Ecotec Rebuild

[Ryan_86]

Hi, I have tried using the search, but it didn't really help me. If anyone can help out a beginner, it would be very much appreciated.
What I want to know is what I would need to rebuild the engine (has about 150k on it) and change out whatever I need it can take a supercharger a few months down that track ( i found some threads that mention pistins ect). Also a ballpark figure for that parts, and also getting someone to rebuild it for me as I'm not quite that confident yet. Just wanna now what $'s I'm up for. Cheers

[Burnout124]

why do you want to rebuild it? it is only just run in ! as for the cost it all depends on haw far you want to go

[Ryan_86]

Sorry mate. I meant 150k as in 150,000 kilometers.
I don't want to go too nutz with the rebuild, just want to get the crewman moving quicker. (already done a few of the basics, exhaust, extractors, cai, throttlebody ect...)
I have seen on other threads about rebuilding the engine to handle the extra power (new pistons, con rods ect..) just wanted to get a few ideas from more knowledgable people than myself :-)

[Munz]

I wouldn't bother with the rebuild until she starts to struggle and as long as you have enough fuel in the cylinders and don't run any more than 8-10psi you should be right!


What charger are you going to run

[immortality]

read this ** Rebuilding a Stroked/Turbo VT Ecotec ** although it a stroker it the principles are the same. cost will be similar except you will have a workshop assemble the engine (which won't be cheap)

Talk to MACE ( in the sponsors section) about pricing for parts that you may need

cheer

edit: i see you have a crewman, there heavy, torque is your friend, a blower or stroker kit (or both) is the best way to improve torque

[Ryan_86]

Thanks for the replies guys.
What would be the best? Buy a block and start with that or picking up a rebuilt ecotec and then change out parts?
Also is supercharge the way to go, or should I go down the turbo path?
Immortality, now that I looked into it, stroked will probably be a path I will go down for the extra torque.
I will pm mace and also get there opinion, prices ect...
Cheers again :-)

[Ryan_86]

One more question, I have been told that the engine in the crewman are raised higher for more ground clearance. I don't know if it matters, but do I have to keep that in mind that theres anything I have to do different?

[Dr HaxZaw]

One more question, I have been told that the engine in the crewman are raised higher for more ground clearance. I don't know if it matters, but do I have to keep that in mind that theres anything I have to do different?

if its raised higher in relation to the rest of the car then you just might not have as much room under the bonnet for things like mace spacers and it would also mean less room in the engine bay which could make the turbo or blower a little more difficult... i would think that it was just the whole car that was raised but if not you might be able to solve it with different engine mounts

[Ryan_86]

When I was looking for an CAI I found over the radiator ones for vy v6, but there was a side note that it wouldn't fit a crewman or one tonner. When I asked why he said it was because they raised the engine for more clearance for the sump, and the bonnet wouldnt close. But now that I think of it , that still wouldn't affect an over the radiator system unless the radiator was raised?? I will have compare it to a vy sedan

[Dr HaxZaw]

yeah dont bother with a over the radiator with a ecotec... the intakes in the side so all the benefits are lost but consider getting a cold air intake to replace the standard airbox with

[Ryan_86]

Yeah, I went with the mace CAI, going strong so far :-)

[gem05]

Agree with burnout124 a 150000km motor doesnt need a rebuild,just needs mods all the main components would still be in great working order.

[Avi8or]

I got to about 240,000km before I rebuilt myn, and by then she was very tired. Trust me though, depending if you want to recondition or rebuild will govern the price. We stripped the entire engine down, new everything, heads completely reconditioned with new seals and valves, basically a brand new engine and that was about $3k (and we did it ourselves with no labour and some 'mates rates'). However its been built to withstand the turbo that will be going on it in the next few months.

[VBRED]

For $3k you could pick up a low k L67 motor with the supercharger all bolt on loom and probably the box as well. Far better then boosting an L34 donk. I picked up one with reasonable ks for $1500 and put it in my VB. A set of extractors, 10lb pulley, high ratio rockers and you are away. Cheap power and lots of low down torque.

[ToMMMaY]

Turbo is the way to go trust me

M90 is good but personally after having them both

turbo 1
m90= waste of space

[TI3VOM]

For $3k you could pick up a low k L67 motor with the supercharger all bolt on loom and probably the box as well. Far better then boosting an L34 donk. I picked up one with reasonable ks for $1500 and put it in my VB. A set of extractors, 10lb pulley, high ratio rockers and you are away. Cheap power and lots of low down torque.

The guy paid 3K for a full rebuild which would be better than any L67 out there with 100-200,000K's on it.

[ToMMMaY]

The guy paid 3K for a full rebuild which would be better than any L67 out there with 100-200,000K's on it.

as the guy said hes a beginner.

as the other guy said he done it all himself.

l67 would be the way to go for him for forced induction

[TI3VOM]

as the guy said hes a beginner.

as the other guy said he done it all himself.

l67 would be the way to go for him for forced induction

What makes the L67 better for him?

[Avi8or]

Again it all depends on what you plan to do with the car. I'm not planning on ever selling the car so I could justify the price, in comparison to say an 87k drop in motor that I would have to work on again down the track. Especially with the turbo it was better to start with a fresh platform.

[ToMMMaY]

What makes the L67 better for him?

high/low compression you tell me

[TI3VOM]

That's about the only benefit between the two engines, if each engine was brand new! Running up to 10psi through a freshly rebuilt L36 as opposed to a L67 with 150,000K's on it. I would think the L36 would last longer don't you?

[VBRED]

An L67 is specially built for boost from the factory. The only thing the L67 and the L36 have in common is the block. If you are going to boost it an L67 platform is much stronger + go supercharged or turbo.

[TI3VOM]

The L67 is not that much stronger from the factory than the L36, the pistons are coated which give the L67 (what Holden and most people out there call it) a stronger bottom end. If they are worn, they're not going to be much better than brand new L36 pistons.

Plus most bolt on ecotec supercharger/turbo kits out there are designed to go on a stock engine with the 9.4:1 compression ratio.

[TI3VOM]

To the OP,
I think you need to contact people in the know face to face, go to some engine builders (or contact them online) and work out what you want from your engine, where you want it to hit power/boost and roughly work out how much power/torque you want to get out of it.

[ToMMMaY]

The L67 is not that much stronger from the factory than the L36, the pistons are coated which give the L67 (what Holden and most people out there call it) a stronger bottom end. If they are worn, they're not going to be much better than brand new L36 pistons.

Plus most bolt on ecotec supercharger/turbo kits out there are designed to go on a stock engine with the 9.4:1 compression ratio.

Rods are also diffrent dude
The l67 is a way better engine byfar and everybody knoes that
ofcourse a brand spanking new ecotec engine would be great but if he wants to be running boost hes going in the wrong direction