Matt's S13 Coupe KA-T Build

[G35_S13_Coupe]

Hi, my name is Matt and I will start off with a little background on myself. I am from Iowa and am a full time student. I picked up my S13 Coupe about 2 years ago and have been modifying it since. I purchased the car from one of my friends. This whole car has been a great learning experience for me, as this is my first ever build of any sort. Upon picking up the car I knew very little about working on cars, but now after having worked on virtually every part of the car I can now confidently do just about anything with them. Now, onto the story.

This is the car when it was picked up:
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0047.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0048.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20101013_145614.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20101101_140358.jpg
As you can see the car was pretty clean with a stock ka and a few visual mods.

Unfortunately I do not have many pics of the original turbo setup. It was originally done very inexpensively with a lot of custom and ebay parts.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110125_222416.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110125_222508.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110125_222520.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110125_222407.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20101203_235957.jpg

The car quickly needed a clutch upgrade, and the turbo ended up losing the seals due to a cheap ebay oil feed kit. The motor had been recently rebuilt, so the headstuds needed re-torqued. I also painted the wheels.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110117_142152.jpg
Ordered a stage 3, 6 puck clutch kit from ACT
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20101221_145011.jpg
Also picked up a 9lb flywheel from ACT in the process
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110208_174311.jpg
Upgraded the stock sr t25 to a brand new S15 Turbo
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20101224_164623.jpg

The car was put back together and ready for the streets
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110305_201839.jpg

Unfortunately when the headbolts were re-torqued, I did not get the timing set properly when I put it back together so I made about 74 miles before blowing it up :mad:.
Wasted no time tearing it down and I figured I was just going to re-do the whole car without cutting any corners and taking the time to make sure everything was perfect.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110306_154115.jpg

I decided I wanted to fill all of the holes in the engine bay and paint it white to match the car. This was a super long process that I can promise I will never do again lol, but I am very happy with the outcome.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110323_195901.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110323_195924.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110323_195949.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110406_133624.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110406_133643.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110514_160010.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110514_160028.jpg

Finally after all of that work it was time for paint.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110601_202252.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110606_212810.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110606_215006.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110606_223420.jpg

Then it was time to start putting the car back together. Due to low funds and minimal knowledge about turbo'ing a car I decided I was just going to go the N/A route.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110607_170150.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110608_235843.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110609_014634.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110609_225111.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110614_160413.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110615_191023.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110615_191718.jpg

I got all of the parts back to put my motor back together and dropped it in.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110621_122226.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110626_220502.jpg

I also complimented the engine bay with the Chase Bays stainless brake lines that routed under the motor instead of the ugly stock hard lines accross the firewall.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110629_223918.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20110629_224519.jpg

Unforunately there was more damage to the motor than originally diagnosed and it never got started, as it needed a full rebuild. I sent the motor to out to get rebuilt and never heard back from the builder. After about a year of waiting I finally had given up and realized I got screwed. I ended up picking up a complete motorset for a decent price and got back on track.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120112_200023.jpg
The motor had a decent amount of miles on it, so I took it upon myself to replace gaskets and just freshen a lot of things up.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120131_144220.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120131_150950.jpg

I replaced the gaskets and routed the coolant and oil lines for the turbo and reassembled the motor.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120219_144703.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120219_173906.jpg

EnjukuRacing got to know me fairly quick as I ordered away... I heat wrapped my turbo manifold and picked up a GT28R. I also upgraded to the Z1 oil feed kit, 550cc injectors, ISIS intercooler kit, ISIS screamer dump 02 housing, Circuit sports motor mounts, tranny mount, hks filter, hks bov, and had my ecu flashed by Enthalpy.

[drifting1two40]

the builds results so far arre nice. im impressed for someone who didnt have much knowlegde to begin with. kudos car looks dope.

[G35_S13_Coupe]

Now it was time to put it together...... again...
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120116_223628.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120225_162123.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120302_135306.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120229_133024.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120316_190504.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120320_155845.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120320_155937.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120320_160018.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0013.jpg

Got my intercooler kit installed
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0083.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0085.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0004-Copy.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0002-Copy.jpg

I relocated my battery to the trunk and complimented it with an Optima Redtop. Finally it was time to start it up. I was nervous because it had been so long since the car had ran and all of the work I had done. It started up on the first try and ran great.

