1G 7bolt Engine Rebuild Tips 2024

[Gonza97]

Greetings mates
I´m in the process of rebuilding my 94´ Eclipse´s engine due to low compression (cylinder #1 40 psi, the rest of ´em below 120 psi), overheating, and popping dipstick issues, currently has 104k miles, and it´s on the shop already out of the car.
I´m going for 280/300 hp for now, car´s now bone stock except for a FP manifold and mild ported 14B, and now it´s getting a standalone ecu, deleting balance shafts, and waiting for NPR piston rings

Now to the plan, I would like to ask what else would be necessary to proceed to a mild modded engine between 300 / 350 hp? something streetable, I was looking at ARP head studs to ensure reliability, but I´m not sure if it also may need main and rod bolts, or if it needs HLA pressure regulator, bigger fuel pump 190lph, or anything else I don´t know (intake and exhaust are on the list obviously, timing belts and tensioners, water pump, and clutch reinforcements). I want to ensure reliability but IDK what´s good to have and what´s overkill... can someone give me a brief updated guide on what to do for a simple but effective list of upgrades?
Sorry in advance since this may be beating a dead horse for some of you, I just want to make a good use of my budget with my disassembled engine, set priorities and not wasting on stuff that can wait for later.
Thanks in advance
Cheers

 

[dwb]

Focus on one piece at a time. If you're rebuilding the engine, focus only on that. Fuel pump, ECU, injectors, etc. can all be easily done after the fact. That way you aren't introducing more variables in case you have problems to troubleshoot after the engine rebuild. It's easiest to break-in a fresh engine without a bunch of HP mods.
Does the block need to be over-bored? If so you're going to need oversized pistons and rings to match. Your budget will help decide what pistons/rods to use, although OEM will get you to your 300hp goal. Be sure to have the deck surfaced. You may also opt to have the block aligned-honed/bored. Talk it through with your machinist.
Is the crank still in good condition? I'd recommend getting it inspected and polished at least. When you get it back from the shop spend some time cleaning your dead-end journals (hint, you don't have to pull the balls): https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/pull-your-balls-to-properly-clean-your-crank.472402/. New rod and main bearings are a must.
What are your plans for the head? I'd recommend decking it and lapping the valves at minimum. Maybe even install some new HLAs if the current ones are original. I also recommend the oil port mod: https://www.dsmtuners.com/threads/4g63t-head-oil-port-mod.341028/
Obviously replace every seal/gasket with new, preferably OEM. The oil pan-block surface does not use a gasket, only RTV.

Good luck and remember, there's a tremendous amount of resources right here on Tuners. Both historical and people who have done it recently.

 

[Gonza97]

Greetings group... Long time since I updated.
I´d like to get some feedback/rate/review of my list of parts, I´m waiting for them to arrive and hopefully after assembling everything and getting a tune (with the EMS add ons like launch control and antilag, and well feel the difference of the stock map vs a tuned map to get to enjoy without much restrictions) I can finally get to drive my car again but now with almost all refreshed, which is:
*Wiseco Forged Pistons 9.0:1, 0.20 bore
*K1 Forged Rods H-Beam (apparently comes with ARP 2000 bolts for ´em)
*Gates Thermostat 180°
*ARP head bolts
*ACL Aluglide bearings, both main and rod, standard size (stock ones since it´s a DD car for the most, sure some action on the streets here and there, dudes to race, and hopefully some track days experience)
* MLS head gasket 86mm (and all seals and gaskets included on kits, later on I must get new tensioners and check all hoses to see which ones need to be replaced)
* Kiggly HLA regulator
* NGK wires
* Fluidampr crankshaft pulley

Also I have a new timing kit since the previous belts were coated in oil, but I´m planning to keep for now the water and oil pump, they didn´t caused me problems. Stock clutch was refreshed/rebuilt and reinforced to 300 hp, and then I´m going to add custom CAI, and 2,5 downpipe to 3 inch exhaust with dual tip muffler, no cat converter. What is still up to debate is a sealed catch can, fuel upgrades (pump and inyectors), and just to be safe a turbo blanket for the old 14b that I rebuilt 2 years ago and used for 9k miles since then

What do you guys think? is there something else to keep up? or it´s an acceptable rebuild? because Man I can´t hold myself with the ansiety, but well good stuff takes time so I must be patient.