Solarsurge's Ongoing 2013 LSM Build

[Solarsurge]

I had a build diary on another forum that I created before I really had any idea what I was going to be doing and where I'd end up with this car. Two years later, I've come across a donor block for an engine build and I'm finally giving her a complete overhaul, fixing bad choices I made, and going balls out on this project...wherever that may take me.

Although drag strips are fun and I do a few passes here and there, my ultimate goal is NOT to create a 1000HP drag racing machine. I think that angle is pretty well covered. My goal is a highly refined FWD road racing machine that makes 500+ HP safely and reliably, with usable power across as much of the power band as possible, with as much durability as possible. I'm still working out final decisions for a few of the parts, but most of them are pretty well set. Some parts I want are very hard to find, so I'll have to update the details as I actually secure the parts.

I have done nearly all the work myself with some help here and there from members of the NATOR community and I intend on keeping it that way, with the exception of machining. Aside from updating the list as I go, I will also post pictures and talk about anything worth talking about. Please feel free to follow this build as I embark on this journey and chime in whenever you like. Also, feel free to give suggestions on things that aren't specifically mentioned. I'm always up for good ideas. Even the crazy ones.

Engine Parts (As of 2022):
Manley Platinum Series 87.5mm Pistons w/.210" Wall Pins
Manley H-Tuff Plus Rods w/625+ Bolts
Precision Balanced Rotating Assembly
King pMax Tri-Metal Main & Rod Bearings
Custom Head Porting
Supertech Nitride Flat Intake Valves
Supertech Inconel Dish Exhaust Valves
Supertech Valvetrain Kit with 70lb springs
Cometic MLS Head Gasket
ARP L19 Head Studs & ARP Main Studs
Corksport BeCuse Injector Seals
Damond Motorsports PCV Plate & Dual OCC Setup

Power Parts (As of 2022):
South Bend Stage 3 Endurance Clutch
JBR Tru-3.5 Wide Path Aluminum Intake
JBR Bypass Valve Hose
Corksport MZR BPV
BNR S4 v2 Turbo
cp-e Delta Core FMIC Kit
JMF v2 PI Intake Manifold
cp-e LTRmani Turbo Manifold
Corksport HPFP Internals
cp-e Block'd EGR Delete
Cobb Gen2 3" SS Turbo Back Exhaust
Grimmspeed 3-Port EBCS
Bosch 3.5-Bar MAP Sensor
JBR Plug-n-Play MAP Harness
JBR Methanol Injection Spacer
JBR Intake & Throttle TIGs
NGK 6510 Spark Plugs (.025" Gap)
Cobb AP v3

Current Stability Parts (As of 2022):
KW v3 Coilovers
JBR Tru-Torsion.125 Front Adjustable Sway Bar
JBR Tru-Torsion.125 Rear Adjustable Sway Bar
JBR Tru-Torsion 1.25" Billet Sway Bar Bushing Brackets
SPC Rear Camber Arms
Moog Front & Rear End Links
Corksport Mid-Chassis Brace
Corksport Shifter Bushings
cp-e xFlex Stage 2 RMM
cp-e 75 Duro PMM & TMM
Stoptech Slotted & Crossdrilled Sport Brake Kit
Stoptech Steel Braided Brake Lines
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S Rubbers

Current Curb Appeal (As of 2022):
Cougar LED Headlights/Fogs
Corksport LED Light Kit
Window Tint (35%)
BaysonR Front & Rear Lip Spoilers
Garage Vary Open Mouth Grill

Planned for the future:
Finish Custom Fuel System w/Full Port Injection & Methanol
Full Poly Suspension Bushings
Visual exterior overhaul with Custom Body/Aero Parts
Maybe more...

 

[Solarsurge]

Also, I just call her Arya right now because a girl has no name lol. She needs a proper name. Suggestions on that would be great as well. This is what she looks like right now.

 

[John]

Yours is female, eh? Mine's too much of a hooligan to be female. His name is Jack, after the Fight Club narrator. As in "I am Jack's colon. I get cancer. I kill Jack."

Not sure how anyone else can name your car... it really should be something deeply personal to you in some way. Although I suppose these days you can say it identifies as a fighter jet.

 

[Solarsurge]

Not sure how anyone else can name your car... it really should be something deeply personal to you in some way. Although I suppose these days you can say it identifies as a fighter jet.

When I said I did 100% of the work myself, I should have specified that I did so with the help of members of the NATOR community and sound advice and guidance from members on these forums (which I regrettably was too stubborn to take in some cases). So, this project is as much MY project as it is YOUR project. Arya is its current name, but It would be cool to get it renamed by the community.

 

[John]

... sound advice and guidance from members on these forums (which I regrettably was too stubborn to take in some cases). So, this project is as much MY project as it is YOUR project. Arya is its current name, but It would be cool to get it renamed by the community.

