I've got blow by - rebuild now or later.

[jwasbury]

Gents,

I believe that my engine is likely due for a refresh. I've got exhaust-like puffing from the oil filler. Oil consumption is not too bad really - depending on driving conditions I can get 1000 miles per quart, though I'd say that's as good as it gets - highway cruising. Only occasional smoke on start up, no noticable smoking on boost or decel. A compression test I did last fall showed decent #s, like 130-135 psi across all cylinders except #6 (at about 120). That test was done with a warm engine and throttle plate open. The car runs great and feels strong, but I haven't driven any other turbo cars so perhaps ignorance is bliss and I'm missing a few horses due to worn rings and/or cylinders. It also seems to me recently that my car is getting fairly hot in situations where it would not in the past. This could be my imagination, but I have read that excessive blow-by will put a lot of heat into the oil...makes sense to me.

With the Turbopalooza gathering approaching at the end of June, I am wondering if now is the time to pull the trigger on a rebuild. The local indy shop I use has said that they typically tell clients to expect 1 month turnaround on rebuild projects. What do you guys think: am I crazy to think about having it rebuilt now and expect it to be ready for the end of June? Should I just run her as is and deal with this later, like after the summer?

Anyhow, my ideas concerning rebuild are fairly conservative. I want to keep the car reasonably stock-ish. Already have a new K27S turbo, RarlyL8 muffler and SSI exhangers. No plans for EFI, I like CIS. My goal: a strong engine that will last and will not cost more than the rest of the car combined. This is a street car that will eventually see some limited DE use, but if I get way into track driving, I'll probably just go looking for a track whore that someone has already built and pay 25 cents on the dollar for the mods. Here is what I am thinking:

stock boost level
New P&Cs - perhaps go to 3.4 liter. Should I bump compression? Mahle or LN Nickies and JE pistons?
SC Cams - why the hell not?
Heads will be refurbed - maybe some mild porting.
New studs (ARP, Supertech, 993 dilvars?)
I suppose that it makes sense to go all the way and rebuild the bottom end with fresh bearings and upgrade rod bolts too.
Oh, and an intercooler upgrade should be part of the plan too...anyone hear anything about Kokeln recently?

What say you?

[Shadetree930]

If its running good enough right now, I would leave it until winter. Your symptoms do not sound bad enough to put her in the stable over the summer driving season.

[A930Rocket]

+1.

Unless it's dripping, leaking, spraying oil and the temps are too high, I'd be inclined to wait. Beside if you don't, it's going to be REALLY tight if not impossible to make the Palooza. One thing leads to another and 3-6 months later, you have an engine.

[Shadetree930]

Besides ... the Palooza takes precedence over everything else/

[jwasbury]

Dripping, leaking? C'mon man, of course it has a drip or too No spraying though.

Yes, do not want to miss Turbopalooza. I am confident she'll do fine.

Originally Posted by A930Rocket

+1.

Unless it's dripping, leaking, spraying oil and the temps are too high, I'd be inclined to wait. Beside if you don't, it's going to be REALLY tight if not impossible to make the Palooza. One thing leads to another and 3-6 months later, you have an engine.

[Cowtown10]

Hey Jacob,
I had the same symptoms...
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?t=453862