To build or not to build...that is the question

[Trigger]

Ok guys I am going to be getting my engine in with in 2 weeks. I have been going over what I should do 1) put it in and drive like that for a while 2) pistons bored out to 1.9 total rebuild of the engine. of course just putting it in would be cheaper and everything. I would like to hear from a couple of you that have rebuilt your engines after you first installed. a couple questions i have are 1) did punching it out make a big difference? 2) do you think that it needs to be punched out right now even though most everything else is going to be stock? 3) Should I just go ahead and get it over with and do the engine work now before installing. it would help me make up my mind if i heard from someone that has went through this. I would rather go ahead and rebuild. I believe that I would feel better about it but I would like to know if its really worth it. This is my first import and I have always been a chevy man so i always rebuilt the engines before installing. any thoughts on this would help. Thanks

Tim

[USDM_OneVia]

Ok guys I am going to be getting my engine in with in 2 weeks. I have been going over what I should do 1) put it in and drive like that for a while

Sure why not.... just make sure that the head gasket is good, no oil leaks around the head or turbo. Check condition of water pump and timing belt. I do recommend that you replace any vacuum/coolant line that you see. It is a total pain in the ace if you have to replace a busted coolant line under the intake manifold at 2 am in the middle of no where....

Quote »2) pistons bored out to 1.9 total rebuild of the engine. of course just putting it in would be cheaper and everything. I would like to hear from a couple of you that have rebuilt your engines after you first installed. a couple questions i have are 1) did punching it out make a big difference? 2) do you think that it needs to be punched out right now even though most everything else is going to be stock? [/quote]

Why punch it out another .1L? Will it really make that much difference? Probably not. If it is going to be daily driven and under 300hp, just keep it stock, it will take the boost. But if you insist on new pistons/rods, just get some JE's at the stock bore and either Eagle or Pauter rods (I think boost_boy is running those). If you plan on keeping it stock, leave the bottom end alone. If it is going to be mildly tuned, I would still keep it stock, but its your wallet and your car. No one can tell you what to do with it, its your call.

Quote »3) Should I just go ahead and get it over with and do the engine work now before installing. it would help me make up my mind if i heard from someone that has went through this. I would rather go ahead and rebuild. I believe that I would feel better about it but I would like to know if its really worth it. This is my first import and I have always been a chevy man so i always rebuilt the engines before installing. any thoughts on this would help. Thanks[/quote]

first of all.... welcome to the darkside And if I had the money up front, I would have done a tear down and rebuild. But the motor was just sitting on the engine stand begging to be put in, so I just did it. I am accumulating parts over the winter season for a total rebuild. Here is what I am going to do.....

Full Gasket replacementBottom end bearings replaceFull vacuum line replacementFull coolant line replacementT28 Turbo UpgradeO2 Housing UpgradeValves and valve jobminor port workvalve springscamscam gearstiming beltwater pumpPullies (if I can find a set)May pull apart the bottom end for some pistons/rods/hone job, just depends on fundage444cc injectorsZ32 AFM

Right now, the only thing that aftermarket on my motor is the cone filter, 3 in Heavy Throttle Downpipe, and Walbro 255 fuel pump. I have an intercooler on the way so that will be going on also, then my BOV.

You seriously need to spend some time with a pen/paper/calculator and make out a plan of attack and also a time table. I have mine done, Stage 1 (Intercooler, BOV, Clutch) By the end of summer. And I am sticking to that plan also.

So, in summary...... choice is yours, do what you will. But if I had to do it all again.... I would have waited and gotten done what I wanted to get done.

Joe

[Trigger]

thank you for your reply. you had some good points there. The reason i am asking about punching it out is, like i said this is my first import, I wanted to know if it made a difference. I have always had V8's and punching a 350 .060 over really does make a difference in the power. I am not sure of how a 4 banger would be. I was hoping to get some ideas here. I am leaning to checking the seals and then putting her in. I do want to push for over 300 one day, but probably not right now. If someone could tell me if its worth punching it out that would help alot. also anyone know how much the stock bottom end can take? Thanks again Joe for your help

Tim

[USDM_OneVia]

Apparently the bottom end can take a bit of abuse.

I think boost_boy did 302 to the wheels on a stock bottom end. But after that the stock headgasket doesn't like a ton of boost and also at around 350 you get into the problem of stretching the headbolts.

The way I see.... to punch it out to 1.9L's is way too much money and down time involved. That outweighs the cost for me. So I wouldn't do it.

And I know punching a 350 out to a 383 makes a hell of a diffrence, but with imports, you are working with half a motor.

Joe

[Trigger]

Ok I think i will leave it stock for now. I will just port and polish the heads a little and put her in...Thanks for the info

[Movingviolation240]

it will cost you an extra $50 to go to a 1.9 vs just pistons and a hone job. Just bore it out an extra MM and your set. Then you have more bore than stroke, which is always good. The extra 100cc will help you spool quicker, provide more torque, HP, and generally give you a nicer powe band. It's not a big improvement but it's worth doing.

I was using stock headbolts and an HKS gasket (1.6mm) and running 9000rpm at about 2 bar. If you have it out you might want to replace the main bearings anyhow since they tend to go first.

Paul

[Movingviolation240]

BTW your asking for trouble getting NEAR the 300rwhp level on stock internals. It can be done but you have to be REALLY carefull.

Paul

[float_6969]

Paul, did you have problems with your headbolts at all, or did you change them?

[Movingviolation240]

I just torqued them down like 10% over what the FSM said and had no issues.

Paul

[float_6969]

What boost did you end up running on it? I know you were running it up to 9G's all day long, but I don't remember what kinda boost you were running.