Did you rebuild your SR?

[240SX714]

I've been wondering this for a long time, but when shops do SR swaps, do they take the time to rebuild it? Do you rebuild your own before putting it in? I'm helping a friend swapping his MR2 right now and rebuilding is longer than expected. We still have to get the valve spring compressor for 2nd Gen MR2, but don't know where to get it at. Local stores don't carry them. Anyways, just wondering if you guys rebuild them before putting it on. I've heard of alot of complaints on SR probelms (hesitation, boggs, etc..), maybe you didn't rebuild it? If shops actually take the time to rebuild an 10ish year old SR before slapping it on, then it's well worth the $1000? labor.

[CO S13]

As far as I know shops don't rebuild them unless you ask. We are just putting my motor in because it is that or nothing. Next year we are planning on rebuilding it, but I'm not too worried because it only has 30K on it.

[PAnut240]

I just finished rebuilding my SR today accually. I had some unexpected problems(money) come up but really it only took me a few days to get everything together. I have all the machine work, porting, valvejobs,ect.. done at a shop near my house so it cost me alot less. A properly rebuilt engine will definately run and perform better than a bolt in and go engine. Just my 2 cents
later
Jim

[S13CRAVE]

Originally posted by CO S13
Next year we are planning on rebuilding it, but I'm not too worried because it only has 30K on it.

Dude, no offense, but that 30k miles stuff is usually bullshit. Its a nice thought but the cars and their engines are in junkyards for a reason.

-Ian

[Titan]

Rebuild a motor before putting it in?

Are you talking about a rebuild including new crank journal and rod bearings, overboring or honing, new rings and pistons, new headgasket, etc.?

There is no way in hell a shop will do that before an install unless you agree and pay for it beforehand. It takes quite a few parts and time to tear down a motor.

That $1000 is ONLY for swaping out the KA with the SR, wiring and plumbing it. The process really isn't all that difficult, it just takes time.

[240SX714]

30K miles on a very old (5-8ish?) isn't a good thing, a lot of buildup and deposits, dried up oil can do alot of harm. And oh yea, when I say rebuilding I mean tearing down the head, block, pistons and basically replace all the gaskets, clean up the whole head. Simple green works great. As I've thought, shops won't do those unless you pay extra. Alot of people are having problems with SRs, if you rebuild it maybe it'll be less problematic, just a suggestion.

[KoukiS14]

30k miles is a lot for a car in Japan tho. . so it is SOMEWHAT believable. . cars with anything over that are pretty expensive to maintain (taxes, etc). . but I believe most of it is bullshit.

Just wanna add. . I think rebuilding is the way to go. . although I'd be way too tempted to just install it once got it . . I'm impatient

[TheSparo]

i went the impatient route, i bet <10% of the SR buyers rebuild BEFORE the put the motor in, i was too anxious and didnt feel like spending the money when the engine ran fine to begin with...
its like buying a used car w/ 40k miles on it and saying hmm im gonna rebuild it... kinda stupid imo unless it had problems to begin with or you are going for big upgrades and forged internals or are just bored

[the head]

i am doing a direct swap (98 S13) then going to pickup a second motor to build proper for when the one in the car gives up

[JasonNagra]

After I finish school in 2 years my SR will be fully rebiult. I am oredering it very soon and I will rebiuld it myself. I just preffer knowing everything about my motor, especially the condition the internals are in. If you're patient and have the time/money then I think a rebiuld is a great idea. If not and you think its in good condition then throw it in. But, the main reason I am going slowly is so I can really learn to drive with forgiving KA (underpowered = safe for newbie track driver) and so I can just do everything right on the SR. I am not going for 400 hp or anything like that, just a modest setup that is very reliable. This will also be for my track car so no hurries. If I have learned anything in my existence its to not rush into things, and take your time and do it right the first time. My .02

[CO S13]

Well I do believe that the motor has 30k on it because that is what the gauge says not some company and it was in the junk yard because it was squished. Everything is bowed in the middle. Anyways at this point rebuilding the motor is not an option. I don't currently have the money for it and I don't want to waste time or money on stock parts.

[Silverbullet]

Originally posted by S13CRAVE
Dude, no offense, but that 30k miles stuff is usually bullshit. Its a nice thought but the cars and their engines are in junkyards for a reason.

-Ian

a junkyard in JAPAN. Its in the junkyard because the previous owner got a new car because your car can't have over 40k miles.

