmy-rigging, although often only a VERY fine-line. 4 years ago if you had a KA-T, at least it was quality and well-thought out. I feel like now the majority of KA-Ts are half-assed and barely functioning.

Turbocharging is not for the faint of heart, nor the beginner, nor for those who have shallow pockets; it's not like adding neon lights or a shift knob.

Save your money, and do it right from the start. If I had a quarter for every time I think this after reading posts on this forum, I'd have enough money to buy a wideband 02 kit...

[crzycav86]

I'm sorry that not every 240sx owner has very well-paying jobs, nor do they have the desire to make tons of horsepower.

I can name 5 people off of the top of my head right now that I have personally met locally who use that manifold and turbo on their kat. One has been running without issues for over a year. These aren't setups that I read about on the internet. How many do you all personally know that has had failures?

I'm sorry that the NICO ka-t forum has brainwashed its members into thinking that the manifold is crap. But if you search, you will find that the vast majority of people using their bottom mount t2 manifold(the one i'm advocating) have good things to say.

I know that they have cracked in the past when they first came out, but it is a fact that the new design implements a thicker gauge steel which rectifies its original design flaw.

Having said that, I wouldn't touch their other products with a 10 foot pole, which is why I didn't recommend them for his setup.

[crzycav86]

Seriously, if that. Most decent turbos cost at LEAST $500, by themselves!

I never said the turbo was ideal, but it's better than no turbo at all. With the number of sr owners upgrading their turbos, finding a stock sr turbo for a good price is not a problem.

Quote »All these jimmy-rigged ghetto cheap kits I think are an insult to the 240sx turbo community--it comes off as so rice to me, and it's companys like SSAC that make everyone think they can turbocharge their car, although I should add that there's a difference between budget-turboing and jimmy-rigging, although often only a VERY fine-line. 4 years ago if you had a KA-T, at least it was quality and well-thought out. I feel like now the majority of KA-Ts are half-assed and barely functioning. [/quote]This is your opinion, but in my opinion, it makes you sound elitist. You might want to describe the very fine line so I don't make any assumptions, but you might not care, which is fine by me.

[MarkEmark]

I'm sorry that not every 240sx owner has very well-paying jobs, nor do they have the desire to make tons of horsepower.

I can name 5 people off of the top of my head right now that I have personally met locally who use that manifold and turbo on their kat. One has been running without issues for over a year. These aren't setups that I read about on the internet. How many do you all personally know that has had failures?

I'm sorry that the NICO ka-t forum has brainwashed its members into thinking that the manifold is crap. But if you search, you will find that the vast majority of people using their bottom mount t2 manifold(the one i'm advocating) have good things to say.

I know that they have cracked in the past when they first came out, but it is a fact that the new design implements a thicker gauge steel which rectifies its original design flaw.

Having said that, I wouldn't touch their other products with a 10 foot pole, which is why I didn't recommend them for his setup.

Okay, I don't know why you're attacking me...I wasn't attacking anyone...I wasn't saying anything to you for giving an estimate...

I'm just saying that the vast majority of these really cheaply or hastily done kits do not have good endings...either all of the components of the turbocharged system start failing, or the engine blows up...both costly...I speak from experience! Do it right the FIRST time and you will save yourself time, anguish, money, patience, etc...

[crzycav86]

I wasn't attacking you. I was just trying to understand what you consider an insulting jimmy-rigged setup. You said that some of the parts I listed are bad, which ones? That goes for Edub as well.

I'm just trying to clear up some misconceptions. I don't want to offend anyone, but I don't want to get called out on giving bad advice without a reason.

[ka24detsx]

yea it sucks but things do get expensive but dont listen to people telling you to do head work and all i mean hell im making 400whp on completely stock head at 18lbs....but i will say you better keep some money in your back pocket because its crazy but the oddest things start breaking or messing up that you had no intention of ever replacing. i know you can do a decent junkyard/garage turbo kit for under 1000 if you can do all the work yourself. i know here in arkansas the junkyards know absolutely nothing about how much to charge fora volvo or saab turbo. just keep in mind youll have to get i/c piping and a downpipe made unless again you can do it yourself and that can get expensive. as far as intercoolers im using a bar and plate ebay deal thats pretty big but it does the job quite well and if your shooting for 250whp you can get a megan racing intercooler for nothing thatll do the job just fine. PM or email me if you need any help sourcing parts ill actually help you instead of the typical search noob or you can't do it approach..

[Edub1]

Jezz, I've got a fresh box of Tampax if anyone needs one.

The problem with cheap turbo setups is that they don't stay cheap for long. Plus, you have to remember to factor in the little things. I think the figures I gave are the most realistic for a decent setup.

[babowc]

*edited* no need for me to post...

[RFcool]

daily bump

[MarkEmark]

daily bump

I think everything that needs to be said has already been said--

It's *possible* to turbocharge your engine for dirt-cheap, but either the turbocharging components and/or the engine won't last very long.

you get what you pay foryou get what you pay foryou get what you pay for

and one last time for good measure:

you get what you pay for.

Seriously though, save up, do it right the first time---and I guarantee you anyone who's gone the KA-T route trying to cut-corners the first time will corroborate that little tid-bit of wisdom

[RFcool]

Thanks for everyones posts.