21 replies to this topic

[AGRO_RB]

Ok, got an email back, for all parts and labour I'm looking at $6k for a full engine and gearbox overhaul, expensive but worth it as Minibitz are known for their quality, so it's still an option.

What I may do is assemble the engine myself and have all the machining and measuring done by a professional machine shop to keep costs down. I've decided to go 60 thou over with pistons as you guys have mentioned, is there anything else I need apart from the usual bottom end freshen up if required? I.e. head-wise, cam etc, I've read 1.5 ratio roller rockers are a great upgrade without getting silly. Looking to source an HIF44 and will probably run an LCB manifold with a full RC40 exhaust... Will this be enough for a torquey, responsive and most of all RELIABLE road engine I can use every day?

[ACDodd]

Offsetting means you can now go all the way out to 73.5mm and still sleeve back to stock. This maximises the block life.

[AGRO_RB]

The problem is cost, while I have no problems spending money on quality parts I don't want to go too overboard on performance gains, especially as I have a particularly "may as well" attitude when it comes to my cars which often sees costs spiraling big time That said if it's not a costly exercise...

[ACDodd]

Offsetting adds £20 to the bill when I do it. Anymore than that and the method of offsetting is not right.

[AGRO_RB]

I'll talk to a few.machinists and see what they say, a lot of engine builders over here seem to charge and arm and a leg for machine work... I do miss the UK sometimes

Whats actually involved? I assume the two center cylinders are actually staggered slightly to maintain adequate block thickness between cylinders?

[ACDodd]

Both pairs of cylinders are moved out from the centre of the block. Nominally this is 0.011". If you are boring straight to +0.060" this would be 3 passes of the boring machine on each hole. On 2 of those passes an offset will need to be applied. So the large chunk of your cost should be the extra passes of the machine not the offset. I would charge £145 to offset bore and double hone a mini block from STD to +0.060". As a guide a standard rebore (one pass of the machine) would be £95. And a straight rebore and double hone to +0.060" with no offset would be £125.

AC

[ACDodd]

Don't let them fob you off about offsetting its as easy as inserting 2 sets of feelers at the centreing stage of setting up the boring machine!!

AC