Tf-works: S13 ka-t drift build

[tougefactory]

KA-T DRIFT BUILD PART 1

A few weeks ago we were brought a KA-T S13 with a laundry list of parts we were going to be installing, as well as plans for a bit of love and normal maintenance here and there. However, the more we dug into the car on the initial tear down, the more we found that needed to be fixed and replaced. No big deal, this was a 25 year old car that was seemingly put together on a tight budget by the previous owner. On the hand, the current owner bought it knowing what needed to be done and how he wanted the car to look and perform, so he brought it to us to fulfill his vision! The first order of business was pulling out the previously boosted KA and checking on its overall condition.

Well hello there! We have a bent rod.


This KA was definitely in need of a rebuild and top to bottom refresh.


A set of fresh Manley connecting rods ready to replace the tired OEM ones.



CP Pistons to go with the Manley rods.



The chassis itself was a bit on the rough side as well. The frame rails were mostly smashed in…


… or missing!


The waste gate piping was worth mentioning. Very interesting design…



The floorboard had patches of rust as well, this was the worst bit where you could clearly see the carpet through the “floor”.



There was extensive rust on the original chassis so we contacted the owner and planned to re-shell, moving everything we could salvage from the old car onto a new chassis. This way the car would be safe, in better shape than when it came, and would be less prone to problems in the future.



A few things that were salvaged off of the old shell to be installed on the new one!



A fresh steering rack and tie rods ready for the new shell.



Clean! No rust on the shell that everything will be swapped over to.



Perks of being a Florida car, no salt on the roads. We did however find a massive damn spider under the car… Cons of being a Florida car. NOPE.



Solid.


Frame rails are in much better shape than the original car.



Ready for its new life!


The KA came back from the machine shop so we got right to work!



The all new Tomei MLS head gasket was a perfect fit for the KA-T build!



The KA24DE multi layer steel head gasket from Tomei is a super grommet type, which is dual sealing for the coolant, oil, and gases.


The cylinder head is on, we set the Tomei Poncoms in for a quick photo before setting them in their proper position to go with TDC.


So fresh!



ATI Super Damper installed on the KA.



New timing chains and tensioners from Japan!



Camshaft retainer caps installed and torqued to spec.



Double checking the torque specs on the rod caps…



The donor chassis waiting to start it’s new life!



We opted for the Mr. Gasket copper exhaust manifold gasket that features an embossed O-ring design to increase sealing pressure around the exhaust ports, creating a tight, leak-proof seal.



TOMEI KA24DET turbo manifold is on! Just waiting for the S15 T28 to come in next week.



The build is almost wrapped up, we’re waiting on a few more things to come in until the engine gets dropped in later this week.