Rebuild advice wanted

[ernie]

Hi all

Just in the middle of a project at the moment and no rush on this yet.
A recent track day has thrown up a little point.

When finished the car will be mainly for street use with a few track days and a 100 shot of NOS now and again.

With the availability of parts in Ireland I want to rebuild a spare engine with reliability and some high revs capability in mind.
Nearly had an engine failure at the start of the track day, just a rocker stud came loose luckily I heard it rattling and stopped.
Redlining a 30 year old ohc engine, fun, but if I pay for a full day I want the full day.

I am an experienced mechanic and can handle a full rebuild but I am new to the 1uz engine and looking for part specific advice.I know most of the parts will have to be imported (probably from the U.S )but I want long term reliability not any great increase in power.
Engine is from 96 ls400 no vvti
Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

 

[cribbj]

Ernie, these engines are so cheap it really doesn't pay to rebuild one if you're only doing a mild tune with it. Especially if you're having to import parts....

If it blows, just buy another pulled motor for $500-$1000, plug it in & go.

If you're going full race, and/or want 8500 RPM out of it, then it's a different story.

BTW, early rods (< 95) are beefier and will hold up against the NOS and revs better than your '96 rods.

 

[ernie]

Over here I can source a complete car for about 500 or 600 euros with a bit of searching and patience.
I intend to just update the reliability as I don't want a days racing ruined (it's a maybe twice a year treat for me at the moment) but no-one would put it past me to bring a spare engine with me to the race track.
At the moment i'm thinking, save the pennies and then rods, bearings and bolts from Lextreme.
Just take it from there really.

 

[Zuffen]

You're a better man than me to think of changing an engine at a racetrack and still get to use your days racing.