Scared of the ka-t

[UncleBen]

I've seen and heard so many horror stories I am about to give up on my dreams of a ka-t. As of right now I am going to continue to do some NA work and then get an NX kit and throw about a 50 shot on it. Plus I see so much information, alot of it which is almost contradicting about manifolds, etc etc. Obviously you all are probably biased, but should I just chill out on my NA work and go for a ka-t setup or what? Opinions!!!!

The only thing I am looking for is something like what a basic Greddy kit or equivalent would give; just over 200rwhp would be great. I dont want to have to get inside the motor, at least not now. 6-8lbs is great. So, what do you all think?

[HIGHLIFE1]

nsport kit gives me 110 hp at 6 psi better than a 50 shot of no2

J

[GEO]

YES< my plan.. to run 7 psi witht eh greddy kit and call it a day.. for awhile..

[Ubernoober]

The same problem you run into when boosting is the same problem you run into on N2O. Ringlands and basic condition of the internals.So realistically, if you do not want to get into the engine, you will be at risk of damaging the internals. That said, when done carefully and thoughtfully, the risk can be managed.

I think most of the problems you see with KA-T's is nothing inherently wrong with the KA-T, but rather the complexity of correctly designing and managing an addition to power, whether it be super/turbo charging or N2O. There are a lot of little details that go into making these things work. By going with a company (Greddy, et al.) you are getting access to their prep work and expertise. Sometimes that can be helpful. Other times their "expertise" is that they know how to spell Nissan and charge money to a credit card.

If you really want more power, continue to do research. It sounds like you already have read a lot and are weighing the benefits/hazards in an intelligent way. Just continue to do so until you reach a descision that makes YOU happy.

Ok, I don't know how this got so long. Sorry.

[WDRacing]

Benny....don't be scurred.

At 8 lbs of boost your motor will be fine. Juts add enough fuel to offset thye boost and you'll have a solid 200+ thats reliable.

The Greddy kit, Nsport, FMAX and custom kits are all very reliable.

As far as manifolds go. For low boost whatever mani comes in the kit will be fine. Any log style or semi log will work just a good as equal tubular mani until you get into the bigger number where flow and back pressure is more of a concern. But your not near that point yet.

Even 5 psi will make your car an entirely different animal to drive.

Brian

[C-Kwik]

The same problem you run into when boosting is the same problem you run into on N2O. Ringlands and basic condition of the internals.So realistically, if you do not want to get into the engine, you will be at risk of damaging the internals. That said, when done carefully and thoughtfully, the risk can be managed.

Ringlands are not that great of a concern. Though, they are inherently weaker than say a forged slug, it's not crippling just from adding a turbo or any power adder. The key to tuning any motor is to control detonation. Forged pistons do allow you to operate any differently. They can still be damaged from detonation. And likely, it will still be the ringlands that go first. Forged pistons have a higher threshold to failing from detonation, but ultimately, neither a cast or forged piston can withstand sustained detonation. Most people who blow their motors from turbocharging will have had a detonation issue at the time. Even a stick KA can withstand a small amount of it. Perhaps even some large pings for a very short period of time. I'd even suspect that those who blew their motors do not know what detonation sounds like or could not hear it. If I ever hear anything that sounds like it might be detonation, I back off.

[WDRacing]

Not only are the ring lands a concern, but the spak plug ground strap often disintigrates crom detonation. Which then either welds itself to the top of the piston causing hot spots and more detoantion or scratches the ****e out cylinder walls causing a loss of compression.

All of which can be controlled by elimintaing detonation.

Ben, if you need any info reguarding forced induction, detonation fuel and ignition issues feel free to email me, [email protected] we need more turbo KADETS in the Moderator world. Your car already lookd awsome, you just need some boost.

Brian

[UncleBen]

Thanks for all the info guys. I knew that n20 was putting the same strain on the motor as boosting it was, just not in the same form. But, I guess in the back of my mind I new n20 would be easier and faster for me to get done, because its cheaper. You see I have a problem with patience, haha. I'm working on it, but man its so hard. I *WANT* ka-t, but I know that it will take a long time of me saving money (being an 18 year old, fresh out of high school kid), gaining info, buying parts, etc etc. So, here is where that patience thing comes into play, haha.

I went to the track yesterday hoping to break into the 15's, but being an a.ss like I am, I had filled up on Friday not thinking about going to the track yesterday. So needless to say I didn't break into the 15's. I didn't even get close to my personal best of a 16.1!!!!!!! I was rather PISSED OFF, but there is nothing I could do about it. So last night REALLY made me want some boost, which is what got me wanting n20 that much more. Its faster and easier.

But now I am just in the mood to continue to drive the car for a while as it is and just save up for a greddy or nsport kit so I can run 6-8lbs. I know all about the whole getting enough fuel to it. It makes sense, if you increase the air, you have to increase the fuel so you dont lean out and detonate. Even if I had gone n20, although not necessary, I was going to possibly get a Walbro pump, just to make sure I was getting fuel to those injectors.

But thanks to my car not letting me down and showing me how slow she is, hearing you guys talk about how 6-8lbs should be reliable, I think I am going to try and save for a kit. I hope my almost 130k mile motor holds up!!!!! You think I should do a timing chain and rebuild to it?

[GEO]

well, the greddy kit provides eveyrhting you need to run reliable at 7psi ont eh stock engine... I mena with teh 37lb injectors.. everything should be good.

