Rebuild bottom end or replace it?

[91Bomb]

Since my 1g 7-bolt tsi has over 170K I'm wondering what would be the best thing to do if it ever needed a rebuild. A stock bottom end is PROBABLY fine for me (but not 100% sure) because I don't ever plan on running more than 15 lbs boost on free/cheap mods. The question is would it be better/cheaper to order a stock bottom end from a guy that builds dsm motors -OR- would it be better to take the car to a local dsm shop and have them refresh the bottom end?

 

[agentorange313]

If you have a short block built for you and sent out you will most likely have to pay a core charge. If you bring it to a shop, they will use the block you have in your engine bay now.When you are looking for a rebuilt stock bottom end, the only think that would be different than you block now is probably the crank, they will undersize cut it and use proper size bearing to compensate.

Since you are looking for close to stock power, the crank should be fine. I think it will be cheaper to have someone locally, who builds DSM (dogbox racing, sean ivey tuning), to rebuild you block. The only down side is that you are paying someone for labor, unless you planned on have the short block that would be sent to you professionally installed.

When you say fresh bottom end are you looking for all new components? If your crank just needs a polish, I say use it (of course). Maybe the rods, but def get new pistons, maybe up the compression on them, 8.5.




If anyone else knows this, do the 1g 7 bolts use 1g big rods?

 

['97boostinGST]

ALL 7 bolts use the 7 bolt rod, hence "7 bolt crank"

I'm in a way in the same situation as you, I WAS gonna do a budget build, or just replace the pistons with NPR, freshen up the block and obviously have new components put in.
But I knew that on a stock 7 bolt you have certain room to increase if you ever pleased to do so. So I decided to instead do a forged build, that way I can safely kick it up a notch if I ever feel the need for it.

 

[agentorange313]

thank for the knowledge, I should have known that.......

just felt if I wasnt 100% sure, then I shouldn't post

 

[91Bomb]

Yeah I'm my case I would be thinking about a budget rebuild/refreshen the motor IF it ever needed it.

How much in general should it cost to have a 4g63 turbo motor refreshened?

 

[gofer]

If this questions based on WHEN the engine goes what would be cheaper then the answer depends on the car gods. If you spin a bearing then take it to a shop and have them rebuild the bottom-end thats in there. If you throw a rod and it makes your block look like swiss cheese then you're going to need a new bottom end.

If it were me, it would be best to find a 6-bolt bottom end (they are all over the classifieds) and take it to a shop and have them rebuild it while my cars still working. I don't like DSM downtime, so the less my cars up on jack stands the better I can sleep at night.

I'd say a stock bottom end rebuild would cost about $1500-$2000.

 

[91Bomb]

Found this rebuilt 6-bolt turbo shortblock for $1,299

http://www.thedsmgraveyard.com/Stock_Rebuild_Short_Block_6_Bolt_Turbo_90_92_p/3001.htm

 

[gofer]

+$145 to ship to New Jersey, so right at $1435 if you send in your core. You'll also want to replace the headgasket, head bolts, and timing belt components while you're in there (if you're coming up on 60k), as well as resurfacing the head.

OEM Composite HG - $60
ARP head studs -$83
1g timing/balancer shaft components - $280​

Then machine work on the head to get it resurfaced and cleaned will probably add another $60 to the rebuild.

=$1900

 

[91Bomb]

Then with labor and tax $2500

I only paid 2K for the car total

 

[empie1]

Then with labor and tax $2500

I only paid 2K for the car total

Pay to play homey. Either learn to do things your self and save some $, or start saving pennies.

 

[rlacasse1]

Or you could just build your own engine and spend less than half of that.

 

[empie1]

Or you could just build your own engine and spend less than half of that.

Lol..no not really. Ive built several.Most recently one with all stock components. With basic machine work, I have about 1100 into the block. Unless your talking about cutting corners and buying used things, which is just foolish. But to each his own.

 

[gofer]

The Mitsu dealer here does stock long block rebuilds for $3500 (give or take) including the labor costs. I'm not sure if that includes timing components though...

 

[rlacasse1]

Lol..no not really. Ive built several.Most recently one with all stock components. With basic machine work, I have about 1100 into the block. Unless your talking about cutting corners and buying used things, which is just foolish. But to each his own.

If you build a stock block, using some shit that you already have, like pistons, rods, crank, things like that, instead of replacing them, you can build an engine much cheaper than that.