JgamB
Greenie N00B Member
I don't like down time or wasting money, so I opted to jump on seasonal specials while my car is still running like a champ on the E85 Freektune / BNR S3. The benefit here is I've now got a core worth a substantial amount of money, and if all goes well, a weekend swap and no time spent driving the Honda CRV beater
. One has to assume you're probably pushing your luck with 386whp/390wtq on the stock block, so why wait until it's a paperweight?
I had planned to get FJ built, as they did a fine job on a local's build - but EBtec is also highly reputable and local-ish, which eliminates shipping - a significant expense, particularly if you need a crate. James and Chris at EBtec know their stuff and have several high HP MZRs out running in the wild, so this was simply the logical route. Their machine shop of choice uses a torque plate and punches everything out .020, and I went with Manley Platinum pistons, Manley H-beams, and L19 head studs from the Freek. The benefit of not waiting until I VTA'ed a rod on my OEM engine was I could now afford head work... so why the heck not? The runners are cleaned up, bowls ported, and the valves/buckets got a refresh to ensure lash was on point. They also had a great deal on the ACT 6 puck / Streetlite combo, and results from that kit appear to be better and better - so it got the nod over the SB Stg3.
I also requested something pretty darn weird.. to KEEP the balance shaft. The intent is to keep this car daily friendly, and BSD wasn't on the menu.
The rest of the build is pretty typical stuff... CS injector seals, CS 3.5 Bar, Freek 3.5" intake, AEM meth, upgraded intake and exhaust manifolds with 44mm EWG option on stock flange. And Murica beer.
The turbo is the wild card, and no, no pics of it yet. It's going to be For Science™, and ballpark power is ~550, or as far as the meth will take me.
The great news is my engine is done and ready! I'll be picking it up soon and hopefully doing a Friday night / Saturday swap as soon as the local crew has a free weekend @nindoja 's Bama North wrenching facility.
Wish me luck on a fun, reliable, reasonably comfortable DD mini-monster

I had planned to get FJ built, as they did a fine job on a local's build - but EBtec is also highly reputable and local-ish, which eliminates shipping - a significant expense, particularly if you need a crate. James and Chris at EBtec know their stuff and have several high HP MZRs out running in the wild, so this was simply the logical route. Their machine shop of choice uses a torque plate and punches everything out .020, and I went with Manley Platinum pistons, Manley H-beams, and L19 head studs from the Freek. The benefit of not waiting until I VTA'ed a rod on my OEM engine was I could now afford head work... so why the heck not? The runners are cleaned up, bowls ported, and the valves/buckets got a refresh to ensure lash was on point. They also had a great deal on the ACT 6 puck / Streetlite combo, and results from that kit appear to be better and better - so it got the nod over the SB Stg3.



I also requested something pretty darn weird.. to KEEP the balance shaft. The intent is to keep this car daily friendly, and BSD wasn't on the menu.

The rest of the build is pretty typical stuff... CS injector seals, CS 3.5 Bar, Freek 3.5" intake, AEM meth, upgraded intake and exhaust manifolds with 44mm EWG option on stock flange. And Murica beer.

The turbo is the wild card, and no, no pics of it yet. It's going to be For Science™, and ballpark power is ~550, or as far as the meth will take me.
The great news is my engine is done and ready! I'll be picking it up soon and hopefully doing a Friday night / Saturday swap as soon as the local crew has a free weekend @nindoja 's Bama North wrenching facility.

Wish me luck on a fun, reliable, reasonably comfortable DD mini-monster
