Howell 2.0 Rebuild Kit. Is it any good?

[LeJeune123]

I need a rebuild for my 420A and I was looking at the Master Performace Engine Rebuild Kit from Howell. http://www.howellautomotive.com/How...ct_info.php?cPath=142_38_174&products_id=1439

I do not want to go turbo I just want a little more out of my N/T. I was wondering if this would be a good kit to get if anyone had any prior experiences with it. Along with the rebuild I will get the head and intake P&P and also the bored TB. Why would I have to up the bore size. I want to go with 10.5 compression and the Crane 10's. Do you guys have any HELPFUL information on this kit or set up. I am new to the whole breaking into the engine thing so I will be getting a shop to do the work would you guys know about how much it would cost. Sorry for all the questions but if I am going to spend 2,049.95 I want to be sure I know what I am getting. Thanks in advance. Later.

 

[gsx951]

My honest opinion is that the return on investment would be very minimal.
I would suggest that you develop your objectives on paper and take a close look at the numbers.
For what this project will cost, (your exisiting car, parts and labor) you could get into a clean AWD turbo car that will beat a modded 420A front drive in every measurable.

The kit is using JE pistons. I have JE in my 2.3 and have some bit of scuffing going on.
Marco Passante of Magnus says that the JE's are born to slap and suggests another choice.
You may wish to do a goole search on JE.
There have also been problems as of late with quality issues and Crower cams.

 

[LeJeune123]

Thanks for the info but I like my 2g so the cheap AWD is out. Thanks for the pistons thing but why are they made to slap? I would like to go this route with my car as not to make it the fastest 420A but to make it very dependable and be able to start off new. Do you guys think I should go with the 10's, 12's, or 14,s. Also my motor has 160,000 miles on it and it smokes a little so I need to get this done quick.

Another question, if I am not going to turbo it should I just get it rebuilt with the stock internals and just all the new bearings and pumps, rings etc. Would I see an large improvement with going with the full build rather than this. Thanks for all your help and sorry for being a newb to all the engine stuff. Later

 

[GSGoinFast]

Thanks for the info but I like my 2g so the cheap AWD is out. Thanks for the pistons thing but why are they made to slap? I would like to go this route with my car as not to make it the fastest 420A but to make it very dependable and be able to start off new. Do you guys think I should go with the 10's, 12's, or 14,s. Also my motor has 160,000 miles on it and it smokes a little so I need to get this done quick.

Another question, if I am not going to turbo it should I just get it rebuilt with the stock internals and just all the new bearings and pumps, rings etc. Would I see an large improvement with going with the full build rather than this. Thanks for all your help and sorry for being a newb to all the engine stuff. Later

dont sell your car and buy a AWD, thats the easy way out. face the challenge head on!

now, dont get the kit your looking it. the one your looking comes with forged internals, but comes with a stock crankshaft. a forged one is $1000 more. if you have that much money, you should get the 2.2L stroker kit. its $200 more but you get .2L more.if you dont want to get the stroker kit, and your stock crankshaft is fine, get the bottom end kit. it comes with pistons, rods, bearings, pretty much everything in the other kit minus the crankshaft, which you dont really need anyway.

Now about the stock rebuild kit, i wouldnt. you wont see any more power from it, since it will be stock compression. the forged internals, you can get at 10.5 compression which will give you more power, but it will still be reliable. and, with forged internals, you can always throw on a hefty shot of nitrous and make some turbo guys cry for there mama.

if i were you, i would go with the 12's. the 10's would be to mild. when i was looking at top end rebuild, i was actually thinking 16's, being afraid that the 12's would be to mild. but seeing you want reliability, i would say the 12's would suite you best. the 14's are mainly for turbo's and come with a 12 intake cam and a 10 exauste cam.

i think your best bet would be the bottom end forged kit, the one that $1000. with the forged internals, if you ever get the boost bug you can run decent boost with no problems.

 

[SnoopySLR]

I basically bought that kit, but I got mine from ModernPerformance.com. I really like the guys at modern. Great bunch.

I agree, don't sell it and get an AWD... I'm going to get an AWD.... but its going to be my DailyDriver

 

[LeJeune123]

Thanks for the encouragement but I still wonder about the JE pistons scuffing up my cylinder walls. Also about how much did you guys pay to have your motor rebuilt, top and bottom end. I would also like to get it bored .20 over. Thanks for all your help. Later.

 

[gsx951]

You guys are talking about spending a few grand to bring a 420A up to the level of a 4G63.
That's nutty.
The 4G63 comes with a forged crank as original equipment and can handle a ton of boost. You can buy a brand new forged 4G63 factory crank for $520.00 not $1000 for some aftermanket neon crank. (ouch!)
Like I said, put it on paper and be prepaired to pay out some big cash since you're not doing the wrenching. The labor rate at my buddies import shop is $65.00/hr or $75.00/hr if a master tech does the job......it adds up fast.

 

[Redmachine]

You guys are talking about spending a few grand to bring a 420A up to the level of a 4G63.
That's nutty.
The 4G63 comes with a forged crank as original equipment and can handle a ton of boost. You can buy a brand new forged 4G63 factory crank for $520.00 not $1000 for some aftermanket neon crank. (ouch!)
Like I said, put it on paper and be prepaired to pay out some big cash since you're not doing the wrenching. The labor rate at my buddies import shop is $65.00/hr or $75.00/hr if a master tech does the job......it adds up fast.

But he's not wanting to have a 4g63, he is asking for his 420a.
Please we are trying to discourage 420a hating.
I wouldn't put a stock crank in a built engine for anything. I want to drop a few grand on my 420a just because it's different from you "regular" eclipse guys :thumbdown

 

[FunkMasterChipZ]

i dont wanna hijack this thread but i do want to turbo my 93 4g63 naturally aspirated. im gonna tear the engine apart and find that oil leak, then rebuild it with lower compression heads. Do i need to get a new ecu and what else would i need for that

 

[GSGoinFast]

You guys are talking about spending a few grand to bring a 420A up to the level of a 4G63.
That's nutty.
The 4G63 comes with a forged crank as original equipment and can handle a ton of boost. You can buy a brand new forged 4G63 factory crank for $520.00 not $1000 for some aftermanket neon crank. (ouch!)
Like I said, put it on paper and be prepaired to pay out some big cash since you're not doing the wrenching. The labor rate at my buddies import shop is $65.00/hr or $75.00/hr if a master tech does the job......it adds up fast.

actually were not talking about spending a couple grand on bringing it up to the level of a 4g63. he wouldnt come close to it. thats not what hes looking for. and a couple grand isnt needed to bring the 420a to the level of the 4g63. i did it with $535. now, subtract the cost difference of a AWD to a NT, , i saved several thousand dollars!!! im so stupid!

the stock crank on the 420a can hold quite a bit. i believe Hahn used theres up to 500hp before it gave. you dont need a new crank.

please do not come in here with all your GSX goddness and tell us to sell our cars. if you dont have any helpful information or tips on modding the 420a(which as of now seems like you dont), then do not post in this forum. thanks