Should I buy another engine?

17th June 2009, 12:43

Just looking for some opinions on this one please...

I'm considering buying another engine. The one I was actually looking into is a JP4, but it's been converted for a straight swap into a 106 / VTS.

I've got big plans for the car, and I was thinking it might be a good idea to buy a new'ish / low mileage engine, and I can do all the required bits and bobs to it at my leisure.

I'm looking to install some hi comps, catcam 734's, uprated valve springs, possibly some stronger retainers (if required?) and iTBs. My current engine already has a well worked big valve head, but this JP4 engine has bigger valves as stock. Not sure if it would be worth swapping the heads over at any point in time?

So the plan would be to get the JP4 engine all prep'd up, and then do an engine swap when the time comes. Good or bad plan chaps?

17th June 2009, 12:50

j4 bottom end is stronger.
you'll be rebuilding it anyway with the high comps.
if the work on the j4 head has been done to any reasonable standard it should flow better than the standard jp4 head

17th June 2009, 12:57

As Paul has already said the j4 bottom end is stronger than the jp4! So basically get a j4 engine, rebuild it completely and get the head worked on. Then sell your engine set up, job done

17th June 2009, 13:20

Would have to agrue with the above.
Personly i wouldnt be caught up to much on millage, oversly you dont want 19875769miles on the clock but aslong as its still in resonilbe state it wont matter when rebuilding it.

I would buy a j4, rebuild the bottom end with whatever spec you choose then maybe change a few bits in your current head and swap that to the rebuilt bottom end.

17th June 2009, 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aron

Would have to agrue with the above.
Personly i wouldnt be caught up to much on millage, oversly you dont want 19875769miles on the clock but aslong as its still in resonilbe state it wont matter when rebuilding it.

I would buy a j4, rebuild the bottom end with whatever spec you choose then maybe change a few bits in your current head and swap that to the rebuilt bottom end.

basically what i said then Aron

17th June 2009, 13:32

Guys, I DID NOT know that a J4 bottom end was tougher than a JP4! Good job I asked!

Thanks for the comments.

17th June 2009, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpsaxo

basically what i said then Aron

which is what i said

toad, could you live without your car for a couple of weeks? if you used yours and built that up, then there should be no need to buy anything new

17th June 2009, 13:50

dave
if needed i have a 16v in bits in my garage that could be what your after
was a good litle motor (the one that was in at austec) and if your rebuilding then itll do the job fine
being as its allready in bits you can see whats what straight away aswell rather than hoping its all good till you have it apart

17th June 2009, 14:13

Wish I was earning your money Toad man.

17th June 2009, 14:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjm300

which is what i said

toad, could you live without your car for a couple of weeks? if you used yours and built that up, then there should be no need to buy anything new

I sure can. The car isn't a daily, as I don't need one.

Having another engine would give me the opportunity to learn how to put things together, as I wouldn't want to touch my current one. I'd feck it up in a second!

17th June 2009, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexB

dave
if needed i have a 16v in bits in my garage that could be what your after
was a good litle motor (the one that was in at austec) and if your rebuilding then itll do the job fine
being as its allready in bits you can see whats what straight away aswell rather than hoping its all good till you have it apart

Thanks man!

Hasn't that engine done just over a squillion miles though?

17th June 2009, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferg

Wish I was earning your money Toad man.

You're still a student though? I couldn't even afford a car when I was a student, so think yourself lucky!

17th June 2009, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toad

You're still a student though? I couldn't even afford a car when I was a student, so think yourself lucky!

Haha ALL my student loan went on it LOL.

Serious though another engine is a bloody good idea! I'd do it in your position mate ...

17th June 2009, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toad

Thanks man!

Hasn't that engine done just over a squillion miles though?

done 153021 miles man but is in good nick
bores are clean ect so with a slight hone as you would when fitting forgies itll be fine
same as lob some new shells ect in itll be like new

was my plan for it but i need cash lol

17th June 2009, 14:39

How can it be like new after 150'000 miles?

17th June 2009, 14:42

well be near as man
its not got any huge wear anywere ect so would rebuild quite well

17th June 2009, 14:48

OK dude. Will bare in mind.

I might be taking on too much with this idea anyway.

I'm not a mechanic, and I'm pretty shit with a spanner TBH. I'll just have to stick with my current engine...

17th June 2009, 14:52

its a good way to learn though

as said i was going to rebuild it and tbh ive not played in engines hugely but was going to learn by doing

17th June 2009, 14:57

I agree, t'is a good way to learn!

17th June 2009, 15:23

And a 150k engine wont cost the earth so even if it did go tits up you wouldnt lose out majorly.

Imo id do it buddy, great to learn from. Ill say now buy the time your finished your tool collection will have doubled lol its surprising the tools you want when rebuilding an enigne ^^.

17th June 2009, 15:44

I think I'd really need some guidance...

17th June 2009, 15:54

noone you know handy with a spanner? I find engine builds quite relaxing tbh the job satisfaction (sp) when it starts up is unbeatable as well

17th June 2009, 16:17

come on man do it yourself. you will be suprised how easy it is when you take your time and find guidness before doing it.

17th June 2009, 16:39

Ahh, I'm getting really tempted.

17th June 2009, 17:13

yea thats it. if you start and you dont think you can do it then you can always give it someone else to finish, not going to hurt you so may aswell try.

17th June 2009, 17:33

OK, I need to get a garage first.

17th June 2009, 17:34

use the kitchen, always goes down well ^^

17th June 2009, 17:40

I typically go visit my folks when I have work to do on the car, as they've got a garage. If I unloaded an engine in there, my head would would be put on a platter!!