Just bought a ca18det

[RMiller]

Cams.

[RMiller]

Valves. Nasty on intake side.

[RMiller]

Old head gasket.

[RMiller]

Why to replace the 15 year old water pump. Eeewww.

[RMiller]

Turbo is perfect. No side to side or back and forth shaft play.

[RMiller]

I bought an RS*R downpipe, the one that includes the o2 pipe and test pipe, the dsm 450's, t-28 purchase is pending, bov purchase is pending.

I really want the RS*R ex-mag, but it's $500. I can get a Hi-power for $300, but I don't want it to be too loud and the ex-mag looks more stock. Stupid me, I could have gotten a regular downpipe and bolted on a gutted cat or resonator to suppress the sound and an sr o2 housing for the fitment issue, but what's done is done.

Here I go again, while writing I decided to pay the extra 200 for the ex-mag.

I'll be updating. I'm picking up the car on Tuesday, swap will begin shortly thereafter and hopefully finish the following weekend.

[Bizz]

So do you think the motor was in driveable condition before you opened it up? The reason I ask is I'm picking up a clip from venus as well, and outside of a new water pump and possibly a new timeing belt it's gonna be swapped and driven right off the bat. Think I'm asking for trouble?

[RMiller]

I'm sure it was driveable, they guarantee it. I wouldn't worry about it, they will take care of you. The stuff on the pistons is carbon buildup, same with the intake valves. This should be expected since it's 15 years old or so. You should definitely replace the timing belt, even though it will probably look as good as new like mine. Oh, something you might want to consider: When I pulled the head the holes in the head gasket for water passageways had hardened coolant that formed a film. I'm sure the pressure created from the water pump would break through this no problem, but I just don't like the idea of a bunch of flaky crap floating aroung in my engine.

The engine will run great, I'm sure. But it honestly doesn't take much effort to strip down the engine and clean things up.