Engine re-building advice

  1. Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2009 Hemel Hempstead Posts: 437 Saxo VTR / Saxo VTS turbo
    #1
    Ok so I'm rebuilding my vts lump ready for my turbo conversion,.

    I'm very handy with the spanners and I'm doing all this work so far myself with the help of a friend, But I've now got to the point where research on google and on here isn't helping, so I I need to pick somebody's brains.

    I've purchased brand new wossner low comp pistons, ACL big end bearings, and ARP rod bolts.

    All was going well until I read the spec sheet for the ARP bolts:

    Conrods must be resized after fitting these bolts, Eh?

    So the machine shop is going to do this for me when I take my head in to be skimmed.

    So finally getting to my question, does the crank also need work on to match the new resized conrods?
    This will be a big pain as I've bought standard size big end bearings.

    Or can I get away with "resizing" the conrods, wacking standard bearings and the crank being able to deal with it.

    Here's a couple of pics of what I've done so far the head is just resting on top of the block nothing bolted down as of yet.
  2. Established Member Joined: Jan 2012 south essex!! Posts: 2442 posi blue vtrs race car
    #2
    Never bothered, just whacked them in, use the spunk they give you for the nuts and tightened to torque they said...
  3. Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2009 Hemel Hempstead Posts: 437 Saxo VTR / Saxo VTS turbo
    #3
    Ok, I'm just a bit worried as I've read a few times on different sites that installing them distorts the rod slightly,, the last thing I want whilst on boost is a rod coming through the block 😱
  4. Established Member Joined: Jan 2012 south essex!! Posts: 2442 posi blue vtrs race car
    #4
    How tight have they done them?!
  5. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #5
    What box you using? You know you can get more power on standard pistons and rods then the gearbox will take yeah? So best off going BE before forged IMO
  6. Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2009 Hemel Hempstead Posts: 437 Saxo VTR / Saxo VTS turbo
    #6
    Nothing has been taken to the machine shop yet, just picking peoples brain for advice and experience mate
  7. Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2009 Hemel Hempstead Posts: 437 Saxo VTR / Saxo VTS turbo
    #7
    I'm using a MA gearbox blackie, I'm over engineering the engine for reliability, as this car will be my daily driver when it's done, plus with the forged pistons I have scope in the future for a BE. I'm looking to run a wastegate spring of 6psi for daily use, sometimes turning it up using a boost controller when I get the urge lol
  8. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #8
    If you're not too clued up, it's generally best to take the crank and block to your machinist to get it checked before your buy the parts to make sure you don't need over sized pistons or shells

    And most machinists can normally supply the shells in correct size to suit the machining. Buying oe size without doing the checks wasn't a great idea mate
  9. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #9
    At 6psi you'll have an engine that's no less reliable then oe mate.
  10. Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2009 Hemel Hempstead Posts: 437 Saxo VTR / Saxo VTS turbo
    #10
    I know I'm kicking myself now, I had the money there and I just spent it, the crank is on 69k, I don't fancy taking the engine completely out either to be honest, might just suck it and see
  11. Saxperience Hardcore! Joined: Oct 2008 Birtley Posts: 22253 VTR Turbo, 106 xsi track slag, Transit recovery, B
    #11
    If you're putting expensive pistons in id not risk it mate
  12. Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2009 Hemel Hempstead Posts: 437 Saxo VTR / Saxo VTS turbo
    #12
    Ok thanks for the advice, the block looks in very good nick if I'm honest, the bores look fine with no nasty scratches etc, and no ridge at all at the top of the bore at all, I'm going to do some more pondering and see about taking the engine out completely,
  13. Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2008 Glasgow Posts: 565 Saxo Vts Mk1 1997
    #13
    Good progress mate

    Nice to see the bits going to good use.

    Be keeping a eye on build.
  14. Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2009 Hemel Hempstead Posts: 437 Saxo VTR / Saxo VTS turbo
    #14
    Anybody know off hand what rod bearing clearances I should be seeing on a 16v?
    Can't find my Haynes anywhere!
  15. Regular Poster Joined: Apr 2009 Hemel Hempstead Posts: 437 Saxo VTR / Saxo VTS turbo
    #15
    So I've had the rods resized, honed the block and fitted the pistons, I've been very lucky as they measure out and fit perfectly 😀

    Does anybody know if luthor (Andy) still has anything to do with the predator three plug ecu? I need a base map for when the turbo conversion is done so that I can run the engine in.

    Or if anybody has a map or base map for boost I would appreciate it 😁

    Here's some pics, it's getting there slowly when the weather and my dodgy back permits lol
  16. Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2008 Glasgow Posts: 565 Saxo Vts Mk1 1997
    #16
    Looking good

    Sure Andy (Luthor) will be a long shortly to answer that just wanted to say he has helped me tonight for a hour getting my map sorted out so my bigger injectors, uprated pump and new engine all run nice and sweet which means the car now drives and I'll be able to get it to the mapper for its final tune up.

    Have had great support and always there to lend a hand when needed with the ecu so would highly recommend one if he does one for yours which I'm sure he does