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there's a four way battle ensuing over my car, between me, the missus, my echanic, and my other mechanic.
- the car is at a shop. they say that preignition melted my piston rings and the head, due to a failing fuel pump. they also say my rear turbo is leaking, and requires replacement, preferably of both turbos. They want to bore out the block, rebuild with forged internals, put new turbos on, and charge me an arm and a leg. They haven't built a Skyline engine recently, but the car just rebuilt in the bay my car now occupies was a Porsche 959. I drove that car, seemed fine to me! Anyways, the Tomei engine they have failed compression on cylinder #6, so I just want the head.
- the missus doesn't trust them. she wants my other mechanic to fix the engine. He's built numerous RB26s, and is a big believer in "OEM is best". He has a used long block with turbos that he's offering for the equiv of 830 pounds. This engine is used but never rebuilt (apparently). the missus argues that since Nissan built the engine, it'll be far better than being built by someone who's never built an RB26 from the ground up. But although the mechanic does a good job at building RB26s, he doesn't like hotrodding engines and generally avoids building tuned cars.
- a complete engine for 830 pounds? I'm suspicious. And anyways, I plan to run high boost. Lots of people run high boost on stock bottom ends, but...?
- the missus wants that cheap engine - a complete drop-in package for 1000 pounds and I'll be on the road again in a couple days.
- I'd rather spend 3500 pounds and do a full rebuild, including brand new turbos.
- before you say it, the map of course will be a major (but not sole) factor in the longevity of the engine. Used original or rebuilt?
- both the 2nd mechanic and the missus argue that, with proper mapping, that old original standard never-rebuilt engine will be plenty fine, even if I add turbos (up to 2530s by my plan).
What would you do? the first option is expensive but I'm willing to swallow it for some peace of mind.
- the car is at a shop. they say that preignition melted my piston rings and the head, due to a failing fuel pump. they also say my rear turbo is leaking, and requires replacement, preferably of both turbos. They want to bore out the block, rebuild with forged internals, put new turbos on, and charge me an arm and a leg. They haven't built a Skyline engine recently, but the car just rebuilt in the bay my car now occupies was a Porsche 959. I drove that car, seemed fine to me! Anyways, the Tomei engine they have failed compression on cylinder #6, so I just want the head.
- the missus doesn't trust them. she wants my other mechanic to fix the engine. He's built numerous RB26s, and is a big believer in "OEM is best". He has a used long block with turbos that he's offering for the equiv of 830 pounds. This engine is used but never rebuilt (apparently). the missus argues that since Nissan built the engine, it'll be far better than being built by someone who's never built an RB26 from the ground up. But although the mechanic does a good job at building RB26s, he doesn't like hotrodding engines and generally avoids building tuned cars.
- a complete engine for 830 pounds? I'm suspicious. And anyways, I plan to run high boost. Lots of people run high boost on stock bottom ends, but...?
- the missus wants that cheap engine - a complete drop-in package for 1000 pounds and I'll be on the road again in a couple days.
- I'd rather spend 3500 pounds and do a full rebuild, including brand new turbos.
- before you say it, the map of course will be a major (but not sole) factor in the longevity of the engine. Used original or rebuilt?
- both the 2nd mechanic and the missus argue that, with proper mapping, that old original standard never-rebuilt engine will be plenty fine, even if I add turbos (up to 2530s by my plan).
What would you do? the first option is expensive but I'm willing to swallow it for some peace of mind.
opcorn:
