Working on the CA/S14...

[Apex]

So... now that my car is running well, I am taking the time to try a few things for the first time since I have never owned a turbo vehicle. Today I made my own downpipe! I was very surprised at how much time it takes to cut and piece tiny sections of exhaust together.



I even test fitted a muffler on it and it sounded phenomenal!

I don't weld often. I don't even have a welder so don't crack on the jankiness. I feel so victorious!

[float_6969]

Not bad for the price of cheap+time!

[Apex]

Clearance FTW!

Got the muffler on and started driving!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoXpYgguivI[/youtube]

Also went out for a drive. Is temp sensor different for the CA than KA? It looked like I was overheating for no good reason.




Next up: Boost gauge, BOV, Clutch, finish exhaust, figure out why half of my lights aren't working and figure out why my alternator isn't charging my battery.

[float_6969]

You need to run the S14 KA temp sensor. And remove the fan. It's doing nothing for you right now.

[Apex]

Roger that. I have an e-fan to go on tomorrow.

Also getting a new clutch next week. Alabama Drift is having a drift event in April and I NEED to sacrifice tires.

[roast]

You need to run the S14 KA temp sensor. And remove the fan. It's doing nothing for you right now.

LOL, I was going to post, install your fan shroud or get rid of the fan... It's useless as is. =D

[s13drifter88]

where in bham are u located. my ex lives in bham, she has a red vert, clean car. STAY AWAY!!!!!!! b*tch is clingy and crazy lol. I live in huntsville and make my way down there here and there. wouldnt mind seeing an ca/s14 in person

[roast]

What about tossing a flex joint on your downpipe?

[Apex]

I live in Moody and work in Pleasant Grove. Come on down. AlabamaDrift has a dinner meet every other weekend. On march 4th we are going to Steele to drag race our drift cars.

The flex section is a good idea.

I was able to fix the charging/ alternator problem. Apparently the lower harness KA connectors are not unique. I just switched two connectors and done! Also got the windows working.

[Apex]

The car started running rough over 3k today. Troubleshooting...

[Speedracer5767]

Dirty or bad MAF? Maybe even wiring? Is it acting like its in "limp in" mode? And I had he same problem with my CTS reading hot too. You must use the S14 sensor for sure. Same as the trans sensors. They have to match the gauge cluster or it will read way off on the speedometer/odometer too. Your mileage will get F'ed fast!

[float_6969]

Running rough over 3K and not going past 3k are different. If it won't go past 3k, the it's in limp mode, and it's a problem in the MAFS circut, or the CTS circut.

And just to be clear, you need to use a Pulsar sensor for the 2 wire coolant temp sensor, and an S14 sensor for the single wire gauge sensor.

[Apex]

Got the temp probs fixed. Running the CA two wire and the KA single wire. Got my fan put on. Used a KA A/C condenser fan.



As for the rough running... I can rev past 3K, the engine just starts missing. I am throwing no ECU codes, but I did see, while under the hood, that my #2 coil is arcing to the head. I've been searching around and have decided to add some grounds by making a firewall grounding harness for all of the coils. And I may possibly wrap my coils in something insulating.

[s13drifter88]

spray them down with a thick coat of liquid electrical tape before you go to bed one night. Worked wonders for my coils

[Speedracer5767]

You're right Float. I didn't mean to be so vague up ^^^ there. I have also had a coil split down the middle of the casing too. I noticed it when I started to have a miss and was doing a plug check. Gotta love the little bugs that surface. I never thought of that fan as an option, so I ended up using a Maxima setup. With a little modification to the edge of the fan housing u can have two fans instead of one.

[float_6969]

I'm running the stock A/C fan as well. We'll see how it does this summer. That thing doesn't move much air...

[s13drifter88]

my a/c fan died. 14" e-fan with thermostatic switch kit from advance auto parts. works like a charm

[Apex]

The arcing problem is fixed, via two coats of nail polish and a custom grounding harness for every coil. I'm not getting random misfires below 2.5k.

I had an extra harness so I took off the grounds that anchor near the ecu. I cut off all but four wires.




Anchored them to the firewall.


I crimped on some easy terminals.


Fastened them to the longer bolts that hold the coils down.


I'm still having the high end problem. It hasn't changed at all. Right after I pass 3k it just stutters terribly. It still climbs, but slowly and there is no power.

[Apex]

UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111

Found a busted seam in an intercooler pipe coupler. It probably stayed closed until the boost started to rise and then would get pushed open. Eureka! Ordering supplies and we'll see...

[Speedracer5767]

That's a good idea on the ground harness. I have a spare harness from my KA that I might use for doing the same thing. It's great to see someone else doing the same build/setup. Can't wait to get it back on the road! Do u have any more bay pics? I wouldn't mind comparing the craftsmanship. Here is mine but the MAF and air filter are being re-located along with some other little mods and changes.

[Apex]

I'll get some pics of the bay posted as soon as I get my power steering finished. I'm going to do a quick "how-to" on using the KA24DE pump and bracket using a very small fab piece.

Swapping my clutch and putting in a welded diff on wednesday! I am very excite!

[Apex]

So... installed a new clutch/ lightweight flywheel combo and swapped my diff out for a welded.

Only problem is... fried my #3 coil. I'm talking fire in the hole! I'm gettin' on the interstate to go to work, when smoke starts into the cab. I stop, open the hood and two handfuls of flames are all up in my coil wiring. Crap.

Thinking about a switch to GM ignition. I've read a bit on it and have seen some how tos. There are still a few questions I have:
1) Do all of the GM coils use a separate igniter? Do some have internal igniters?

2)When looking for coils, is there a certain voltage or amperage that I need to look for?

[float_6969]

All GM coil use an external ignitor. On most GM's, the coils are actually mounted TO the ignitor.

From what I can tell, they are all basically identical.

[boost_boy]

I never of the coils catching on fire.....WOW. Always something new with old factory set-up.

[Apex]

Put power steering in the car today. Much better.

I also converted to a GM ignition. I used the Grand National coil packs. The car has massive power!

[cbh148]

Nice setup man, I'm in Huntsville and I'm currently swapping in a ca18 into my s13. I just joined AlabamaDrift and I'm hoping to do one of their events. What all entails the GM ignition and Grand National coil packs?

[ska69]

GM LS2 coils ftw! http://www.megamanual.com/seq/coils.htm#ls1 more info here.

haven't done it myself, although I'd love to swap my coils, just much to do with the engine first.

[s13drifter88]

After working in the auto industry as long as I have ill never install a GM product on anything I own other than a select few of their transmissions if they were applicable. If i had a nickel for every coil pack and ignition module ive replaced (ecotec, quad4, 3.1, 3.4, 3.8 and err-thang else) Id be able to afford a new OS Giken diff. Seems like many things made by Delphi are of poor quality. Glad its working though and I hope you continue to have great luck with it. I hope to see it one day.

[Apex]

If any of you guys are near Birmingham, Alabama Drift is having a drift event on May 1st. It is at the Birmingham race course. More info on www.alabamadrift.com