Bent 2 Rods - Need help with 6bolt Install

[Red Recluse]

To make a long story short I bent 2 (atleast) rods in my 7 bolt. So I figured I'd save myself the time and hassle and just do a 6-bolt.

Here was my basic plan of action, I wanted to see what ya'll thought, and if you know of any information I could read up on to point me in the right direction (already searched for "engine builds, how to build a motor, building 6 bolt" etc).

I had two ideas, and don't really know which one would be the best... But let me start off with specifying what I want the car to do. It's a 97 Spyder and it's no track monster but I want to give it some balls. Basically mid 12"s would be nice, assuming I learn to get better launches and whatnot, but I'm not looking for anything serious. Depending on the mods mid to high 300hp would be nice, and I know the power doesnt completely determine the time but...

I do have a slew of parts coming to my house for the motor already including a Spearco FMIC and full turbokit from Turbonetics (I believe it's a T-04E 50-trim with a .63 A/R - not positive as it is a sponsorship package - the wife deals with all that crap). Pulley set from Unorthodox and I belive thats it.

Idea 1:
I'd find a motor off ebay or where ever it may be from for 600ish, with no serious problems to it. Should I also buy one of those rebuild kits with all the gaskets and whatnot, or replace what needs to be replaced... I'm assuming with just buy fresh everythings...but if it aint broke, don't fix it.

Afterwords, I wanted to take a step farther then the normal bolt ons. I want to learn how to build motors (which isn't a bad idea considering the predicament), but not just reading about it, I want to actually do it. I do have a fair amount of knowledge but never done any serious work. Anyways, I am thinking about the 2.3 Stroker Kits with the Eagle Pistons and Crower Rods, I know some will say no stroke some will say yes. Some will say just use 1g rods and 2g pistons. As stated before not shooting to catch up with Shep (right.....) but want to learn how things work on a more mechanical level. - So the actual question is, should I "re-enforce" the head with forged parts, or go a little more advanced and try the stroker. I will have a friend of mine helping who's now done about three 6-bolt swaps along the way but still debating.

Idea 2:
The other way I'm questioning is to find a "semi built" motor off some of these DSM sites, where I would need to add a few things here and there but nothing major. Or I could go the route as stated above and build it to a pretty stout condition.
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My main concern - naturally - is the cost of all this. I'm looking at around $8000 to have the car running like tits. Is it worth it to buy the new motor, or just get a used one with milage on it, and give it a tune up?

The final question for now (I know I have an essay going on here) but, does anyone have any resources where I can read up on about building motors. Persay if I don't stroke it, but do cams and gears...would it be necessary to work on the head (valves, springs etc).

Thanks!

 

[Game Over]

Wellll, i am in the same boat you are but with $0 instead of $8k. I bought a used motor, and I am semi-building it, cams, pistons, no stroker or anything. Butttt you say your goal is 300-400whp, so why do a stroker if you're not looking to make close to 500? I mean you have the money to do it, but I would save that money or do something else with it. If I had $8k i might consider buying a built motor from SBR or something, but since you want to do it yourself, I would buy a used running motor, then a rebuild kit, and rebuild it yourself using the gaskets and bolts and shit from the kit, and just do your own upgrades. 1G rods and 2G pistons will be just fione for your setup, I wouldn't spend the money on the valves and springs unless you want to. Just keep in mine building it, that stock 6 bolts are good for over 400hp. I hope I helped and mostly made sense. Good Luck

 

[2gredspyder]

No need to build a motor if your only looking at 350whp. I would just get a 6 bolt in good condition, replaced the timing belt and water pump, remove the balance shaft if its still in there and go from there. That way you will have tons of cash left over for all the supporting mods plus suspension mods.

 

[Red Recluse]

Thats helped a lot guys thanks!

So I've eliminated the stroker. Hurdle 1 of 448739 done. Next step is to decide if I want to buy a 6 bolt and build it, or get a built one from SBR or FFWD.

If I got a 6 bolt motor, I'd do the 1g block, 2g head, 1g intake manifold, 2g throttle body elbow, 1g rods, 2g pistons. The question is, with a used 6bolt exceeding 100k+ miles, would parts be suspect?

The other idea is to just get a "Stage 1" motor from a company such as FFWD or SBR to put in to save myself the worries.

Is it worth it to get a used motor and spend the money on rebuilding, or to go straight to the finnish line...in better terms which is more cost efficient and better for my application? I'm calling both companies tomorrow anyways, but looking for a more un-biased opinion.

- Keep in mind I'm still learning about engine builds to ya'll have to tolerate the lack of knowledge a little