[WDRacing]

Timing chain and associated parts would be a good idea. The rebuild isn't a must unless you have bad compression on one or more cylinders.

[UncleBen]

My compression isn't bad I dont think, I did a compression test on cylinder number one last year and it was like 169 or something. We didnt' finish the test on the other 3 because of complications. Dont ask.

Timing chain, yea I figure that would be a must.

[GEO]

I gotta check my com[ression

[UncleBen]

Did you photoshop that little fmic in your sig or is that real? Its tight looking whatever it is.

[MaxType 240]

Only be scared if you're gonna half-*** your setup. Proper cooling and engine mgmt goes a long way to saving your engine.

Jesse

[bbandit]

dont be scared of the KA-T... be scared of leaking injectors from hell lol... put new injector o-rings whenever you change your injector.. this is a must!mine leaked a lot.. now im using my old-KA o-rings and they still leak a bit. Im waiting for my new o-rings (ordered them yesterday). should be here tommorrow.

[TrunkMonkey]

You see I have a problem with patience, haha. I'm working on it, but man its so hard. I *WANT* ka-t, but I know that it will take a long time of me saving money (being an 18 year old, fresh out of high school kid), gaining info, buying parts, etc etc. So, here is where that patience thing comes into play, haha.

i know exactly what you mean. i have the same problem with being patient with my project. i have everything planned out, but it's going to be a while before the whole thing is done.

i'm almost tempted to bite the bullet and go with the greddy kit.

*gasp* did i just say that? *gasp*

-demetrius

[MaxType 240]

dont be scared of the KA-T... be scared of leaking injectors from hell lol... put new injector o-rings whenever you change your injector.. this is a must!mine leaked a lot.. now im using my old-KA o-rings and they still leak a bit. Im waiting for my new o-rings (ordered them yesterday). should be here tommorrow.

LOL, I didn't grease them prior to install and all the o-rings were tore up. Had to use the old rings too...

Jesse

[UncleBen]

This is good stuff. I think I have decided to save another 1000 and go for the Greddy kit.

[GEO]

Greddy kit is banging.

[HolyShiznit]

Don't be scared of the KA-T. It's so much fun and if you are really serious about it I would suggest building your own kit. So much more satisfaction from knowing that YOU did it and YOU designed it.

Side note: I went the SAFC II route.....and I would never recommend it to anyone again. At the very least go JWT ecu. I know it sounds expensive but oh my god, after you dyno tune and buy/install the SAFC it starts to add up and you will regret it. *Just my opinion*

[UncleBen]

I've had a couple people recomend to me that I just piece a kit together. I guess I could, but since my ka-t knowledge is severely limited, buying a kit would be much easier for an ignorant som b like myself. I'm learning , and will continue to learn, but right now I just feel as if I'm a baby learning to walk.

[Structure240sx]

for you a pre-fab kit would be a better idea. even to me its a better idea, which is what i got. it isnt that hard to put a kit jsut can be a pain to find the right size bolts and fittings. my kat is so much fun. and with a kit like greddy they have all the tunning done for you so you wont have any problems.

[Structure240sx]

also, i love my safc. if you get a wideband then you can tune it yourself anytime and always know whats going of for the most part. its also very easy to use. im running 14psi right now with my tunning done with a safc, wideband, 480cc injectors, and msd btm. im finally going to a dyno on thursday just to see how much power im making not to tune

[UncleBen]

I am still having people doing their best to convince me not to go ka-t, just because of their own personal bad experiences. I wish I was smart and could tell them all this technical stuff and shut them up, but I can't, haha.

[UncleBen]

Structure, when you say you bought that built motor, how built is built?

[bbandit]

I am still having people doing their best to convince me not to go ka-t, just because of their own personal bad experiences. I wish I was smart and could tell them all this technical stuff and shut them up, but I can't, haha.

Yea my friends with SRs always said the same thing.. "dude, why? its a farking truck motor" , "Im telling you its going to blow up" , "save up some more for an SR, in the end you wont regret it". But I always told them that I got it all under control, just watch and see.Now my KA-T is running pretty strong (with a little injector leak here and there). And they didnt say anymore to me since I have a bigger turbo than theirs lol. and I got all of this done with just half the price they spent to install their SRs.

[UncleBen]

What are the specifications on your kit........

[fiznat]

if you want to do a KA-T, I really just reccomend you read, read, read, and get out and work on some cars. Neither the SR or the KA-T will work for someone who feels unable to even *talk* about the specifics of building a motor, nevermind actually do it.

Do the research, learn as much as you possibly can, and the answer will come to you-- trust me.

[Structure240sx]

my motor is actually fully built with rods and pistons. my stock motor was holding up for a month of over boosting. it was hittin 11psi on a fuel system and timing retarded for 8psi max. it was pretty damn fast for an auto though. im sure that if i was at a steady 8psi i would still have my stock motor.

thing about people going sr and saying that the ka is a truck motor is dumb. think about trucks make torque, torque is really the power that moves you. plus ka parts you can get the same day or next day. i have a bunch of spare parts sitting around. so if something goes wrong downtime is far less.

[HolyShiznit]

if you want to do a KA-T, I really just reccomend you read, read, read, and get out and work on some cars. Neither the SR or the KA-T will work for someone who feels unable to even *talk* about the specifics of building a motor, nevermind actually do it.

Do the research, learn as much as you possibly can, and the answer will come to you-- trust me.

Wurd Fizzy, wurd.