the stock pistons can only take so much combustion pressure before the ring land collapses;

the combustion event efficiency (power) is to a large extent determined by the shape of the c chamber; the floor of which is the piston surface.

trueness of bore and bearings, piston to bore fit contributes to power and longevity.

If you're gonna change the pistons, I say go all the way.

 

jlm,

Could you shoot me a pm of the approx cost of the s/b work? I have been pushing a hella lot of nitrous through mine as well as 19% etc. With over 100 1/4 mile passes, I'm flirting with disaster.

 

EDIT: Jlm, are those con-rods 4340 chromo or 6AL4V? ...Just asking cuz they look a bit more grey than I would have thought. Could just be the finish, my eyes... or that I lust for Ti.

Anyone know what's going on with the ENDYN BBS? Been down for a few days. No explanation.

 

JLM. What kind of oil do you plan on using to break in the motor. What will be your break in procedure. Sometime ago I posted a link to a motorcycle forum. Where the guy recommends dyno oil and hard break-in procedure to assure ring seating. I don't know if that would work with our engines due to high tems on underside of pistons and chance of coking using the dyno oil. Just curious what your views are.

 

JLM:
have you received the shortblock?

How goes the install?

What are your plans regarding intake/boost?

Again, what approach to break-in do you plan on?

Thanks

 

for an unknown reaon, the Endyn boards have shut down until furnther notice. I have not yet received the block. As soon as I can, I will contact TOO and follow his advice. typically, a non-detergent oil for a couple of thou miles to seat the rings, then Mobil One.

Ultimately, the plan is to first run a 15% pulley with good intercooling and A/F tune then do some 1/4 mile times. then sneak up on more hp, maybe by twincharging or all turbo.

 

Got this motor running yet?

 

it is en-route; then i need the time to mess with it.


here is what he did:
bore and hone cylinders;
modify oil passages;
deck block;
line hone mains;
modify oil pump;
balance crank;
assemble with:
forged Endyn pistons, and special rings;
Crower Rods.

I'm adding a remote oil filter, thermo valve and cooler and if I get a wild hair, a "special" intake manifold

 

That is all pretty standard hotrod rebuild stuff, I am curious what the charge was for this type of work on a MINI.

I also have a 69 Camaro project car with a 406 cu in small block. For similar machining, forged pistons (8), ported heads, lunati rods, new crank,hyd roller cam, balancing and bearings and rings the cost was $2500. This didn't include assembly but everything else.

This engine will put out close to 500 hp as a comparison without turbo or supercharging. Maybe some day we will get similar hp/$ spent.

 

two years!!!

it showed up today at 4pm.

pics to come

 

Woo hoo

 

Woo Hooo!

Congrats John, looks like you're gonna have a fun weekend....

 

Wow. I knew it was a long time, but I had no idea...

 

John, you should include a photo of you kissing the block, ala the winners at Indy kissing the bricks. You deserve it. :smile:

P.S. Thinking of using Larry to port an s/c. Given what you've endured, would you go there again?

 

the work is superior. Bear in mind my engine was the first mini in his shop. Now he has worked up sources for pistons, rings, rods, valves, etc. He turned my head around in three months. It was his first mini head, so he had to source valves (Ferrea) and make a special tool or two. Now his has digitized his porting scheme and can rough one out in an hour instead of five hours, so mini heads should be a staple.

http://www.theoldone.com/components/...ead_modifi.htm

The pistons are a custom forging and went through several editions taking forever before he got what he wanted, but now they should be easier to get. similar snafu story for the rods.

had I know to expect this delay going in, no, I wouldn't have done it. But now the extraordinary problems are solved and it's only his workflow you would face.

he turmed my s/c around in three weeks.

his boards are closed now, but his site is open, and he told me he was going to put a Mini heading on it, so he is serious about promoting that work.

I'm going to take a while to get at the final assembly, so if he ever gets his custom cam made...

 

anything new?

Have you talked to Tim at Marren Injector (injector.com)? He builds the motors for Tony Nuzzo's Pro car.

 

John,

Have you started final assembly?

I emailed ENDYN a while back inquiring about MCS camshafts, but I have not received a response. Damn, I wish that board was back up.

 

for some drooling:

these pistons are at TDC; they "deck" at about -.030, meaning the wedge shaped areas are .030" + the head gasket thickness (.025") from similar wedge shapes on the head (squish band).

by comparison, the stok S pistons deck .130 or so in the hole, plus the center is depressed and there is no squish band.

additionally, the shapes of the wedges are intended to produce a "Rollerwave" effect (Endyn's wording) , directing the compressing mix aross teh combustion chamber toward the exhaust port

 

Whats your expected compression when assembled?

 

jlm, do you know what other changes were made to the pistons other than the shape of the top? Like ring locations?

 

Any updates John?

 

I have considerable patience, but I'm afraid it took too long and my interests/obligations have changed. As a result, the shortblock is still sitting on my engine stand with a pile of oil cooler parts next to it and it's future connected to me is uncertain.

If any hot rodders are interested in it, let me know. You would be getting a drop in, assembled unit, with all the trick parts and machine work.

 

That's too bad. I know I was giving you a hard time about the company, but I've had the exact same thing happen -- lost interest before the parts ever arrived.

I'd love to have the block... not sure if I'd love to pay what you need for it though. Let me know what it's worth to you and I'll mull it over.