Buy a JDM 6-Bolt or fix the current 7 bolt ?

[4GTSiMAN63]

Hey guyz, I'm stuck in a dilema, I have a 95 TSi That I bent all the exhaust valves on by messing with my SAFC2 I believe by the engine running too lean and they stuck open. So I purchased a used head off craigslist and installed it on the block and trying to save some money I tried to do the timing myself, I just couldn't get the timing right so now im thinking about just replacing the entire engine with a JDM 6 bolt instead of trying to fix a engine I don't know anything about and also if I messed the new head valves up by trying to start it with incorrect timing. So spend the money getting it fixed by someone that knows what there doing or should I just get a JDM 6 bolt installed ? Thanks in advance

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

Stick with the 7 bolt. There are more options now, being you can go stock, stock upgrade with the evo 8/9 pistons and rods, or full blown with a eagle wiseco combo. I would stick with what you have.

James

 

[gt35rx]

Keep the 7 bolt. Tear that head off and take it to go get fixed. Pay someone to do your timing and maybe you can pick up a few tricks while they do the work for you.

 

[4GTSiMAN63]

Oh Kool, now I gotta find a good price for a rebuilt and parts. I'm really just scared about spending the money on the 7 bolt. I herd of people rebuilding a new engine and then it walks !

 

[AWD_FIEND]

I prefer the 6 Bolt personally because you dont have to race build it to avoid crankwalk and improve longevity. It does take some $ to make it compatible with your car so in your case it will be cheaper to try and find a new head install it, then have someone align your cams and finish the job.

 

[gt35rx]

Alot of people talk about their blocks walking but it doesn't happen as much as you think. 6 bolt blocks have been known to walk. My 95 had over 200k miles and the block didn't walk. You can build them just as strong as a 6 bolt block. Save your money for now and get the 7 bolt block and head fixed. In the future if you want to build a block go with a 98-99 7 bolt block or a 6 bolt.

 

[4GTSiMAN63]

Ok it seems like I'll just take my chance and fix the 7 bolt in the car, Hopefully it will last me some time.

 

[AWD_FIEND]

Alot of people talk about their blocks walking but it doesn't happen as much as you think. 6 bolt blocks have been known to walk. My 95 had over 200k miles and the block didn't walk. You can build them just as strong as a 6 bolt block. Save your money for now and get the 7 bolt block and head fixed. In the future if you want to build a block go with a 98-99 7 bolt block or a 6 bolt.

6Bolt crankwalk occurs for completely different reasons than 7Bolt most importantly, reasons other than manufacturing defects. I've had two 7bolts in the same car in 60k, both detonating from crankwalk. Dont assume that a one-of-a-kind 7bolt is indicative of the majority, because most of them grenade. You cant argue based on probability that 7bolts are even close to as reliable as 6bolts.

But I already said in your case it would be cheaper to just replace your head.

 

[HurleyTSi]

6Bolt crankwalk occurs for completely different reasons than 7Bolt most importantly, reasons other than manufacturing defects. I've had two 7bolts in the same car in 60k, both detonating from crankwalk. Dont assume that a one-of-a-kind 7bolt is indicative of the majority, because most of them grenade. You cant argue based on probability that 7bolts are even close to as reliable as 6bolts.

But I already said in your case it would be cheaper to just replace your head.

June of 97 is when crankwalk was fixed with the revised 3-piece thrust bearing. I'd put one of those 7-bolts against a 6-bolt any day. But the 95-early 97 ones are a dice roll for sure.

To the OP it's highly doubtful you bent the valves trying to start the car. The motor wont crank over if the timing is off, therfore not enough speed/force to bend valves. Redo your timing. If no one you know can help you then buy a manual or look up some vids on youtube (seriously).

 

[95eclipser]

alot more options for the 7 bolt now.. i prefer the 6 tho for building
but its all going to come down to how much you have to spend and what your goals are

 

[6boltcrank]

Keep the 7 bolt. Tear that head off and take it to go get fixed. Pay someone to do your timing and maybe you can pick up a few tricks while they do the work for you.

pick up a few tricks priceless I love it

 

[AWD_FIEND]

June of 97 is when crankwalk was fixed with the revised 3-piece thrust bearing. I'd put one of those 7-bolts against a 6-bolt any day. But the 95-early 97 ones are a dice roll for sure.

To the OP it's highly doubtful you bent the valves trying to start the car. The motor wont crank over if the timing is off, therfore not enough speed/force to bend valves. Redo your timing. If no one you know can help you then buy a manual or look up some vids on youtube (seriously).

