Looking for advice on engine selection *wisemen*

[j_biggz]

So the long story short I have a 6 bolt 2.3 Stroker motor that I just lost in my talon. Rods, pistons, and possibly the crank but I don't know for sure yet. Normally I would just reorder all the parts that aren't useable but I am thinking I would rather spend a little more money and buy a nice crate motor. I only know of one good place to get them at ( Dsm Graveyard). I'm looking at a 500hp setup with all my supporting mods that I can reuse. So has anyone had any experience with these guys and their motors? On top of all that I am trying to decide if I want to order a complete crate motor or just a short block being that my top end wasn't damaged at all but has about 10k on it. So please leave some feed back and help a fellow enthusiast out. Sorry for the length and thanks in advance.

 

[goodbuds]

you should be good with a short block. take the head to a shop to clean and inspect. are you going to be doing any of the work your self???

 

[j_biggz]

I just found some short blocks on slowboy also but they are more expensive than dsm graveyard and the description is very vague on what all is used. I have an uncle that will be helping me who has a small shop. Hes mostly a 350 kinda guy but I couldn't imagine it being rocket science to get it back together. Im really looking for something that is mostly put together.

 

[BrokenTsi]

Who originally did your 2.3 stroker engine?

I guess it all boils down to how much money you can afford to spend.

 

[RoryBarron]

My vote goes to SIM! They are great guys who specialize in DSM's. Hooked me up with a great deal on a head and even threw in free shipping for me!

 

[WES_393]

Here's a link that I was reffered to today that I found very interesting.

TheDSMGraveyard.com - Directory

While I'm usually pretty quick to suggest DIY for everything, engine builds are something some people just don't want to hassle with. However, assembling and getting all machine work done yourself can save you quite a bit of cash. So I'll have to agree with BrokenTSi, it all comes down to how much cash you have to use and what you want exactly.

 

[j_biggz]

A local guy who I bought the car from originally did all the work himself in exceptions to the machine work. From what I can tell from taking it apart he did a great job and used everything he said he did and everything matched all my paper work that I got with the car.

Thats really nice to read about the dsm graveyard. I cant believe I was considering ordering a motor from them. Im looking to put my talon back together and have it last. I dont want to spend the couple grand and have problems in a year. SO I guess Im back at the drawing board.

Also thank you for the sim link. I will have to check them out in more detail

 

[WES_393]

I was shocked as well. I'd hate to see a feollw DSMer get caught up in that crap. I know what you mean with wanting the engine to last. But if you ordered all new parts, had the block checked/bored & honed, and checked all the clearances, there is no reason that bottom end shouldn't last while.

 

[LiquidX]

It's much cheaper to build your own. Send the block out to the machine shop to get cleaned, honed, etc. Order needed parts, have them measure clearances, you put it together and drop it in.

10k miles on the head , you better get new parts there too!!!

Seriously, that's nothing to be concerned about at all, just reuse the head and at the least get the head checked out for flatness before re use.

What exactly happened anyway?

 

[j_biggz]

I was driving home from selling my safc-ll that came with the talon and I felt something break loose under the car on the freeway. I felt like it was probably a rock or something since I hadn't run anything over and I have taken the dsm to work a few times on the job site. Never plowed anything thing though. So a few minutes later I notice it is driving strange and look down at my gauges and there it is. My digital oil pressure gauge is flashing EEE. I could have cried but I pulled off the exit I was next to and as soon as the clutch went in the car stalled and I knew it was done. The oil sending unit had broke off the filter housing and exploded all my oil out doing 75mph. So called a flatbed and had it towed. Once I got home I pulled the pan and found mass amounts of bearing material and knew it was new motor time. Been going on 4 months now shes car covered and up on jack stands. half the motor is at the machine shop finding the damage. So far the loss is rods and pistons and the crank is being inspected. Block is in good shape and top end is fine. I will need a new oil pump and everything else

 

[OH91awd]

i would say just buy a new botom end kit. that would be alot cheaper than buying a new long block. just make sure to buy reputable parts.

 

[BogusSVO]

Post pics of what happend to the stroker you have.

Then we can see more of whats going on and give you better ideas to rebuild or replace.

 

[j_biggz]

Will do after work today