Planning first build...opinions needed!

[TurboStutr]

My motor is in need of a rebuild, but I have a couple questions first:

Being a '94, its a 7-bolt, but I have had one problem for about 4 years now. A notorious symptom of crankwalk, after a left turn, the clutch loses pressure on that first shift but is fine after that. It hasn't gotten any worse since it's been doing this, so I'm unsure on whether or not to scrap it totally and go for a 6-bolt, or keep the block and upgrade ALL the internals: crank, pistons, rods, and all bearings and bolts/studs(I will be doing all of this anyways, either with the 6- or 7-bolt).

Secondly, for the head I will be getting BC 280 cams along with their spring/retainer kit, new OEM valves, revised lifters, new bronze guides, ARP studs, and the Mitsu metal 4-layer HG. BUT, I will be keeping with my ported big 16g for the time being, as I cannot afford the next step, including a bigger turbo/more fuel/etc. My question is, is it worth putting the cams in now, or should I stick with stock cams until I get a turbo to take full advantage of them?

I would love to hit high 11's with this turbo and a healthy motor is the only way I can pull it off, so any opinions are greatly appreciated

 

[TurboStutr]

Just found out the BC 280's are still backordered, but I got their valvetrain on the way so I'm probably gonna put the motor back together without the cams for now. As for the bottom end question, can anybody help??

 

[Dream On]

I would just get a 6 bolt since you're going to be replacing everything anyway. It wouldn't be that much more to find a block.

 

[1g_tsi_awd]

Do you know it is crank walk for sure? Have you checked for crank play? It mgiht not be crankwalk... A lot of people whon think they have it don't, I would say check..
But if you are rebuilding everything anyway, just get a 6 bolt block...

 

[TurboStutr]

I haven't had the chance to check it yet, but once I get the engine apart I'll check for play.

 

[MilwaukeeGSX]

but I have had one problem for about 4 years now.

I doubt its crankwalk, 4 years, only one problem and yet no catastrophic failure? Check your master/slave

 

[Dream On]

Why risk it? It isn't that much more to get a 6 bolt block and flywheel. The peace of mind is priceless though.