3B bottom end rebuild cost

[20Vcqdriver]

How much to rebuild a 3 bottom end. First trip out in 5 months and the old girl was fairly chucking out black smoke and this is with a new turbo during the last 6 months SORN period and a refurbed head in early 2008. Think one of the bores damaged. Doh! Would it be cheaper to try and find another 3B block.....Do not have the funds for expensive bottom end upgrade but with secondhand block could gradually rebuild during the next 12 months as funds allowed... Looks like I'll only be using the car for shows this year.

[Rusty]

Looking at about £1k if you need a new oil pump and want it balanced. A tad more for rods too (Aronmatic has rods for good money). A tad less if you beg, borrow and steal

[Acidburn]

Problem with getting another bottom end is what I had, I needed the bores done on mine so now I need new pistons

[goodall]

time for a stroker?

it will all depend what you do, if worn rings then just a set rings needed but if bore beyond limit rebore and new pistons, then do you or do you not replace the bearing, and then how about getting crank reground

i have a 120k wc 10v n/a in bit atm and it really needs all the stuff machined again, but could get away new bearings and rings, but wouldent be perfect

[20Vcqdriver]

Pretty sure No1 bore damaged after getting moisture in over Winter (long story). Picking up a cheap 3B block and gradually building up with ABY bearing shells and oversize pistons over the next 12months looks the likely route. Will look round for cheap block... No intention to chase 350bhp+ so this is all that would be needed. Timing of this could not be worse....

[Rusty]

Good luck with it all... mine needs doing for peace of mind at 7k and 120mph up through Kesselchen on a ring lap or up to Avon Rise at ADI

[Jamo]

If the bore is damaged get another block as you will need to buy oversized pistons as well as having the block rebored.

[20Vcqdriver]

Thanks everyone. One thing I had not considered is that the refurbed turbo seals are faulty. This is the only item I have changed during this years SORN period, but just assumed the moisture in No 1 bore was to blame (ran smoke free last year). Has anyone had a refurbed turbo blow smoke? Basically switch off engine and restart 20secs later and a plume of smoke appears and then clears. Some smoke on gear changes but not on overun which is where I would expect to see it if bore damaged (Refurbed head last year too). Going to Renn-Tech tomorrow for a few tests so let you know the results.

[Acidburn]

Where did you have the turbo done?

and might be worth pm'ing spink he might have a spare bottom end, think he has an aby one

[S2central.net]

Thanks everyone. One thing I had not considered is that the refurbed turbo seals are faulty. This is the only item I have changed during this years SORN period, but just assumed the moisture in No 1 bore was to blame (ran smoke free last year). Has anyone had a refurbed turbo blow smoke? Basically switch off engine and restart 20secs later and a plume of smoke appears and then clears. Some smoke on gear changes but not on overun which is where I would expect to see it if bore damaged (Refurbed head last year too). Going to Renn-Tech tomorrow for a few tests so let you know the results.

Get a compression test done - and a leak down test as well.

[20Vcqdriver]

Get a compression test done - and a leak down test as well.

Compression test came out at 160 each cylinder but looks like No1 oil control ring gone as on removing No1 spark plug small plume of smoke came out with it. Last thing I needed at the start of the show season. Unlikely to get sorted now until SORN starts on 1st October. Will have to take it easy when driving it and only to shows now. B*******s
If Lynn finds out it needs a new block she'll insist I get rid so will have to keep this disaster hush hush!

[Greenm3]

I have had the same problem actually, exactly the same circumstances, rebuilt top end, new turbo etc. Didn't touch the bottom end and have exactly the same symptoms.
I put it down to PCV system, I replaced pretty much all of it and it helped a lot but hasn't totally cured it. Could still be the valve guides even though they are new but thought this unlikely.
It is a bit embarrassing every now and then but have been living with it as it doesn't seem to affect the performance and is very little oil usage, so I just ignore it but if you were to find out defiantly what it is I would eb grateful, and likewise I will post up what it is if I can track it down.
Mike

[20Vcqdriver]

Poor turbo rebuild

Well had the results from Tim and after a drive he had no hesitation in proclaiming the 'refurbed' turbo seals the cause of the smoke much to my relief. If the oil ring had gone then I would have had blow back through the filler cap when removed apparently but there was nothing. So am about to start the strip down to get it out once its cooled a bit and contact ITS turbos for an explanation. In the mean time 'Amanda' has leant me her spare MB one so I can prove I have no other issues.

[Rusty]

Careful if running an MB turbo on a 3B, they are not the same, MB is k26, 3B is k24 AFAIK.

[goodall]

mb is k24, wr is k26, was one the changes to reduce lag
however i dont think the mb has water cooling...