Right well finally I am starting the LET build for my mk3 Astra track car.
So far I have had a chat with Dave @ PEC and i'm going to be ordering new standard main and big end bearings, steel rods machined to allow oil piston cooling, low comp Wossner pistons (probably 0.5mm oversized) and a Cometic head gasket. Will be bolting it together with ARP's.
I have a Garett T28 ball bearing turbo with a custom 180SX manifold which I will be fitting my new LET flange at some point.
The block will be going to a local maching shop to be re-honed once the new pistons have arrived and I have a set of xe and let cams, would XE inlet and exhaust LET be the best setup?
Still unsure about the inlet manifold but i have heard that fitting a standard XE one with a cav V6 tb has good results, any other options?
Now i have a standard GM head that as far as i can tell has not been skimmed, what should i look to do with this? Light skim? Was thinking getting it ported and polished would be a good idea.
But what about double valve springs and solid lifters? Will they be needed, or standard replacements be fine?
Then with the cam belt, tensioners and other gaskets best to just go with GM parts? What results have people had with the sump gasket options? 8v? ecotec? xe?
And finally what should i do with the management side of things? Currently have a PJ ecu with EVO5 chips and a LET loom from a mk2 Astra so has been cut about a bit. Heard good things about Emerald should I be considering aftermarket at this stage?
Aiming to run 320-350bhp on that turbo, with the possibility of more power at a later stage.
Loads of questions I know, but i'm looking to put the engine together over the next 4-6 weeks so really want to get bits ordered and get the ball rolling.
Excluding the turbo, pistons, rods, H/G and bearings i'm looking to spend £1500-£2000 or so if I use after market management, I know will will probably be more for rolling road time and mapping.
So what are people thoughts??
Cheers Chris.
So far I have had a chat with Dave @ PEC and i'm going to be ordering new standard main and big end bearings, steel rods machined to allow oil piston cooling, low comp Wossner pistons (probably 0.5mm oversized) and a Cometic head gasket. Will be bolting it together with ARP's.
I have a Garett T28 ball bearing turbo with a custom 180SX manifold which I will be fitting my new LET flange at some point.
The block will be going to a local maching shop to be re-honed once the new pistons have arrived and I have a set of xe and let cams, would XE inlet and exhaust LET be the best setup?
Still unsure about the inlet manifold but i have heard that fitting a standard XE one with a cav V6 tb has good results, any other options?
Now i have a standard GM head that as far as i can tell has not been skimmed, what should i look to do with this? Light skim? Was thinking getting it ported and polished would be a good idea.
But what about double valve springs and solid lifters? Will they be needed, or standard replacements be fine?
Then with the cam belt, tensioners and other gaskets best to just go with GM parts? What results have people had with the sump gasket options? 8v? ecotec? xe?
And finally what should i do with the management side of things? Currently have a PJ ecu with EVO5 chips and a LET loom from a mk2 Astra so has been cut about a bit. Heard good things about Emerald should I be considering aftermarket at this stage?
Aiming to run 320-350bhp on that turbo, with the possibility of more power at a later stage.
Loads of questions I know, but i'm looking to put the engine together over the next 4-6 weeks so really want to get bits ordered and get the ball rolling.
Excluding the turbo, pistons, rods, H/G and bearings i'm looking to spend £1500-£2000 or so if I use after market management, I know will will probably be more for rolling road time and mapping.
So what are people thoughts??
Cheers Chris.