Need to build bottom end: would like others' opinions

[temanuele]

With the plan to go full E85, I feel that it is time to upgrade my connecting rods. I was hoping to get some insight from others on here who have done this before, as to the best course of action. The options I was thinking are:

1) Just bite the bullet and pay a shop 2K+ to install rods
2) Hold out for someone selling a built short block, and swap it with mine
3) Cross my fingers and hope I don't throw a stock rod through the block

It sounds like installing rods from the bottom just isn't feasible, but it seems like a lot of labor cost to pull the motor just to drop some rods in. So that then gets me thinking, well the motor is out so maybe I should do pistons...bore it out. on and on and on. Why can't I just be happy with a running car

[Scotty@Advanced]

With the plan to go full E85, I feel that it is time to upgrade my connecting rods. I was hoping to get some insight from others on here who have done this before, as to the best course of action. The options I was thinking are:

1) Just bite the bullet and pay a shop 2K+ to install rods
2) Hold out for someone selling a built short block, and swap it with mine
3) Cross my fingers and hope I don't throw a stock rod through the block

It sounds like installing rods from the bottom just isn't feasible, but it seems like a lot of labor cost to pull the motor just to drop some rods in. So that then gets me thinking, well the motor is out so maybe I should do pistons...bore it out. on and on and on. Why can't I just be happy with a running car

I'ts possible to install rods without removing the engine but it would be much more of a pain in the ass to do so.

[rtl5009]

I'ts possible to install rods without removing the engine but it would be much more of a pain in the ass to do so.

how so?

How do you remove the heads (exhaust manis create all the trouble) to get the pistons back in the hole?

[rtl5009]

Do it yourself, building a motor isn't rocket science , people have been doing it for years, you need good tools (including some special ones), patience, a bentley manual, a place to do it and some one to go to when u get stuck (aka people on the forums who are truly knowledgeable ).

[AudiA4_20T]

how so?

How do you remove the heads (exhaust manis create all the trouble) to get the pistons back in the hole?

He's saying remove head and oil pan, leave block connected to trans. People do it this way on 1.8Ts a lot (especially VW)

OP, buy a built short block and toss it in your car. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT take your car down and think you'll have it done in "a few weeks" because it never will be. Get E85 running well at lower boost on the car, build a block on the side, and when it's all set toss it in

[rtl5009]

He's saying remove head and oil pan, leave block connected to trans. People do it this way on 1.8Ts a lot (especially VW)

OP, buy a built short block and toss it in your car. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT take your car down and think you'll have it done in "a few weeks" because it never will be. Get E85 running well at lower boost on the car, build a block on the side, and when it's all set toss it in

I guess you could undo the downpipes, undo the head bolts and lift it out as a whole head/main/turbo combo. you would have to fanangle the turbo coolant/oil feeds too. and the coolant hard pipe for the heads.....

way not worth it........

[temanuele]

I guess you could undo the downpipes, undo the head bolts and lift it out as a whole head/main/turbo combo. you would have to fanangle the turbo coolant/oil feeds too. and the coolant hard pipe for the heads.....

way not worth it........

Did you install the parts yourself for your built motor?

[rtl5009]

Did you install the parts yourself for your built motor?

Yes, the whole shebang.

[Rdp616]

I've always wondered why there is some consensus when it comes to building a motor that it's insanely difficult..Getting it out is much harder lol. Of course, the bottom end is the easiest (IMO anyway). I have yet to rebuild a cylinder head on a car. I've done a couple Quad/dirtbike cylinder heads. But that frankly is child's play. Once you have the block on an engine stand, and the proper tools. It's actually pretty easy. And the feeling of gratification afterwards is pretty awesome too. Knowing that thing pulling you down the highway was built by YOU.

[temanuele]

I've always wondered why there is some consensus when it comes to building a motor that it's insanely difficult..Getting it out is much harder lol. Of course, the bottom end is the easiest (IMO anyway). I have yet to rebuild a cylinder head on a car. I've done a couple Quad/dirtbike cylinder heads. But that frankly is child's play. Once you have the block on an engine stand, and the proper tools. It's actually pretty easy. And the feeling of gratification afterwards is pretty awesome too. Knowing that thing pulling you down the highway was built by YOU.

Thanks for giving me some confidence

[S4 00 2.7]

Hey Thomas. I agree, buy a spare motor and build it yourself.

[ChrisGS4]

Find a used motor for sale local and build it over the winter then swap your finished motor in when its done.

I have a Scirocco I am parting out because I was just taking it apart to do a few things. I hit a few snags, then ran out of money, then had to move. The car has sat for seven years at this point and mice got into the wiring and everywhere else.

Long term projects suck.

[haggard69er]

build it yourself. like many have already said, there is a lot of info on how to do it. jibberjive has a sticky on the main page of the forum dealing with engine specs, tolerances and so fourth. look up goohead, he has a engine build thread on car domain, read through gearheads build thread. there are so many, you just have to search.

[aysix]

I'm building a block over the crappy season...if you need direction rtl5009 knows his shit.

[julex]

There is no way you could build the engine with it sitting inside the engine bay without going bananas and eventually pulling it out anyway.

And as others said.... don't expect you'll be done in any reasonable timeframe. Getting a spare long block is a must. Building engine is like upcoming battle, the plans don't survive first bolt coming out!

Stuff will take far longer than you think. You will question yourself, search for info for hours, order missing/damaged parts, swear that you filed ring 0.001" too much or scratched it and need new set, etc, etc. Fun times. But in the end... satisfaction and confidence ensues.

[haggard69er]

I'm building a block over the crappy season...if you need direction rtl5009 knows his shit.

^big 2nd