Engine refresh? Suspension refresh?
 

I know what an engine rebuild is, but what constitutes an engine refresh? I've always wondered...

Same thing with a suspension refresh. What is "refreshed?"

Are there transmission refreshes?

SmileWavy

I asked the engine rebuild question on the engine forum a few weeks ago and got some very interesting answers. I'm now trying to train myself to use the term.. 'remanufactured engine' when I tell people about my 3.2ss.
I'm thinking that the 'remanufactured' term can also apply to other areas of the car..for example the suspension. My scenerio started innocently enough and then before I knew it I was down the slippery slope. Everything removed, cleaned, painted, re-plated and or replaced. Bearings, front control arms, all rubber bushings, ball joints, tie rods, shocks, front camber plates. Lowered aligned, corner balanced. Emptied my pockets..and still feel like I cut corners because I didn't give much attention to the steering rack or the rubber puck.
I think most would consider a refresh as tending to trouble areas on the engine or suspension. Fixing leaks, maybe a top end and a good cleaning. Same would hold true with the suspension, new shocks if needed, maybe front and rear bushings and only go deeper if the part needed replacement ie: bearings or ball joints...and I guess a general clean up. my 2 cents

Right!

It could mean anything. I once had a guy offer to "freshen up" a trans. and sell it to me.

You need to get it nailed down in writing exactly what will be done - the list should be pages long.

Otherwise, just go with a known quality engine builder or do it yourself.

Here's my take on a suspension refresh.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/360270-66-911-suspension-refresh.html

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/364320-66-911-suspension-refresh-part-deux.html

I just got the fronts together today and didn't have time to take pictures.

And, of course, the lightweight version:
http://i11.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/b4/4c/be9c_1.JPG

Nah... Those little trees just mask the real problem.

Kinda like spraying the bottom of a leaking 2.7 with clear acrylic spray to stop the leaks

Here is my take:

"Rebuilt" means slapping a bunch of new parts on, involving nearly every wear part.

"Remanufactured" means, basically, building a NEW unit using a small number of 'core' parts. In other words, a "remanufactured" engine, to me, means somebody took the case halves, the crank and the rods and machined all those parts to be identical or nearly identical to new parts, and they used all new parts to assemble the rest of the engine, making sure that all assemblies and surfaces were 'as new.' "Remanufactured" virtually means "new."

"Freshened" can mean many things, and it is probably the least extensive of these three terms. I would say I freshened my engine when I measured stuff like pistons and cylinders, determining they were WELL within factory spec. New parts included all valves, guides, seals.....main and rod bearings, rings and various gaskets and rubber parts.

I also "freshened" my suspension when I replaced all the bushings, the shocks and turbo tie rods.