Sand Rail Turbo Build

tom00799 · #1 08-13-2007, 08:16 AM

This is a continuation of the discussion that started on Tom's engine build up threat "Engine Build Progress and Questions". This thread will continue the discussion of my past experiances and current build and my love hate relationship with the SVX. Here's the orignal picture posted in Tom's thread.

tom00799 · #2 08-13-2007, 08:30 AM

Here's some info from the final teardown as well as some responses to some of the questions posed. The teardown did not reveal any clear sign of a catasrophic head gasket failure. I inspected the cometics carefully and did not see any burn thru. However, because the cometics are a sandwich 4 layers of material with the inner layers metal, its hard to tell if the exhaust was slipping by the metal layers. I tried some new radiator/block sealer which had the consistency of fine pea soup. One theory is that a head lifted momentarily and alowed some of the filler to wedge between the layers causing the leak. We amy never know. The block bores look great. I'll have my machinist sonic check the bores to be sure.

tom00799 · #3 08-13-2007, 08:43 AM

For those who asked, I bought the studs from ARP about two years ago. At first I was told that they would have to be custom and they would be expensive. I took all the measurements and called back. The guy I talked to remembered putting a set together for someone else. He put together a set and shipped them out. 300 bucks or so. When I called recently to try to get another set made in 14mm, they said they had no record of my sale and it would have to be custom order. I remebered talking to John at Outback Motorsports about trying to solve the head sealing problems and he suggested 1/2 studs as they run them on their big boost 4 cylinder motors. He also mentioned that he had a used set for an SVX. I called him last week and he still had them so I bought them. They should arive today. When you look at the 11mm bolts, they are pretty weak looking. The guys that run the STi's with 37 RWHP are doing so with 14mm bolts. Of course the block has to be re-tapped and the heads drilled. Here's picks of the ARP studs.

tom00799 · #4 08-13-2007, 08:53 AM

Here's the pistons and rods. I'm using Pauter rods and Wisco pistons. These pistons are about eight years old now. The Pauter rods are works of art. I pulled one rod and the bearing looks good. I think I will try some of the coated bearings though. The rod bearings are the weak link for sure. These are set up right in the middle of the recomended clearance. Heres some pics of the pistons too and a side shot of stock piston that failed.

tom00799 · #5 08-13-2007, 09:00 AM

Here's a few pics of the rods.

tom00799 · #6 08-13-2007, 09:37 AM

I'd love to trade programs but for two problems: 1) mine is the old DOS program and 2) my program and back-up disc are with the laptap which is in the possesion of the guy who stole it. So, If I lose my program I'm back to square one. As far as losing spark above 10 psi, never been a problem for me. The Redline motors I know of were using Motech with the stock coils. I know Redline is a Motech dealer so I'm surprised they would even be fooling with a TecII. I though about the Darton sleeve aproach but its expensive. Check out AXIS Motorsports website. They have some cool pics of sleeved blocks. The Belzona material is about a 300 bucks. If it doesn't work, I have another block. I hope to be working on the block this weekend and will post some pics of the closure procedure.

cdigerlando · #7 08-13-2007, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom00799

Here's the pistons and rods. I'm using Pauter rods and Wisco pistons. These pistons are about eight years old now. The Pauter rods are works of art. I pulled one rod and the bearing looks good. I think I will try some of the coated bearings though. The rod bearings are the weak link for sure. These are set up right in the middle of the recomended clearance. Heres some pics of the pistons too and a side shot of stock piston that failed.

My piston failed the same way. Not quite as catostrophic as yours. It looks like you lost two lands. Your pistons look like they have anti detonation rings and a gas port on the compression land. Looks like a good design. Next time you might want to stay on the high side of the recommended rod bearing clearance.

cdigerlando · #8 08-13-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom00799

For those who asked, I bought the studs from ARP about two years ago. At first I was told that they would have to be custom and they would be expensive. I took all the measurements and called back. The guy I talked to remembered putting a set together for someone else. He put together a set and shipped them out. 300 bucks or so. When I called recently to try to get another set made in 14mm, they said they had no record of my sale and it would have to be custom order. I remebered talking to John at Outback Motorsports about trying to solve the head sealing problems and he suggested 1/2 studs as they run them on their big boost 4 cylinder motors. He also mentioned that he had a used set for an SVX. I called him last week and he still had them so I bought them. They should arive today. When you look at the 11mm bolts, they are pretty weak looking. The guys that run the STi's with 37 RWHP are doing so with 14mm bolts. Of course the block has to be re-tapped and the heads drilled. Here's picks of the ARP studs.

I wish we knew about Outback motorsports a few weeks ago. How about ARP. No record of a sale. I also sent them all of my measurements. They were not helpful at all. I spoke with my builder, I think I should have gone over his head. He deals with a lady over their. I remember getting a concerned e-mail from her regarding whether or not I was being helped. Since Mike is now on it I'll let him deal with it. Hopefully the price is right.