2.8L M20 build - Now with 2.7L!

[digger]

Curious what everyone thinks about this rod/stroke ratio? I'm in the middle of collecting parts for an M50 2.8 NV and was thinking of using the same items, 84mm M52 Crank, 130mm M20 rods and my M50 NV pistons. The ratio comes out to less than ideal and could encounter some side load issues. What is the history with this combination and how does it fair for a boosted motor?

Thanks,

i wouldnt get too hung up on it. BMW used a 135mm rod in a 89.6mm crank engine with RR =1.51

[digger]

Got the pistons and everything installed! Sorry for the bad pictures. Looks like the motor is about ready to be dropped in which should be happening next week if all goes well.





Now I just have one question.

I plan on boosting this motor. Right now on the motor that's installed in my car (the one I'm taking the cylinder head from) has a stock thickness MLS gasket. I have heard mixed reviews about the MLS gaskets and if I'm being honest I haven't been all too pleased with it. So would it be worthwhile to switch back to an OEM Goetze head gasket or should I just leave the MLS and spray it with that copper spray?

how did the piston sit realtive to the deck? The nominal numbers say it should be -0.5mm (+4.5-5=-0.5) did you measure and confirm this at all?

[acolella76]

how did the piston sit realtive to the deck? The nominal numbers say it should be -0.5mm (+4.5-5=-0.5) did you measure and confirm this at all?

I only used a vernier caliper ot measure, so not sure how accurate it was, but that is about what i measured.

Also,

[camip]

Congratulations I bet you feel like your first son was just born.

[Cha Ching]

Dude, is it me or does that thing sound like an old fighter plane from WW2 firing up?! Bitchin'!

[acolella76]

Congratulations I bet you feel like your first son was just born.

It feels good :)

Dude, is it me or does that thing sound like an old fighter plane from WW2 firing up?! Bitchin'!

Well it had no exhaust on in that video, just open headers haha

[acolella76]

Well, got the clutch line fixed last night and went to town bleeding the coolant. At first it wouldn't turn over, but with a whack of a hammer the starter fired it right up. It was idling really rough, kind of like a vacuum leak. It would dip down to 250rpm, catch itself and rev back up, then dip, etc. But would be relatively fine with the throttle held open. The car started to overheat because the fan never kicked on... Let it cool down for a little bit and it won't even turn over. So I need some ideas what I should look at... Here is the gist of what's going on.

- E. Fan only works at the same time as the windows. If one works, they both work and vice versa.
- Starter will not turn over
- Ran pretty rough, may have had a misfire. Could be related, might not be. Just throwing it out there.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Bearmw]

Firing order is off?

[acolella76]

Not the firing order! Thank god :) I traced the unloader relay wires and everything checked out fine. Everything I could think of was fine. Replaced the starter and believe it or not... IT WORKED! Must have fried the starter somehow.

Another story! I found out more things that need fixing: Coolant leak, brakes need to be re-bled cause they feel like shit, the throttle cable is loose on the pedal so I can't quite 'floor it', the exhaust mount broke off, oh AND my alternator is toast and my car died twice on the way home.

But, on that ride home the new motor felt great. Even on a stock tune, it felt like it had a very smooth power delivery. Can't wait to button it up and tune it. So excited!

[5Toes]

What was the reason for the studs?

Kind of like the idea, but it seems like there are no gains, except tat lining up the pan is way easier.

[acolella76]

If you have ever done an oil pan gasket job on an M20, you will know why I put those studs there. It's pretty hard to line up and install at times... this just makes it a lot easier.

[Sagaris]

If you have ever done an oil pan gasket job on an M20, you will know why I put those studs there. It's pretty hard to line up and install at times... this just makes it a lot easier.

Yep. I had no luck getting everything aligned with a windage tray and 2 gaskets. Im just running RTV + no gaskets instead, still wasn't completely easy to get lined up.

[CarsSuck]

The only problem i can see with studs would be the increased clearance to get the pan around the subframe and rack. You'll need to raise the engine even more to get it in.

[dinanm3atl]

So cool Alex. Glad I could sit and watch you do some of the work in the VIP section at House of FullRace.

[acolella76]

I am afraid I have some bad news.

About a day ago I started hearing a little knocking or rattling but paid no mind because I thought it was due to someone not tightening my motor mounts down. Still drove great even at highway speeds.



Went to go get the motor mount nuts to tighten the motor mounts down and on the way home the knock got louder. Like really loud. All of a sudden I had no power whatsoever. Came to a light and the engine just died on me. Started it up, still knocked loud, came to another light, died.

Pretty sure I fried something. Engine is probably toast. No idea how or why this would happen, but it did. So that seems to be the end of it. Fun while it lasted.