Changing Pistons Without Removing Motor

[yesItsdsm]

This may be a rookie question but I have searched and cannot find info. Is it possible to change the pistons without removing the block from the car? Seems like I could remove the head, drop the pan - and work from there. I dont have much engine building experience but I want to swap turbo pistons into my n/t.

 

[95blackGsTurbo]

Depending on the miles and condition of the motor you could do it. You will want to rehone the cylinder walls as long as they are scratch or grooved. If they are you will need to pull it out and get it honed.

 

[JayRolla]

Yea it can be done. I blew my head and the valves messed up the pistons but the block was fine. My mechanic charged me $200 to put in good pistons without taking the motor out.

 

[Stainbox12]

O well.. i still can't believe that people pay those amounts of money, just for doing such a simple task. Last time i did an engine rebuild, it was 200, including taking the whole engine out. Nowdays, i know that having a Dsm, is working on it, and learning how to do everything. In answer to your question, yes, it can be done, make sure, the crank is turned in the right position so the rods align to it, and get a ring compressor, it would make the work easier.

 

[JayRolla]

I could have done it myself. My mechanic is well priced and I didnt feel like doing it. The motor I have now I put in myself. Ive never built a dsm motor but ive done everything else. I like the warranty that my mechanic gives me.

 

[yesItsdsm]

Thanks guys! I'm getting turbo pistons and a MLS headgasket for christmas and putting them in during my break from college this winter.

edit: Excited and forgot to ask: How will doing this effect my cars performance? Obviously it will be slower but what about other factors like mpg and driveability? My compression will be about the same as a stock turbo 1g? I am using this headgasket (ebay Item number: 320054034363).

 

[timloomis]

Your gas economy will go down and so will your horsepower.Basically,a stock 1.8 will be faster than your car.The ecu and injectors are set up for 9:1 compression,not the 7.8:1 your putting in.Your doing the turbo swap right?

 

[blkmjk]

it can be done but it is much easier with the motor out. i did the balance shaft removal kit with the engine in and car on the ground. bad idea i should have done it wheni had the engine out. imo

 

[Ben-Stian]

No problem. Remove head, oilpan, downpipe and tranfercase(awd). Remember to fasten headbolts and rod bolt to the specified torque.

 

[yesItsdsm]

Sounds good.. I will change the pistons with the block in the car. I was in doubt for a bit because I was thinking I would be detaching the block to upgrade my clutch but instead I will have a local shop do the clutch job for me to cut the time of the project.

I also reconsidered changing the pistons so fast before I boost because I dont wanna drive around with bad mpg (and I had a 1.8 and I NEVER wanna go back to that curse of slowness ) So i'll just wait until I have all my parts

Thanks guys..

 

[Quasimondo]

It's possible, but I wouldn't recommend it. What kind of working environment will you be doing this piston removal in? How are you going to keep the replacement bearings (or any other part for that matter) free from dirt contamination? Do you like spending all day laying on your back to do this replacement, or will you have access to a lift?

If you pull the engine to replace the pistons, you won't have to have a shop do your clutch as you can do that yourself when you're mating the transmission back with the engine.

Personally, I think you'll be making this a lot harder for yourself trying to replace pistons with the block in the car instead of pulling the engine and doing all of the work on an engine stand.

 

[JayRolla]

It's possible, but I wouldn't recommend it. What kind of working environment will you be doing this piston removal in? How are you going to keep the replacement bearings (or any other part for that matter) free from dirt contamination? Do you like spending all day laying on your back to do this replacement, or will you have access to a lift?

If you pull the engine to replace the pistons, you won't have to have a shop do your clutch as you can do that yourself when you're mating the transmission back with the engine.

Personally, I think you'll be making this a lot harder for yourself trying to replace pistons with the block in the car instead of pulling the engine and doing all of the work on an engine stand.

This is true, my mechanic does have a lift and its way easier with the car in the air.

 

[Stainbox12]

Sounds good.. I will change the pistons with the block in the car. I was in doubt for a bit because I was thinking I would be detaching the block to upgrade my clutch but instead I will have a local shop do the clutch job for me to cut the time of the project.

I also reconsidered changing the pistons so fast before I boost because I dont wanna drive around with bad mpg (and I had a 1.8 and I NEVER wanna go back to that curse of slowness ) So i'll just wait until I have all my parts

Thanks guys..

I guess, you might want to upgrade your vehicle profile. In the case, you have a turbo car, and people here, think you still have the 1.8 N/T.

 

[95 'clipse RS]

if this helps anyones perspective on this, great, but i have rebulit the engine in my 92 gs without removing the engine.

due to the timing belt failing at around 3500rpm, the pistons got hit pretty hard. so i thought they were toast, took em out and they seemed fine. had em hot tanked, cleaned out the oil ring passages and holes in the pistons for the oil rings, rehoned the cylinders myself, put new rod bearings and pistons rings in, along with the fully rebulit head. the job wasnt bad at all. spent about 20-30min on my back under the block and everything went pretty smooth. now i have the compression of a newly built engine, and got a pretty good power increase due to increased compression.

it can be done, you just have to be careful. i hope this helps you out.

 

[yesItsdsm]

I guess, you might want to upgrade your vehicle profile. In the case, you have a turbo car, and people here, think you still have the 1.8 N/T.

You misunderstand my post and vehicle profile. I have a the 4g63 n/t in my car. I would be swapping to turbo pistons in order to run more boost safely when I turbocharge my car. I USED to own a 1.8 n/t.

Anyways, It seems as if people are going every which way with this so maybe this will help paint the picture. I will be working in a garage, no lift, the car will have to be on stands. I really dont mind working on my back though. If it would be better to take the motor out in this case then im guessing thats what I should do. (which would be my first time pulling my OWN motor - i've helped my friendwith his Hondas before).. I was trying to say away from this but I guess I may have to man up

 

[Quasimondo]

Pull the motor to work on it. You've said it yourself that you don't have much engine building experience. If that's the case, you shouldn't be learning this in such an akward manner.

 

[Soup Can]

like quasi pointed out if you aren't sure what you're doing then take it somewhere...i've seen more folded rings than I can count from first time installers...if you've done it before though, its a breeze to do without removing the engine...like the poster above I had a timing belt break and take out the valves...but unfortunately the valves went straight through the pistons and ended up in my oil pan(for those doubters I can throw up pics)...at any rate took me a few hours underneathe the car on the creeper with my buddy uptop lowering the pistons and rods down while I lined them up on the crank...saved me atleast 8hrs in yank time if I would of removed the engine from the car...

 

[yesItsdsm]

cool.. I'll just wait till im out of school and yank the motor

 

[95 'clipse RS]

like quasi pointed out if you aren't sure what you're doing then take it somewhere...i've seen more folded rings than I can count from first time installers...if you've done it before though, its a breeze to do without removing the engine...like the poster above I had a timing belt break and take out the valves...but unfortunately the valves went straight through the pistons and ended up in my oil pan(for those doubters I can throw up pics)...at any rate took me a few hours underneathe the car on the creeper with my buddy uptop lowering the pistons and rods down while I lined them up on the crank...saved me atleast 8hrs in yank time if I would of removed the engine from the car...

same procedure i followed, i was underneath on the creeper and had my dad lower down the pistons and what not. id say just research a bit on how to do what you're doin here yesItsdsm and see if ya can do it without pullin the motor, it would save ya hassles, struggles, and time. carefully it can be done, ya jus have to triple check things and make sure everything's perfect in there. jus my .02 tho.