Rebuild or not?

[Vinnie]

My car has 112,000 miles, still runs great, original engine never touched, I'm just worried I might get stranded in the middle of nowhere. Plus there is a oil leak that I can't figure out wheere is coming from.
What would you guys do, a total rebuild of the engine, or engine swap????

 

[JDNSBR]

My car has 112,000 miles, still runs great, original engine never touched, I'm just worried I might get stranded in the middle of nowhere. Plus there is a oil leak that I can't figure out wheere is coming from.
What would you guys do, a total rebuild of the engine, or engine swap????

I would check your compression first. If you have good compression there is no need to rebuild the engine for your setup, you even said it runs great. Especially with only 112,000 miles. That is fairly good considering on how old our cars are getting. After you check you compression, keep an eye on the oil level since it is indeed leaking. Try to track it down. Where does it seem to be coming from?

 

[Vinnie]

Just completed a compression test, results not good at all.
From left to right: 125 125 120 135
after wet-test : 155 144 142 150

There you go guys, what should be my next step and options on a limited budget, let's say $3500 and that's pushing it, I would like it to be around $2500

 

[BISHILVR]

Well for $2500 you should be able to do a pretty nice buildup. Pull the block, get it bored and your choice of forged pistons, some forged rods, get a valve job and some stainless valves, new crank/rod bearings, arp rod and head bolts/studs, do the balance shaft elimination kit, maybe a set of cams and call it a day.

 

[gsxtacy]

$2500? rebuild?

Get a rebuilt 6 bolt short block., remove the BSs', get an AWD 6 bolt flywheel and a 6 bolt oil pan, 1G cas, 1G timing components and water pump, use your stock 2g water pipe with your 2G water neck, and swap the 7 bolt out and the 6 bolt short block in.

While the engine is out is a good time to inspect the clutch and make that decision.

Get some ARP head studs and a MLS gasket and call it a day.

Wiring the CAS is way easier than it seems, and trimming the 2G driver side engine mount for the 6 bolt water pump is gravy.

You'll be light years ahead of where you'd be if you attempt to "rebuild" the 7 bolt.

gsxtacy