JgamB's "build it before you blow it" thread

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 :eek:. 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Wish me luck on a fun, reliable, reasonably comfortable DD mini-monster :D
 
Guess I need to go ahead and port over my 6 build thread. Looking forward to a quick (and hopefully painless) swap.
 
I swapped in an EBTEC built long block back in November. Chris, Brent and Travis helped me install it at Brent's house. Chris was awesome enough to deliver it to Brent's and help with the install and took my core back with him for the next person, not sure who got my core but maybe you. I've got 3k on the new motor and all is well, no failures from EBTEC built MZR's yet.
 
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I swapped in an EBTEC built long block back in November. Chris, Brent and Travis helped me install it at Brent's house. Chris was awesome enough to deliver it Brent's and help with the install and took my core back with him for the next person, not sure who got my core but maybe you. I've got 3k on the new motor and all is well, no failures from EBTEC built MZR's yet.

Chris stuck to his word and met me halfway to drop this off, and it was much appreciated. This build was on my spare core, but that just means yours is already out there doing work for someone else. I forsee a lot of MZR builds for EBtec.
 
One would hope that ~385/380 isn't borrowed time on a BNR S3/stock block o.0
 
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One would hope that ~385/380 isn't borrowed time on a BNR S3/stock block o.0

I would say that depends on if you're flogging the shit out the car and running to 7.2K RPM so you're not touching 5th in the 1/4. People crack ring lands on (a lot) less, so I decided to be proactive.
 
I would say that depends on if you're flogging the shit out the car and running to 7.2K RPM so you're not touching 5th in the 1/4. People crack ring lands on (a lot) less, so I decided to be proactive.
True. I don't rev it out past 6.5k (on the tach, which is really ~6k) unless I'm logging, then I go all the way to 6.7k for data. And I'm hoping that between E28 and 100% methanol the ringlands are nice, cool, happy, and intact, LOL. I'm not auto-xing or anything. I'm usually not WOT more than 10-15 seconds at a time.

Still 180+psi on all 4 cylinders last check, so hopefully that bodes well.
 
I beat the shit out of my stock block with a GT3071 at around 380whp Freektuned 25% E mix. Made many hot passes down the Dragon and motor held together but decided to swap before it was too late, cheaper this way. Motor was burning a little oil and Chris said the rings were worn badly but not cracked.
 
Any plans for more LEDs?

Looks good, do you have an engine swap date on the books yet?

I can always use more LEDs - it's looking like this coming Friday and Saturday (26-27) for the swap. @ms6mil and @865ms3 have been invited to assist. We'll probably have a general meet but keep hands in the engine bay to a minimum so stuff doesn't get misplaced.
 
I'm not the mechanic Brent is but I participated in 4 swaps over the last year. PM me the address, I can't commit yet but I'm off on Friday's and Saturdays. If you need some help on Friday I could drive down, often Saturday help is plentiful but not Fridays.
 
I can always use more LEDs - it's looking like this coming Friday and Saturday (26-27) for the swap. @ms6mil and @865ms3 have been invited to assist. We'll probably have a general meet but keep hands in the engine bay to a minimum so stuff doesn't get misplaced.


I'll confirm tomorrow. Should be good though.. Already told the wife, so just need to make sure no work will interfere. I will need some room to crash and someone for a struggle snuggle!!

I think Lee said he might like to come. So we'll see....

Let me know if you think of specialty tools you think of... soldering, welding, aluminum plates, grinders, rotary tools, powder coater, etc...
 
I'm probably out for this coming weekend. I've got to get my 4Runner up and running. Wife hates it when I boot her car to the driveway lol. We will see though !


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I'd love to find a date conducive for everyone, but our friend John's MS6 is limping on 3 cyls. My block will likely be his core and I hope to get it back to EBtec ASAP. @ms6mil the only thing I can think of that would be nice to have is some scuff guards for hanging over the fenders - if I recall you had some of those. We've got any other tool we'd need. @nindoja has a large house, I'm pretty sure we can accommodate quite a few guests. I'll put up a meet thread in the AL section and tag you guys once it's in stone.
 
I'd love to find a date conducive for everyone, but our friend John's MS6 is limping on 3 cyls. My block will likely be his core and I hope to get it back to EBtec ASAP. @ms6mil the only thing I can think of that would be nice to have is some scuff guards for hanging over the fenders - if I recall you had some of those. We've got any other tool we'd need. @nindoja has a large house, I'm pretty sure we can accommodate quite a few guests. I'll put up a meet thread in the AL section and tag you guys once it's in stone.

Yup you got it...
 
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