Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I really don't think my car is going anywhere for the cruise, lol.

I'll update when there is something to update.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Any update besides the weather?

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

He's updated the X forum thread but not this one, I see.

One of the rod bearings got pounded into a pancake. The last I heard was that DB had the motor out of the car but the tear down wasn't complete.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Pretty much this...we still have no idea what went wrong.

I am waiting to hear from DB as to what went wrong. I haven't asked them this week so not sure where it is.

I guess good news is if I need a new crank, which is probable, Hotdog offered me one of his stock ones for free.

I didn't want to update as there isn't much to say yet.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Wow that is epic!

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Hotdog would give you a good crank...

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I thought so...I just PM'ed him to ask about one of his cranks (haha, crank) and he was like, just send me shipping money and its yours...win.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

What happens during crank walk? Nevermind...

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Looks like at this point with DB's scary busy schedule, I am going to be sending the shortblock out to either AMS or ERL. AMS uses ERL but it will depend on who can turn it around the fastest unless ERL is 1000 cheaper or something I will just have AMS do the assembly. I trust both though.

I'm pretty much locked into a high comp 2.2L motor. It's an overbore motor with 90mm pistons and probably 10.5:1 compression. E98 will be my big power tune fuel, no more pushing it on pump gas stuff for me.

I am waiting to hear back on what Shane likes as far as 9.5:1 or 10.5:1 pistons but if he is ok with the 10.5:1 as long as boost isn't too high on pump E85 I will go with those.

I am hoping to make around 475-485whp on my normal tune on E70/E85 with 25-28psi.

Then maybe do like 33-35psi on E98 for 500+ on DB's dyno. I'll also be switching to FIC 1680's during this build as well. The DW1400's will be sent back to DW for inspection at some point.

I'd happily just let DB do their thing on my motor and rebuild it but time is important to me and I know they do their best but this is a bad time of the year to get work done fast and they simply don't have the time right now. It will be more expensive for sure to outsource by quite a bit but I want my evo back I miss it. So I am going to be outsourcing. I'd feel just as comfortable having MAP do the motor but I want to avoid any local shop "stuff" we'll call it, so that is my only reason for not using them.

So it looks like ERL said 1 month to turn the shortblock around and I am guessing 3 weeks once that is back to get the longblock together (totally dependent on workload obviously, 3 weeks is not busy at all so that is very hopeful). So unless AMS can turn the shortblock around in 2 weeks which I doubt as ERL is still the one doing the sleeves I am guessing late July is the earliest the car will be back together...sucks bad but it is what it is.

Maybe I'll see if AMS will use Darton or something to try and speed things up. I am all about speed for this build, I'll pay a bit more for faster service but I will wait longer if I need to if it'll cost me quality.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I'm a bit confused why you'd go non-local when MAP is right there... They build damn good engines that are proven. Did DB take responsibility for the failure? Are they footing the bill for this next build? Also kinda confused why they aren't bumping you up in line and getting you taken care of ASAP considering everything you've had them do for you, especially with how patient you've been throughout this process.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Sleeving the motor, wow! Are you going to be sending in your shortblock as a core or just purchasing a motor outright? When I was shopping, cores were nowhere to be found, national backorder and noone had anything.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I'm pretty sure MAP currently either has 4B11 cores or can get them quickly (last I heard anyway).

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

So god forbid you have another failure down the line you'll end up paying for the labor to remove and install plus ship it out to whomever builds it for inspection? Your logic is a bit confusing lol.

Either way, I wish you the best of luck. I hate to see anyone go through something like this. I'm amazed at how patient you've been to this point.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

They are readily available, turn around will depend mostly on Darton's time frame...

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I'm very excited to see how a high compression X tunes up. When it comes time to fix my motor <sigh> it'll be at MAP.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Perhaps I shouldn't have even updated the thread until the car was running again by the looks of some of this.

I love MAP, I deal with them all the time and have had good experiences. I love DB as well that is why I have used them for tons of stuff including my motor build(s).

In my opinion I am in the shittiest situation ever. Sure I'd love to have MAP toss together a motor quick and be back on the road right away. However if everyone fails to acknowledge there is bad blood between DB and MAP you guys are crazy haha. I don't know what else to do guys. My stress levels are at an all time high right now at work, I am working crazy hours trying to accomplish projects outside my capability for a guy who quit last week that was my lead engineer. These are not fun times for me now, I'd love to cruise in the evo to let off some steam but I can't.

Shit happens in the modding game, I have no idea whose fault it is or why it failed...I just know what needs to be replaced. DB said they can't give me a timetable if I let them fix the shortblock in house. It's not their fault, I am a good customer of theirs I think and although I am, they have 100 good customers, I can't expect him to "bump" me to the front of the line.

What I am trying to avoid is getting my car back in winter again. I was very pleased with the whole process last time. I just am not prepared to go 2 whole summers without a car so I am trying to work with DB on the situation as best I can.

Shipping my block out. The block is still fine.

I know exactly what you are saying and you are right.

But as I said I am working with what I have, I don't know what else to do. I am trying to do this without pissing anyone off, realistically I shouldn't have to worry about that as its my money but I consider both shops my friends whether they do or don't I don't know.

