Looking for recommendations on daily driven KA-T

[LarryStooge]

I've got a 97 240 with 64k now. So it has low miles. I'm getting a BRM exhaust (I like their look and price, want a more mellow look, no N1 for me) which is 3". I'm looking to run around 12psi (i was told thats what the stock block can handle well). I'm most likely going with the ETD manifold since its cheap (580 coated). I'd like to have about a 2.5" downpipe made at a fab shop (anyone know what this should run me?). I'd like to get the cheapest fuel management available, I'm looking at the 50lb injectors and fuel rail from unstable (is there anything cheaper? i heard something about sr20 injectors, would that be cheaper?) unless theres something cheaper. As far as gauges, I'm getting whats necessary, a boost gauge and EGT gauge, thats it. I'll be using a manual boost controller unless I find a used profec b on ebay for cheap. This is a daily driven car with auto transmission (swapping to manual by september hopefully, but that depends on how this turbo project goes, I want this done by sept) and I have NO intentions on running more than 12psi. I drive at the speed limit at all times (except on back roads where theres nothing around in the middle of the night) on roads with homes and other cars, I have too many points to drive stupid anymore. I know the crap about peopel turning up the boost, I've worked on mkiv supras and have an sr20 buddy thats local, so I'm not a newbie to speed. I just want something that will run me 13s or so and still get decent gas mileage. If anyone can help me with my plans and give suggestions (i still need suggestions on a fuel management option, im thinking rising rate regulator or jwt ecu, not sure yet though) i would greatly appreciate it. I'm also trying to find a place that sells a cheap fmic and a place that sells a cheap t3/t4 (might get that used). The fmic has to be big enough to fit in the stock bumpe and fill the front grill, which isnt big. I dont need a greddy fmic, where 50% of it is hidden behind the stock front bumper. I'm keeping the stock look, going with j-spec wing, have a buddy shipping me his stock se sideskirts, and im getting the optional front lip when i get a chance too, and that rounds that off. I'm picking up a 300zx na lsd from my buddies salvage yard on the 4th of august (hopefully) and ill prob be running a set of bbs 17X8 wheels (theyre normally 2k, but my friend is asking 700 for them since theyre his old wheels and we're good friends) or some 5zigen fno1r wheels. Oh yeah, if I havent said it yet, I'm either going eibach springs and stock shocks (mine are fine now) or buying my buddy pete's tanabe springs and kyb strust (i think theyre kybs, not sure) since hes switching to coilovers. Well, I'm babbling now, anyone who knows of good cheap turbo place, intercooler option, and fuel management option, please help. If anyone knows any good/bad news regarding the ETD mani, let me know. Thanks for everyones time.

[fredb]

If 13's is all you are lookin you won't need 12 psi or any serious fuel management. I run 13's consistently with a best of 13.5 using an FMU, upgraded fuel pump and stock injectors/MAF/ECU on a high mileage (160K !) s13 KA at 8 psi. But, to run 12 psi you will of course need larger injectors and some way to controll them (Apex S-AFC, JWT ECU reprogram, etc). But my honest opinion after running an FMU for almost a year now is - if you have the money go with a Jim Wolf reprogramed ECU, programmed to control larger injectors and a larger MAF. It'll cost ya about a grand or so this way but you won't have to spend 120$ on a fuel pump or 150$ or so on an FMU. If you go cheap like me and a lot of other folks in the beginning you will find yourself wanting better fuel management in a few short months. I can get you a Borg Warner version of a T3/T04B for about $350, if you are interested email me at [email protected] , unfortunately I don't know the specs of the turbo but the price is pretty darn good for a brand new turbo. It's just a cheaper version of Garrett that many people don't know about.

fredb

[fredb]

Oh ya, the SR20DET injectors will fit the stock KA fuel rail, are 370cc and can be controlled by an Apex S-AFC. You can pick them up for about 120$ or so used from the SR guys. But you will need to tune your AFC on a dyno to get the most out of them. Not sure how much boost that set up will allow you.

fredb

[erich]

I run 370cc SR injectors, stock maf and JWT ecu @ 10psi with a straight T3. I ran a 13.985 on my second run ever at the strip with lots of wheelspin on all season tires. This car is my daily driver and it passes fairly strict emissions testing here in Vancouver. The JWT setup is great, just plug it in and go. Under WOT the A/F is between 12.3-12.5 from 3500 to redline. I use a modified Starion FMIC, has some pressure drop but it does cool well.I already have some MSD 50lb/hr injectors sitting on my bench that will be going in this summer. I've got an 18" piece of holley fuel rail stock that I will be turinig into my custom rail, cost me $38 canadian, or about $25 US. Look at http://www.sdsefi.com/ in the tech section for info on how to build a fuel rail cheap.As for gas mileage, it is highly variable. I have run 450 miles a tank highway, and under 100 miles when I was beating the crap out of my car for the tank. I still get 250-320 on my daily driving, which are all city miles.

Going KA-T is great for daily driving becuase you get more low down grunt then with a SR20. You won't be disapointed. I know I'm not.

[Nathan]

I picked up an intercooler from Ebay...the user selling it was Barbiegal and he sells them quite frequently, its the right size to fit PERFECTLY into the stock opening in the bumper. I also got a tip that the cores are very good, low pressure drop, and pressure tested. I'll tell you for sure how well it works soon It's not the pretiest but is supposed to be quite good.

[LarryStooge]

I picked up an intercooler from Ebay...the user selling it was Barbiegal and he sells them quite frequently, its the right size to fit PERFECTLY into the stock opening in the bumper. I also got a tip that the cores are very good, low pressure drop, and pressure tested. I'll tell you for sure how well it works soon It's not the pretiest but is supposed to be quite good.

is it the perfect size to fit in the 97-98 front?

[Nathan]

Hmmm, I dunno...I can tell you that the core is 6 inches high (9 tubes) x 2.75in. thick x 25 inches wide. The total dimensions are 6 inches high, 3 inches thick, and 35 inches wide with endtanks and outlets. It fits perfectly to where it'll bolt to the bottom of the frame rails I believe and fills a 91 bumper hole right up, while it's not a terribly large IC, I think it'll be good up to around 300hp, maybe more...time will tell on that. Also, I dont know what the pressure drop is but I will route my boost gauge to be able to take a reading before, and after the ic and measure the drop at a given amount of boost. I would also like to get a temperature probe and check it that way as well .