Engine rebuilds Options

[AWD DSM 1]

What are everyone’s experiences with these? I’m staring this 7-bolt in the face, knowing that the day will come only too soon that it will be ripped out and replaced with the bulletproof 6-bolt. I figure everyone else’s experiences might help me with my own indecisiveness, and it would be good reference for some of the newbies (or not so newbies).

My own experience:
91 6-bolt rebuild. Bought a top-line kit from Mach V. This included full gasket set, rings, bearings, freeze plugs, pistons, oil pump with case, all seals, belts, etc. For the most part, I was very happy with the kit. Blew the head gasket about 500 miles later, but I think that was more from me overheating the car than bad parts. Block had minimal machine work done to it, as did the head (although the 2g head was ported to match a 1g intake). Car is still in service and producing an estimated 275+/- hp. Mitsu timing belt, water pump, tensioner, and tensioner pully were all used from a prior acquisition.

What have you guys done? What wouldn’t you do again? What parts would you use only OEM Mitsubishi stuff for? Thoughts on Stainless Steel valves?

So far I’ve got a block, 9:1 JE pistons, and a 1g head that needs valves sitting in my garage.

TIA

Rob

[KOU In3]

I used to be all for the Mitsu 4 layer Ralliart headgasket but after a lot of reading I'd go with the Cometic HG now.

As for stainless valves, it's kind of a slippery slope IMO. If you're upgrading, why not go +1mm. But then you'll need some machine work.

The more I look at it overall, the more I come back to hackneyed question: What are the final goals you'll be looking for. I definately think it's easier to build an engine, trans, or project car with a goal in mind rather than just 'better'. (better leads to best and lots more $$$ than might be necessary for the car's pupose)

Just my $0.02 though. I'd like to hear from Nate, Marcus, and Kris though here.

Oh, and nice engine sitting in the corner BTW. What's the story there?

[AWD DSM 1]

Oh, and nice engine sitting in the corner BTW.    What's the story there?

Which engine? I've got 3.

Picked up the 6-bolt a while back for a spare, got the pistons in a early 7-bolt block with one of my car acquisitions, and the head is left over from a long time ago. Just pieces and parts I've collected through the months.

BTW- Goal is to run an 11.99 with the car. Figure about 400-450 hp. After that, everything changes.

[awd4kicks]

I agree, building for a particular goal in mind is the only way to do this kind of thing with any kind of budgit and sanity. Even if the goal changes midstream it's better than upgrading to the next level only because its expense is not that much more. With that type of justification, you could spend your entire budgit on the head alone.

Keep in mind Darry Hudson was running 11.7's or 11.6's with a bone stock head.

[natedogg]

If I had to do it all over again. I'd do it the same way except upgrade to forged rods, pistons, and arp rod bolts. I've been very happy with my Mitsu 4-layer metal HG, but my block and head were both resurfaced so the 4-layer made up for any chamber space I may have lost. I bought almost all my new OEM parts through conicelli. This would include misc. gaskets, water pump, oil pump, front case, timing belt and components. It may have been a little more expensive than an all inclusive kit, but at least I was assured they were all genuine Mitsu parts (only when that's a good thing, of course ). And of course I upgraded to arp head studs. Another thing I might do differently (which could really be done at any time) is upgrade to the Moroso oil pan. Increased capacity and baffles...good.

As far as the head goes, I'm keeping it bone stock. There are plenty of people out there running 10's on the stock head, and I've read more than a few stories of people (1g's and 2g's alike) actually losing hp from modifying their head even with aftermarket intake manifolds (internet stories mind you, but a few had dyno charts to back it up). I'm not saying this is the case for everyone or even a majority, but just something to keep in mind.

Here's a good head discussion on dsmtalk. Some people that actually seem to know what they are talking about.

http://www.dsmtalk.com/forums/showthread.p...ad&pagenumber=1

[turbohcar]

Precision Engineered Engines
1231 N. Mason Street
Bloomington, IL 61701

They build race engines for the dirt track. Lots of Modified and a couple Late Models. They did my rebuild and they've done several other Mitsubishi rebuilds, naturally aspirated and turbo including plenty of Mitsubishi race spec motors. They would be happy to do yours. Call them at 1309-828-2161. I highly reccomend this shop. I wouldn't send my stuff anywhere else. Also, they use all Felpro gaskets, which we've NEVER had problems with the headgasket blowing before.