Fair enough. I do recall suggesting some things and you being a bit obstinate about it. I am aackthpt on the old forum (I screwed up my nick in the transition, but I'm owning it). No worries though, some degree of stubbornness is a good thing.

Thank you for not using that fucking flashing avatar shart here.

How about Gloria. Either after the coffee company ( https://www.gloriajeans.com/ ) or, if you prefer we can go back to 1982:

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... or you could classy it up even:

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[Solarsurge]

Thank you for not using that fucking flashing avatar shart here.

LOL! That avatar was gold, as long as you understood that it was sarcasm. It's good to see you're still around, though.

 

[Solarsurge]

Transportation arranged to pick up car with donor block Saturday morning and first round of parts ordered. It begins!

 

[Solarsurge]

Picked up the donor car today! Everything looks excellent. The bottom end looks exactly like you'd expect with 190,000 miles on the pistons, but the cylinders are silky smooth, no scoring, no issues. The head was also machined recently and the exhaust valves were replaced. We also found some freebies in the car we weren't expecting, including a cam timing tool, new VVT, timing chain, tensioner, and some other surprises. HUGE win today, even though my back is on fire and I think I need a wheelchair. I cannot believe the dude was selling this car so cheaply! Tomorrow we get to rip the block out and prepare it for the machine shop. Stay tuned!

 

[Solarsurge]

Made some progress today. Whole front end disassembled and she's ready to come out, but we ran into a snag because the 190,000 mile old CV axles just will not come out. We need to get a CV puller to finish. Everything else is unhooked, though. She's only in by the engine mounts.

 

[Solarsurge]

Happy 4th of July! We spent the day tearing out the engine. Finally got those axles out of the transmission, yanked the motor, tore it all down. Everything went pretty smooth today except for when I slipped off a bolt and punched the helical gear on the crankshaft slicing all 4 knuckles on my hand. As crazy as it sounds, this baby has 190,000 miles on the clock and the clutch still has plenty of life, the flywheel has ZERO wear, axles might as well be brand new, and the entire inside of the motor was pristine. The pistons were a little worn, but the rods, crank, and all the bearings were in great shape. Block stripped and ready to get cleaned and machined at the shop. Stay tuned!

 

[MattK]

Action shot! Hmm looks like a engine.

 

[Solarsurge]

So, I took my block to the machine shop and got amazing news. All 4 cylinders are perfectly round, crank pin and main journals literally have zero wear, everything is .000" from factory spec, main bearings literally look brand new. After 190,000 miles it's still like a brand new engine inside if not for the oil discoloration. I think I found a unicorn!
[doublepost=1530819151][/doublepost]

Action shot! Hmm looks like a engine.

That's a good lookin' dude right there, if I don't say so myself.
[doublepost=1530850143][/doublepost]Decided to go with Manley Platinum Platinum Series 87.5 Pistons w/.210" Wall Pins and Manley H-Tuff Plus Rods. Still researching bearings since Clevite H Series mains aren't made anymore for the speeds. Bummer.

 

[Solarsurge]

Took the head to my head wizard. Turns out that whoever just did the valve job on the head before I got it did a piss poor job. The seats were visually uneven and I’m gonna need to redo the valves. I guess that’s fair enough considering the bottom end needed zero work. He is also gonna key my crank and precision balance my rotating assembly for me since I’m doing a BSD.


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[Solarsurge]

OK, so all parts have been ordered, block and head are both at their respective shops.

 

[Solarsurge]

Parts started arriving today!

 

[Solarsurge]

More parts came. For some reason I felt pretty Manley today, so I went out and let er rip on a road trip one last time before I tear her down for the motor swap. Interestingly enough, I almost blew the silicone hot pipe right off the end of the turbo. The t-bolt clamp WAS about half of a cm above the end of the silicone hose, but somehow because of the tapered mouth of the turbo outlet the clamp slid down the taper. Oddly, the hose itself didn’t budge. Maybe time to call cp-e about a replacement hose because the only way that’s even possible is if it blew up like a balloon at the mouth and pushed the clamp down.
[doublepost=1531553661][/doublepost]Oh yeah... and who says you can’t have a race car that gets 30mpg? Psshhh...

 

[JFSpeed3]

30mpg avg! I never get that much. It's not like a race my car everywhere either. Nice build list you have going.

 

[Solarsurge]

There's an age old expression... I believe it's something like "Measure twice, build the engine once." Something like that. Anyway, I'm in the process of building a MZR blueprinting tool. I'm handy with Excel like that. Needless to say, my engine will be built right.

 

[Solarsurge]

All bores round and honed, head deck <0.05 mm distortion, block cleaned and prepped, and today painted!

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[Solarsurge]

Finally got the last of my valvetrain components and took them to the shop for my head makeover. Also getting my timing cover and oil pan washed because the previous owner’s PMM spooged all over the engine bay. Prepping for more paint. Oh, and I got some unicorn jizz in the mail...

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