fpena944 wrote: ↑Thu Oct 22, 2020 10:14 am
So when all is said and done, are the savings significant enough to DIY compared to sending it away to Flat 6 or similar?
Understand if you'd rather not share but just curious.
Not at all.
Here is my reasoning:
1) I have done essentially all of my own work since I was in my teens. The only thing I don't have are engine machining equipment. So that has to be farmed out.
1a) I used to have to pay to have tires mounted and balanced. Since the 90s, I've had my own equipment, so I am now able to do that myself. With hundreds of wheels and tires - ranging from racing slicks to rally tires - that cost adds up fast.
2) The turn around at Flatsix is more than a year. I wanted to be able to use my car, again, sooner than that. It took me almost exactly six months from engine drop to a proper test drive.
3) The cost of a 'basic' build from Flatsix is north of $25k. The cost goes up fast if you want anything extra. You do get what you pay for - they are probably the best in the business and they do not cut corners.
4) All totaled I sank about $15k into everything to build this engine. That includes:
~$8500 for the block work at LN (3.8 Nickies, pistons, pins, head gaskets, etc.)
~$2500 for the head work at Hamheads
$1400 for the IMS Solution
~$1250 in parts
~$1250 in tools, reference materials ($600 for the "Focus On: M96 Engine Assembly" DVD set), chemicals and supplies.
So now I have an engine I have complete confidence in. When I bought the car, I knew it was only a matter of time before something would fail. I was fortunate to catch it before serious damage was done.
I have addressed most of the weaknesses:
Nickies: to prevent bore scoring, bore cracking, D-chunk.
IMS Solution: IMS Bearing
Pinned the IMS
Heads were pressure tested and fully updated (valve springs, guides, valve grind, minor flow work)
Low temp thermostat
Ultimate Air Oil Separator
Aftermarket (ARP) con-rod bolts and AOS coolant pipe.
All wear items replaced with new parts
And I have a tremendous amount of satisfaction in accomplishing this all on my own. Priceless.
Now I can just drive it.
Scott
LGB
https://rumble.com/vohofv-this-is-super ... v&mrefc=41
'I really haven't accomplished a damn thing, but I have had an awesome time doing it'. Gretch - 12/4/20