4AGZE rebuild worklog

[PrettyCoolWagon]

Well done dude!

It's been a long time coming some pics (& youtube vidz) 'd be great if you can manage..

[TERRA Operative]

When I disassemble an engine or car, I use those zip-lock bags to label every bolt.
Ie, one bag for bolts for the A/C bracket, one bag for sump bolts, one bag for intake manifold bolts, etc etc.

[quiksilv]

[dangdang]

Yes yes yes!

Looks great, also reminds me I have one 82 I must finish soon.

[quiksilv]

I still think I have oil drain issues. She smokes quite a lot on boost and throttle-off. Even with the -10AN line and 1mm restrictor.

Changed the oil on the weekend and found the turbo drain fitting on the sump, even at that height is still close to the oil level when full, since oil pours out when I disconnect the line.


Only filled it up to half on the dipstick and it seems to smoke a little less. Looks like I need to put the drain in a different location or perhaps raise the turbo.

[Drew]

How low is the turbo mounted ?
it looks like the core is on a 45degree angle it should be closer to vertical to drain properly & the fitting in the sump as high as you can get it (above the oil level will drain better)

[quiksilv]

Yeah I think you're right, it's pretty low. Not much higher than the drain unfortunately and it's at 45deg.





I'll take it back to the exhaust shop to try chop the manifold to raise it up and also change the drain bung further to the right (shorter) side of the sump. (Lucky I have a spare sump!)

[PrettyCoolWagon]

turbo placement and oil issues aside - this is a top build mate - Very nicely done.
How long ago did you first decide to buy the engine and start the project...?

[danielk]

That will be your issue for sure. How is it driving and how long until you tune this beast for ze power?

[quiksilv]

The engine build started about 5 years ago and the car was off the road for about 2 years!! Can't say I would do it again haha

Car is running quite well now - still on the run-in tune since I haven't had time to get it to a dyno but she has nearly 4,000 kms on her and hasn't blown up yet

Smoking issues are fixed! It was all because I stupidly hooked up the catch can back into the stock inlet on the intake manifold and hence pressurising the whole system!! Only realised when I went to check the catch can one day that this was ridiculous.

[Thirteen13]

Very cool mate! Good write up, good read and congrats on the rig man. I was heading down same path as you but was going with a GT2871R!

[PrettyCoolWagon]

The engine build started about 5 years ago and the car was off the road for about 2 years!! Can't say I would do it again haha

Car is running quite well now - still on the run-in tune since I haven't had time to get it to a dyno but she has nearly 4,000 kms on her and hasn't blown up yet

Smoking issues are fixed! It was all because I stupidly hooked up the catch can back into the stock inlet on the intake manifold and hence pressurising the whole system!! Only realised when I went to check the catch can one day that this was ridiculous.

Appreciate your dedication mate, Well done...

So how's the seat of the pants dynometer feel??

Any suspension mods?

[TRP]

Awesome build dude. I'd love to see a vid & hear it running

[PrettyCoolWagon]

Quiksilv:

Did you fit the rings and check the gap yourself or get the machine shop to do it?

[quiksilv]

The car has been neglected lately, needs a good wash and a tidy-up. It's still on the run-in tune after 7,000km - I've been quite lazy.

Suspension feels waaay to hard. I'm running ISC coilovers with 6kg springs front and 4kg rear. Even on the lowest setting I can feel every bump and rattles the shit out of passengers - looking at replacing soon since it's a daily driver and too annoying.

Rings and gap I did myself. Just lubed them up and used a feeler gauge. I was worried my smoking issues were due to faulty ring installation but luckily not so. Still smokes a little on boost... I'll try plumb the intake pre-turbo to the catch can, that may give it a bit more vacuum to help suck the air out at higher revs.