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Took my Evo 6 out on the track for the first time to shake it down and threw a rod through the block. Not exactly what I was hoping to find out about the car but I have only had it for a year so presume the engine had a hard life before I got my hands on it. I will be looking to build a replacement engine so was wanting to see what people have done and any suggestions. I will be looking to track the car as well as have it usable on the street every now and then. Im not looking to go crazy with power, 400Hp would be were I want to sit. I more want to make sure the engine is strong, reliable and able to handle regular track days.
Not certain what parts are salvageable yet, the workshop I take it to will let me know this week once they have a chance to get it up on the hoist and inspect it. Initial idea they have floated with me is an Evo 9 short block build.
Was fairly stock. Had a tune and making 280Hp at the wheels. Tein super sport coilovers, 1000cc injectors, had an aftermarket ECU but I couldn't tell you what it is sorry. These were all done by previous owners.
I had done maintenance stuff, installed new oil cooler and lines, tie rod and tie rod ends, timing belt, all fluids changed.
I wouldn't chalk it up to the motor having a hard life and move on. Try to find the root cause of the failure. Just cuz an engine is old it shouldnt throw a rod, maybe spin a bearing first but it should not throw a rod so easily. So many situations of people dropping in a fresh build with all the strongest components only to blow their new motor during the break in because the original problem wasn't addressed.
Yeh Im waiting to find out this week what the workshop finds. They will be giving it the inspection to see what the situation is and then goes from there. I guess im just looking at it having thrown a rod, so a rebuild of some description is going to be needed and wanting to see what others have done/suggest looking in to.
If your end goal is 400whp then get a stock 8/9 shortblock. You won't have to worry about excessive blowby, will be cheaper and won't wear as fast as a built shortblock. Plenty of guys track cars in the 400-450 range with stock shortblocks without any issues. I'm not sure how much weaker (if at all) the 6 rotating assembly is but if it is similar to the 8/9 then I would definitely give everything a thorough look over.
Yeh I thinking at this stage 400 is were I would like to be mainly as I have only started track work and any more power would be well beyond my skill to handle. Would much prefer to spend the time and money on improving breaks, suspension, tires etc to help improve lap times. Will look into how much 8/9 short blocks are going for here in Australia. Hopefully not too ridiculous. Cheers
If you're just getting into tracking I'd leave the car at your current power level and get confident driving it there before adding power. Plenty of guys make the mistake of trying to learn with too much power and it breeds poor driving habits which can be hard to unlearn later on. 400hp is a pretty serious handful for a track car, especially in an older car like these where there are no driver nannies to save you. Working on suspension and brakes will make driving the car easier and safer on track so those are great places to focus.