I AM IN A PICKLE GUYS! I just want my car back. I think the plan I have in place is the best I can do with what I have but fuck if I know.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

*got a bad feeling about this thread*

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

DB built you a motor, it failed, they can't promise you a timeframe to get another one done, so what right would they have to be pissed no matter who you chose to build your next engine...their rival or not?

Frankly, had their engine not failed you wouldn't be in this situation. Now note, I am not blaming DB, engines fail...unfortunately that's part of the risk we take in the modding game.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

^

IIRC There are quite a few more factors in this engine fail then the fact that DB built it.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Please don't think I'm blaming the failure on DB, I am not. All I am saying is Murlo gave DB the opportunity to take care of his engine and if they're unable to then I see no reason why they'd be upset no matter where he decided to go to accommodate his timetable.

I'm just trying to look at the situation as a neutral outside party.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Move to TX. Take your car to Cobb to fix it. Enjoy your Evo X all year round. Win for everyone! :D

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

^He missed out on the cruise, we had a lot of great presents for him :D

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Scheides had MAP assemble his short block. From what I've seen in my brief time in this hobby, it's best to have that done by an experienced machine shop. I base that comment on national threads and not just local people.

If DB doesn't want to grow their business by adding techs then that's their business decision. That will sometimes result in customers taking business to another shop with more capacity. That's all it is, no need to read more into it. I take my small jobs to RS because they are convenient to me and have more staff.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I concur, I misunderstood the first time I read it.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I don't know...all I know is that lets say for instance my "awesome" luck continues and more motor problems occur and I get the "finger pointing" scenario because two shops are rivals then what? I get screwed.

I don't think DB is mad at me I haven't done anything wrong, I just think having two rival shops work on my car at the same time invites problems but hey i could be wrong.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Sell it.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Best idea ever.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Don't be silly. I say use all resources (local and national) necessary to get it back on the road asap. That's what I did, but I assembled it all in my garage.

IMHO? Talk to MAP about building you a 4b12 motor (read: no core required). Have DB rebuild the motor that's already in there and then sell it once its complete. Whoever has time to assemble/install said engine once it is completed, have them do it. If it's DB, maybe they'll help you out, maybe not. If it's MAP maybe they'll give you a deal, maybe not.

You're right, you're in a pickle. You gotta do whatever you can to keep moving forward, I learned that hard when my motor went. It wasn't easy, but I had to move every piece through whoever could help me get it done quickest.

I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year for this reason. Second option? Sell the honda and buy a different honda (S2000!) and enjoy it for the summer. I found that having my evo down was a lot easier with the fact that I had the GLI (turbo, sporty) to drive every day.

Just my $.02. Use the community you have around you :)

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Dave, you're reading into this way too much.

Yes, drama exists. Deal with it if and when it ever comes up. Your current plan is to throw money away because you don't want to cause problems? Who cares. That's between the two shops and has zero bearing (heh, bearing) on what you need to do to quickly get your car on the road as cheaply as possibly (i.e. not shipping it to Chicago).

Long story short, just do what you need to do. Nobody's going to turn themselves into Luther Mitsu on you over a fucking motor.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Hmmm, yea still no idea what to do. All I know is modding is spensive.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Put a turbine engine in the back seat/out the trunk and call it a day.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

:score010:

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Maybe you are right, maybe I am just caring too much about little stuff. It's not like taking the shortblock to AMS/ERL/MAP is affecting how much I give DB for money in the end. I was very clear with DB its not an issue of quality but simple time frame.

I have some thinking to do...but for now some drinking instead.

Drink don't think I say!

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I love it!

(also practicing it)

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Bingo. I guess I don't see what the big deal is if DB can't meet your time frame. If you're sending it to someone else anyway, it might as well be someone local and MAP seems to be the logical choice.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Heard from Danny today, the shortblock is almost fully torn down. Sounds like just the sensors and little stuff are left and he said he was going to try and get to that tomorrow. So it sounds like this week he is crating up the shortblock and shipping it to ERL for sleeving and building.

It will be getting a 90mm bore to a 2.2L motor. Then I will be getting hotdogs crank shipped to them for micropolishing, all new bearings align hone etc and assembly. I decided that 10.5:1 is a bit too much and is just too out there for me. I'd love to try that high of compression but I don't want to experiment. I will either go for the AMS 9.5:1 pistons that are in stock or if ERL can get custom 10:1 pistons in time I'll try that.

Sounds like 4-6 weeks for the shortblock then back it comes. I did check with Chris on doing it locally but it was a better deal to ship it and ERL does fabulous work from what I've seen.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Glad to see you'll have it back sooner rather than later this time!

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

Well hopefully its a bit quicker this time, the head doesn't need machining this time which took quite a while last time.

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

IfThat's awesome hopefully you and me will be back kicking ass soon :) Until then party on!

Re: Dave's Evo X Build/The Life of Dave blog
 

I know I posted this on the evomn forum but I still would have never guessed in the end, you would be polishing Hotdog's crank. :D

Like the new build, can't wait to see how it performs!