MY KA IS DEAD! Big plans ahead..ka advice needed

[frsh13]

My ka has been running like shi* for a few weeks now. Started to burn oil and smoke blue out of the tail pipe. I suspected blown piston rings, so today I did a compression test. 145-145-120 and then I stopped before cyl #4 as there was no point, I already new the rings were fried. So yea my KA IS DEAD!

....The good news is I now have a great project for the next 2 weeks. I have a spare KA sitting on an engine stand in the garage. I know its an S13 ka and may even be a 91 motor. The plan is to pull the blown KA, install all the turbo parts on the new motor and drop it in. Since im going to have the motor out I have BIG plans for my engine bay. Gona clean the **** out of it and paint it. Hide the wiring, relocate the ps pump, and do a few more things. This is gona be great, My first motor swap!

I need to know what everyone thinks I should do to my spare KA before I swap it in. A full build isnt possible cause im broke. Im def. going to clean it and get the valve cover powder coated and I was also thinking maybe...

copper exhaust manifold gasket (on current ka)stage 2 clutch (on current ka)underdrive pulley (on current ka)thermacool intake manifold gasket (on current ka)cometic head gasketand maybe arp head studs

anyone have anything else that I should do to the spare KA before it goes in? Also whats the best stuff to paint an engine bay and engine with if I dont have a spray gun? I dont have too much $ to spend and my max downtime can be 2 weeks. Il be sure to keep everyone posted with lots of pics

O and this means no NICO fest 4 me

[S13FX]

Well you could do a leak down test on the one your going to be swapping in, unless you know it's in good condition. I would also go ahead and take care of the oil return bung right away on the oil pan, while the engine is out.

I would most definitely put in the new clutch. As for paint any enemal high heat engine paint should work just fine. Make sure you clean the surface really well and rough it up a bit before applying the paint.

I'm sure others have more ideas for you .

Good luck on the project and take lots of pictures .

[Florida240sx]

Just did that swap this weekend. Built ka-t that engine builder screwed up Put in a stock one more compression Drove 4 miles back to my house and popped off an ic pipe.

[Charlie240sxt]

Might as well do a full tune up,water pump,T stat,oil return bug,maybe throw your other EX cam in the intake side of the new motor for the 248/248 setup PCV value thats under the intake mani,clean and paint what ever you want

save the underdrive pulley till you get it in and timed the timing marks are probly off on the pulley no since in taking the head off to install ARP studs on a stock motor unless you plan to boost the crap out of it(12+PSI)even then you dont HAVE too

[PapaSmurf2k3]

I used POR-15 as engine enamel. It worked great. I agree with the oil return bung. Also, maybe paint all your brackets? Take off the A/C (if you want). ARP hardware is fairly expensive, and you said you were broke, so thats up to you. If you are going to be removing the head and have to buy new head bolts anyway, I'd say go for the ARP, they are re-useable.

[1995240sxSE]

spring time must be the time to do motor swaps! I just did that this weekend, but had some issues!!! Good Luck! Make sure to take lotsa pics!!! You can never have enough pictures!!!!! I was thining about the dual 248 cams too!

[Florida240sx]

I do an engine swap at least once every 2 months... Driving my baby out to Daytona tomorrow only at 8psi though..... Going to switch out the spring next week to 12

[frsh13]

I got started today, didnt have time to pull the motor yet but I was working on KA #2. Took off the ps pump, ac pump, alternator,brakets. And started to clean the block. I also bought a 4gal 125psi air compressor. Ive wanted one for a while and this seemed like the perfect excuse to finally get it. I have a friend lending me air tools and a paint sprayer 2moro.

Il start a new thread 2moro with all the pics and my exact plans!

[boznuttz]

I hate Bergen County!

j/k, literally all of my friends live there for some odd reason, and I'm the one bum stuck in Rockland.