I'm planning for engine upgrade now, so when it's time, I know exactly what to do so my Evo isn't sitting for years.
I didn't find any threads that groups engine failures for the Evo 8/9 engines (I did see the Evo 10 thread). For engines that failed, I just want to know how many miles on engine; if not original, add description of the rebuild; what failed; and best estimate as to the cause. If it was a bad tune, leave tuner out because we don't need to get off topic. Although the bad tune can cause a failure, it exposed the weakest part of the engine.

 

Here's the first:

1320awd / original Evo 9 engine at 20k miles / cylinders #2 & #4 / running closed loop at WOT

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...ideas-why.html

 

These sound like they just need headwork:

mikenjulie / original E8 engine with 44k miles / cylinder #4 /
kelford 272 cams?

42revoincali / original E8 engine with 44k miles / cylinder #4 /
kelford 272 cams?

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...own-motor.html

 

this is such a broad question...

what information are you looking for? what's the purpose? do you want just stock motors or built motors? what about turbo and tune?

 

Stock motor developed bad rings at 130k so had low compression in cyl 3. Who knows how the original owner took care of the car.

built motor developed knock at about 1000 miles. The oil pump balance shaft bolt backed out. Cause lots of metal to go everywhere.

OEM rebuild died after about 2,000 miles. Theory is that I got a thrust bearing that was sized wrong. The one clearance I wasn't able to measure.

Bought an OEM shortblock. Not messing with builds for a while, and I'd really like to see another 100k+ before needing to mess with it, again.

 

I'm garthering info to prolong my stock motor and to figure out future build when that time comes. So far, from seeing the Evo 10 blown engine club, it looks like bored engines can come with huge blowby (yuck). I'm even seeing built engines blow in <10k miles (double yuck). Turbo and tune will depend on the engine. For my stock engine, I think the HTA71 pushes the engine to the limits. Built engine will depend on components and tolerances. Hope to weed out which engines to not get from this thread.

This site has been great to give me insights on how to modify my car. It just takes a lot of search time.

 

Yikes! Sounds like a big expensive headache!
I am a DIYer and like the challenge. But don't like the idea of down time. If I can find some room for engine project, I may find a cheap blown engine and try building it.

 

Stock motor went pop at 140,000km which is mid 85k miles i believe, Rod went through the block @410whp and 380ftlb of torque.

 

I've tried building two engines. If you don't have the propper tools and knowledge of what to watch for, don't waste your time. It's not worth the $1000s you will loose.

 

Absolutely true.

Here we get used evo 7-8 short blocks almost 100k + kms.
They fail after 10-15k of street and drag kms.
What failed? Broken rods. Worn rings and pistons. Not a single case of spun bearing.

 

I wonder if any built engine lasted anywhere near the stock motors. Maybe the higher power made with built motors shortens the engine life? Anyone kept a built motor power at same power level?

 

We have a few here which are still running. 10kms. 600 whp.

 

just buy a built motor from a shop who's done all this research already. you can't compare a stock motor failure to a stock motor failure with a huge turbo and expect to get anything of importance out of it. you can't compare a stock motor to a built motor. you can't compare a built motor from english to a built motor from ams or buschur because they all build them differently.

if you really want something that will last, keep the stock turbo, don't over-work it, and dont hammer on it all the time. or buy a built motor with tight tolerances (not super high power...) from a reputable engine builder.

you're trying to compare apples to oranges to a giraffe

 

depends what knowledge is worth to you. the most valuable experience is rarely free.

 

If he has the time and money to blow up engines, that's his prerogative. Just trying to give a common-sense heads up. Most of us prefer to not swap engines on a regular basis.