Is it stupid to build a hot 2.0 on an original, numbers matching, 1R 'S' case?
 

The question says it all. I am convinced I need to buy an Al case, but I figured I'd solicit opinions.

What kind of motor? Keeping it a 2.0L?
If you keep it a 2.0L or 2.1L I do not see a problem.... Now if you bore out the spigots, you may try to find a normal alum case.

This has been the purpose of my research; Charles at LN has told me that he can get 87.5mm pistons and cyls into a stock 2 liter spigot. This would end up being a short stroke 2.4 if I went that way. Needless to say, I am worried that a 1R mag case would not be able to take a 225 HP 2.4L revving at 8K, stock spigot bores or not. It seems like you would know as well as most, though. Thoughts?

from where?

This is charles at LN engineering. his company makes the "nickies" cylinders and uses JE pistons, I'm sure this is what kenikh is referring to. not mahle stuff.

Andy is correct: JE.

Your aluminum case would more than handle that HP from that 2.4L.

Actually, I was referring to the mag case; I don't have an aluminum case yet. I know the aluminum cases are pretty much bulletproof since you can make a 300HP 2.8 on them without worries.

I read somewhere that 911 aluminum crankcase can handle upto 800 horsepower.

The only caveat being that the case is properly prepped (shuffle pins).

I wouldn't build a short-stroke 2.4 on a 1R case. It will work, but will eventually tear itself apart. I've seen 2.7RS motors built on these cases though, but it's only a matter of time before the case is a paperweight.

If you insist on keeping the numbers matching, then keep it small bore. But no matter what, you should shuffle-pin just for longevity's sake, because even if you keep it a small-bore hot-rod, it will have to rev like mad to make any power.

Thanks Tyson, that is the exact answer I was looking for. You guys rock.

I would shelf the original case regardless of which engine you decide to build. Why take the chance of damaging a case that significantly increases the value of your car? If you can afford it, shelf the entire engine.

I'm going to shelf the case, P/C's and oil pump. The rest of the guts will most likely go to an aluminum cased motor unless I can somehow justify buying another 66mm crank and 2.0 rods, which I have been considering. It just seems like wasted money to me buying redundant, replaceable compnenents.

The Mag case will not handle the power and torque of the new 2.4..

Go with an aluminum case, and save the 1R case.

What about 2R/3R case? If you did all of the machine work (shuffle pins), how much life could you expect out of those cases? 7R would obviously be best of the mag cases...

Just a historical note:

Almost all IMSA 2.5 liter GTU cars that ran Porsche engines used 7R cases because they offered the best service and reliability (not to mention weight savings.).
I know of no front running teams that ran 2.0 aluminum cases for their race applications.
I was there when they were built and I just can't remember one.

If some of the other old timers remember one please chine in.

The best rule of thumb I have heard is the mag case is good for 250 hp. If you plan on building more than that, then go alum.

Thanks

Ed

IMSA 2.5 liter engines generally made very close to 300 hp

What was the tear-down interval, I wonder? It would be even more interesting to know how often (if ever) the cases were replaced in terms of hours, on average. Maybe never, who knows.