Okay guys and gals,

This is a bit of a long one, but I need some solid advice.

First, the situation: car was leaking coolant into the oil so we took everything apart (the only thing we didn't do was take the bottom end apart). The engine is on a stand and pieces are all over the garage. Turns out the head had a big crack, so I'll be replacing that.

Here are where the questions come into play, and there are two segments for them.

1.) Since I have the engine out an apart, what stock parts should I be replacing, regardless of them currently being fine, in order to save a lot of time in the long run? Also, should they be replaced with aftermarket or OEM? I will be replacing obvious stuff like gaskets and whatnot.
- I imagined stuff that tend to go bad, like the PS pump/fan.

2.) This is what I was planning on doing, performance-wise:
- New head will be ported/polished
- New headers
- Cam
- Injectors
- Crank pulley ?? Worth it ??
- Lightweight flywheel/clutch ?? Worth it ??
- Tune
So, a couple of things with this. First, suggestions for something I missed? Also, for the things I listed I would appreciate hearing opinions on brands/models (maybe a middle-high end and a high end option). This would also be a good time to get new motor mounts, but not sure if worth it. Also, would the stock IC be fine with these upgrades? The biggest question with this is: since I have it apart, would doing a bottom-up build be worth the price tag of roughly 2.5-3k? Worth it in two senses: would the performance gains be worth it (I doubt it), but also my car will be putting 220-260 to the WHEELS once it is back together, would I be risking it with stock internals?

Car's current specifications:

- 90k miles with a new tranny around 40k (not my fault)
- Current performance upgrades:
- Cat back exhaust from Alta
- CAI from Alta
- 15% pulley
- Colder plugs/good wires
- Tune

Any advice or thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated. I've put a lot of work into this project, so I want to make sure it gets done right. Thanks in advanced.

 

With 90K on the clock, I would build the bottom end. But what about installing a used complete engine with low miles?

 

Of couse, you could get a new JCW engine for under 5K here:
http://www.waymotorworks.com/john-co...53-engine.html

 

I'd make double sure that block is good. I know Way has a low mileage engine a couple of weeks ago. As I recall he had the complete history too.

 

Realisticly with those mod's, maybe you're looking @ 230ish whp and historicly the stock internals will handle that, if you think you'll ever want more, then yes, do the internals, Pistons, Rod's, Rod Bolts min. While you have it out.
As far as the milage, that's stricktly a judgement call, I didn't do my head untill about 70,000 or so, and bump over 215whp till well over 100,000, currently I have 178,000 and before the S/C went the car was still very strong with no measureable oil useage.

That being said, since you had "coolant" issues if you think the motor ever got too hot, that would def. be a factor.

 

This is good feedback, thanks guys. I don't think I would do any further WHP increase mods after this so I thought the internals would probably be okay--and if I got another 50k - 75k miles out of it I would be happy.

I'm still wondering if the crank pulley, clutch/flywheel and the IC would be things I should upgrade while I'm at it. The OEM crank pulley is pretty worn, the clutch/flywheel look fine (but jeeze it's heavy) and I don't remember what WHP the stock IC is generally good through... Thanks for the input yet again.

 

As far as the stock I/C goes it's more your driving habits than anything else, of course the GP is good all around but it really shines in higher and/or consistantly higher heat conditions. (good heat dispersement, fast recovery, great on the track)

The stock I/C only slightly lacks in these area's but honestly unless you track the car or live somewhere thats pretty warm year round, you'll have about 6 mos. to do your reasearch.

Honestly the GP is one of my last mod's simply most of all my big power pulls are short bursts, bassicly drag type racing as opposed to track racing.

 

You will get as many opinions on this as there are people, lol! Anyway, my recommendations: RMW or WMW head. I believe these are the two best flowing on the market. RMW street header, excellent build quality, great flow and sound and no CEL's. Newman street cam, great power from 2500+.
Injectors, yes, you will want to go with big ones . I would NOT go with an undamped crank pulley. WMW sells the only aftermarket crank pulley that is damped http://www.waymotorworks.com/super-d...ulley-r53.html I believe the stock clutch is OK up to the power levels you are looking at. A tune is a MUST when you start doing any of these mods.

Good luck and keep us posted on what you do and the end results.