Catastrophic engine failure.

[tyrannix]

if youre going to use stock rods, get some ARP studs for them. My local machine guys balance each part (rods, pistons, crank) to within .5g seperatly, and then together (well, rods and pistons together) so the weight distribution is the same on all 4 cylinders

[mjeazy4784]

Both revvy motors malaigned by most, beloved by those who have them. I think the rotary and the CA attract the same type of people; individualistic and determined. proud of what they have and what it can do.

[Swedish Mike]

I am researching weak points and consulting knowledgable guys on this end. I hear rods go on high-revvers and forgies for anything over 400hp. I can understand the rod thing, I think it's the bolts myself, they are small, they probably stretch and induce the bearing wear and rod knock. All this time I was damming the oiling but I am starting to think it's rod bolt stretch that's doing it. I have to price out aftermarket rods and pistons and figure out what I can afford. I may end up using OEM again with new bolts.

I´m also researching and can only come up with one answer, oil temp.

All the CA´s I´ve rebuilt are German imports, all Autobahn driven for years, all stock and all without regular oil changes.

The next proof is the oil cooler thing, I´ve mounted coolers on a few cars with untouched engines and good service history.These cars have been tuned and then used for drifting, track racing and drag racing. High revs and general beating, never any problem after the cooler.

If the bolts were weak they would stretch at high boost, high revs and other abuse, never happened to me.We use stock bolts in 400 hp CA´s and no stretching.

Hmm... Hard one but I´m pretty sure it´s about the oil. Boiling oil.The cooler will lower the temp and make it possible to add some oil.More oil and cooler oil is good in a car with a closed front end like the S13.

[themadscientist]

I have a Greddy oil cooler ready to go for this build so I am straight! My 180 was originally an automatic too so I have the water-cooled sandwich cooler under the oil filter.

[Swedish Mike]

I have a Greddy oil cooler ready to go for this build so I am straight! My 180 was originally an automatic too so I have the water-cooled sandwich cooler under the oil filter.

The sandwich cooler is stock mounted on all Euro CA´s but really crappy, can´t measure any difference after removing it.

Use air to oil coolers like Setrab and Greddy, works really fine.

[ca18detpowered]

I have a b&m oil cooler/filter relocation kit that i picked up for 100$ canadian (one helluva steal, same guy that sold me "blown" apexi WS coilovers for 100$ canadian and never had a problem)

its for a KA but since ca uses the same filter, im assuming it will work no problem

[boost_boy]

I think Dee's schooling is starting to overload his brain....

Starting to overload my brain? Hell, because of this stupid academy my brain is smoked . But what I meant was the totality of the characteristics of the #3 cylinder coupled with it's piston, rod, rod bearing, main bearing, main bearing journal (If you still don't know what I mean) is usually compromised by the way the engine disburses it's load. When you guys overboost or over-rev the engine, the #3 cylinder is susceptible to absorb most of the load which will create unusual and premature wear which will ultimately cause the #3 cylinder to become suspect. Also, when you guys run too much boost and grenade your engine, look at the the intake valve side of the #3 pistons and you'll see cracked ringlands or a completely melted piston. I've already been through this scenario a few times and the results were identical which supports the crap I'm rapping about up above. I've been owned on the #3 cylinder more than any of you, so take my advise, stop overboosting the damn engine and you won't be trashing it as often.

Dee

[bentvalves]

what would you consider overboosted dee?

Greg

[float_6969]

I think he means running too much boost on too small of a turbo with out enough fuel.

[ca18detpowered]

so...detonation is bad?



hehehe i know this, my setup was correct, but when my motor arrived from japan, it had ALOT of sludge in the top end which tells me that it didnt see oil changes often. I suspect that has alot to do with it

[themadscientist]

Japanese guys don't do oil changes like they should. Unless I see a dozen Autobacs or gas station oil service stickers in the engine bay of a car the motor is normally sludged up.

[Swedish Mike]

Japanese guys don't do oil changes like they should. Unless I see a dozen Autobacs or gas station oil service stickers in the engine bay of a car the motor is normally sludged up.

Cheap cars = Cheap owner. Sad but true...

[davidricardo86]

To that owner, its just a "car."

[davidricardo86]

Yes kids, detenation is bad! The laws of science still apply.

[sideways danny]

breather pipes and chambers blocked up with black sludge are a major source of CA bottom end trouble. Particularly the crankcase breather pipe under the intake manifold. I've seen it blocked solid before