NA auto to TT Manual

Discussion in 'Member's Garage' started by dropthebass, Aug 2, 2015.

  1. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

    Hi all, thought I might as well start a thread for my build.
    It's probably still going to be a while off completion, but perhaps some pressure from you lot might motivate me to get a move on.

    I have been collecting parts and waiting on my machinist for nearly a year now, but finally things are falling into place and it's ready to start being bolted together.

    Starting with the heart of the build, here is my block

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    It is very gold and I love it!

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    And here it is keeping warm in the lounge room to help the paint cure haha.

    This week's mission is get some Welch plugs then put the bottom end together and maaaybe get the heads on.
     
  2. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

    Welch Plugs

    Note to self (and everyone else): Don't go to Autobarn for Welch plugs!
    I asked for 12 30mm brass Welch plugs, apparently that's a special order... But they only come in packs of 10, at a cost of 39 bucks a pack, plus 10 dollars shipping because it's a special order, so they wanted 88 bucks in total! And I had to wait a day or two.
    Went to Repco next door, 33 bucks, in my hands, done and dusted.
    Probably would have been cheaper still through Bursons, but they are a pain and close at 5pm...
     
  3. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

    Small update

    I didn't get a great deal done this weekend, knocked all the Welch plugs in and measured my main bearing clearances, all sitting right on 0.050 which is where I want them . Roatating assembly in next weekend with a bit of luck now that I have my NA oil squirters sorted.
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  4. Jinxed

    Jinxed Moderator

    looking really good, look forward to next update.....
     
  5. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

    Thanks, I need to remember to bring my dial gauge home to check the axial play on the crank. Sorted out some molybdenum assembly lube for the bearings. I can't wait to drop the crank in and watch my nice shiny new pistons and rods do their thing.
     
  6. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

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    Piston squirters in

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    Crankshaft in, measured the axial play at 0.05mm which is at the lower limit of assembly

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    Measuring ring gaps, I need to get a ring file and open them up a bit, shooting for 18 thou on the top and 20 on the second

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    shiny new pistons

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    How it sits at the moment
     
  7. Joshwah

    Joshwah New Member

    Just about to undertake a similar build on my spare engine - although my budget only allows me to reuse the stock pistons!

    Can I ask what that paint is?
    Been looking for the same shade of gold to do my wheels, that appears perfect!

    Cheers & good luck with the rest of the build.

    Josh
     
  8. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

    The paint is vht engine paint universal gold, I probably wouldn't use it for wheels though as its a high temp paint and needs to be baked on to go hard.

    I was initially going to re-use the stock pistons and rods but two of the Pistons had ping marks, then a set came up cheap on the forum so I snapped them up.
     
  9. SuperZ

    SuperZ Resident Z lunatic

    I think you have a lot of guts to take on an N/A Auto to TT Manual conversion

    (I just did the Auto to Man and it gave me the sh....s)

    Kudos to you - hope it goes well.

    The gold block looks good

    JC
     
  10. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

    Haha thanks superZ, I'm sure I will run into some snags along the way, but I'm in no rush, I just want it done right.

    Sized up all of my piston rings tonight, 18 thou top and 20 thou second (worked out according to the recommendations from Wiseco).

    Probably won't get anything done tomorrow but hopefully pistons in on Sunday!

    Also have to start thinking about the gearbox in pieces on my bench, need to sort out a new set of synchros and a sliding sleeve for 3rd
     
  11. TQE-756

    TQE-756 Active Member

    No "Thanks" Button??????

    Thanks for documenting this marvelous mechanical piece of mastery.
    Love seeing an Engine being put together... amazing!

    Where's the bloody "Thanks" buton when you need it!! :rolleyes2:
     
  12. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

    Not sure what happened to the "Thanks" button, but appreciate the thought :)
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    Pistons in, finally starting to look like a motor!

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    And a few videos incase anyone is interested

    https://youtu.be/ih0vmSk5yQI

    https://youtu.be/4rSNLNWJOKg

    Rods torqued, side clearances checked, ready for sump oil pump, rear main and sump :)
     
  13. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

    Update

    Quick update:

    Heads, Lower Inlet manifold and Exhaust manifolds have all been port matched and installed (opened up the both inlet and exhaust a tiny bit, lots of smoothing inside the exhaust manifolds)
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    Bye Bye EGR!
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    Cams are in (Manual TT cams)
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    Timing belt is on!
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    I did have a great big write up on my progress with lots of pics, but I accidentally closed the window whilst uploading pics! :mad: However i'm sure you get the gist from this.

    Unfortunately no pics of exhaust manifolds installed or any of the porting process. Hopefully turbos on next week!
     
  14. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

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    Painted my rocker covers, the paint was supposed to be hammered finish black, however, it came out sort of metallic rippled grey...
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    I don't mind, I think it looks quite cool :)

    I think I will paint the timing covers and a few other bits with it too.
     
  15. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

    Fresh coolant pipes

    Had some coolant pipes made up from alloy, as the pictures show the originals were pretty far gone, could actually see daylight through the side of one!

    In other news I bought a set of TD04 turbos from another forum member, when they show up things should get moving!

    I also bought a 1990 2+0 TT Manual to kindly donate some parts.
    And waiting for some gearbox parts donated from a mates skyline to get the box back together.
     

    Attached Files:

  16. Anti

    Anti 14.7 x 14.7 = 44.1

    ooh nice pipes
     
  17. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

    Update

    I'm getting slack with these updates!

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    Manifold is just resting in place in this pic, but turbos are on!

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    dump pipes and modified intake pipes on
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    And here's a milestone:
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    Engine and Auto coming out!
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  18. Anti

    Anti 14.7 x 14.7 = 44.1

    Heyyyyy I know these turbos. How did you go making up the intake pipes? Gut the engine mount too?
     
  19. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

    Turbo Intakes

    To do the intake pipes I cut the flanges off the factory pipes, and cut the inlet side off a second set and brazed them onto the end. They are attached to the turbo with a short piece of silicon hose, and braced up to the motor with a little bracket welded to the side.
    Engine mounts are untouched. It's a close fit but they don't touch. Scraped a little bit of paint off getting them on though.
     
  20. dropthebass

    dropthebass New Member

    Update

    Motor all buttoned up
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    Clutch on (xtreme 6 puck ceramic sprung centre)
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    Motor and box together
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    In its new home!
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    engine loom is all connected up now, still working out all of the wiring for the auto to manual conversion though.
     

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