Poll: rebuild or reuse?

[Facime]

ok here is the deal. I want to be able to turn the boost up to 20-25lbs. The engine my car is a complete unknown internally (externally its solid and has alot of new parts and is getting more). Im putting on a bunch of new parts that has the potential to exceed 450hp (I say potentially here, dont think I plan to run that everyday as my DD).

Im torn as to just how far I need to go this month to be ready for TX. I was originally thinking of just putting some parts on the motor and keeping the boost down. But Jay is making 370+ HP in his blue car and I would like to be on par with him (I suspect he will be over 400 by TX). So I thought, fine I will just do an MHG and hope the internals hold together until summer when I can do a full rebuild. However, to prep for a MHG (I dont know if there is one in here already or not, but I suspect not) I obviously need to prep the block and head. Well, if Im going that far why not just put new internal in right?

So you see, one thing naturally leads to another. The problem is I dont feel I have the time, money or manpower to really do that right now. I will have a garage, all my tools, and a buddy to help if I wait until after the TX event. Im thinking worst case scenario is I crank the boost up and blow the motor and have to rebuild then or find a replacement, which isnt neccesarily bad. Im really just torn and would like a little help deciding. So if you would be so kind as to consider carefully what I just said and give your best advice via the poll.

Also if you have another option please suggest it.
Thanks peoples

 

[suprahooked]

Why dont you pick up a long block and build it while you use your car that way you can build it right with forged pistons and all . Because if you run into a snag you will still be able to go to the Texas meet. Best of luck to you John

 

[Facime]

well, that is indeed another option. However, that option is even more expensive than #4. If I go with one of the other options I had planned to do that this summer. I wanted to do a serious motor, but I want to wait until Im at my final destination before I go buying big heavy hunks of cast iron I will need to haul around for nearly 3500 miles.

 

[supradan22]

I would go with the 4th option its better to do it right the first time that way you wouldnt have to tear it down again.

 

[supra90turbo]

I agree with John!
Remember: anything worth doing once is worth doing right. Build a spare block while you drive the car. Its the best of both worlds!

 

[KeithH]

... better to do it right the first time ...

I can't stress how much I agree with the above sentiment. We don't need another MkIII blowing up at another major event just to prove that if you don't do the job right the first time you will blow your $#!T up.

Do it right THEN go out there and WOW the crowd!

The Supra is NOT the weak link here. Crappy builds and poor maintenance cause more Supras to blow up than ANYTHING else!

 

[JoeC]

Yeah, you know my opinion :icon_razz Get that done right the first time. If you don't want any down time, you can pick up 7mgte's w/ bhg cheap. Like $100 is what we got ours for. Then build it while you drive your car.

 

[Facime]

Build a spare block while you drive the car.

This is NOT an option. It make zero sense to add the weight of a spare engine/stand/extra parts all the way to Houston and then up to Austin a few months later. When my wife and I split up I sold 80% of what I was left with just to be able to travel light.

Secondly, being down for a few weeks without a runner is not an issue. I have other transportation. The two biggest obstacles to doing a full rebuild before Texas is time and manpower. Its just "little 'ol 42year old falling apart at the seams me" doing this. My Dad is in his 80's, and my sister has never touched a wrench in her life. I have pulled Engine/Trans combos out by myself before, but it definately takes longer and has more risk.

Other than what I just said, Im hearing you guys about option #4. I really keep flip flopping between that and option 2.

 

[supra90turbo]

Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were going to be doing this before the move. Honestly though, I would do what I suggested, only once you've reached your destination.
I understand your predicament however.

Best of luck weez!

 

[turbotrev]

when i melted a piston i just said fuck it and went the complete build up tho i didnt have all the money for it at the time but i still made it possible.

the way i think about it, is since you have it out you might aswell put all the good stuff in it, so you dont have to take it out again and go through all the bs again and waste that much more money.

trev

 

[Big Wang Bandit]

Leave it alone. DOnt dyno at texas, Give Jay the limelight.


