Project: Fix Car

[mdost03]

Alright, well I guess I haven't really updated anyone on my car's progress so I thought I would make a thread.

About a month after I bought my car, it developed symptoms of smoking at idle and after boosting. I tried a bunch of things but to no avail. Did a compression test (wet and dry) and figured I had bad rings as there was a drastic difference in numbers between the 2 tests and I was pushing oil out of my exhaust ports. Figured I would see how long it would last and how bad it got. Well, after a week from that, I FINALLY got my cable to log (took about a month to get one to match up with my palm) and went out in the country to see how the engine was doing. After doing a 3rd gear pull, I tried to shift into 4th, but no dice. Finally got it in and tried slowing down and going back into 3rd, but did not want to go in there either. Limped it home in 4th gear and that is where it had been sitting for 2 months. Would shift into gears with the car off, but not when the car was running.

Figured this would be the best time to fix the shit since I couldn't drive it, so I tore the engine apart (first 4G63 dabbled with) and brought the head in to the machine shop to get checked out. Meanwhile I ordered up all my parts to get the car going and sold/traded the 50 trim setup for extra cash and a 16g setup to fix it

Talked to the machine shop guy and he said I had a blown headgasket between the cylinders and there is where my compression problem was. Not to mention the valve stem seals were shot beyond belief (my oil problem) and that it was pretty warped. Said it seemed like whoever put the head on did not torque sequence the studs, nor even torque them to a certain ft lb. for that matter. Was a relief that at least I would not have to replace piston rings and save time. Got the engine all buttoned up this last week and towed it to a shop to get the clutch issue checked out (not a drivetrain expert and don't want to mess it up). Talked to him today and he said some of the clutch springs had popped out so they were working on that today and hopefully get it done soon.

I am very excited to drive the thing again. In the time it was down, I have fixed so many minor bs things that were pissing me off, so hopefully it will be back and better than ever.

Here is the current mods on the car now:

-MAPerformance Stage 1 Built Shortblock:
•Hot Tank/Boil Block
•Polished Crank
•Balanced Rotating Assembly
•ACL Race Series Main and Rod Bearings
•Overbore with Torque Plate
•Fully Decked Block Surface
•Mahle Forged Pistons (8.5:1 CR)
•Eagle Connecting Rods
-HKS 272 Cams
-MHI S16g turbo (A lot Smaller )
-2g Exhaust Manifold
-Megan Racing O2 Housing Recirculated
-2.5" Downpipe to Custom Catless 3" Exhaust
-Tial Q BOV
-FMIC
-Custom IC Piping
-660cc Injectors
-MAF-T/SAFC2
-Catch Can and Crank Vents
-Mishimoto Aluminum Radiator with 2 12" pusher fans
-3" Intake with Vibrant Performance Filter

and more little junk that could be considered "mods".

On to some of the pics of my progress. Sorry they are scarce as I tend to forget to take pictures as I go.



























Don't have a "finished" engine bay pic yet, but once I get the car back, it will be up.

Towed at the shop:




That's all for now, now everyone knows what I have been up to.

Owned the car for 5 months now, have driven it for literally 2.5 months total. Damn DSMs :thumpdown Hopefully it will last longer this time.