Project Budget TSi...

[91TurboTalonFWD]

Ok so ive decided to fix all the bads in my tsi... im on a budget so i will need some information on what cheap parts are good.

Im going to pull the head and have it checked and resurfaced if needed, should i take the block in and have it looked at too and or decked?

Is the felpro advance auto parts head gasket good for a stock build? Can i use the advance auto parts head bolts?

 

[TwoLiterLaser]

Honestly, cheap parts are usually not the best. You probably should decide what you really want to do with the car. Is it your daily driver? If you want to return it to stock condition and make it a very reliable rig then you should be rebuilding the bottom end as well as the top. But if you are wanting to go with some type of build and make some power then you almost certainly have to sink some money in the bottom end.

A stock bottom end that has been freshened with some bearings, pistons, rings, gaskets and machining can certainly handle some power, but I would not feel safe past 350hp for anything I drive daily.

Some companies offer some decent rebuild kits for decent prices. I have used a Top Line kit that was very cheap that included almost everything I needed for the rebuild.

 

[91TurboTalonFWD]

Im not looking anywhere close to 350 horsepower... A couple memebers on here told me a totally STOCK UNTOUCHED 6Bolt can handle 300hp for years but im far from that i just want to get it back to stock so i can drive it daily

 

[TwoLiterLaser]

Check on eBay for the Top Line engine rebuild kit. I would recommend going with .020 over pistons and getting the block bored so you know the cylinders are in round. The rebuild kit should come with main and rod bearings, pistons, rings and a complete gasket kit, along with other items that you will be needing.

Getting the head and block re-surfaced will be cheap and great things to do. I would get new valves, guides and seals and get a valve job.

Get new timing equipment, all of it, bearings, tensioner, belts.

A new oil pump would be great too.

All told, you are going to be spending a decent amount of dime, but with a freshened engine you can add some power parts later on and feel confident you have a stout bottom and top end that can handle the abuse.

 

[91TurboTalonFWD]

Nevermind i even asked this question you must have not read what i posted... Dont reply to my threads i appreciate your help but just dont reply... I didnt ask what i should rebuild i put up there what i was going to do and if that was ok or if i should change a brand or something and here you are throwing me rebuild kits and what youve done im going to run a 14b all stock theres no need for a rebuild or boring to be done!

 

[90tsidude]

Felpro is just fine. theres nothing wrong with felpro, hell they are one of if not the biggest name is gaskets. they meet and or exceed stock specs. unless you wanted a bulletproof gasket or thicker i see nothing wrong with felpro.

 

[91TurboTalonFWD]

Thank you 90Tsidude finally someone who can read and reply the right way

 

[S_Ranger]

Get hard icp made at a local muffler shop- stainless steel

Purchase a die grinder with carbide burr bits and start porting important things.

Buy a 2g o2 housing

Buy a 2g maf w/pigtail. I have an extra one btw

Open up your exhaust.

Buy an MBC>Boost Gauge

190 fuel pump

palm m100/m105 and cable to log


Boom, good start *

 

[91TurboTalonFWD]

Again with the modifications... I didnt ask what i could do to make my car faster i asked if those products were good please read what i posted before you reply back with something not having anything to do with the thread!

 

[90tsidude]

Ok so ive decided to fix all the bads in my tsi... im on a budget so i will need some information on what cheap parts are good.

Im going to pull the head and have it checked and resurfaced if needed, should i take the block in and have it looked at too and or decked?

Is the felpro advance auto parts head gasket good for a stock build? Can i use the advance auto parts head bolts?

Well i work for advance auto parts so felpro is our biggest supplier, ive done my research to better sell the product. just stay away from beck/arnely gaskets. they are garbage and expencive. As for the headbolts i would not get them, if your going to do it. you might aswell get arp studs. from what i hear its a pita but worth it. i have just heard about the bolts streching and causing heads to warp. you should have the block hot tanked. might as well start with a clean product.

 

[architechnik]

Ok, here's what you do: Drop $6k into the motor and... j/k

When you're just going for the basics, nearly any brand will perform quite well as long as it is specifically designated for your engine.
Most chains will offer their particular sponsored brand, or even a few variations/grades to that same brand. If you trust the store to shop there, you should be able to trust their sponsored products (unless it's Walmart). Considering the amount of money the company would have to dish out by selling defective components, especially something as important as a head gasket, these products are tested to at least OEM.

As for the block, that's a little more difficult to make a suggestion. When you pull the head, use a straight edge and check the surface and the cross measurements on the block and you'll have to make your own judgment call.

Also, when you take the head in, if they say it has a decent amount of resurfacing needed, I would highly suggest having the block done as well. I figure if it's one - then probably the other a little as well.

 

[91TurboTalonFWD]

Thanks again 90tsidude and architechnik those are the answers i was looking for not like these idiots posting up mods that i should do when im no where near that stage thanks again!

 

[TwoLiterLaser]

I did not post any mods. I also did not insult your need to validate your selection of gaskets due to your obvious lack of experience or just general knowledge.

"Im going to pull the head and have it checked and resurfaced if needed, should i take the block in and have it looked at too and or decked?"

Sounds to me like you are planning a more serious re-build than just simple gaskets.

