7 bolt or 6 bolt

[Dsm974g63]

I have a 7 bolt that I can rebuild. Or should I just buy a 6 bolt. Are they really that much better.
Thank you

 

[90laserRSfwd]

What do you intend to do with the car?

 

[Dsm974g63]

A mild build. I don't want a drag car but want to take down any muscle car

 

[BlackGSXEclipse]

Depends on which 7 bolt you have.
The revised split thrust bearing 98/99 7 bolt is just as good as a 6 bolt IMHO.

 

[Dstarperformance01]

1gb 7 bolt(early) are a good 7 bolt. The early 7 bolts didn't have a big issue with crank walk either.

 

[Dsm974g63]

How can I tell what 7 bolt I have

 

[Dstarperformance01]

What year is the engine do you know?

 

[dk7868]

Whats the year range to be considered 'early' Mine is a 95? I'm guessing that's probably the older 7 bolt because it is in the 2g

 

[gsxrunning]

I would go with the 6 bolt and 1g intake.

 

[90laserRSfwd]

So you'll more then likely be looking around 4xx whp to take down some of the new muscle cars (assuming they are stock or very lightly moded). I would recommend a correctly rebuilt stock piston / rod 6 bolt. Plenty of proven 400hp cars on that stock bottom end. Add an upgraded turbo, and some smaller cams (272's), and you'll be more then capable of 12 second quarter mile times and should be able to have fun with camaro/mustang/challenger crowd. Now don't think your going to take down a ZL1 option'd camaro, or a gt500 Mustang, but it'll be a fun car!

 

[19gsx91]

So you'll more then likely be looking around 4xx whp to take down some of the new muscle cars (assuming they are stock or very lightly moded).

Don't forget they weigh a lot more then our cars do.

I only dynode 292whp (mustang dyno) with the 16g, since I switched the 68hta I actually don't feel like I gained anything, but I'm definitely not over 400whp. Just so you guys don't lose hope against the newer muscle cars! as to the 6 or 7 bolt discussion.. can't go wrong with a 6bolt. or a 92-94 7 bolt. or a split thrust 7 bolt. just whatever you get make sure if you buy used you get paperwork!

 

[Dstarperformance01]

95 is first year of the 2g so I would think it's considered an early 7 bolt. Can anyone confirm if I'm correct or not?

 

[90laserRSfwd]

95 would be an early 2g 7 bolt. You'd want a 1g 7 bolt or 98/99 split thrust 7 bolt. Basically avoid 95, 96, 97 engine blocks. 98/99 7 bolt and EOV 4 - 9 engine parts do have some interchangability. In a 1g, 6 bolt is the easier option. Don't forget you'll need the matching flywheel and intake for your engine combo..

 

[dk7868]

yeah looking at doing a good build but in a rush to get it together. I think I'll by just a whole 6 bolt engine and rebuild it from there.. would the 1g gst fit right in the 2g?

 

[jdub14]

Both 6 or 7bolts Oem parts are become expensive and hard to get something for you to consider

The 7bolts are designed to be much stable engine with lighter weight parts 2 things I don't like with them is the crank walk issue and there oil squirter issue

 

[spyderdrifter]

Both engines are fine as long as you build and maintain them properly. It's as simple as that.

 

[Eddie Tsi]

For your information, my '93 7 bolt crank walked.

 

[petegsx]

6 bolt bottom end, 7 bolt head

 

[Dstarperformance01]

For your information, my '93 7 bolt crank walked.

Was it built? Stock?
How many miles were on it when it walked?
How was it driven?
There are so many questions and reasons as to why it crank walked. Mechanical failure is bound to happen with anything mechanical and no matter what material it's made out of!! So, I ask, what steps did you take to ensure this wouldn't happen? Just curious!

 

[Eddie Tsi]

Engine was pretty stock, only upgraded valve springs. Buschur racing 20g turbo kit on pump gas. About 108000km (67000+miles). At the time when it happened,(about 18years ago) 7 bolts was deemed by a lot people as bad block, and after experience crankwalk myself, I rebuilt a 6bolts instead.

 

[Dstarperformance01]

I see. If 7 bolts were deemed bad, there are a lot of 7 bolts on the road and doing well. So, it happened to one 7 bolt and you jumped ship? So, you can't say all or even most are bad if you only had 1. Seems that's Skewed data to me! I've had 3 and had no issues. I've had 2 6 bolts and they took a crap on me. All were stock with over 100k miles. I don't say all 6 bolts are s#*t.
My 7 bolt now has 61k miles(original) and have no issues. So, in my opinion, s#*t happens no matter what. You can try to prevent it with proper procedures and quality parts and that's it. To me, it's all the same 6 bolt or 7 bolt!

 

[Eddie Tsi]

You're probably right, I'm not saying all 7 bolts are bad,it's just a F Y I purpose.
when I see/read about other people had crankwalk issue with their 7 bolts and also experienced myself. It's not a bad decision to rebuild the 6 bolts that don't have this issue, for peace of mind, especially when I'm about to spend big money on it.

 

[7o2mikey]

So after reading this post I'm starting to think I might have to do a 6 bolt swap. I have a 95 AWD TSI that I was planning on building. I'm going for 550 WHP is the 6 bolt the way to go?

 

[Brando_DSM]

what is this narrative that has been instilled that makes people afraid of 7-bolts? it doesn't make sense to me. doing a 6 bolt swap is not a walk in the park either; you also have to consider the monetary factor of doing the swap and consider your budget in deciding to rebuild your 7 vs swapping a 6.

 

[foxracing4500]

CW is overrated, i have a 95 auto gsx just put 100k miles on it, only thing i recommend is kiggly's HLA with 7 bolts.