Evo 9 GSR & TTR Built 2.3L Oil Consumption
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 426
Likes: 22
From: Winchestertonfieldville (Rochester, NY)
What parts did you reuse, and what parts were replaced between now and previous builds? How many miles do you have on the current setup and is it a new turbo ?
We had to go overbore to .40.
Currently around 500 miles, it's the same turbo I just had it cleaned.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Turkey
Did you replaced the crankshaft? What brand is now the piston, rod, crank combo?
And is it stroker again?
Yes crank has been replaced as it was cracked.
I went with my builders recommendations in terms of the build vs my use , i dont plan on crazy hp but 500whp eventually is my end goal and i want to track the car as much as i can.
Crank is Manley stroker , turbo tuff rods and Manley Platinum pistons . The reason why i went with them is again builders recommendation but their explanation is based on my car use , is that these pistons have the largest skirt to cylinder area thus reducing piston movement and its wear.
I was told that most of the piston companies going after the fad of high revving and in order to do that you need to shave weight, a lot of places it's piston and their skirts. The more is removed the more piston is rocked around cylinder resulting in faster wear or crappier seal.
Car is supper smooth, runs great and i dont have to carry quarts of oil with me, it's weird to get used to, checking oil level and it is the same everytime i check after hundreds of miles on it.
It is still too early to rave about it , i want to see how it's going to survive upcoming season but im set on leaving an Evo scene as i got burnt one too many times and im puzzled as to why people still fall for these shinnagens and they dont become more apparent here on the forums.
And remember one thing, if your engine is consuming oil there's obviously something wrong with it. I leanrned it the hard way
I went with my builders recommendations in terms of the build vs my use , i dont plan on crazy hp but 500whp eventually is my end goal and i want to track the car as much as i can.
Crank is Manley stroker , turbo tuff rods and Manley Platinum pistons . The reason why i went with them is again builders recommendation but their explanation is based on my car use , is that these pistons have the largest skirt to cylinder area thus reducing piston movement and its wear.
I was told that most of the piston companies going after the fad of high revving and in order to do that you need to shave weight, a lot of places it's piston and their skirts. The more is removed the more piston is rocked around cylinder resulting in faster wear or crappier seal.
Car is supper smooth, runs great and i dont have to carry quarts of oil with me, it's weird to get used to, checking oil level and it is the same everytime i check after hundreds of miles on it.
It is still too early to rave about it , i want to see how it's going to survive upcoming season but im set on leaving an Evo scene as i got burnt one too many times and im puzzled as to why people still fall for these shinnagens and they dont become more apparent here on the forums.
And remember one thing, if your engine is consuming oil there's obviously something wrong with it. I leanrned it the hard way
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 426
Likes: 22
From: Winchestertonfieldville (Rochester, NY)
I think what the OP is getting at is a bad ring seal on the two previous motors due to either piston design and or the rings just not seating themselves in the first place
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Richmond, VA
Just read every word...interesting as i had a full 2.3 build done 2 years ago and from the get i was going through 1qt of oil in 75 miles...it was nothing for me to use 3qts on a highway trip from Richmond to Newport news and back again and sometimes more. I was constantly checking/topping off the oil no matter what i did whether it be going to the gym ten minutes away or just driving to get a six pack. Id check the oil every time i started it. It was pathetic. My shop told me it was normal that all built motors burn oil but none of the guys i knew with built evos burned any and they absolutely beat the living dog **** out of their cars and i was terrified to drive like that because of oil being low at any given moment. It was so bad id pull over on the interstate just to check my oil if i felt like pulling on the car one time.
Eventually as you probably expect i experienced catastrophic engine failure. Sent it back to the shop i trusted and had another build done at full cost to me and even paid for some oem parts that mysteriously went bad while sitting in my trunk while the motor was being built at full dealer cost even though they're cheaper EVERYWHERE else you look.
What bbong experienced was word for word picture for picture what i experienced. From the way the plugs looked to how oil pooled on the pistons and i was told that was normal when i mentioned it before the motor let go but when they tore down the motor all of the sudden the way the pistons looked was a problem...also they told me the oil looked too thick and gummy but it was the oil that was recommended by them.
Sorry to hijack but my point is bbong knew something was off with his car and i applaud him for putting it out there and wondering wtf was wrong. I wish i would have spoken up when i noticed how much oil i used to the community and not just to the shop that built my car and led me away from serious issues and just drained my bank account instead
Eventually as you probably expect i experienced catastrophic engine failure. Sent it back to the shop i trusted and had another build done at full cost to me and even paid for some oem parts that mysteriously went bad while sitting in my trunk while the motor was being built at full dealer cost even though they're cheaper EVERYWHERE else you look.
