locospl

iTrader: (3)

What it was:
4.065 stock bore, stock GM crank
Callies Compstar 6.125 rods, Autotec -10cc pistons
Ported Ls3 heads, comp push rods/springs, trunion rockers
PT76/75 CEA turbo @10-15#
Full fuel system with 60# injectors, 80# injectors on the workbench
Made 710/695 @15#/12°, thru an unlocked 4L60E and 9"

What happened:
#5 injector failed/clogged
#5 piston melted at the top ring gap and melted the piston
#5 cylinder liner was damaged at the location the piston melted
Had #5 cylinder cleaned up to see how bad it was. Took .020" to clean up the bore. Now minimum bore is 4.085"

What to do:
Would like to just bore block to 4.085" and buy a set of 4.085 pistons for a stock stroke. Have not found an off the shelf piston for this.
Cost would be- Machine work to bore all cylinders to 4.085 + New pistons

Possibly have block bored to 4.085" and use TSP 418 rotating assembly.
4.0" stroke with TSP/Wiseco 4.085" pistons
Cost - Bore work + TSP rotating assembly

Buy new block and one new piston and reassemble as it was before.
Cost - LS3 block + one piston + new rings

Anyone have any info on stock stroke 4.085" pistons?

I could rebuild this as a NA motor and put it in the wifes GTO if the 4.085" bore is not safe on the boost.

stereojnky

iTrader: (19)

Don't forget to add balancing costs for option 1 & 3.

With that being said. You already said what you want to do. (Option #1)

If budget wasn't a concern, I would sell the crank and rods and go bigger. (Option #2)

Option #4 : resleeve damaged cylinder?

FLYZNTN

Option 1 for cost savings...... A custom piston would not be all that much of an up charge for your application and I'd bet they (Wiseco) could do it pretty quick. That said, I'd be a little nervous about sleeve thickness if you continue to run the turbo. Might be fine but I'm paranoid. FWIW.

Option 3 wouldn't cost you a bunch more then 1 because you could recover a good chunk of money by selling your existing block (perfect re-sleeve candidate). I'd go this route because you get to keep the turbo.

Resleeving the damaged cylinder works too. ERL or RED.

locospl

iTrader: (3)

Option #1: I have inquired with Racetec and Wiseco about custom pistons to work with the stock stroke and 4.085" bore. Will check on prices to finish boring the block and re-balancing the rotating assembly on Monday.
I might put this block back together and keep it on low boost until I get another engine built. Then swap it in to my wife's GTO as a NA street motor.

Option #2 revised: I am looking at the possibility of buying a short block for my car. This is not the cheapest route but would be the best solution.

Option #3: This would not be available if I can go with #1.

Option #4: I think re-sleeving would be to high cost option. Shipping both ways, parts, machine work. Would be cheaper to to LSX block.

A_VAS

iTrader: (16)

lowest cost option, would be to have Racetec make you a 4.085 piston for that one hole, and request it to be weight matched to the other 7

saves you rebalance etc and they can do this.

ondatrack

iTrader: (15)

For reference, I just did option #4 for an LSA block with similar damage two weeks ago but mine would not clean up. The ductile iron sleeve was $135 and the install with the hone back to 4.065 was $165 plus cost of the stock piston and ring in my case. No rebalance. I'm sure Autotec/Racetec could supply a single piston to match your other one, they are easy to work with.
I bought the sleeve and had it installed at LA Sleeve's facility as they are local to me but you can buy the sleeve and have a more local shop probably do the install for probably a little more. Livenois uses their sleeves along with Dartons in there big bore LS3 blocks.

locospl

iTrader: (3)

Racetec can cut a new piston and supply new rings. Piston $100-$120 and full set of steel rings $250.

What brand sleeve did you use and where did you buy if from? I will have to check on who can change it in my area ( South Ms ).

I am not sure about changing the one piston to the larger bore, but Racetec can make me one!

themealonwheels

iTrader: (20)

Don't even worry about it, I took your block and moved it outside... it rained.

I like the idea of rebuilding it for NA with the one piston slightly larger for your wife's GTO, but I'm not sure how I'd feel about one larger piston that weighs the same as the others in your TA. That seems like a recipe for a repeat under the conditions you run your car.

ondatrack

iTrader: (15)

The sleeve manufacturer is LA Sleeve. They have been around since 1945. The part number is FL-3344 Molly2000 ductile iron performance sleeves, stronger then stock, for a 4.065 bore with an OD of 4.300. Livenois uses these along with the Dartons, better known on this board, in their LS3 blocks when they do the complete dry sleeve block.

locospl

iTrader: (3)

I missed that you mentioned LA sleeve. I have used them many times in the past on race quads. I will check out the sleeve and see what it will cost me to get it installed.

locospl

iTrader: (3)

Sleeve is on its way to the machine shop where the block currently is.

All I need now is to get the weight of my piston so I can order a new one. Wonder how I am going to get this done as I will be away from home for a little while.

TheMealOnWheels, any idea of how I could get the piston weighed?

locospl

iTrader: (3)

Racetec had the weight on file. They are currently making a new one and supplying the new rings.

ondatrack

iTrader: (15)

Glad that it is working out. Are you going to have them rehone the whole block, if not make sure they check the bore next to the one they sleeve as LA Sleeve told me it will sometimes need to be honed as it can possibly distort a bit.

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using IB AutoGroup

locospl

iTrader: (3)

The sleeve will be honed after install. The other cylinders are in great condition but will be brushed with the hone to clean up the bores.

Still looking around for a spare short block. Hoping to find a LS3 or LSA built for boost that some one is not going to finish.

toytech93

iTrader: (2)

So is the sleeve a concern if adding boost OR is it stronger ??? any opinions ?

locospl

iTrader: (3)

LA Sleeve states that the sleeve is a higher grade material than the stock liner. It will be pressed in and held just like the factory one, and the heads will clamp it in place.

I have ran LA sleeves in drag ATV's in the past with no trouble at 14:1+ CR.

This will be my first re-sleeved V8, will keep everyone posted.

toytech93

iTrader: (2)

Has anyone else ran a repaired/sleeved Aluminum block under more than 10psi ?

I have an extra LS3 block that cracked the #7 sleeve. My local shop said not to stroke it OR go over 10-12psi.

ondatrack

iTrader: (15)

I have not yet put mine under boost but it is being built with the intent on running 15 lbs boost . It is a LSA block with forged internals, TF TEA 235 heads and currently twin GT2871r turbos on E85. When I went to LA Sleeve they stated it will be fine for boost. As mentioned the sleeve is far stronger than the stock one and once installed there is no chance of movement. If I had the extra funds I would have had the entire block sleeved and gone larger bore under boost. I will be using ARP head studs so the thick deck heads will not be moving .

Sent from my HTC6500LVW using IB AutoGroup

locospl

iTrader: (3)

When this one is done - End of week hopefully- it will be run at 15+ pounds.
LS3 heads and ARP studs.

Tuskyz28

Send the block to ERL for a big cube resleeved motor.