Hey guess this is my first post. I did a search but didnt see anything right off hand about reinforcing the engine. What I mean is swapping out seals, gaskets, forged pistons, etc... in order to make the engine stronger. I saw Road Race has forged pistons for sale but has anyone done any kind of strengthening? Is it worth it? I dont wann blow my engine after putting alot of work into, and I figure if it will take a little more stress I could get more power out of it. My Lancer is untouched at the moment, but like I said its important to me to keep my engine safe ya know. Any ideas, thoughts or suggestions are appreciated.

 

I built up mine. I didn't do rods though... just shot peened them. To much money for them right now. Like $700! Crank and Cam are forged already no need to mess with them unless you want different cam set-up/stroke kit. Depending on your year of car you may want to get stronger rod/head bolts... mitsubishi cut costs on them by going to lesser grade(03') I'm much more confident in my motor now...especially under boost. Stock pistons are really weak! Pistons and rods are really only flaw internal wise.

 

Thanks Boe, great info to have. I have a 2002, so I guess my crank and cams are alright. So all you replaced was your pistons and rods? What did that run you (if you dont mind the question), and did you do it yourself. Also did you upgrade your fuel system or ecu when you turboed? Hope they dont conisder this the wrong forum for this question.

 

Vortec FMU and better pump with RRM kit. No ecu changes needed. Pistons 668 and Rods shot peened 100. I had a shop put the short block together just so i was sure it was right. Cost about 500 for that.

 

Sounds good. Im prety new to this whole performance thing. And I refuse to straight rice it out. $1300 isnt to bad a price to pay for confidence in your engine. You plan on doing the rods? I still dont fully understand everyhint internally. You know of a good FAQ that puts everytning in lamens terms? Stuff like AFC I dont understand so I need plenty of research before I jump overboard. What about injectors? Stock ok? Iv heard everything from stripping a 2g eclipse to special order.

 

"reinforcing the engine"

Are you doing it for the purpose of TC in the future or go NA route. If the latter, it'll be a waste of money, despite possibily saving money on gas from lesser internal mass to toss around.

No one should really mess with the crank, except for tricks to prevent some windage lost from oil,

 

boe im sorry im a noob... but what do you mean when u say u had them put the short block together?

 

skanner you don't need to rebuild the engine with stronger parts unless you are gonna turbo/supercharge it or use a lot of nitrous, other than that the only reason to upgrade the internal parts is to maybe increase the redline with lighter/balanced parts, but i'm not even sure if the lancer would make more power up high if you could rev it higher cause i think the power starts to drop off at 5500rpm or if you want to put in high compression pistons, then you might as well go forged.

 

Short block is pistons,rods,and crank all assembled. There are a lot of details in putting the "short block" together. The rest of the engine is basically just torquing bolts and putting in gaskets. The short block has to be absolutely perfect. Without going indepth... hope this answers your ??? 03Rally...

 

Boeturbolancer, what kind of boost are you running with the forged pistons ? It looks like you went the same route as I plan too, I got my turbo and just need too get a manifold and start welding my tubes ect

 

Yeah thanks man

 

Was running 5psi and noe i'm at 7psi. Just because i'm a daily driver and non-intercooled. Accidentaly had it at 9lbs for one pull man that was a hard pull. All was well but to risky for me!

 

Ya I plan on going TC in the future. But since Im doing it little by little Im gonna work my way from the inside out. Do internals, then clutch, transmission(LSD), fuel system, suspension, intake, exhaust, then turbo. It will be a while but I really want the car to be as reliable as possible. Like Boe my Lancer is a daily drive, 17k miles in less then 6 months.

 

Rods i don't plan on doing them for awhile. I'm trying to get the price down a bit. $720 is just to much. Also i plan to stay low on boost. Maybe a sponsor will get me some and then the intercooler + ARP bolts so we can really push the motor but for me i'm taking a break for a bit.