StryfeS13's Build Thread..No more KA-T...5.3L LSx

[StryfeS13]

I have (maybe it's gone, haven't checked after all the s*** i did) this annoying leak somewhere near the front timing cover. It's pretty small, but I don't like losing oil. It drips right on top of my power steering bracket.

At first I thought it might've been my power steering pump, so I replaced it, still leaks. Took off my dizzy, noticed that the o-ring was shot, replaced that, still leaks. I took off my front cover, and noticed some oil on the head gasket, where the bolt tightens the front cover to the lower cover. So HOPEFULLY that is my leak, I cleaned everything up and put hylomar as a sandwich in between the upper/lower timing covers / headgasket.

I also checked my valve clearance since I've put 8,000ish miles on the motor. Eight out of 16 valves were out of clearance. Lucky for me, I had some spare shims. Measured them up with a digital caliper, wrote the size on em, and then went to work. One of my exhaust shims was at .007.....it's supposed to be .013 - .016. Also since I had the front cover off, I painted it chrome. Lol. I want my whole intake manifold chrome as well, but I don't wanna take it off. Oh well.

Fixed all that shiz, and the engine is so quiet. Doesn't even sound like a typical noisy KA.

However, I didn't even take pictures cause I was so into my work. Sorry guys.

[Razi]

Nice.

Good to hear that replacing the shims fixed the tapping noise. (I HATE IT!)

I know what my next homework is.

[StryfeS13]

Yeah, the tapping noise drives me insane. Especially when you're on the freeway next to a wall.

Just pull off your valve cover, get a feeler gauge, and make sure the clearance between the lobe and shim is within .013 - .016. If not, then a new shim is needed. If the clearance is smaller than .013 then the shim you have in there is too thick. If the clearance is larger than .016, then the shim you have in there is too thin.

I also noticed that my missing issue is now gone, after fixing that terrible clearance of .007 on one of my exhaust shims.

EDIT: Oh, I changed my shims without even removing my cams. Just thought I'd throw that in here. You can push the valve down with a flat head screw driver (make sure to press the bucket down, not the shim) and you can pop the shim up with another flat head, and pull it out with a magnet. It's easier with two people.

[Razi]

Haha yeah I have mostly everything, except the shims.

I just hate taking off the valve cover off.

[StryfeS13]

Yeah I hate taking the valve cover off too. I don't know why but it just pisses me off...and it's SO easy.

You can get shims from JWT I think...in the KA24DE CAM INSTALL.PDF file that JWT has, I believe there is a link to buy shims.

[Razi]

Werd y0!

[StryfeS13]

So I've been wanting to get my car re-painted, I didn't like the burgundy brown-red thing I had going on. I like black.

I started sanding down my passenger quarter panel, gonna do one panel a day.

Had a few dents, I outlined them in black marker.




I sanded it down, and used body filler on the small dings, dents.



When using bondo I always put spot putty over it, cause the cheese grader tool thing scratches the surface..



I ended up with this...I sanded it down after it dried.



Then hit it with filler primer to fill in any other scratches.

[Buck01]

Dam nice build so far, its been a lot of work as i can see..

[StryfeS13]

Wetsanded my quarter panel to remove any tiny imperfections..



Started to roll the quarter panel a little bit...



Re-primed the quarter panel, so smooth




Started on the hatch

[myc013]

your getting in shape doing this lol

[StryfeS13]

I cleaned my car for the first time in months...Still looks like s*** LOL. Getting it painted as soon as I finish the body work.

Next parts on the mod list, then I'm gonna chill for a while:
Rear brake swap / altima rotors / z31 caliper brackets
Gloss black paint
ISIS 3871R turbo
Coilovers
Subframe Collars
Suspension Arms

[benz88]

looks good. but just an FYI. never use permanent marker on paint. it bleeds into the surface and will show through in new paint. Even if you think its all sanded down.

[dgms240]

nice build man, keep up the good work!!
i might have overlooked it but what turbo are you gonna run? i saw that you said you were going bigger.

[StryfeS13]

Thanks for the kind words guys.

@ dgms240, well, since I don't have heaps of money, I was planning on going with an ISIS 3870, which is the equivalent of the GT2871R. Should make my goal WHP, which is about 300whp!

[StryfeS13]

Can't make up my mind!

What to do next? (I have enough for any one of these)

-Coilovers/Subframe Collars
-Paint
-T28 turbo setup
-Megan Type 2 Exhaust
-Brakes

I'm thinking paint....and then turbo setup/exhaust....and then coils...and then brakes...

[StryfeS13]

So, an update finally....

Yay!

[Razi]

[StryfeS13]

Bye bye T25 setup...off to Jersey it goes.

[project213]

I just went through and posted an answer to every question I have asked in this build thread. I hope this helps people out.

Not every question!! haha, what color bulbs did you put in your cluster?? i got red ones at the moment but i think i like yours a little better

[StryfeS13]

They're just some amber or orange bulbs..That's all I remember lol

[StryfeS13]

Mock Up...soon enough it'll be a reality

EDIT: Page 6!

[Speckid4]

Looking good buddy. KA-T for the win, nice job checking the shims, many people overlook them.

Keep up the good work
~Speckid

[Razi]

Haha, is that chillin in the air or did you get a manifold already?

Looking good buddy. KA-T for the win, nice job checking the shims, many people overlook them.

Keep up the good work
~Speckid

I think he's one of the first people I've ever seen checking and putting in new shims.

[StryfeS13]

It's just chillin in the air haha.

[Razi]

How much psi are you thinking of running?
There's a topmount T3/T4 cast manifold on eBay for $100, and some of the cheap tubular ones are a bit less than that.
Cast manifold should be indestructible, though the tubular might make better power when you're running a lot of boost, but those are known to crack.

[StryfeS13]

Uh...like 17 - 20 pounds I guess? lol

I wanna get the CXRacing tubular one that moves turbo placement further forward. With the cast mani I might have BMC clearance issues.

As for cracking I can reinforce it, I work at a shop.

[Razi]

Having resources ftw!

Having the turbo moved up is definitely good, I know a few people are extremely close to their brake lines with some T3 setups.

[StryfeS13]

Yeah that'd scare me. I'd rather relocate my PS reservoir than burn my brakes or something while I'm driving.

[Speckid4]

A little inspiration to move your turbo forward

[costa_rican13]

Im jealous! +1 for the move it forward mani