[AWD DSM 1]

Actually, I'm planning on using Mangus (sp?) for my machine work. He apparently does all of the work for the mitsu dealer here in peoria. Several people have started using him, with good results.

BTW- Fel-pro has a good name with the domestic crowd, but not with the import (specifically mitsu) crowd. I've heard of too many problems. Only Genuine mitsu stuff for me!

[akamiami]

last I heard, mangus is out of business.

[AWD DSM 1]

last I heard, mangus is out of business.

What!?!? Back to Kalina? ehhhh.... I don't think I want to go clear to bloomington for machine work.

[SPOOLED91]

Mangus is NOT........I repeat NOT out of business! he is only MOVING because he's lease is up. it will take him a couple of months he said to relocate. I work for Mitsubishi as a parts counterman and we do take ALL of our work there because he is the BEST! just ask Marcus where Kalina gets you!

[natedogg]

I'll go to Bloomington before I'd go back to Kalina.

[awd4kicks]

After taking my engine to Mangus and him telling me to take it back home...I'd at least say he's not to interested in doing the work. I understand the lease issue and that he admittedly keeps good relations with Peoria Mitsubishi, but he pretty much told me that he could not help me. So here I sit with raw material that I didn't want to take any where else, making nothing more than an expensive paper weight.

[awdnot2]

The stock 1g heads are excellent. The race heads are really intended for those that want to make big power. Not everyone can port a DSM head either. Only have DSM shop that knows what they are doing port your DSM head. The DSM head can easily be over ported and perform only slightly better than stock or worse than stock. One can also throw enough air, not boost, at the motor to get a car with a stock head run 10's.


Darryl

PS Anyone know how to pack a chute?

[SCCA Stang]

anyone have experiemce with Mulvane Motorsports in East Peoria??? they quoted me a decent price on machine work, he builds race engines also and I have heard good things from the domestic guys, but havent heard much at all from you guys. whats the scoop???

and what is the general consensus on JE pistons for a DSM???

[awdnot2]

I had a head welded at Mulvane a few years ago. They did a great job with that.


Darryl

www.awdnot2.com

[SCCA Stang]

thanks Darryl,

what about machine work on the block and the JE Piston question???

[turbohcar]

The stock 1g heads are excellent. The race heads are really intended for those that want to make big power. Not everyone can port a DSM head either. Only have DSM shop that knows what they are doing port your DSM head. The DSM head can easily be over ported and perform only slightly better than stock or worse than stock. One can also throw enough air, not boost, at the motor to get a car with a stock head run 10's

That's what our flow bench and the guy that has been doing it for 15 some years is for. He has done several Mitsubishis now with awesome results. And POS AWD, we can use any gasket set you want, I was just saying that's what we usually use because they've been dependable in the past on other motors.

[SCCA Stang]

That's what our flow bench and the guy that has been doing it for 15 some years is for. He has done several Mitsubishis now with awesome results

turbohcar, do you have a shop, or do you just know of a good one, either way, give me the scoop.

[turbohcar]

I am what you would call a friend of the family. The owner's son and I have been best friends since junior high. When I'm not at school, work, or home, I'm at the shop. They basically include me as one of the family and I take the opportunity to work on my car or the stock car in there as much as possible. They are the ONLY place in town that carries APEXi and Greddy. That's all I am positive of right now. I don't want to say too much because I don't want to be mistaken and tell you wrong. They just bought into a company called Racer X who is a major sport compact car aftermarket parts distributor and this Racer X carries so many parts it's insane. The linecard takes up an entire computer sheet three rows wide. You should come down and visit sometime.

Precision Engineered Engines
1231 North Mason
Bloomington
Larry or Chris will be there
Chris is the guy that does all the port work
you can also see my new motor on the stand and my car in the shop
just tell them that Brett sent you
8AM - 5PM
the don't keep exact hours but if you stop by sometime in between there you should find them

[SCCA Stang]

thanks for the lead Turbohcar, if i want head work, I will come out and check out the shop, heck, I might just come out anyway, but as far as the machine work on the block, I think I am just going to use Mulvane.