Would you recommend KA-T to a novice?

[Mangudai]

I was thinking about going either rb25 or KA-t. I mean, almost anyways you go you are going turbo. I know very little about cars. Just some bare basic and some extra stuff. I want to get a ka24de rebuilt and bored etc($$$) then turboed. This would be my DD, what do you say?

[WDRacing]

Its definitly a large undertaking. I think you could do it if you purchased a complete bolt on kit or had a shop install it for you. I don't recommend putting a kit together yourself though.

Definitly do some research first.

Welcome to Nico

WD

[Mangudai]

Thanks a lot bro.

I would definately have a shop do that kind of stuff for me, though I will try to do the not so hard bolt ons if possible. I want to get hands on but not at the cost of my car lol.

Thanks again

[Biggamehit]

Ka-t is an great learning platform. I however recommend getting your hands dirty. If you have good hands and mechanical knowleadge, its nothing man. And the feeling that you get inside of you soul when u beat the hell out of someone eles car with a car that you fully constructed is great/priceless/worth the busted knuckles and long hours.

If you dont trust yourself dont feel to bad. still attemp to do some "minor" things it will make you understand why you are buying alll these parts. Reasearch is Key. I built my entire kit and installed it without asking one question all the info I needed was taken from about 4 threads, 2 on nico and 2 on KA-t.org.

[Edub1]

Since you asked what would be good for you, and not me, I will try to answer accordingly.

A turbo kit, on an engine that wasn't designed for a turbo is a big job and requires quite a bit of mechanical skills. It is also quite time consuming and requires a lot of customization, a work area (garage) and a good set of tools. Buying a kit is more expensive but will shorten installation time.

Even so, paying a mechanic to do such a job is not cost effective as it will likely cost several thousand dollars. For a guy who wants to pay to have it done, an SR swap is the only cost effective method. You can get a good SR for I believe around $2500 and probably have the swap done for another $1000. I would try to find a shop that does these swaps.

As for other opinions, that is what you are getting - opinions. Opinions based on how they did it, how much work it was for them, how they choose to prioritize their time and what they think a person ought to be able to do. Notice they never even ask if you have a heated garage in the dead of winter, own a single wrench or even want to spend your time working on your car. And, you already said you don't know cars.

Personally, I wouldn't even mess with my DD. But, for a hastle free car that runs like stock & goes like hell, find a shop that can bang out an SR swap and be done with it. No worries, great motor and no ongoing project.

[nissanfanatic]

I'm currently running my original engine. This was my first modified car ever. Its a great car to learn on. Its fun at any power level, but you can take it as far as you want...

[hannibal]

I say KA-T. I think its much easier than swapping an engine, especially a pricey imported motor.

I really dont think turboing a KA is very difficult. Ive never done anything like that before, but I'm pretty confident I can pull it off. Not over a weekend like the gurus, but just taking my time, double checking my work, and 'measuring twice, cutting once'.

I think the more you read on here and follow what experienced guys say, you'll feel ten times more confident in turboing the KA.

[redtop91]

Well if you are a novice then either route KA-T or SR20 (or whatever ) is going to cause more problems then you will be able to handle solo. That being said you will pay to have a shop swap an SR for you (oh yes you will pay) but having to pay multiple shops for all the services required for a KA-T build will end up being more costly. This is not a commentary on the difficulty of the two because to a novice they are both going to be hard as hell. Find a fellow niconaut that is close and ask for help. I really think KA builds are fun and a great way to learn your car. KA guys know their motors. Do IT!!!!!!

[partymonster 975]

How far are u planning on taking this? Like are you wanting to upgrade internals, cuz that gets $$$$$$ and I'd say keep it light for a first car. My self, I'm going to probably do a swap if this emissions thing in IL passes but if not its KA-T for me. I'm going to do what I can my self but for the advanced stuff I'm going to AMS. I'm not upgrading internals though. I saw get a turbo kit from like JGS or something or better yet build your own, u'll end up saving a good amount of cash. I have heard of a lot of guys using the SR's T25 and making a kit outta that for dirty cheap.Either way good luck.

[Biggamehit]

I say KA-T. I think its much easier than swapping an engine, especially a pricey imported motor.

