Changing rods, what should be done and how is it done?

[Rusty]

Breaking things costs a lot more than paying an experienced engine builder to do it. I've got all this to look forward to at the end of the year...

[Jonas_R]

Andy: What do you think an engine builder will charge for changing rods, rod bearings, piston rings, honing, and regapping`?

[Rusty]

Not too sure having never paid for that sort of work. I'd guess that it's a few hours work at something like £50 an hour over here. If I had to guess then I suppose something like £300... but that's a guess.

[Bram]

check my project page: http://www.s2forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28808

I did it myself with some help of a former mechanic. Make sure you have the right tools, like a piston ring clamp to put the pistons back in the block, a honing tool, and some more things. Maybe it is better to do it at a garage, since you need a bridge to load up your car to access the bottom of your engine as well.

Good luck

[Jonas_R]

Yeah that is my problem I dont have the right tools etc. and I dont have former mechanic friend. Think I best have garage do it then

[EspenW]

Upgrade the ignition system instead, that is what causes trouble with this particular setup. Remember that people are running 600nm+ on otherwise stock ADU's (same rods as you've got, the difference is one coil vs 5 coils.
Uprated rods might stand up to the inevitable detonation/spark hop issues that you are likely to run into, but they are really only masking the problem, as you are likely to hammer the rod bearings and crank journals as well.

[Bram]

That would be another project

[EspenW]

Going to multi coil setup is a project, but upgrading to a more powerful coil isn't that bad.. One thing to make absolutely sure is that one is running the correct, narrow tip rotor.

[Jonas_R]

Running RS2 rod bearings so dont believe i will hammer them

[EspenW]

Running RS2 rod bearings so dont believe i will hammer them

3B typical high boost spark hop induced pre-ignition will hammer any rod bearing

[Jonas_R]

Yeah oki then there really is not point in upgrading bearings etc. It would simply be smart to run 034motorsport single coil kit then?

[EspenW]

Yep, what you need to make sure is that the spark is powerful enough, even under high boost, in order to avoid spark hop. Separate coils completely solves the spark hop issue, but a powerful coil is a great step in the right direction. Spark hop causes the cylinder to fire at the wrong time, pre igniting the mixture, bending the rod in the procress..

[DJones]

I don't think you will find many reputable garages that want to put their good name to half a job.

You will probably find that they want the block out to do a proper job of changing the rods new oil pump etc etc.

Only my 2p

[Graham]

To hone the bore's i recomend THESE. I use them on hydraulic cylinders and they are recomended for car cylinder bores. Plus anyone with a drill can use them, there is no danger of over doing one spot in the bore as they self center and give even pressure all round.

[S2central.net]

You *could* just uprate the rods and bearings, keeping stock pistons and rings as they are - as long as you say bores are good for compression and oil usage.

Thats still a job that requires head and sump off, with lots of new bolts and gaskets along the way.

Not for the inexperienced mechanic, but not impossible to do at home with the right approach and not rushing things... Always bad when building an engine !