Rebuild or Replace?

[jmcboost]

Just wanted some input as to what I should do as a next step in the HP gain process. I am currently on an engine that has 150k on it and is starting the head gasket issues and also I think rod knock. The lifters make noise also. My question is what is most cost efficiant for getting the engine to a reliable state so that I can pump out more power and get it running good again, rebuild my engine or replace it? I would like to get close to the 400hp mark. I have looked at the 7MGTE's on ebay, are those any good? For a rebuild does anyone know someone in the ST. Louis area that is good, For a replacment what about JARCO are they trustworthy?

My mods as of now are:

Lex AFM
3 in turbo back exhaust
Boost controller set at 12 to 15 psi
Cold air intake
Stock engine internals and turbo.

 

[GrimJack]

Rebuild! Replacement engines are still an unknown quality, a rebuilt gives you a stout platform that you know every detail on.

Replacements are great for people with very little time.

 

[jmcboost]

Where is a good place to get it rebuilt?

 

[CSquared]

See if there is a forum for imports around your area or post up in the location decited forum on this board and see who the other import/supra guys are using.

I'd make sure it was a reputable shop though. I HATE letting other people touch my car but i've had experiences with people half-assing work in the past.

Like isaid though... ask around.

 

[jmcboost]

Anybody know of a shop in the Cape Girardeau/ ST. louis area for good rebuilds? Or whose good to send an engine to?

 

[Charlie97L]

if you post here, you'll probably have better luck, this is the midwest forum.

http://www.supramania.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=20

 

[hoopdug2k2]

Just wanted some input as to what I should do as a next step in the HP gain process. I am currently on an engine that has 150k on it and is starting the head gasket issues and also I think rod knock. The lifters make noise also. My question is what is most cost efficiant for getting the engine to a reliable state so that I can pump out more power and get it running good again, rebuild my engine or replace it? I would like to get close to the 400hp mark. I have looked at the 7MGTE's on ebay, are those any good? For a rebuild does anyone know someone in the ST. Louis area that is good, For a replacment what about JARCO are they trustworthy?

My mods as of now are:

Lex AFM
3 in turbo back exhaust
Boost controller set at 12 to 15 psi
Cold air intake
Stock engine internals and turbo.

Rebuild or I bought a jasper motor. 3 year 75k warranty only had problem with this rebuilt turbo.

 

[JT87NA]

Rebuild! Replacement engines are still an unknown quality, a rebuilt gives you a stout platform that you know every detail on.

Replacements are great for people with very little time.

Agree fully, I got an engine from ATK. After a year or so I decided to turbo it. This engine had 15k on it. Long story short I went lean and cracked a piston through the ringland. I take the blame for the piston. I dissasembled the engine and brought it to my machine shop. Under further inspection the bores were tapered 2 thousandths at the bottom because of shitty boring/honing. My machinist recommended I mag the crank. We ended up magging it and found two cracks in journals 1 and 6. He said this is actually one of the better rebuilds he has seen out of production rebuilders. He had a customer come in and order a piston from him because he was getting piston slap from his rebuilt engine from Jasper. My machinist ordered him a .020 over piston because that is what the piston the guy brought in measured. Well a few weeks later the guy comes back and says hey I have piston slap again. My machinist tells him to bring in the engine so he can have a look. Needless to say one of the bores was .040 over and they had stuck a .020 piston in. The rest of the bores were .020.

 

[suprarcr89]

rebuild. because you can get a jdm and have an issue and so on. Ive seen a few guys go through bad jdm engines when they got them... you know the state of your engine now and you rebuild it and add metal headgasket and you have a reliable engine...

just my .02

-Ken

 

[Arther3]

hmmm...
hone block, new rings....you will need to get crank turned if you do have rod knock and get main and rod bearings...get the block decked...shim oil pump...new gaskets and whatever else i left out that someone else can add in.