Nervous about going KA-T.... read too many ppl that have destroyed their motors

[Bosrudorfer]

I'm going to be going KA-T in several weeks and have been going through numerous searches and threads to expand my knowledge before that grand day. One thing that has concerned me is the numerous people who have destroyed their engines, and often shortly after going boost.

My question is if you have blown your motor what happened? What preventative steps can one take (such as installs or parts) to have a reliable setup?

I'm going on a 4 hour drive in August camping and need the car at 100%.

I've found a good install on how to prevent boost spike: http://www.ka-t.org/overboost.htm

Thanks all!

[Bosrudorfer]

BTW my setup would be:JGS Kit370CC injectorsNismo FPRSR MAFEmanage + Ignition harness3" SR downpipeJGS IC pipingFMICJGS340 BOV255 Walbro pump
Modified by Bosrudorfer at 12:52 PM 6/27/2006

[wild_maxx]

don't be a *****... JK

Just don't push the motor hard... take it easy on her and she'll last...

[UltraRed2$0sx]

BTW my setup would be:JGS Kit370CC injectorsNismo FPRSR MAFEmanage + Ignition harness3" SR downpipeFMIC255 Walbro pump

BTW my setup would be:JGS Kit370CC injectorsNismo FPRSR MAFEmanage + Ignition harness3" SR downpipeFMIC255 Walbro pump

SR MAF??????? What MAF might that be?

[Jookmasta]

get a z32 maf......................

[Florida240sx]

Get quality parts and don't be stupid you'll be just fine. Your tune is very important.

[MarkEmark]

there's already been a KA-T longevity survey....

zerothread?id=158338

[1995240sxSE]

I have had such a hard time with my ka-T and it has been expensive! But I have learned so much, now that I am so close to being done, again. I am almost ready to do another one. definately worth it. Remember the days of having a slow sporty car? Thats all it will be remember, cause once you do it It will be awesome, even if only for 1.3 miles till engine failure! Just my little expirence with first try. DO IT!!!!

[Bosrudorfer]

there's already been a KA-T longevity survey....

zerothread?id=158338

That link made me feel sooo much better! Guys running 300rwhp and 30,000+ miles! Awesome I guess it does matter on the parts, install, and tuning and I'm trying to make sure all of those are the cream of the crop.

[jmwenick]

Yes, the tune is very important, I would go with an Enthalpy tune, yeah, it costs money, but so does another motor to replace your blown one. Believe me I know. Also i learned that 370's suck with a 57 trim haha.

[Import_Ant]

I had no problems running ½ a bar of boost on a bone stock SOHC KA @ 240k miles. that was with stock injectors, ECU, and no tuning instruments.

I tore it down to upgrade the block so it can handle my goals now that I have a project chassis to put it in but it started every day and kicked *** every night.

Like everyone is saying don't cut corners and do preventative maintenance.

I don't know why no-one thinks to run an oil cooler, its only 80-100$ extra and good insurance let alone the fact that it increases your motor's oil capacity, also why not get an MSD blaster 2 coil while you're at it. 30$ at most online stores. it's the little things that add up.

[crzycav86]

I would be willing to be money that the longer you research on these forums and other ones, the less likely your chances will be of blowing up your motor. That means search for information regarding how much power you can handle, which parts are good and bad, installation and tuning tips, etc. Every bit of knowledge you retain will make your setup that much more reliable.

[GEO]

Its the people who blow their engines.. have an good SAFE tune and let your car idle intill it is warmed up and is showing 0.7% on the SAFC for air intake. Also for a long trip, unless your not boosting the whoel trip.. you will be fine. I'd jsut make sure I had some good heat wrap around the brake cylinder unless this is a bottom mount setup ( didn't bother reading the setup you have)
Modified by GEO at 11:32 PM 6/26/2006

[hannibal]

Just to repeat... tuning the car properly can make a world of difference.

[shockload]

if you do not have a wideband and sufficient injectors/ fuel pump it will blow its cookies. if you have a good setup that is reliable and tune it well you can make 300+ pretty easy. if you rebuild the stock engine you need to file the ring to at least a 12 thousanths gap , this will make ring land deffanately hold up. stock rings i have measured at 6-7 thousanths and that would make too little room for expansion under boost . if you want to see what a stock engine can tune to check out jtaylors car on ka-t i think it made like 528 whp on an sr ecu and individual coilpacks stock bottom end.

[Bosrudorfer]

Just to repeat... tuning the car properly can make a world of difference.

That seems to be the word on the streets... I'm having a shop install the whole kit then dyno tune the beast

Thanks all for cheering me up