Thats funny because my GSX was a 97 which I bought brand new, never modified, and only ran stock clutches. And because an extended warranty was involved in the engine replacement, they refused to install anything other than a VIN number approved 97 engine. Which also featured the tech bulletin "revised" thrust bearingg and 40K later my crank position sensor was tapping against the magnet. I have for 5 years beat the hell out of my 92 GSX with an ACT 2600, it has 130K on it without any issues still running strong. So I accept your challenge of putting up a 97 7Bolt against a 91-93 6Bolt.

 

[nyTalonTsi]

Crankwalk is brought up way too many times. Its overrated. My old '95 had crankwalk, but id build a 7bolt all day. Its the failure in the build, any motor can walk. Hell even the '98-99 with revised thrust walked.

OP stick with whats best in your interest, your budget.

 

[JEFFREYCASTGSX]

Forget about crankwalk, just go outside and re-time the head. (HOW do you bend valves by messing with the SAFC?)

 

[donniekak]

Crankwalk is brought up way too many times. Its overrated. My old '95 had crankwalk, but id build a 7bolt all day. Its the failure in the build, any motor can walk. Hell even the '98-99 with revised thrust walked.

OP stick with whats best in your interest, your budget.

Any motor can walk, but 7-bolt 4g63's ALL do it. They may not all walk enough to kill the crank sensor and stop the car. They may not all have the clutch sticking to the floor. But, go to a junkyard and start taking apart 7-bolt 4g63's, they ALL have visible wear on the thrust bearing. Go to a mitsu dealership and ask the tech's about 2g dsm's. This fact wouldn't keep me out of a 2g, but anytime something major failed on the engine, in goes a 6-bolt. Now, i build my own engines and transmissions, so it's a little different from a money standpoint for me. But, anyone who gets into a dsm should be prepared to spend more than the cost of the car. It's not that dsm's are unreliable. It's that there is a difference between unreliable, and high maintenence. These cars are cheap, so you are buying them from a cheap ass, most of the time. No maintenence on a 10+ year old turbo car is what gives these cars a bad reliability image to the general public.

 

[907dsm]

Alot of people talk about their blocks walking but it doesn't happen as much as you think. 6 bolt blocks have been known to walk. My 95 had over 200k miles and the block didn't walk. You can build them just as strong as a 6 bolt block. Save your money for now and get the 7 bolt block and head fixed. In the future if you want to build a block go with a 98-99 7 bolt block or a 6 bolt.

quoted for the truth.... ive spoke with a couple of well known dsm builders and they said the same thing.

 

[Spoolin18]

Thats funny because my GSX was a 97 which I bought brand new, never modified, and only ran stock clutches. And because an extended warranty was involved in the engine replacement, they refused to install anything other than a VIN number approved 97 engine. Which also featured the tech bulletin "revised" thrust bearingg and 40K later my crank position sensor was tapping against the magnet. I have for 5 years beat the hell out of my 92 GSX with an ACT 2600, it has 130K on it without any issues still running strong. So I accept your challenge of putting up a 97 7Bolt against a 91-93 6Bolt.

6 bolts left production in the 92.5 year. 92.5-99 is all 7 bolts unless someone swapped a 6 in.

 

[AWD_FIEND]

6 bolts left production in the 92.5 year. 92.5-99 is all 7 bolts unless someone swapped a 6 in.

I know when 6bolts left production i was too lazy and uninterested in the argument to include a .5. I have a 92.4 6/4 Bolt. I dont really know why this argument began except too many 7bolt fan-boys take insult when someone suggests a 6bolt replace a 7bolt. In the case of the original question, I clearly stated he should stick with his 7bolt. But that was ignored and instead the focus was placed on the blib about my PERSONAL preferrence toward 6bolts. This is a never ending argument so why discuss it further? Here's the conclusion I come to: Yeah 7Bolts are great, so please keep building them so it leaves more 6bolts in circulation for me.

 

[gt35rx]

Here's the conclusion I come to: Yeah 7Bolts are great, so please keep building them so it leaves more 6bolts in circulation for me.

. That was great. I was never insulted by you nor I hope no one else was. I was just stating the facts like you were. Your right, this is a never ending subject.

 

[AWD_FIEND]

. That was great. I was never insulted by you nor I hope no one else was. I was just stating the facts like you were. Your right, this is a never ending subject.

Sorry I was kind of cranky. Too much sugar.