DOHC Performance Build

[RedZMonte]

i ran stock HG's.. nothing special.. i had the rear head pulled to fix a leaky dist shaft once so not sure what they put back on... i wanna say it was a stocker.

[timg]

I've been running stock gaskets, but for the rebuild I believe I have Felpros. The rebuilt has stopped temporarily. When I tried to time the cams, something was binding. I'm not sure what's having interference issues, so I'll likely need to tear apart most of the motor to find out what's wrong. I'm concerned that by trying to turn over the engine, I may have damaged/bent something. Right now, it looks like spring time before I am able to make any significant progress.

First, I'm going to get my S2000 running again (clutch disc swap, clutch slave swap, new turbo manifold, new intercooler, new BOV, new intercooler piping, AC relocation, plus Borg Warner S300SX FMW turbo). The parts have been building up since I knew my old manifold and downpipe both cracked. I've just finished putting the stock clutch disc back in to replace the SPEC stage 2 disc. It had horrible rattle. Keeping the SPEC PP. The old turbo setup is off.

There is also a good bit of work coming up on my Saab (dedicated drive D1SC, 6L80E, ARH 1 7/8" headers, LS3 heads, L92 intake, LS9 cam), but I can't start that until at least one of my other cars is running reliably.

Tim

[robertisaar]

what gaskets are Tim and Shane running? i don't really remember hearing about them having HG issues.

[pocket-rocket]

I don't think you will have any issues with resurfacing and Felpro gaskets with a stock CR, especially with studs.

[85-308]

hi Ben; I assume I should go look in the store then; (I didn't for some reason);
I looked at the VW and didn't see how they would be the same but thanks for sending the info quickly; saved me time!

I think I'll settle for a deck and resurface and studs and hope for the best with that. If a head gasket (likely Felpro at that) blows with that arrangement - stock compression ratio - then I guess I'll rail at them! Cometic suggested that head gaskets might be $100 each so that could cover some machine work...?

[SappySE107]

I have head and main studs for the 3.4 DOHC. The VW studs did not work for Tim that I am aware of. Cometic does not offer a gasket for the 3.4 DOHC and its going to be well over 500 for a custom set. Nothing else is going to fit unless you don't care about cooling/oil drain back lining up:P

[85-308]

It looks like ours are the same as the Northstar and they use VW 204-4204 ARP head studs. Two sets on Jegs is $258 shipped.

Next up on the list is seeing if I can find MLS head gaskets that don't take months to make/order.

Tim

hi Tim;
Want to build one and maybe 2 engines for endurance racing (no flames pls, anyone) and am interested in the BEST head gaskets and at least HOPE to use ARP studs; so I want to be sure about the numbers above; these will fit the 91 block? The VW number is for the studs? What did you find out about head gaskets; what did you decide on? If Cometic already have one that fits I will likely go with them. I have asked and they didn't seem to have a listing for our engine, but might have another that fits?
Thanks in advance;
GP

[timg]

Yeah, where the nut should be isn't even threaded.

Tim

[SappySE107]

The studs I have are just over 6" and stick out of the head just enough to get the nuts to fully engage. ARP doesn't make anything in between. I figured 6.5" was going to be too long, now we know.

[timg]

They are 6.5" long. Stock bolts are only 5.5" long.

Tim

[SappySE107]

What is the length of them? I only know individual part numbers for the 60V6 engines, since there are no kits.

[timg]

I used part number 204-4202. That kit is for a VW Golf/Jetta 1.8L 16 valve. They screwed in perfectly and everything looked okay until I put the heads on.

Tim

[SappySE107]

do you know what part number you used? I have head studs but you can't use washers with them.

[timg]

Good news and bad news. Good news, I started working on everything. Bad news, the ARP head studs won't work. They're about 1/2 and inch too long.

Tim

[timg]

Nope. The rods were again around that much. There are cheaper options out there, but you're probably still looking at $1500 for forged pistons and rods even if you do use a cheaper option (narrowed SBC rods).

Tim