"Is the felpro advance auto parts head gasket good for a stock BUILD? Can i use the advance auto parts head bolts?"

See, you used that wonderful word "build". Now why would you even say "build" if you did not mean that you were "building" your engine rather than simply slapping some gaskets on a 16 year old engine?

If you think that a re-build constitutes fresh gaskets and the possibilty of having the head re-surfaced then your inexperience is blatantly obvious. Fresh gaskets are routine maintainance, not a "re-build".

I think it is quite rude to insult people that are attempting to lead you in a better direction than what you are currently pointed.

Don't ask for OPINIONS if you are going to criticize the answers.

 

[1992GSX]

Definitely make sure you check all the suspension bushings and replace them as needed. i would definitely change your diff and tranny fluid too. Alot of people forget or ignore that but it makes a world of difference in driveability. As far as brands, just grab a couple quarts of amsoil. If your going just for a reliable cheap dd, you should be able to have a great car with 300-400 dollars

 

[S_Ranger]

Sheesh, 91awd is an ungrateful e-btch.

 

[S_Ranger]

I did not post any mods. I also did not insult your need to validate your selection of gaskets due to your obvious lack of experience or just general knowledge.

"Im going to pull the head and have it checked and resurfaced if needed, should i take the block in and have it looked at too and or decked?"

Sounds to me like you are planning a more serious re-build than just simple gaskets.

"Is the felpro advance auto parts head gasket good for a stock BUILD? Can i use the advance auto parts head bolts?"

See, you used that wonderful word "build". Now why would you even say "build" if you did not mean that you were "building" your engine rather than simply slapping some gaskets on a 16 year old engine?

If you think that a re-build constitutes fresh gaskets and the possibilty of having the head re-surfaced then your inexperience is blatantly obvious. Fresh gaskets are routine maintainance, not a "re-build".

I think it is quite rude to insult people that are attempting to lead you in a better direction than what you are currently pointed.

Don't ask for OPINIONS if you are going to criticize the answers.

Well put. He still is an e-btch though.

 

[91TurboTalonFWD]

I did not post any mods. I also did not insult your need to validate your selection of gaskets due to your obvious lack of experience or just general knowledge.

"Im going to pull the head and have it checked and resurfaced if needed, should i take the block in and have it looked at too and or decked?"

Sounds to me like you are planning a more serious re-build than just simple gaskets.

"Is the felpro advance auto parts head gasket good for a stock BUILD? Can i use the advance auto parts head bolts?"

See, you used that wonderful word "build". Now why would you even say "build" if you did not mean that you were "building" your engine rather than simply slapping some gaskets on a 16 year old engine?

If you think that a re-build constitutes fresh gaskets and the possibilty of having the head re-surfaced then your inexperience is blatantly obvious. Fresh gaskets are routine maintainance, not a "re-build".

I think it is quite rude to insult people that are attempting to lead you in a better direction than what you are currently pointed.

Don't ask for OPINIONS if you are going to criticize the answers.

I did use the world build but infront of the word built was the word STOCK... Me taking an engine apart and putting it back together is called a build for me... I know what a rebuild consits of and im not doing a full rebuild. People have told me to take the head in and have it checked and or resurfaced because a blown head gasket can cause it to warp and what not so thats why i asked that queston

 

[talon187]

again i agree with the feltpro being good the only thing i would do is use arp head studs when i did my build i was orignaly going to do a stock rebuild like you and every place i checked the regualr head studs were eaither more or 15 dollars less then the stock ones i mean somtimes you do get what you pay for but its all up to you how much boost do you plan on running anyway?

 

[talon187]

i would take a level to the block and see if its wraped if not clean her up and she shoulld be good to go if its wraped id send it out but again its up to you

 

[TwoLiterLaser]

Well, here is my OPINION:

Save the cash, buy the full rebuild and do it right the first time.

 

[91TurboTalonFWD]

Thanks guys and TwoLiter i apologize about earlier....

 

[91TurboTalonFWD]

After looking around on ebay i came across a rebuild kit for about 300 bucks it comes with the following...

Complete Gasket Set

All Seals

Expansion Plugs

Main Bearings

Rod Bearing

Set of Pistons

Piston Wrist Pins

Chrome Moly Piston Rings

Timing Belt

Is that a good rebuild setup?

 

[RipperXX]

From what I have read in a recent compairson over at DSMtalk.com the plain ARP head studs MAY not be any better than the OEM Mitsu head studs, when torqued correctly. I say plain because they do offer ones that are deffently stronger.

But I personally would NOT trust Advance and or AutoZone head studs.

 

[91TurboTalonFWD]

Ive decided to get the ARPs when i start my build up everyone has them so i might as well! How much are the Mitsu studs?

 

[TwoLiterLaser]

But I personally would NOT trust Advance and or AutoZone head studs.

Why not? A brand new set of hardened head bolts versus 16 year old head bolts? The ARP's are definitely going to be better, but if that is not what you want then a new set of OEM style head bolts is still better than old and used head bolts.

That rebuild kit is a great idea. That is a decent price also. One thing you have to keep in mind is that you should be getting over-sized pistons and having the block bored to make sure your aged cylinders are still in round.