[HiPSI]

there's tons of reasons why these cars end up in junkyards with low mileage in japan. my front clip i just aquired was a 1998 model, not too horribly old, with about 50k miles on it according to the odometer. you could see where it was hit in the side because the driver's floor was buckled inward about a foot (definitely not shipping damage ). people go out and kill cars, and the 180sx and silvia are popular low-dollar sports cars in japan. they get wrecked or the owner just gets a new car and doesn't want to pay taxes on their 40k+km car so they junk it. hell, used S13's go for practically nothing over there.

[HiPSI]

BTW, a healthy SR can be attained still. you just need to compression/leakdown test and inspect the motor pretty well (read the plugs, taste/smell the oil , you know) to know if it's healthy or not.

[KoukiS14]

Originally posted by Silverbullet
a junkyard in JAPAN. Its in the junkyard because the previous owner got a new car because your car can't have over 40k miles.

there's a good reason for the grey market in AU and NZ. . and uhm. .well, Europe. . and most places but here
you CAN have a high mileage car, is my understanding. . but you'll be paying a LOT for it.

[240SX714]

My buddy's MR2 supposedly had less than 40K miles on it, but once we tore it down.....oh man it was dirty. How can you tell if your motor is clean or not without openning up the inside? I personally won't gamble with it, but I can understand how some of you don't have the time. And how can you tell that your motor's running perfectly? . Did you turn it on?

[20vturbo]

do they have a rebuild kit for the sr20??

[Phoen_x_s14]

Originally posted by PAnut240
I just finished rebuilding my SR today accually. I had some unexpected problems(money) come up but really it only took me a few days to get everything together. I have all the machine work, porting, valvejobs,ect.. done at a shop near my house so it cost me alot less. A properly rebuilt engine will definately run and perform better than a bolt in and go engine. Just my 2 cents
later
Jim

Wassup man, any chance that shop you went to have experince with RB motors? I just prefer someone who knows and exeperince on the engine, not someone who does general stuff to various motors. Learned from others experince.

heh like for example, my buddy and his CRX, i know...its a honda.. don't ask why, rebuilt his B18 head, and it wasn't tourqued to spec, as soon as he finished the miles required to brake in the engine,he floored it to engeaged Vtec, BOOM! his intake cam shaft snapped in half and did some damage to the valve cover and related parts. Just because the mechanic who worked on his car didn't tourque everything to spec and give proper lubrication.

[240SX714]

Originally posted by 20vturbo
do they have a rebuild kit for the sr20??

Such a good question that I also need to know for future plans. So do they? Who sells them?

[Phoen_x_s14]

Originally posted by 240SX714
Such a good question that I also need to know for future plans. So do they? Who sells them?

Dunno if it would count as a rebuild kit, but there are Stroker kits, Jun, Trust, HKS, etc. makes them. Check out www.takakaira.com to see what comes with the kits, and then ask some companies that import stuff from Japan if they can get one for you.

[PAnut240]

Ok, for the rebuild kit question for the SR20. Yes they do sell one. There is a complete gasket kit out there for the Sr and Enjuku Racing cary's it. For pistons and such I always go with aftermarket so I can get the performance I want and be able to shop around for a good price. But Stock parts always work too.
PHOEN_ The shop I went to I just have them do the stuff I don't have the equipment to do. Such as milling the head, grinding the valves replacing valve springs ect. Accual machinist work. Everything else on the building part I do my self that way I know its done correctly. The hardest part with the RB engines is finding the correct torque spec's. Everything else is just the same as changing the oil so to say.

Oh and for the CARS IN THE JUNKYARD thing. I lived in Japan and on numerous occasions I bought or had a vehicle that was still running, such as my 32 skyline, and they only had 50000Km at the most and that was only a year and a half ago. The reason they are there are like HIP mentioned they are low cost, lets just say, DISPOSABLE vehicles. Most people dont have to drive more than 10 or 20 miles a day and if its longer than that its just faster and more economical to take the awsome train system. They also perfer to have a new vehicle sice taxes and regristration tends to be cheeper than a older vehicle. used cars sales isn't all that large of a market in Japan.
Ok, now that I think I answered some questions and hopefully cleared up some misconseptions. I'm gonna go take me a smoke break and a nap.

later Everyone and Happy Thanks Giving

Jim

[Dutchmalmiss]

what's the average price for a COMPLETE rebuild?