B5 S4, operation money pit. Forever evolving, never ending.

[MouseRat]

I love the B5 shape. So subtle!
This one is going to be completely crazy. Keep up the high quality work man

[Exodus_2pt0]

Just saying I'm still reading, don't want to disturb the progress though haha.

Good to know I'm not talking to myself!

Order placed for rods. I also bought a dry erase board to put in the garage so I can give myself a visual "to-do" list. Should help to prioritize and brainstorm plans. It works wonders for us at work on big jobs, so I figure it should help me cement things at home as well.

[Northern]

Just saying I'm still reading, don't want to disturb the progress though haha.

[Exodus_2pt0]

New block looks and feels great.

Bought a new toy as well. Now I can actually pull everything.

I'm strongly considering doing the engine with forged rods and new rings, and reinstalling the current setup but with e85. I got a ride in a stock block e85 k04 car yesterday (conservative to not chuck a rod), and the car was fast. Very fast.

Don't worry, if I go this route, I'll be buying some junk heads to use the old engine as a mock-up and build the stk while I try to kill my f21's.

As always, nothing is set in stone until it happens. At this point my only priority is rebuilding the engine and trans. When it comes time to put everything back together I'll decide which route to go.

[Exodus_2pt0]

[Exodus_2pt0]

Picking up a short block on Saturday. Less mileage, ran when pulled, and it's the later style BF block which is supposed to be a bit stronger than the one I have.

I didn't post about it, but the last few times I started my car I had a low oil pressure warning pop up once it got warm. It was intermittent though, which leads me to think it wasn't a bad sensor. My power level is supposed to be safe, but that combined with the shit compression numbers is making me want to just take the heads and build another block.

Plus, the price on it I couldn't pass up.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Bad news, decided to perform a compression test before I pulled the engine out.

All cylinders are low, around 120psi. Cylinder 5 rings are completely shot. 75psi repeated for multiple attempts. Added oil and it shot up to 160.

I wasn't planning on touching the rings, but I guess plans change. Hell, I wasn't even sure if I wanted to take apart the engine or just risk the stock block and run it.

So, now a engine tear down is inevitable. Hopefully the bores check out and I can just do a hone/re-ring.

If the bore is bad, then I need to take a step back and consider my options. I'm not getting into boring and aftermarket pistons with the 2.7, even with rods we are reaching the point of diminishing returns. (Stock block = 500whp. Drop in rods = 600whp, and you are already risking a cracked block if your torque is up there as well. )

So, if the bore is bad, do I find another short block or j
Make this a real long term project and start collecting vr6 parts?

I'm ok with this taking a extended period of time to do, this is the project I've wanted for a long time.

[Exodus_2pt0]

All positioned. Lots of room, tools are behind me. Let's put the garage to use!



Spent about an hour on it tonight. My 3 year old has turned out to be an excellent helper. She made sure to keep my work light on point the entire time.



Rough positioning. It will sit a bit lower.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Not much to update right now, I was messing with it a little bit tonight just pulling parts off.

Looks like I'll have clearance on the back while keeping the secondary firewall, I'll have to redo the wiring harness and reroute but that's ok. In the photo it wouldn't fit down in there due to the current boost control hoses and egt control units.

Since both of those things will be gone, I removed them and it fight right down in there with a little room to spare. Also will have to relocated the vacuum ports away from the rear of the manifold.



Gotta buy an engine hoist and press from harbor freight here soon so i can get rolling. Probably won't order the rest of the parts until tax time.

I don't see this car being back on the road for quite some time. I'm in no rush and want to invest the time to do everything right.

[Northern]

That S256 looks so big in the engine bay...

#updatespls

[Exodus_2pt0]

Also, I got a deal on the 256 that I couldn't pass up. I actually think it should.make for a nice broad powerband without being a peak number queen.

If it's not enough, shouldn't be hard at all to swap to a bigger turbo. Which is honestly the biggest advantage to going single, no more engine pulls.

[Exodus_2pt0]

I would go straight for the s366

I keep going back and forth between buying a porsche and keeping the 335i a daily or single turbo the 335i to 700+ whp and get a 535xi wagon as a daily

Also whats your thoughts on B8 S4 I told my dad to look at them I would be interested in them if i wasnt addicted to this n54

I haven't driven a B8 but I've seen them in action, and they are quite impressive. With a pulley and tune they roll with your average k04 S4. Alot of guys seem to be giving up their B5's for them.

[papag1234]

GL with the car! I still get excited seeing these on the road. Miss mine every time I see one

[Kevinl]

I would go straight for the s366

I keep going back and forth between buying a porsche and keeping the 335i a daily or single turbo the 335i to 700+ whp and get a 535xi wagon as a daily

Also whats your thoughts on B8 S4 I told my dad to look at them I would be interested in them if i wasnt addicted to this n54

[Exodus_2pt0]

Decided to check out the turbo and remove the 1.2 ar housing in favor of the .82 that came with it.

So, the exhaust wheel has some damage on the very outer edge, which I was told about. The CHRA was sent out to be balanced and inspected afterwards (2j ate a valve and sent a piece through the turbo). The guy who did the work on the turbo said it balanced fine, and he considered it a "stage 2 clipped wheel" lol. Oh well, my friend trusts the guys opinion so I'm going to run the piss out of it and see what happens. Judging by photos of what it was originally, I'd say at most 1mm has been removed from the turbine wheel. If all goes well, maybe I'll experience a slight loss of spool in exchange for more flow. That's looking on the bright side.

Good news, is that the compressor wheel is an extended tip, so that's a fun surprise.

Can't wait to really start the project.