Project engine number 3

[darrenjlobb]

So after talking last night at Ace Cafe, its time to start on my third engine.

The head gasket in my current engine seems to be having issues. Coolant is pressurizing, does not over heat unless I am going some. But even then it cools right down once you let of.

So instead of just changing the gasket, I think I will just swap then engine to something that might stand up to more abuse.

Purpose of this thread is to mainly get ideas and info on what is needed. This all revolves around me finding a job too.

So from reading in the past from different threads, I have taken these basic facts.

1. DHX engine seems to be the strongest of the engine blocks to pick from. But does that mean the rods in this engine are stronger than hdi rods???

ALL the blocks are exactly the same quite frankly, its just a load of horsepoo whatever anyone tells you, dhy's go wrong 80% of the time, because 80% of 306's have DHY's in them, id get a DHY for the better head / coated pistons... Rods are all the same, whats your budget, sure its not time to just spunk 750 and forge it for peace of mind?

2. Hdi rods: when fitting into an XUD block need to go in the block in a certain way. Either they go in the same way the old XUD rods came out or they go in the way they would in a HDI engine. I beleive the correct way is the second way otherwise its byebye engine. Can someone please clarify.

Same way as they were in the donor motor

3. Pistons: cant use the hdi ones so will have to use either the ones coming off the old engine or get another set from somewhere. I think I remember reading the the DHY block pistons are coated with something, making them more durable, is this correct?

Yes, use the DHY ones, any will do provided there not scored, re ring it / hone the block out also.

4. Clutch: will most likely end up using the CG clutch that JP and others have used.
Max how is it on your 205, you were going to let me know what its like after bedding in.

Ive had one of the CG clutchs on my car for last year or so, for what you pay, you cant really go wrong, holds a tonne of torque, and drives fine, bit jerky but who cares really....only issue is they will die with abuse, after removing mine half the clutch is burnt onto the flywheel / pressure plate, but that said, I totally raped the clutch, so its hardly suprising, id say go for it tbh...

5. Turbos: My T25 is a good turbo it pulls well, flows plenty of air and comes on early enough to make it fun to drive. But I think with the engine coming out and the swapping over of all my other parts of the engine, I might as well upgrade the turbo.

Deffo dont put the T25 back on, such a old lathergic blower compared to what you could be using, Either something GT series, or even a vnt, just nothing really old like a t series.

6. Head bolts: Well since the engine I am running at the moment is only a year old, and we used a victor reinz head gasket the last time, and a new reconditioned head it was last swapped, I can only think we have lifted the head or something along those lines. So question has anyone actually got around to getting someone to make uprated bolts?

Buy ARP ones imo, I did, and havent had a single issue, ever, with a headgasket / head lighting or anything, from day one, and ive been ramming 60 psi in top end, and using a vnt bottom end, either of which, no problems...for what they cost, its only about 80-100 quid more than it will end up costing you farcing around trying to get something made up, and will most likely be a fair bit stronger to...

So final thoughts, what have I missed firstly. I am sure there are a few things that others have found out in the past or have thought about and not put down on paper so to speak.
In an ideally world forged internals would be good, but at the moment I can't go down that route so something a little bit more uprated will do. If it can get to 200bhp and be safe I would be happy.

Thoughts and answers would be great.