What bbong experienced was word for word picture for picture what i experienced. From the way the plugs looked to how oil pooled on the pistons and i was told that was normal when i mentioned it before the motor let go but when they tore down the motor all of the sudden the way the pistons looked was a problem...also they told me the oil looked too thick and gummy but it was the oil that was recommended by them.
Sorry to hijack but my point is bbong knew something was off with his car and i applaud him for putting it out there and wondering wtf was wrong. I wish i would have spoken up when i noticed how much oil i used to the community and not just to the shop that built my car and led me away from serious issues and just drained my bank account instead
Just bought a 2.3 shortblock and stage 3 head, hopefully I don't run into the same issues.
I'm curious to see how you guys broke in your motors? As we all know, correct break-in procedures are key to a healthy motor.
I'm curious to see how you guys broke in your motors? As we all know, correct break-in procedures are key to a healthy motor.
Just read every word...interesting as i had a full 2.3 build done 2 years ago and from the get i was going through 1qt of oil in 75 miles...it was nothing for me to use 3qts on a highway trip from Richmond to Newport news and back again and sometimes more. I was constantly checking/topping off the oil no matter what i did whether it be going to the gym ten minutes away or just driving to get a six pack. Id check the oil every time i started it. It was pathetic. My shop told me it was normal that all built motors burn oil but none of the guys i knew with built evos burned any and they absolutely beat the living dog **** out of their cars and i was terrified to drive like that because of oil being low at any given moment. It was so bad id pull over on the interstate just to check my oil if i felt like pulling on the car one time.
Eventually as you probably expect i experienced catastrophic engine failure. Sent it back to the shop i trusted and had another build done at full cost to me and even paid for some oem parts that mysteriously went bad while sitting in my trunk while the motor was being built at full dealer cost even though they're cheaper EVERYWHERE else you look.
What bbong experienced was word for word picture for picture what i experienced. From the way the plugs looked to how oil pooled on the pistons and i was told that was normal when i mentioned it before the motor let go but when they tore down the motor all of the sudden the way the pistons looked was a problem...also they told me the oil looked too thick and gummy but it was the oil that was recommended by them.
Sorry to hijack but my point is bbong knew something was off with his car and i applaud him for putting it out there and wondering wtf was wrong. I wish i would have spoken up when i noticed how much oil i used to the community and not just to the shop that built my car and led me away from serious issues and just drained my bank account instead
Eventually as you probably expect i experienced catastrophic engine failure. Sent it back to the shop i trusted and had another build done at full cost to me and even paid for some oem parts that mysteriously went bad while sitting in my trunk while the motor was being built at full dealer cost even though they're cheaper EVERYWHERE else you look.
What bbong experienced was word for word picture for picture what i experienced. From the way the plugs looked to how oil pooled on the pistons and i was told that was normal when i mentioned it before the motor let go but when they tore down the motor all of the sudden the way the pistons looked was a problem...also they told me the oil looked too thick and gummy but it was the oil that was recommended by them.
Sorry to hijack but my point is bbong knew something was off with his car and i applaud him for putting it out there and wondering wtf was wrong. I wish i would have spoken up when i noticed how much oil i used to the community and not just to the shop that built my car and led me away from serious issues and just drained my bank account instead
Also had to eat the whole cost as it seems that whenever things like this happen , shop is never at fault for churning out faulty engine , it is either a tuner or a user.
We should create a sticky and track build satisfaction from different shops that way others can see what to expect when going with Shop A vs Shop B , im sure things would be much clearer to unsuspecting buyer.
With Buschur it was "Let it idle for 30min and look for any leaks and then you can put it on the dyno" always used recommended by them BradPenn 20w50.
Current engine is on BradPenn BreakIn oil 30w for 2k/miles and then switching to 10w40 for winter and 20w50 for summer. On first start i had it rev at 2400rpm for few minutes then just drive it for 2k/miles without much boost , lots of stop and go and no long trips. Check compression and make sure they're all within specs.
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: MD
This Evo market is the only one in which it's acceptable for a "built" engine to smoke. This is the result of a handful of unscrupulous vendors who have managed to convince the customer base that it's normal, while it most certainly is not. It's a very frustrating thing to deal with and bbong's experience is a perfect example.
An engine that smokes (independent of turbocharger problems) is due to improper machining, clearances or assembly. Every once in a while someone will really screw up the break-in and wash out the rings but that's far from the norm.
