Bottom end rebuild???

[ganma_ca]

I'm semi planning to rebuild my bottom end. However if I do, I really only want to do the bare minimum. (I know that kinda sounds bad but I'm not Mr. Bill gates). I plan on getting it bored out .20 over and getting a set of wiscos for it.(i will have the rods checked, while having the pistons installed on them, as I do not have a piston heater). I want to replace the rod and main bearings as well. I don't want to do anything with the crank but make sure it's in spec. I remember it costing $1,400 to rebuild my CA18ET bottom end. And I want to try to keep it under $1,000 this time so I figure the following. $25 a hole to bore it $100$500 for the piston kit from wisco$100 for rod/main bearings$100 in other labor(? don't know how much it costs for swapping pistons)$120 for Greddy Timing Belt$150 for oil pump(may/may not replace right off the bat)$120 Misc gaskets/seals/bearingsSo $1290/$1140 - Oil pumpOr not mess w/it lol Free:) I just want to know in every ones experiences who have left their block alone maybe only changing the timing belt/oil pump/water pump/ maybe running on 1 bar with a few mods and the engine supposedly only have 67,XXX miles on it if holds up really well? I mean it would be nice to save the money and spend it on doing a more complete rebuild down the road instead of only being able to afford doing a partial one right now? (and I mean as long as everything else checks out with it as well).On the funny side of things I called a local shop who I had never dealt with before and asked them this: If I brought you guys an empty block and all my parts ready to go back in (pistons/rods/crank/bearings/girdle etc) How much would you charge? (only because this would be the second time I've ever done internals on an engine and I don't want to f@#$ it up, not to mention I'd rather leave it to someone that rebuilds engines every day) and he said $1,000 lmao I just kinda laughed a little and hung up. Technically I can do it myself, but it would be nice to have someone with a sh*t ton more of experience to go over it before I would throw the oil pan back on. Anyone know what other methods can be used to separate the ca pistons from the rods? Kinda funny but I thought of putting a pan on the stove turning it to 185* and putting the piston in there and pushing the pins out. Don't know if thats a good idea or not??? Thanks anyone for feedback*P.S. Or should I just find someone with a good bottom end (no dirty remarks!) on here???? (if anyone has one)

[float_6969]

The Wiesco pistons don't let you use the piston squirters as you should. Get the CP's instead.

I didn't need a piston heater to install me CP pistons. They use a fully floating wrist pin.

What brand of bearings are you planning on? If you don't get Nissan bearings, remember that you'll need to get some plastigauge to check the clearances.

The Greddy timing belt is overkill. You really only need it if you've got an upgraded valve train and plan on turing a lot of revs.

The oil pump is probably fine, and in hind site, I wished that I hadn't spent the money on replacing it. I could have spent it on something else.

Hope that helps

[BACARDI_DWB]

JE pistons have the relief cut in them. VERY nice set but the compression is higher than normal. i am trying to remember what it is. 9.5cr i think

[ganma_ca]

Gahhhh CP's are $$$, I guess I could save and use them instead because it's really only $200 more. Well I was going to use the ACL race bearings but dang it, you can't go wrong with Nissan, so I have to look at that weird number on the block to tell them the cast number or whatever and that determines which bearings I'm supposed to get? I wanted to get the greddy timing belt because I don't want to ever mess with it again untill I'd hit like 190,000 miles or something stupid crazy. And thanks for the info on the oil pump. I was beginning to think the same thing myself but it's good to hear someone who knows what's up that I don't need to go through the trouble!

[ganma_ca]

Yeah I think I heard the JE's were higher. Kinda a shame wisco didn't wise up and fix their error for the oil squirters!

[sjbsuperman1425]

CP offers multiple CR's for the CA from 8.5 to 9.5..and you can have them custom made. I'd say go CP:D

[float_6969]

The CP's aren't all that much. You can get a completely custom set for like $650. The off the shelf units are only like $500 IIRC.

[ca18detgabby]

my oil pump is still good............. its the same oil pump that was attached to the motor when it was sent over from japan......... I just replaced my OEM water pump thatw as from Jland too. 2 years of hard driving and 20 years since it was at nissan is pretty freaking awesome to me.

CP > wesico

hell if you want to go "cheaper" you could run DE pistons and tune accordingly........

[r34 gtr]

Why does everyone spend $100 on a Greddy timing belt? Ive always just run cheap auto parts store belts, and never had a problem. Of course my engine always seems to get rebuilt way before belt service intervals anyway.

[mbmbmb23]

The Wiesco pistons don't let you use the piston squirters as you should. Get the CP's instead.

You can have your machine shop guy notch the skirt on the Weiscos (enabling use of the squirters) and save $.

[ganma_ca]

Well if what Float says is true I can get the ones that are aready correct from CP for $500, and the Wiscos are $500 w/out having them notched. So I think I wi just go with the CP's if the $500 ones are already setup for the CA's squirters. I dont want any more cast pistons period. Anyone ever use Swain technologies to get the top of their piston ceramic coated? Here it's good against detonation and aso improves combustion.(ike good for detonation in that it doesn't allow the piston to melt so I've heard).

[dash]

why hasn't wiseco sorted the oil squirter issue yet ? Seem to simple to fk up.Aren't wisecos popular with the sxoc crowd ?If its a considerably cheaper piston, will somebody get them to deal with it once and for all?! No need for that sloppiness imo

[zero_gripS13]

i just bought my cps last night..

540 shiped.

8.8:1 compression, 84mm with rings...

there on sale right now.. 439 for pistons and 85 for rings.. cost me 16$ to ship.http://www.raceeng.com/c-3880-pistons-forged.aspx

i also went with acl race bearings. i got rods/mains for 90$gates timing belt for napa- 20$oil pump from everyhting nissan - 100$duralast water pump from autozone - 30$gasket set form autozone felpro - 200$

[ganma_ca]

^^^ Nice info. I'll have to figure some things out here soon with getting it a ordered.