zero's KA-T build thread

[shikikanzero]

hey, just wanted to put my build thread here, been lurking the forums for a long time but finally got a start on things..



scored a ka24de with 7x,xxx miles on it, blown headgasket though. me and my friend tore it down yesterday (teaching my friend engine mechanics at the same time). head looks really clean, at least a lot cleaner than this:



^my old civic, pos

block was pretty dirty, but piston bores still have their crosshatch



piston/connecting rods/piston rings:



plan on reusing the pistons and connecting rods, but will replace piston rings and bearings. plan to turbo at max 300hp with more focus on just keeping it daily drivable reliably.



any idea on how to make this nice shiny new?

next step is going to be sending the block and head to my local machine shop, getting the normal package of hot tanking, magnafluxing, polish crank, resurfacing etc

if youre wondering where the car is...well i dont have it yet. i decided to buy the engine first and build it right and reliable, mainly to avoid any problems like my pos civic had. after the engine is completely built and ready to drop in i will begin searching for a clean shell.

[krash]

Use 2+2 Gum Cutter to clean up that piston. Its carburetor cleaner. When I removed my head I left the pistons in, so I had no way of cleaning the 2 and 4 pistons. Sprayed some 2+2 in there and let it sit. All the gunk just came of with some light scrubbing.

Are you sure you don't want to get forged internals? 300hp sounds kind of high for stock internals, you don't want to do all of this just to have it blow up on you. Good work so far though, and welcome to NICO.

Also, how long did you drive that civic without changing the oil???

[shikikanzero]

no, i actually got it like that. guy tells me he did regular oil changes blah blah i pull the head and see that. looks more like he poured a quart every 3000 instead of actually changing the oil...

and i heard you can go up to 300 on stock internals? was only following this (adding-a-turbo-to-a-stock-ka24-noobs-read-t226410.html") thread about stock limits, although 500 sounds pretty ridiculous for stock internals no matter how strong they are.. although im almost absolutely sure i wont even go for 300, maybe more like 250

[orangeNblue]

Most of the research I've read suggests forged internals for anything over 250. Realistically tho, why not go ahead and do it while you've got the motor broken down this far. That way if you choose to to add more boost, your engine will be ready for it. I'm planning on doing a KA-T that is capable of 350hp and still being a daily diver and I'm doing a full internal rebuild. There is a kit made by AMS performance that has all the needed pieces for a full rebuild, including timing components.

http://www.amsperformance.com/cart/AMS- ... d-Kit.html

[StryfeS13]

Stock internals can handle 300hp, but reliability and longevity relies heavily on the tune.

But to be honest, I'd just go with at least forged internals. Peace of mind is always a good thing.

[shikikanzero]

what about forged pistons + inspected/balanced/shotpeened stock arms?

[StryfeS13]

what about forged pistons + inspected/balanced/shotpeened stock arms?

That's what I was going to do at first, but then I decided to just pay the small amount of 299.99 for eagle rods.

my rods...


stock rods (look at the difference)

[DMan II-40]

Also when they pushed the limits of the stock internals the rods were the failed component.

[shikikanzero]

hm..i guess ill have a look at AMS' basic rebuild kit...since i will get a full gasket kit and bearings anyway, that makes it little more than $500 for both rod and piston, unless someone can think of somewhere cheaper, since i think i can get head/main bolts, bearings and full gasket kit for $100 each, timing replacement for $150, that just leaves pistons and rods..

[shikikanzero]

found a potential shell, 200k on shell, original white paint (very good condition too) absolutely 0 rust. only problem is quarter panels have small time dents and holes from a previous widebody kit. i dont know anything about body work though, so i assume you just need to fill the holes by welding something in or something right? and pull the dents?

[shikikanzero]

picked up the shell for $400..really awesome condition. found some rust under closer inspection, but its only on the bumper support (which came from another car) and of course a little on the battery tray. still has a SR in it, he needs to sell and pull the motor before he hands the shell over to me. meanwhile we clean my friends garage to prepare for its arrival.. i also owe him $400 for buying the shell for me so no more engine updates for a little while.

[orangeNblue]

Body work I would leave up to a body shop. It can be quite difficult to get perfect.

So the shell already has a SR20 in it? Why don't you just buy it as a whole? You're plans are to build up a turbo motor, why not start with one that's already swapped into the car and go from there...just my .02

[shikikanzero]

the guy was asking 3200 for everything, and it wasnt even running prefect. my plan here is to have an engine that i built, that i know 100% in and out that works. and anyway, so far im only $500 in, motor and shell. my plans arent all too crazy, just a little more power to make a fun daily driver. plus im also in it for the learning experience. thanks though

[shikikanzero]

small update here. got the shell at my friends house, gonna start doing some small cleanup work here and there, while procuring funds for the engine build. also removed the valves from the head since i had nothing else to do, and after inspecting the head itself i found a couple of things:

im guessing my valve tool did that, can that just be filed out or something? theres more on a couple other cam seats

and this doesnt look too good either. doesnt seem to have any damage on the cam though.