The goal of using forged pistons is not only for strength but also to maximize ring seal inside the engine. Precisely machined ringlands, even expansion rate of the piston, support provided by the skirt and the design and materials of the rings themselves all contribute to superior sealing. An engine which is sealed up tight minimizes blowby, maximizes power and improves oil control and flow through the engine by eliminating positive crankcase pressure. Not only does the ring seal contribute to efficiency during the power stroke, but also on the intake stroke as the seal allows the piston to draw more air into the cylinder. An engine which smokes will throw every one of these benefits right out the window.
Downsides resulting from insufficient ring seal include:
Low HP thanks to inefficiency
Burning oil
Oil contamination
Higher oil temps
Poor windage
Increased frictional loss
Higher propensity for detonation
Excessive crankcase pressure
Dipsticks blow out
Oil seals and gaskets leak
Premature breakdown of oil and its' additive package
Incomplete combustion
If you're willing to accept all of those things as "normal" and not experience all of the benefits of a good set of pistons then why waste your money building a shortblock?
An engine that smokes (independent of turbocharger problems) is due to improper machining, clearances or assembly. Every once in a while someone will really screw up the break-in and wash out the rings but that's far from the norm.
The goal of using forged pistons is not only for strength but also to maximize ring seal inside the engine. Precisely machined ringlands, even expansion rate of the piston, support provided by the skirt and the design and materials of the rings themselves all contribute to superior sealing. An engine which is sealed up tight minimizes blowby, maximizes power and improves oil control and flow through the engine by eliminating positive crankcase pressure. Not only does the ring seal contribute to efficiency during the power stroke, but also on the intake stroke as the seal allows the piston to draw more air into the cylinder. An engine which smokes will throw every one of these benefits right out the window.
Downsides resulting from insufficient ring seal include:
Low HP thanks to inefficiency
Burning oil
Oil contamination
Higher oil temps
Poor windage
Increased frictional loss
Higher propensity for detonation
Excessive crankcase pressure
Dipsticks blow out
Oil seals and gaskets leak
Premature breakdown of oil and its' additive package
Incomplete combustion
If you're willing to accept all of those things as "normal" and not experience all of the benefits of a good set of pistons then why waste your money building a shortblock?
Evolving Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 424
Likes: 3
From: Russia, Moscow
This Evo market is the only one in which it's acceptable for a "built" engine to smoke. This is the result of a handful of unscrupulous vendors who have managed to convince the customer base that it's normal, while it most certainly is not. It's a very frustrating thing to deal with and bbong's experience is a perfect example.
An engine that smokes (independent of turbocharger problems) is due to improper machining, clearances or assembly. Every once in a while someone will really screw up the break-in and wash out the rings but that's far from the norm.
The goal of using forged pistons is not only for strength but also to maximize ring seal inside the engine. Precisely machined ringlands, even expansion rate of the piston, support provided by the skirt and the design and materials of the rings themselves all contribute to superior sealing. An engine which is sealed up tight minimizes blowby, maximizes power and improves oil control and flow through the engine by eliminating positive crankcase pressure. Not only does the ring seal contribute to efficiency during the power stroke, but also on the intake stroke as the seal allows the piston to draw more air into the cylinder. An engine which smokes will throw every one of these benefits right out the window.
Downsides resulting from insufficient ring seal include:
Low HP thanks to inefficiency
Burning oil
Oil contamination
Higher oil temps
Poor windage
Increased frictional loss
Higher propensity for detonation
Excessive crankcase pressure
Dipsticks blow out
Oil seals and gaskets leak
Premature breakdown of oil and its' additive package
Incomplete combustion
If you're willing to accept all of those things as "normal" and not experience all of the benefits of a good set of pistons then why waste your money building a shortblock?
An engine that smokes (independent of turbocharger problems) is due to improper machining, clearances or assembly. Every once in a while someone will really screw up the break-in and wash out the rings but that's far from the norm.
The goal of using forged pistons is not only for strength but also to maximize ring seal inside the engine. Precisely machined ringlands, even expansion rate of the piston, support provided by the skirt and the design and materials of the rings themselves all contribute to superior sealing. An engine which is sealed up tight minimizes blowby, maximizes power and improves oil control and flow through the engine by eliminating positive crankcase pressure. Not only does the ring seal contribute to efficiency during the power stroke, but also on the intake stroke as the seal allows the piston to draw more air into the cylinder. An engine which smokes will throw every one of these benefits right out the window.
Downsides resulting from insufficient ring seal include:
Low HP thanks to inefficiency
Burning oil
Oil contamination
Higher oil temps
Poor windage
Increased frictional loss
Higher propensity for detonation
Excessive crankcase pressure
Dipsticks blow out
Oil seals and gaskets leak
Premature breakdown of oil and its' additive package
Incomplete combustion
If you're willing to accept all of those things as "normal" and not experience all of the benefits of a good set of pistons then why waste your money building a shortblock?