Performance Engine Build

I like how this man thinks! But everyone knows wedding gifts are exclusively for the wives...

 

Haha! Don't think I can get somebody to pony up that kind of cash for a wedding gift though. Though, I'm sure someone will get the case of beer and Oreos I put on the Target wedding registry.

Going to be reading through your build thread - focusing mostly on the turbo side of things. Think I might have a question or two by the time I'm done.

 

Tor, I figured I'd ask you this since you've acquired a few engines over the course of your build. And I've got a couple days to go junkyarding...

Would it be prudent to just focus on trying to find a Tacoma 1GR-FE or would I be safe about broadening it out to include the 4Runner and FJ Cruiser 1GR (single VVT-i) for trying to get a working core or long block?

Also, how much of the 1GR did you (or importantly - can someone) assemble without having to go to the machine shop? I know it's unavoidable, but I really want to roll up my sleeves and do as much of the work as I can building this engine

 

The '03-'04 4Runner engine is the earliest that you want to go. But its intake cam gears and intake cam sensors are different that yours. Then anything from the other platforms, which is only single VVT-I. The dual VVT-I requires a different ecu to run properly, plus is a different design on the bottom-end as well.

Depending on what all tools you have, you can do a lot of the assembly yourself. But for the machining and what not, you will definitely need a shop to do so. To make sure your clearances and tolerances are proper.

I have never installed valves, guides, springs, or retainers in the heads. I have also never installed oversized valves. I left that to the machinists. Factory bucket shims and cams, all the time. Nothing to it. Factory bottom-end, all the time. That is easy.

Checking aftermarket parts, and having to deal with possible machining differences.....I left that again to the machinists. Just safer.

Dezod, and LC Engineering are fast, relatively. Compared to Darton. Both of their prices are even a little better than Darton's. Just need to do some calling for quotes, when you're ready. As far as attaching the heads to the block, and final assembly, you can have them leave that you if you like. Made me feel more apart of the build, from LCE.

 

To go more in depth with Ti, there are several manufactors that implement titanium for several of the rotating componentry in engines of production cars without needing rebuilds and have very long life. Race engines all have rebuild times like that regardless of materials.

 

Any updates?

 

Afraid not. Been too busy with work, wedding planning, and being flat broke.

Probably won't get any headway on it until fire season is done here in the West.

 

What a long strange trip this has been. Last couple of months have been crazy!!

Been reading through my notes and catching up with everyone's build logs. The more I read, the more I'm talking myself into a turbo build.

Sadly, I just don't think it's going to happen soon enough. So when I do get underway on this project, it will probably be in my build log (once I get one going).