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

[nightsauce]

Im not going to lie but I'm a little jealous of your build thread lol. I got a build thread too but its just an OE build and then turbo. Either way my next build sure will be like this. Keep it up man, this thread rocks!!!

lol im a bit jealous too but i'm picking up a longblock tomorrow going to start it tomorrow, but I'm going to be building slowly.

[StryfeS13]

Got my permatorque fel-pro head gasket today.

All that's left is head studs, clutch, and gasket kit (going eBay, but replacing the head gasket with my fel-pro)

Will be ordering everything Saturday. Engine will be done by the end of this month!

EDIT: just bought a catch can, too.

[JDS Performance]

So I started assembling the block today...checked my clearances, they're all perfect, lubed up the bearings, installed the crank..But then I noticed something...

Is this even a KA24DE crank!? I have never seen the key slanted, like that. It spins smoothly and has no trouble whatsoever spinning...so I think it is the right crank, but that slant is confusing me.



And what is this thing?

Dont know if this has been answewred I didnt read it fully..

The key on the crank is half moon shaped - just tap it down with a hammer

The second pic goes on your idler gear which bolts to your head for your lower chain

[StryfeS13]

Yeah it's been answered. I slapped myself in the face after I realized the crank thing. And I figured out what the second pic was the second i posted it.

2 more days until everything is bought. then i can assemble this b****

[StryfeS13]

Got my el cheapo catch can today.
Since I'll be N/A for a while I just need something to be there...since I removed the pcv intake stuff. I left the PCV box on the motor so I'm planning on just doing, PCV to Catch can, catch can to Intake. So it's pretty much the exact same as it was before, just with a catch can. When I go turbo, I will be buying an actual good catch can, and doing PCV > Catch can> Check Valve > Intake.

12 dollar catch can...lol





Buying ALL the rest of my parts tomorrow. Engine will be done as soon as parts get here, lol.

[nightsauce]

looks decent but i'd add some thread lock on bolts and whatnot, just to make sure s*** is sealed

[StryfeS13]

It actually wasn't assembled when I received it. So I already have that covered!

[StryfeS13]

So I just bought all the rest of the parts for my motor.

Total price of build - 1.9K

Full list of parts:

KA24DE
Eagle Rods + Thermal Intake Gasket
Supertech 8.6:1 Pistons with Rings
Oil Pan
Machine Work, resurface, bored, honed
Oil pump rebuild stuff
Freeze Plugs
Egr block off
Turbo drain welded to oil pan
ARP Main Studs
ACL Duraglide rod bearings
ROCK Main bearings
Timing Kit
Fel pro head gasket
Catch Can
ARP Head Studs
Gasket Set
Clutch

[StryfeS13]

Well I got my clutch in today. I went ahead and took a chance and bought a Stage 3 XTD. I've read around every where and no one has any problems. I guess I'll let you guys know how it works out.








Head studs will be here tomorrow.
Gaskets will be here thursday.

[S13AL]

whats the holding capacity of the clutch?

[yawdeeps]

Nice I like what youve done.

[StryfeS13]

I believe it compares to an ACT Stage 2. So I'd say somewhere around 300 tq.

I traded my WELDED diff for a Z32 diff today. Install was very painful, and annoying. But it is much more enjoyable.

No more skipping, no more destroying tires while daily driving, no more hassles, no more pissed-off-ness, no more trouble. welded diff, be gone.

(not my pic, but looks like this)



Oh, and my ARP head studs, and gaskets came today as well!



Pulling my motor out on sunday, putting the new one in on monday. huge success

[StryfeS13]

Big update!

Got the motor out today, took all the parts i need off of it, assembling the motor tomorrow, dropping it in tuesday!

This is my friend greg lol


The motor ready to be pulled



My crazy step dad helping me guide the motor out


And it only took four hours!

[nightsauce]

pics of completed long block

[TheBlaiant]

Good job man it's coming along nicely!