I really dont think turboing a KA is very difficult. Ive never done anything like that before, but I'm pretty confident I can pull it off. Not over a weekend like the gurus, but just taking my time, double checking my work, and 'measuring twice, cutting once'.

I think the more you read on here and follow what experienced guys say, you'll feel ten times more confident in turboing the KA.

yea man if you have prior mechanical experience that helps. befor i got my 240 I had perfromed almost every custom honda swap/electrical job you could do and toyota some ( 1j 2j swaps) etc. I never owned a honda, but had lots of buddies.

so with any car you will run into those scrathcing you head moments and think. did i get myself into lol. but it ALways works and you know it will. Not to down play it at all. but my BASIC turbo install was very easy and took me 2 days only becuase I welded the wrong bung into the oil pan and had to wait the next day to buy a new one for my oil return coming from the turbo. I did research for about an solid months befor i purchased 1 single turbo part. And i also kept an Diary ( yea i said it ) of parts that I had and what i needed. So when install day came, i had EVERYTHING sitting in front of me and made my life easy.

ps

One word of advice. when its 90 degress out, and you just came home from military training. dont F-ing drink Juice. you will die like i almost did. and EAT SOMETHING befor you start. i felt so sick becuase i didnt eat. but hmmm the feeling of boost the next day made it alllllllll go away.

[Edub1]

Guys, he said he knows very little about cars. Why are you telling him what is easy for you?

For a guy without much mechanical know how a KA-T is going to wind up being a money pit and a never ending problem. How many of you never have to monkey with your setup? I'm going on about 5 or 6 weekends and I know what I'm doing.

A straight up engine swap with a motor that belongs in the car is 100X less hastle and will cost far less in labor. Inexperienced people not doing their own work should never be encouraged to go KA-T when a one shot alternative is availible.

Just ask a mechanic which will be more costly.

[Biggamehit]

I completely understood him/you

i just dont promote people giving all of their money to others and becoming ignorant about what they drive. never have never will. I have only been working on cars for about 4 years, and have done alot in that time. I was in his shoes 4 years back now i can work on anything. my car has never been touched by another mechanic, that personlly makes me feel good.

Im not saying dive right into the deep end blind. if he has buddies who have done semi serious car modification. they can brainstorm and get the car done. and fundamental reading can help alot lol

[hannibal]

To say it another, if you have more money than time/patience, then pay a shop to swap or turbo your KA. If you have more time than any thing else, just learn at your own pace. Thats what I'm suggesting: you can learn to do this on your own and spend your hard earned money on better parts instead of paying labor costs to someone else.

[Edub1]

To say it another, if you have more money than time/patience, then pay a shop to swap or turbo your KA. If you have more time than any thing else, just learn at your own pace. Thats what I'm suggesting: you can learn to do this on your own and spend your hard earned money on better parts instead of paying labor costs to someone else.

That I can go along with. If the car is a project/toy and not something you depend on for transportation and you have the time to learn what you need to, do the upgrades and repair what goes wrong, then the KA-T is not a bad way to go. Plus you need a good set of tools, a garage and need to be mechanically inclined.

If any of these is lacking, a KA-T is a bad idea. An SR swap done by a pro on the other hand will produce a dependable no hassle car that is as problem free as stock. You have to keep in mind that the SR belongs in that car while the KA-T is 100% custom. If time and aggravation are considered the SR wins hands down for the non-mechanic.

[Biggamehit]

do you have any car buddies. an Sr swap is an 6 hour swap or less man, the "pro;s" who have been doing it for about 2-3 years on average will do the same thing that an average Joe in his garage/driveway/dorm parking lot at college will do. he may be a lil warmer in the winter though lol.

but for the most part like some have mentioned u will shell out almost 3000 for an SR swap on average with installation. And what happens when u have issues ( oh you will). more money. Anything you do will require different levels of money to maintain. also modification of cars comes with pros and cons.

pros: more quality then stockfaster car then what u paid forwarm feeling inside when u blow an 2000-2006 car out of the water

cons: legal issues such as emissions if u dont have hook upsrepair orders etcyour girl will either hate you or hate you alot

just think about that also buddy, and utilize this forum and you will be Fine man.