Since then I have tied up a few loose ends and leaks and the car is running very well.
I picked up a few more goodies.
Buddy Club Racing Coilovers
XXR wheels
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0081.jpg
Corbeau Racing seats
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0036.jpg
Silvia Steering wheel and Hydrographed my shift knob
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0007-Copy.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_20120126_215009.jpg

I have not installed the seats yet and need to do a little work rolling the fenders to fit the wheels. It's on the list of things to do.

Recent pics of the car.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0131.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0132.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0142.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0143.jpg

I got the car through about 500 miles of break in and picked up a few more parts. I was finally able to start drifting and picked up some ISIS subfram collars, Megan racing s14 bump steer tie rod ends, Tein Inner tie rods, and the complete ISIS suspension arm package.

Subframe collars installed
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/IMG_0178.jpg

[SilviaxDr3aMz]

Nice build man, Super Jelly you have gotten so much done in two years.

[240KA]

lol how are you jealous of how much he has gotten done in two years? he got screwed twice. he could have had so much more done had he not gotten screwed.

sucks for your misfortunes, man. but it looks like you didn't let that stop you and kept moving forward. did you try and confront the builder who stole your motor?

car looks good. i like the black paint "trim" you put on the fenders.

[25BajaOutlaw]

i live in iowa too. this thing is super clean. nice work.

[redhatchy92]

great work. is that a isis exhaust manifold? how was the fitment? my megan mani heat warped and now i got a leak between the mani and turbo

[PG BOOSTED]

Nice and clean car!

[G35_S13_Coupe]

lol how are you jealous of how much he has gotten done in two years? he got screwed twice. he could have had so much more done had he not gotten screwed.

sucks for your misfortunes, man. but it looks like you didn't let that stop you and kept moving forward. did you try and confront the builder who stole your motor?

car looks good. i like the black paint "trim" you put on the fenders.

yeah I am trying to work something out right now on recovering my stuff. he has his llc so i can go to the bbb about it. more than likely nothing will come of it though.

great work. is that a isis exhaust manifold? how was the fitment? my megan mani heat warped and now i got a leak between the mani and turbo

its actually an old turbo xs manifold I had laying around. i reccomend wrapping them. now i dont have the problem of making sure my bmc isnt melting :naughty:

[Gr00tz]

Looks great man, clean coupe.

[xBandiTx]

These build threads are Intresting.
and dope, really cool.how you can tell your character goes into the car.

Bump for another guy named Matt lol :D

[dragonbreath]

Are both of your fuse boxes still in the engine bay? This is such a clean setup. I might have to model my engine bay after yours lol.

[515CUSTOMS]

Car looks good man.

BUT it needs a cage.

[G35_S13_Coupe]

Are both of your fuse boxes still in the engine bay? This is such a clean setup. I might have to model my engine bay after yours lol.

Thanks! and yes they are both in the engine bay. The one on the driver side is mounted in the corner of the headlight and fender. The passenger side fuse box is mounted a little lower on the frame rail.

[G35_S13_Coupe]

Recently while we were out doing a little drifting I had a mishap which resulted in the 240 getting a little too close to a curb. I ended up breaking the wheel, bending most of the suspension arms, tearing a subframe bracket to the lower control arm, and even breaking the axle. Whoops.. then it was time for me and the :s101: to rip it apart.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-17.jpg

I ended up dropping the subframe because I decided to switch to a welded diff instead of my vsld. Also I got the ISIS suspension arm package and my buddy Joe patched up the subframe for me.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-18.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-19.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-16.jpg

Since we got it back on the road I have been getting some drifting done about every weekend. Luckily we get tires for free. They last ususally a weekend, but I cant complain for the price.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-20.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-14.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-12.jpg

Also I was curious as to what the car would run on a strip. I went to the local midnight madness where I raced for the first time in my life on a strip. It was interesting and very boring lol.. The car ended up running 9.3 at 77mph (1/8th mile). I was ok with that.

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-15.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-21.jpg

Enjoy guys.. I will try my best to keep you updated as there may be a pretty big change in the drivetrain coming up this winter :naughtyd:

[Big Zee]

great build thread. nice to see that guys are still doing good work on a budget

[clever240sx]

Wow! My old car! I believe i sold it to your friend who you bought it from.
Looks good man! A couple months ago i was trying to find out where this car was to try and buy it back ;) !
It was definetly one of my favorite DD 240s.
Looking good!

[evildead138]

whats the rims sizes on them xxr's???
Awesome car btw!!!

