KA-T Build Question

[redhb240SXS13]

I'm planning on building the bottom end of my motor. Now I have got the easy parts down(i.e. pistons,rods,bearings,gaskets). Now the question I have is there anything else that I WILL need. For some reason I feel like I am missing something Thanks guys.

[frsh13]

Post up everything you bought, that is the only way for us to know what you havent already purchased.

[boznuttz]

If you aren't sure of parts you will need to rebuild a motor, taking a peek into the FSM might be a good bet. There are a few links floating around here somewhere with links to online FSMs and such, so I'm sure someone will chime in with one pretty soon.

[redhb240SXS13]

I haven't actually bought anything yet. I want to just get it all in one swoop. But what I plan on buying is:

Arias 8.8:1 PistonsEagle H-Beam RodsCalico Coated Main & Rod BearingsCometic HP Head GasketOEM Timing Chain KitMr. Gasket Copper Exhaust Manifold GasketCircuit Sports Thermal Intake GasketARP Headstuds

And that's all I have so far. For some reason I feel like I'm missing something.

[Ligouri Rd]

It would be a good idea to replace the water pump and rebuild the oil pump. Inspect the oil pressure regulator, if it has any difficulty moving or has scratches replace the oil pump housing and regulator piston. -Its the lifeline of your engine don't scrimp here.

[DevilMB3017]

While you're in there I'd do the oil pump gears and a water pump too

[redhb240SXS13]

Excellent ideas guys! I felt like I was missing something that was vital to the engines life. Anyone else?

[Florida240sx]

Where you getting everything from? I might be able to get you a better price.What is your power goal? And type of driving style?

[redhb240SXS13]

Arias 8.8:1 Pistons-AMSEagle H-Beam Rods-Phase2Calico Coated Main & Rod Bearings-AMSCometic HP Head Gasket-AMSOEM Timing Chain Kit-AMSMr. Gasket Copper Exhaust Manifold Gasket-AMSCircuit Sports Thermal Intake Gasket-Phase 2ARP Headstuds-Phase 2 or AMS

[WDRacing]

Front and rear crank seals, valve cover seals, intake and exhaust gasket, new rad hose, new mag plug for oil pan, dremel for deburr of the block...I'll do some more thinking.

WD

[Brandon93240]

If your going that far why not just buy a long block from AMS, they have great customer service and your not to far from them, you could pick it up in a weekend. They build these engines left and right and you don't have to worry about finding a machine shop locally who will do it right.

[redhb240SXS13]

I would but, I don't trust my daily driver enough to leave the state. It's school and work in it, that's it. And I have already found an engine builder about 20 minutes away so it's pretty convenient.

[Brandon93240]

I'd still call them and see what kind of a deal they could give you and shipping wouldn't be that bad for how close you are. I'm not knocking the builder you found but AMS builds some of the nicest ka's around and they have great customer satisfaction. With all the things you are replacing and the machine work required to do it right you'll be spending close to what their crate costs I promise you.

[redhb240SXS13]

I guess it couldn't hurt to give AMS a call. Unless of course florida can get better prices on this stuff. If so I'll definatly be using my builder.

[Florida240sx]

I don't like cometic HG the stock ones have held over 500hp so I'd stick with that.

[DevilMB3017]

I don't like cometic HG the stock ones have held over 500hp so I'd stick with that.

QFT. I've had some problems with mine.

[Brandon93240]

I had a problem with my cometic also, the layer between the outer layers had a large groove in it and it caused my engine to leak oil badly. I pulled the engine back out pulled the head off and cut the rivets on the gasket to inspect it. I called Cometic and talked to someone and they said basically I could mail it to them and it would take up to a few weeks for them to decide if they'd refund my 100 after testing it. How the **** are you going to test a gasket, lol. This was even after I sent pictures showing the groove on the middle layer and no grooves on the outer layers so how the **** do you think it got there? From machining the gasket duh. I will not ever use cometic gaskets on anything even though I used the crap out of them on dirtbikes back when I was young. Someone like circut sport or greddy needs to make a multilayer gasket for the ka. It seems to be hit or miss with cometic for ka and sr guys. My felpro has held up flawlessly so far.

[480sx]

You have to first and formost make sure you get a good gasket, i have heard a few horror stories about getting a faulty gasket and it leaking.

Second, you have to have the block and heads machined and micropolished or your waisting your time with a Cometic.

I think that unless your going for over 550 hp cometics are a dumb move.

I had one, took three times to get it to seal. Next time i took off the heads i said fk messing with MLS, trashed it and went with a felpro.

[DevilMB3017]

I've got the oil leaking out the side of the block/head problem. But it's only a couple drips, so it's not a major problem in my case.

It's just too much of a PITA to replace a functioning head gasket, but I will need to soon.

[Ligouri Rd]

You have to first and formost make sure you get a good gasket, i have heard a few horror stories about getting a faulty gasket and it leaking.

Second, you have to have the block and heads machined and micropolished or your waisting your time with a Cometic.

I think that unless your going for over 550 hp cometics are a dumb move.

I had one, took three times to get it to seal. Next time i took off the heads i said fk messing with MLS, trashed it and went with a felpro.

I fully agree about the head and deck machining/polishing. Each time I rebuilt my motor I used a cometic and neither time did it leak, however I had the long block assembled by an engine builder very familiar with KAs (who coincidentally does a lot of work with AMS).

[Brandon93240]

Your lucky that you haven't had one leak. Mine didn't leak from bad machine work or a bad surface it was an actual defect in the middle layer. I'm going to try and find a company to make nice mls gaskets for the ka so people don't have to be concerned about possible leaks. I have 2 companies in mind and I'm going to get in contact with a rep and see what can happen.

[WDRacing]

There's no need for a multi layer HG until you're goals are over 500 IMO. The stock headgasket or stock type holds plenty of boost. I ran a MLS on my RB, worked awsome for me. But if I ever go with a new gasket I'll just use a copper with a oring job on the block.

WD

[danb8586]

if your interested in built engine parts for sale. i have almost everything for sale right now on ka-t.org and i can cut you a better deal on shipping the more you buy. http://www.ka-t.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=31667 just throwing it out there.

[whyteboy]

i would definately get arp mainstuds also

[redhb240SXS13]

I'm only shooting for 300hp at best. So I'll use a oem headgasket. Uber-noob question but what are the point of the mainstuds?