Then next year dyno 500hp and make everyones jaws drop after a bfull rebuild

 

[Murd]

Leave it alone. DOnt dyno at texas, Give Jay the limelight.


Then next year dyno 500hp and make everyones jaws drop after a bfull rebuild

what he said. Don't touch it till you're at your final destination then build it without a time constraint.

 

[ValgeKotkas]

word

 

[Rajunz]

No kidding, that's what I voted on, number 5, get your ass back to work making money...................:biglaugh:

Another one about to get caught up in the horsepower wars.....................

Makes no sense to do this now and then trying to rush it all back together just to make the trip. Sure enough you will have problems all the way down from things that got rushed. Simply put money onto making the car as reliable as possible for the trip to Texas. Once you get settled in to your new location and have those priorities lined out, then worry about building horsepower.

 

[shaeff]

I agree with John!
Remember: anything worth doing once is worth doing right. Build a spare block while you drive the car. Its the best of both worlds!

right on. that's what i did. i've now got a spare bare block waiting for me to get some money! haha. next winter= 700hp motor build if i have the parts ready by then...

-shaeff

 

[Facime]

Hells - Jay is already gonna have the limelight. Its just natural 'cause of what a nice guy he is. His car was RotM and in the top 3. I dont think Lucy would have a whole lot of chance stealing limelight away from him. I just wanted to Represent for the other 3E5's that are where I was 6 months ago.

Sup90 - Im actually not worried about time its really more a matter of weight. The less I have to haul the better.

Rajunz - You are one of the guys Im building my car for. I wanted to bring a nice but different red turbo to Austin. I was hoping to impress you a bit. Also, just to mention, Im not driving Lucy to TX, I'm trailering it. I also was hoping to get there a little early so I could button up and deal with some finishing touches if I needed to.


I can do an awful lot of stuff in a week. I work like a man possessed. But I think rebuilding it is out of the question for now. Leaning towards option 2 at this point.

 

[steve_mk3]

I say dont touch it, trailer it to TX and show up and participate in the meet.
If you open it up, that could lead to a rebuild which would mean you missed the meet.

The real question to me is are you willing to show up with the car you have now? If it is that important to put down 400 hp then get wrenching right now!

Otherwise be happy that you have a running supra, an acomplishment in and of itself.

 

[Facime]

Well, other than the occasional and ongoing issue of not wanting to start unless I stand on my head, spit nickles and yell horray, Lucy runs tip top. Doesnt use oil, stay nice and cool and has plenty of power for an old man like me.

But Im going through an early mid-life crisis and I need Lucy to be faster than the majority of cars I run up against. I can have a bit of an attitude at times. (I know, hard to believe huh? lol)

Cant start wrenchin now, got product to finish that helps pay for my hobby. I expect to have 2 full weeks here and just short of a week in Houston to do what I decide to do.

Whats the worst that can happen? I dont have a car for TX....there are worse things in life than not making the event. I have faith in my abilities. I know what Im capable of. Replacing a head gasket and torqueing to spec with ARP's is a walk in the park. Atleast knowledge and skill wise. I dont know how my body is going to like being bent over the fenders for a full day though. Bettter make sure I take my Geritol!

 

[da89soup]

Weezl I am sure you know Jay was making 406 on a stock 7m bottom along with many other members. I say use what you got!!!


But then what do I know Im NA!!!:biglaugh:

 

[Rajunz]

Weezl, I'm already impressed with your car, I love how you've made it your own.....................and don't worry about the meet. The dyno spots and the Road Racing are all taken up already. So unless you plan on doing the 60-130 runs or enter the drag races, there's really no need anyhow.

I didn't realize that you were trailering the car here, yeah in that case number 2 sounds like a good plan for the next year or so, or just crank up what you have to about 15psi and run the hell out of it.