[StryfeS13]

got the block together today.
my damn arp head studs clamped the head down so hard that the upper front cover had to be persuaded in order to fit. Lol. What a pain.

Answer: That actually wasnt the problem. You must resurface your upper timing cover the same as your cylinder head.

Anyway,

pics of completed long block

[StryfeS13]

It's amazing how much more space there is when you remove your stupid emissions.



This area would usually be cramped with the egr, bpt, swirl valve, etc.


Intake Spacer


Thought this looked cool lol

[StryfeS13]

It runs!!!!!!!

But, for some reason now none of my lights work...or anything else. Anyone know what's going on!? Headlights turn on but dont flip up or down, the horn doesnt work, the inside light doesnt work, console lights dont work, etc.

Answer: Make sure the alternator ground is NOT making direct contact with the alternator! LOL

[motoman399]

good job on getting it running. start checking fuses for your lights, ect. i have never ran into that problem before but im sure it cant be too major. we are all proud of you for getting it running lol

[S14Kouki10]

we need some videos!

[nightsauce]

It runs!!!!!!!

But, for some reason now none of my lights work...or anything else. Anyone know what's going on!? Headlights turn on but dont flip up or down, the horn doesnt work, the inside light doesnt work, console lights dont work, etc.

congrats on getting it running. sounds like you didnt connect a ground somewhere or something isnt connected. I'm sure you'll find it

[StryfeS13]

cant post vids yet, the engine is a f*cking mess.

-Dim headlights
-Doesn't flip up/down headlights
-No gauge on the cluster works, at all
-No brake lights
-No blinkers
-No sidemarkers
-Battery dies like within 30 mins (when car is off)
-HAS ABSOLUTELY NO POWER, the engine dies when you give it full throttle. It doesn't rev or accelerate. You have to go slow on the pedal to get it to increase rpms
-Overheats

it blows out the 75A alternator fuse every time you put it in

[motoman399]

^^ wow man. sounds weird. make sure your engine harness is good and tight with every plug. did you remove the harness at all from the car? make sure you didnt pinch a wire under a motor mount or in the bellhousing against the engine. i have seen that before. makes for a bad time.

[StryfeS13]

I think I MAY have found the problem. Could it be because my alternator ground has no spacer/rubber washer thing? It just goes nut>ground>alternator. Same thing for the starter, it goes nut>ground>starter.

Do I need those spacers, or w/e? I'm only saying this cause I was looking at my friends car and his has them. Can I use a rubber/nylon washer, because I don't have those spacers.

[StryfeS13]

^ That was the problem. Fixed.

[motoman399]

good deal man. now we can has a video???

[xX RB Xx]

^ That was the problem. Fixed.

so that fixed your overheating problem too? Nice build thread, it is very similar to mine, except im building my head as well.

Also, I love this picture. Kinda Mad Max(y).

[costa_rican13]

you my friend, will be hearing from me. i'm piecing together all of my parts too. so far i've got 2 turbos(choosing which one to use) and cxracing intercooler. and some icpiping.

[motoman399]

what turbo's do you have^^

[StryfeS13]

Answer: I wrote this: how-to-fix-an-incorrectly-installed-tim ... 08263.html
HELLLLPPPPP

Alright so I have my cams set perfect, like this.



But I STILL cant get my distributor to be "normal."
When I align it with the number 1 spark plug at TDC it wont even run.

So I have to retard it one tooth back. I have to turn the distributor all the way to the right(advance) to even get it to run. And when I check it with a timing light it's at 10 BTDC. If I rotate it backward (retard) the engine shuts off, of course.

So I tried to place the rotor in all positions, and the only one that even kind of works is two teeth back. Like, if you were to set it at the number 1 spark plug at TDC, except rotate it 2 tooth back, and then it has a CRAZY advance, so you have to retard the distributor all the way and it runs at about 30 BTDC which is still bad.

Examples: