A couple questions before my engine swap

[98klipz]

My fellow DSMers,

I currently drive a 1998 Eclipse RS with 110,000 miles. I am a senior in highschool and my dad told me that he wanted to have me keep my car during college and that he would agree to get me a new engine. I am now in the devastatingly slow process of trying to find a new engine for my car. My hopes and dreams for a turbocharged DSM are now possible. By the time the engine would be ready, I will have close to $4500 to put into it, ontop of whatever my dad finds for an engine.

I have spent alot of time trying to find out what makes sense in this situation and from what I can tell it almost doesnt make sense to try to put the turbo enigne in because it isnt really compatable but i'll ask anways.

What are the best ways to go about getting a new engine (rebuild an old, find a new...etc)?

When looking for an engine, should I try to find a nonturbo, and then put an aftermarket turbo on it, or is it best to start with a factory one and then modify that?

I am not sure if im asking the right questions here but if anyone could offer me some advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[EvuLFleA]

www.howellautomotive.com

Find an engine to your liking over there.

 

[98klipz]

Does this company sell the parts used to rebuild the engine, or do they sell engines as a whole? (I would take either one) I emailed them and asked this same question in case you didnt know.

 

[dudasd]

They sell the rebuild kits also. You can order whatever flavor you want 8.5:1, 10.5:1 or 12:1.....stock bore, .010 over oor .020 over, etc etc.....

 

[siueclipse]

if you have the loot, get the 2.2 stroker motor, then go to hahnracecraft.com and buy a stage 2 with fmic turbo kit, a set of injectors, an exhaust, and youll be very happy

 

[98klipz]

Awesome, im definitely going to go ahead and do a rebuild to something bigger, and then buy the stage two hahn. siueclipse: is this what you are currently running? would is be more cost effective to do a rebuild or to buy the new engine?

 

[siueclipse]

well.. both are very expensive. if i had the money, i would just buy the block

J

 

[98klipz]

somehow, i have gotten myself into a situation where money doesn't quite matter because my other alternative would be getting a new car. Given that my dad only offered 5,000 when I originally bought my car, im guessing that is about my budget for this project, plus what I can put on top. I havent been able to find the block on their website thus far, how much do you think it is?

 

[98klipz]

Correction, I found the four different engines that they offer. two 2.0s and two 2.2s. Each description says that the engines are for race use only, do you think this means it would be impossible to pass smog with them? Also, when they say "without core" or "with core" what exactly does that mean? Im sorry im asking so many nit picky questions, I just recently got into this and I'm all excited now. Thank you for expressing interest and helping me so far.

 

[Malenko]

with core means you send them your old block, without means you dont.

my thermal catback said for race use only as well, so.... think about it

 

[dudasd]

They label them as Race Use Only to avoid having to give any kind of warranty on it. At least in Howells case. They know that if you are rebuilding and want to beef up the internals then you are doing more than just standard daily driving. It's pretty much once you get it and put it in then your responsible for what you do after that point.

 

[kagegod]

Well you have two major options: Hahn Racecraft Kit and Star Turbo Kit. Both Stage II come with similar components it's just mainly a personal preference as to which you want. yes the turbos are different, and there are many subtle differences, but it is primarily the same stuff (turbo, BOV, FMIC, etc). If you search this forum you'll find MANY threads where the two sides argue it out so there's no need to post it here. Good luck with the engine & turbo!

 

[98klipz]

Awesome, it is always nice to have two very good options. Has anybody here done an engine replacement with the Howell Automotive engines? If so did they put a turbo on it?

I have yet to talk to anyone who has it other than one of their salesmen.

 

[siueclipse]

i was going to buy the 2.2 stroker, but didn't have the money and i wanted to get my car running so i just bought the bottom end kit.

James

 

[98klipz]

siueclipse: You have a very simliar set up to what I plan on doing. (The newer engine internals and the Hahn Stage II) Have you had any problems with this set up at all? If so what would you have done differently? I will be getting the 2.2L Stroker.

 

[Kirby]

I have the 2.2L stroker waiting to go in next weekend, Green95hrcgs (I thinkthat's the name) Has it also but I don't know if he is done with install. If he is you can ask him. I will have a full update when I'm done but I'm doing a lot of other stuff at the same time so I don't know what I'm really going to be able to see, it's going to be a beast regardless.

 

[98klipz]

So by buying the HRC Stage II and the Howell 2.2L stroker, is this enough to have the engine last for a while. When I called the Howell they said that the stroker crate engine was the "whole bottom end" does this mean that i need to buy their "top end kit" in order to make the deal complete? (kirby, i PMed u with a simliar question but i figured for the benefit of others, i would ask here also)

 

[Kirby]

I was going to send you an e-mail but I will reply here instead. Your head is prolly fine my friend, you can look at it when you do the bottom end, if the parts look warn then replace them but I think you'll be fine. The main part that you need to beef up is the bottom end. While your in there replacing the block do the clutch too, pick something that will support your eventual goals. As for Howell I have met Gary several times, a few of those at the track. The guy's there know their shit, they are great. As for delivery it depends on the time of year. I orderd mine in the winter which is prime time for motor swaps and all so it took a little longer. Usually it's 4-6 weeks, but they are pre building a few of the more popular block combos, so when you order it might even go out same day!!! They posted about this the other day on 2gnt. Their work is top notch the block I have is beautiful!!!! Like any other company though some have had bad experiences, I never have, Gary even offerd to help me at the track a few times with tuning.

 

[98klipz]

Thank you, that was about as good of a company review as I have heard in a long time. As for the clutch, my father told me that he would be willing to replace my clutch during this whole process. I dont really understand how they advertise and describe the clutches. Because you have a simliar set up, what would you reccomend?

 

[Kirby]

If your going to make a mess of power you need a clutch masters stage 4 or mabye one of motofools clutches. How much power do you want to make?

 

[98klipz]

My #1 priority is to have my car be an effective daily driver. I have a 40 minute drive to and from school everyday, so my car needs reasonably catered to the "daily driver" status. This isnt to say that I dont want more horsepower. I'm not exactly set on a specific number or anything. Basically whatever the stroker and the stage 2 will deliver will be fine. I dont plan on upgrading the engine past that point unless it is something necassary to keep the car running fine.

 

[98klipz]

I have heard after talking around a little bit that sometimes you need to change the transmission (gear ratios...etc.) when upgrading to a new engine with much more power. Is this necessary, or can I get off with just a new clutch?

 

[HighPSI TSi Guy]

i would think your tranny should hold fine.. hahn and star kitted guys have put several hundred over stock through the stock tranny..

you may want to look at LSD to help get traction with all that power.. don't need to be doing burnouts on the way to school

 

[siueclipse]

Originally posted by 98klipz
I have heard after talking around a little bit that sometimes you need to change the transmission (gear ratios...etc.) when upgrading to a new engine with much more power. Is this necessary, or can I get off with just a new clutch?

you dont need to play with the transmission. if you start pushing over 400hp, definetly watch the nutral drops, because the axles could snap, (thats what im going to have to watch out for). you can get by with the stock clutch for awhile, but since you are going to pull the motor, you might as well change it.

an LSD is definetly a good buy. with my stage 2, i spun tires in 1st and 2nd gear easily. 3rd would do it every now and then. Now that im around 400hp, i definetly bought one.

J

 

[98klipz]

First of all, thank you all for the helpful information you have given me so far, it has been invaluable in my pursuit for knowledge...

Has anyone found any information on the longevity (sp?) of the howell crate engines? They tend to be described on the company website as "race motors" which lends me to believe that they are good for high stress conditions for short amounts of time.

I know this may have been said before, but how would the crate engine and the stock head go together?