Realiability and Longevity Issues?

[side waz]

Hey guys whats up.

KA-t, SR or RB? The choice's are sometimes overwhelming to the point of making not know exactly what I want to do.

Now it's come down to money more then anything else. I've done some research and found that I can have a KA-T on my budget. Of course I will attempt to do it properly if I go this route.

My question's to those of you who have turboed the KA is,

1) How realible is your set up as in being a daily driver?

2) What were the biggest issues you came across in your project?

3) Compared to the other engine choice's out there that are ment to be turbed, how do you feel the KA-T will be in the long run?

I still have some more researching to do before I fully decide what I am going to do but this idea is tickling my fancy.

So I appreciate your help with this guys and plese let me know. Also feel free to add anything that you feel is important for me know and what experience's you've had with these motors.

Knowledge is power right?

Thanks in advance and take care.

Easy

[IvanAtSPRacing]

I am a big fan of the KA motor. I am currently building one for our S13 R&D car that made 404whp and 409TQ in bone stock form with our turbo kit, fuel system, intercooler, and AEM EMS. I am also building one for my personal S14.5 race car you can see in another thread here on NICO. The motor design leaves little to be desired when it comes to upgrading it. The block is iron which means no sleeves. The cam on bucket valvetrain layout is just like the MKIV Supra which means no rocker stoppers. The timing chain design although noisy at times, means no broken timing belts. The power output of the bone stock motor tells me its begging for boost.

The only drawback to the KA is the weak pistons. At about the 400whp mark, the ring lands give out. Its not a tuning issue but a strength issue. Shooting for a bit more HP out of the S13 R&D car resulted in the picture below.

[side waz]

Thanks for the info man.

See if I go this route I will be doing it on a motor with 316k km's on it. Plus I will be using this as my daily/work car too and I do a ton of driving.

So I have to consider all that when building this motor. Is it going to be realible, will it take the daily abuse, ect, ect.

As well, my goal would be around 250 hp ish give or take. Nothing crazy as I may flip the motor later for something else. On the other hand I may keep it. HAHAH, I can't decide that now.

From what I've read here and on other boards the KA-T is becomming quite popular and some guys, if they had to do it over, would have that route instead of the SR's there running now.

Please keep the feedback and knowledge coming as I am sure it'll be usefull for me.

Take care.

Easy

[MikeMurphy]

Fellow canadian! Nice!

With that sort of milage it might be a good idea for a rebuild. The turbo itself does not affect the reliability too much as long as you tune it properly, however if parts of the engine start failing the result could be multiplied by the turbo.

I would personally spend some time on the engine to get it up to speed, if its not there right now. I dont want this turning into a big reliability thread where everyone has their own unjustified opinion, but im just suggesting that you seriously look at giving your engine an overhaul so it will keep a smile on your face for years to come

[side waz]

Whats up man.

I do plan on replacing all the gaskets before I attempt this. The motor is strong and the oil is always replaced every 5-7k km's so Im good there. I hope!So my plan so far is, 370cc SR or 550cc FC injectors (which I get first or cheapest), Skyline GTR fuel pump, 1g Talon BOV, SAFC or better, HKS turbo timer, GReddy E-01 boost controller, FPR, 300zx fuel filter and fmic. The turbo I have'nt totally decided on yet.

Please feel free to add or suggest other items or comment on what I plan to use. Some of the item's I have will either stay if keep the motor or come with me is I swap.

Again thank you guys.

Have a good one.

Easy