Update #19 - Engine!
I had to search in the wilderness to be able to revive this project build
Big update below though - so worth the wait.
Yesterday Mike and I travelled see Fred @ BTM Performance, who over the period of the last x months had been building our new engine. It was to be a good day as the engine was finished - waiting in the workshop for the both of us on our arrival
After a bit of a chat with Fred we loaded the engine, fluids and a load of other miscellaneous items in to the back of the car and headed home. Now seems a good enough time as any to attempt to summarise what we have got:
Bored and Honed block to suit-
Wosner 83mm (2012cc) high comp (12.8:1) forged pistons
Vel Satis/F4RT rods
ARP rod bolts
New bearings/seals and oil pump
Cat Cams 438 camshafts (we supplied)
Polished/minor ported head (from old engine) with new stem seals and re-lapped valves
New belt and VVT pulley with oversized tensioner (to suit skimmed head)
New valeo clutch
Probably lots of other stuff that i have forgot about/Fred will know.
We are all hoping that it should go pretty well and make a nice noise whilst doing it!
This morning we started the installation by refitting the gearbox, starter, mounts, alternator and PAS pump.
Typically, when we were ready to start putting the engine back in the car the heavens opened
Rather than sit waiting for it to stop we decided to use this time to measure up a few bits an pieces that are required to complete another little side-line project Mike and I have been working on recently. More info about this in future updates hopefully.
Anyway, the skies cleared late in the morning and we were able to crack on
By the end of the afternoon we had the engine in, most of the sensors plugged, driveshafts in and wheels back on. It sounds easy when you write it like that but it was a bit of a job getting the engine in to be honest. I remember when we removed it that it was tight by the chassis legs but putting it back it in is definately harder! I think the hoist went up and down at least half a dozen times getting the exhaust manifold around the starter motor whilst, at the same time, getting the gearbox past the chassis leg.
I think we are 70% there. Off the top of my head we need to finish tidying/fastening the loom, fit inlet and filter box, install hoses then fill all the fluids.
Btw - the rocker cover is painted with VHT - Hemi orange. Its quite a good finish but the colour could be a little stronger to be honest. Still, looks lots better than it previously did.
Hopefully by next weekend we should ready to briefly fire it up on the drive before heading out on the roads to break it in.
Thanks for reading,
Nick (and Mike)
