defrag010 checking in

[defrag010]

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Modified by defrag010 at 11:58 PM 2/2/2008

[sijoko]

It's been a while, but I'm almost done with my VH "mini" build. I decided to just rebuild the old set of stock heads I had instead of using my "badass" heads that I modified a long time ago. BUT, my cylinders were pretty worn out, so like I always do, I went and searched for some alternative stuff to use.I found that there is alot more cylinder thickness in the VH that I originally thought, with the iron liner plus the aluminum behind that. I don't remember exactly how much I ended up with, but I bored my iron liner out and there was enough room for me to knock in an 1/8" sleeve for a 3.780" bore 5.3L "ls1" piston. I wrote everything down at work, but with the iron sleeve inside the aluminum, total cylinder wall thickness was between about ~.160" and ~.185" on all of the cylinders on the thrust side of the cylinder wall, which is pretty good. I have an .080" over SBC that I built here recently that had alot less cylidner thickness than that, and it doesn't run hot with a stock datsun radiator, so I think i'll be okay with this.I am using new hypereutectic 5.3L "ls1" pistons with 5.7" sbc small journal rods narrowed on the big end and honed the big end out to VH45 rod size. With this combo on a STD crank, it puts the pistons about .020" in the hole. Once I'm done with the block prep, I'm going to surface about .010" off of the block's deck to get those pistons a little more quench.

Should be a neat setup, I will have to let you guys know how it all comes together in the end. I wish there were shelf forged pistons for the 5.3, but I think I will be fine with hypers for now.

Alright, this is what I like to hear. Okay, first off how much do the LS1 pistons run? Second, what about using the 5.85" Chevy rods instead of the 5.7" ones? Also, what will the compression ratio be on your setup?

About the hyper pistons, they should be fine as long as you play it safe. How many factory turbo cars come with hypereutectic pistons? Almost all of them.

[elwesso]

What did you end up doing for heads/cams?

Very nice setup BTW... This will make some great articles once everything is done.

[defrag010]

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Modified by defrag010 at 11:58 PM 2/2/2008

[gs14racer]

So did you gain any displacement out of this or is it a cheaper way to freshen up the bottom end.

Also is there any draw backs to running the shorter rods?

Plus what do you calculate your compression to be at once your done milling the block.

Lastly what are your views about knife edging these cranks.

[Q45tech]

It seems like lots of work [hours] when one can buy [$750-$1000] a JDM take out engine and just swap.

I tend to think of my spare time as worth more than my paid work time.

How did cylinders get worn [K&N or just poor oil changes]...............usually the rings go first.

[defrag010]

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Modified by defrag010 at 11:58 PM 2/2/2008

[sijoko]

I got to give props to defrag for his contibutions to the VH scene. He gives me hope in one day having a larger displacement VH in my Q.

[defrag010]

Modified by defrag010 at 11:58 PM 2/2/2008

[T45]

[blownnissanv8]

defrag, Do you know if sr20 retainers are the same as vh45? also what is the standard installed height? May have found cheap set of titanium retainers + springs. Do you still have the gasket kit?
Modified by blownnissanv8 at 3:52 AM 11/29/2007

[defrag010]

Modified by defrag010 at 11:58 PM 2/2/2008

[95si4]

defrag,

what shop do you work for?

[Florida240sx]

Want to build me one????