So, from what you guys are saying I'm going to pretty much need new/used/rebuilt shortblock & head work (at the very least)?
I would absolutely love to get a Merkel/Pampena shortblock with forged pistons + some DR stage 3 heads, but at the moment I just don't have the cash. I think I'm just going to have to settle for a used (25K miles) 4 bolt longblock (with DR stage2 heads).
There are a few other things that need to also be done while the engine is out which are going to seriously add to the cost of this rebuild:
1. Send transaxle to Kormex to have them fix the excessive transaxle backlash + strange rubbing noises in my tranny.
2. ? Bell housing reinforcement
3. New clutch capable of taking a beating. Considering the RPS 6 puck with sprung hub. At the moment I have DR650R's with a centerforce dual friction setup, but have plans to upgrade to either Evo3-16g's or DR800/1000 kit in the next summer if everything goes well with this rebuild/engine swap.
4. 120K service. At the moment my car has 100K on it, but might as well do it a bit early and start as fresh as possible.
5. Buy beater to get me around for the next year.
A few dumb questions for you guys:
1. Is it possible to swap out the stock pistons without having to do a full shortblock rebuild? Could I just take a used shortblock (in good working order) to any old machine shop and have them swap in some forged pistons without paying outlandish sums of money? Or is this just asking for trouble?
2.Are the 2nd gen pistons any stronger than the 1st gens? I know they are both cast, but are they the same part number?
AdamVR4: It appears I put too much faith in the knock sensor.
I'm assuming a broken ring land points towards knock induced damage? Its too bad I can't change the title of the thread.