[G35_S13_Coupe]

Wow! My old car! I believe i sold it to your friend who you bought it from.
Looks good man! A couple months ago i was trying to find out where this car was to try and buy it back ;) !
It was definetly one of my favorite DD 240s.
Looking good!

Yepp this is the same car! Except I am not sure I could part ways with it lol

whats the rims sizes on them xxr's???
Awesome car btw!!!

They are 17x7 front and 17x9 rears. +38 offset I believe

[Trinidrift3]

cool build man. you have pics of the relocated battery? im thinking of relocating mine to the trunk but not sure how i want to do it

[G35_S13_Coupe]

cool build man. you have pics of the relocated battery? im thinking of relocating mine to the trunk but not sure how i want to do it

I had it mounted in the corner by the fuel pump, but while out sliding last weekend my battery box broke from the mounts. (I was using a cheap plastic one from napa) so I actually ended up moving it behind my passenger seat where it doesn't move at all. It still passes tech, so I am going to leave it there until someone says otherwise. If you do decide to relocate it make sure to get a good box or some cnc brackets with a strong tie down.

[dragonbreath]

Im going to call this thread.... Motivation!

[myKAl]

YES! i thank the curb for blessing this thread with a part 2 :D clean build my man

[Javi802]

nice car man. How much would you say that ka-t setup ran you?
I want more power but don't really want to do an sr, was thinking this might be a good option

[G35_S13_Coupe]

nice car man. How much would you say that ka-t setup ran you?
I want more power but don't really want to do an sr, was thinking this might be a good option

Honestly not sure. I think around 1500 since I bought all new parts. I actually may be parting the drivetrain out soon since I am wanting to do something different. Possibly ls because it only makes sense if I want to be reliable and competitive. Also I think I lost the ka :(.

[dragonbreath]

Hey where did you mount your igniter?

[G35_S13_Coupe]

Hey where did you mount your igniter?

I moved the coil onto the arm that goes from the tension rod mount to the core support. I dont drive in rain, so it wasnt a big deal, but if you dd your 240 in all elements I wouldnt advise it.

[G35_S13_Coupe]

Another KA bites the dust lol.. I must be expecting the impossible out of them. Bad luck struck again as I lost the timing chain. Soooo I started tearing the car down again.
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-55.jpg
I'm officially calling it quits on the ka-t setup and starting to save for...... :squintd:

I sold my BC Coilovers and upgraded to the new Stance coils with the inverted fronts and the swift spring rears.
Out with the old...
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-56.jpg
In with the new...
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-51.jpg
I also picked up some 5 lug hubs for a good price so I decided to swap those too
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-53.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-52.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-54.jpg

I also scored a sweet deal on a Bride Zeta 3 and some Bride side mount fg rails
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-49.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-50.jpg

If there is any part of my KA-T setup you guys want hit me up as it is for sale. I will keep you posted as I start to piece together my upcoming swap!

[negativejason]

are the manifold and turbo still good? and how much would you part with them for?

[future]

If your going LS I have a full swap kit

[G35_S13_Coupe]

Not a whole lot of new updates, but I ended up talking some sense into myself and decided to go the sr route.

I am actually building this one myself.
Specs:
Stock bottom end
Apexi metal head gasket
Arp studs
BC titanium valve springs/ retainers
HKS 264 Cams
Circuit sports RAS
Gt2871R
Tubular mani
Spec stage 2 clutch/lightweight flywheel
Isis braided lines

http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-106.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-107.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-108.jpg

I've had some lmgt4's sitting in boxes for a while now, figured I would test fit them on the 13. Specs 18x9.5 +12, 18x10.5 +15
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-103.jpg

How she sits now:
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-105.jpg

Meanwhile we had a local drift event and since the 240 was down I took my G
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-110.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-109.jpg
http://i1169.photobucket.com/albums/r505/hinesof09/image-104.jpg

[StryfeS13]

Nice build thread!

Dunno how you had such bad luck with your KA-T setups...did you ever build the bottom ends or replace any of the timing components, or did you just toss em together with new gaskets and expect the best? Lol.

Hope you have better luck with that SR! Should be fun!

[bc.]

How loud was that screamer setup? I had one given to me and I am thinking about putting it on, I have a normal elbow too.

[sharad909]

Nice Coupe...
Keep it up :)

[RastaS14]

Nice work! Sucks about your KA-T setups. Really clean S13 coupe though!