[redtop91]

do you have any car buddies. an Sr swap is an 6 hour swap or less man

Quoted for being very close to the truth. Mine took me a week though, but that was solo so...

[Biggamehit]

and how much did u learn bro. i bet a ton

[redtop91]

and how much did u learn bro. i bet a ton

I learned patience and to wear a cup during SR swaps (don't ask). A novice should really do whatever their heart desires. Like I said earlier any significant motor work will require patience and asking questions. I personally feel that one can learn more from a KA-T since you are actually doing engine work rather than just putting an engine that fits like a puzzle piece. Plus the KA is a boost whore!!!!

[Biggamehit]

LOL i can imagine engine hitting u due to you pushing the engine hoist and the motor rocking back lol....????

dude dont feel bad, i punch myself in the eye twice in 30 min when i was making my oil lines, and when i was breaking an nut loose. during my install.

[Mangudai]

lol I must admit, this post is very discouraging. Whats even worse is that I live in an apartment now. I could use my fathers house but I coud see that being an issue. I didnt want to get an sr20 because I wanted to be different. I wanted to go either rb25 or ka-t.

I was thinking about having a ka rebuilt then slowly buying part and trying to install them myself. *shrugs* I dont have that many friend with a lot of knowledge. Ive accepted the fact I would probably need a shop to some a lot of things but I wanted to dabble with some things like bolt on installations etc to get my knowledge up.

[Florida240sx]

Had the transmission fall on me over the weekend doing a clutch swap...Was planning to catch it and had it and then the 2 guys helping slipped and spun it on me....ended up cutting my chin and gear oil went everywhere.KA-T swap....thing I did more damage to myself than the stock emissions system

[Mangudai]

lol that was random...

[MakeshiftPatriot]

I have never Installed a turbo myself, thank goodness i have some gearhead friends who have before. I plan on fireing my kit out in about a week.

Its getting cold here, hopefully I can kick my moms explorer out of the garage

Sorry for hijacking your thread here man but, do i need to move the motor at all? (not a problem because i do have a lift) or can i just install it doing some over and under work?

As for the girlfriend thing... my girl already hates when I say the word "Car" and "Work" in the same sentance.

[Biggamehit]

you dont even need a lift. just loosen the motor mounts ( leave im slightly threaded) and remove 12mm transmission mount nuts, and jack upwhere the block and transmission bellhousing meets and u will have more then enough room to pull oil pan off.. make sure ur dont crush any wires or bend anything. so u might wanna remove some of the grounds from the motor ( the two on left side firewal. and main negative ( thick black/yel cable) from intake manifold.

[WDRacing]

For the record, having owned a KAT driven a 180/Silvia and owned 2 Skylines, I'd swap the RB25 over the KAT in a second. The enitre motor from pan to valve cover is better designed and the RB doesn't toss rods though the block like the KA does. 500WHP on bone stock internals is safe and reliable.

If I'm paying a shop to do a swap, which at this point is your best bet, I'd definitly go RB. Don't overlook the RB20 either...I love that motor.

WD

[Mangudai]

I was originally considering the rb20 but it seems like for about $1000-$1500 more you can get the 25. Maybe my math is wrong.

[Mangudai]

I forgot to add I was a bit weary because its said that the ringlands on the rb25 are weak and the facotry hp is overrated.

[Biggamehit]

For the record, having owned a KAT driven a 180/Silvia and owned 2 Skylines, I'd swap the RB25 over the KAT in a second. The enitre motor from pan to valve cover is better designed and the RB doesn't toss rods though the block like the KA does. 500WHP on bone stock internals is safe and reliable.

If I'm paying a shop to do a swap, which at this point is your best bet, I'd definitly go RB. Don't overlook the RB20 either...I love that motor.

WD

I hear you i have worked on both RB20/25 powered cars. i just dont personaly want anything to do with an skyline untill i pick mine up. i can get full Rb25 swaps for 3000, motor trans,ecu, piping etc.

check out Japspec.com

tell him Donnie from Midnight Rider Racing sent you if you are interested that is.

[Chezedik]

If money is no issue, have someone else install a RB25, with a larger turbo and some management, and call it good at 400hp and 430lb/ft!

[Biggamehit]

^^