Did a bit of searching before I wrote this up but thought you guys could explain it better. Read a bit about things like porting, and matching but wasnt surre whats necessary, and whats overkill. Im considering a bit of a tough build in the near future. Im sick of being scared that my engine will explode on me every time i fang it. I dont have the facilities or cash atm to take my engine out, pull it apart, rebuild it, put it back in. Also had a chat to zedboy who took his engine apart took the heads new pistons etc to a place near mine and they put it together for 2k or so. That sounds like something I could do Im thinking about buying a block and some heads, slowly collecting parts for a stronger rebuild (350kw capability reliably id be happy with). Then driving the parts to the shop, getting them put together, then one day pulling my engine, switching the accesories, sump, upper lower plenum etc over, and putting it back in. Just wondering what would be necessary to build an engine that can hold 350kw reliably. What kind of work is recommended, what might as well be done, and what is overkill? All I know at this point: some forged pistons and rods, a new seal kit for everything, a metal head gasket, might as well do a 100k service. What else should be done? I dont know whats inside the engine ive never pulled it apart. Bearings? piston rings? something to do with the valves? valve springs? Hoping to get a lsit together. Prices below are based on waiting for a good deal as opposed to buying brand new. So a tough build would require: Forged pistons - $700 Eagle rods- $700 Rebuild seal kit- $500?? 100k kit- $700 Labour of shop putting heads and block together- $2000
It costs around $5k to build an engine that will hold together and produce 350kw, this includes some race cams and heavy duty valve springs to match the cams, but then you will need some decent turbos and management system, an upgrade of the ECU, say nistune. Probably mild head work and and exhaust upgrade. If you do the work yourself close to $10k.
May be able to skimp on aftermarket cams depending what set up you want to go with , few variables in this
Hey buddy That 2k was for a bottom end only. Heads I had done elsewhere and I assembled the motor from block up. Wiseco and Eagles from Coz $1100 Bearings $120 ARP head and main studs $300 Heads for a complete service including port matching $1200 Bottom end assembly labour $2000 Now still allow for a full gasket kit, 100K timing kit, new oil pump, servicing injectors and all other small bits n bobs that will be replaced. I havn't written down everything on paper but I would allow 5k if your DIY.
Matt gave you a great answer that will handle 350kw dependent on your choice of turbos - And it should be fairly reliable too
A lot of time and money for this type of project and something usually better off left to the experts. Nothing worse than getting it all put together and a small error kills the motor before you ever get to use it. If I were you I'd be patiently waiting for someone selling one that is know to be a good motor, or at the prices these cars sell for now just buy a complete car. I've seen cars with builds like you are talking about sell for way less than the cost of the motor. Sad but that's the way it is.
It happens man, look at what I picked up! Numerous cars I can rattle off the top of my head that sold cheaply with big motors that would have cost much more than selling price. But it is a waiting game.
Dean you lucked out !!! Lol It's not every day a car with work and engine forgies rolls along for the cost of a one night throwdown with a A+ class escort
When I was looking for my last car I was silly enough to pass on an auto Z32 with all this work done (and more). The car was in beautiful condition (OEM body and interior) and it sold for $14K. Just one example but there's countless more.
thanks for the info. I plan to keep my zed after evrything ive done to it. If I bought another car itd for an engine donor. Also I wouldnt spend more than 5k max on the whole project. I would like to do what I can myself. My car has (some soon to go on) Nistune, 600cc injectors, dual intake setup, water meth injection, perfect exhaust setup. Twin feed fuel, got a spare fuel pump so could do a twin setup. It would pretty much be engine internals, a set of GT28RS or similar, and a 100k if I use a donor motor. No supporting mods necessary I think. When I get closer to showtime Ill start looking for zeds for sale incase I get lucky. But at this point id like to gather all the knowledge on whats needed to do it myself incase a few parts id need pop up for sale cheap. Ive pulled the heads off an old motor and done a tt swap so im pretty comfortble working on the engine. But when it comes to valve clearances and things id get it done properly. Anything I could screw up easily I would get done at a shop. Anything else I should consider adding to Matts list? Its a good place to start Wiseco and Eagles from Coz $1100 Bearings $120 ARP head and main studs $300 Heads for a complete service including port matching $1200 Bottom end assembly labour $2000 GT28RS kit $2000
I'd say you'll need to add the fuel supply element to that list e.g. injectors, fuel rail....and tune on top of everything!
20-25k?? really? considering only labour would be taking the bare bottom end to a shop to get the pistons rods etc put in, and taknig the bare heads to a shop to get cleaned and valve springs or whatever changed maybe. the rest would jsut be parts and me bolting/unbolting things. 5k in basic rebuild parts, 2k for a turbo kit, 3k for the above mentioned labour, 700 for a tune... 11k. i couldnt possibly think of another 14k to add onto that
why aim for so much 250kwrw is a good track package, highly reliable as fast as all but about 10 on here and you can use it as a daily, Id do forged internals small but better turbos, we raced a 300zx that said he had 400rwkw and we were faster 1:24 at oran park GP there is not many on here that did better than that, thats because too much power couldnt use the power even in a straight line broke sideways
