Fowarded from my post on 3S Racers............

After the debacle otherwise known as "The nightmare of Gingerman Raceway -
June 14th" where I blew the engine (#4 rod - clank clank clank) on my track
car I managed to find a guy selling a used motor which I picked up the other
day. The seller was Kevin Williams from Missouri, a regular at 3SI who has
about 16 3/S's that he parts out and sells. After hearing from many locals
guys, and abroad, who have purchased from him in the past, I figured I'd
give it a shot. I bought a complete motor that Kevin rebuilt himself 10,000
miles ago before the car got totalled. New oil pump, water pump, reworked
heads, new crank/pistons, 60k parts, 3rd gen lifters, etc.

I paid $2000 for the engine. I wish I had the money for brand new
shortblock, but realistically, it would have been 2 or 3 more years before I
had the funds for it considering not only would I need the block, but
turbos, headword, and reworked cams too. If you'd have seen my old engine
(I should take pics), it looks like total charcoal inside and I would NOT
have wanted to run a new shortblock with any of those old parts. With the
added costs of the peripheral parts/work, we estimated the costs around
$4,500 or more via the new shortblock option. As opposed to $2k for a rebuild - I
guess I'm rolling the dice. Time will tell.

Jeff of Milwaukee Mopar (who I have to say, if you live in the
Illinois/Wisconsin area, you should definitely know this guy by name
already) pulled the motor in 3.5 hours and installed it (including swapping
over a few parts from the old engine) in 7 more. I think this project would
have taken me 60+ on my own. I was in over my head. Luckily Jeff was there
to point out what needed to get done next. The only problem turned out to
be the power steering belt shredded itself after we started the car. We
swapped it with the belt from my old motor and it was ready for the road.
The new engine runs great, has perfect compression, and zero lifter tick.

At the same time, I yanked the cruise control setup and the AC (condensor,
compressor, lines, etc.). Thanks to Jack for the tip on which AC belt to
use.

So, barring any further catostrophies, the car should be track ready again.
I'd really like to visit Gingerman again for part-2 of the harrowing
adventure, but I'm thinking about sticking closer to home until I'm able to
trailer the car. Tow charges suck. Even with the AAA discount.

That's a wrap. Looks like I'm back in the game. *crosses fingers*

Jesse Rink
Eagle, WI

Wow that was quick. I though you were going to leave it untill winter. Did you do the clutch also or was it still in good shape?
So which car is going to the NG?

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'94 vr4- Now with extra slowness

yea that was really quick lol and unexpected, congrats jesse!

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2005 Saab Linear 2.0t - DD
1993 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 (Sandstone Grey) - SOLD!!
BPU 1993 Dodge Stealth R/T ATX - SOLD!!!

just reading the title shocked me. fast and done pretty secretly lets hope itll last for a long time now and congrats on gettin it back together.

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1994 Stealth R/T TT Pearl Yellow
-Out since June 05'
-Almost ready for start up

1991 Stealth R/T Red
-Out for 7 weeks with a spun bearing
-Came back to life on 8/04/07
-Blew the motor again on 11/25/07

Ver Fer,
Actually, the plan was to wait until a year or two before getting it fixed. I'm pretty tapped. But, I got to thinking, if that car was siting in my garage for two years without running, I'd end up hating the son of a gun. So it was either: a) fix it now, or b) sell it. My parents offered me a loan for the motor so I snapped on it. I felt kinda shitty taking a loan from my parents when I'm 30 now, haha, but well, they're willing to help when they can. At least this way, I figured if I put a motor in it, I can USE it, or sell it easier. I kept the same clutch. Ran out of $ for anything else right now. Gotta work down the home equity loan.

Brett,
Hehe, yeah... see above as to why it went quick. See you up in GB on Saturday!

Brandon,
LOL, not a secret. I just didn't publicize it. Vetting (Mike) and 440 4x4 (Jeff) knew the plan for awhile, as did Rob I think. I figured if I told everyone ahead of time I'd catch a lot of heat for not buying a new shorblock and going the used route instead. As much as I wanted too, the additional $2000-$2500 for that setup just wasn't feasible with my current financial situation. I think I got a good deal on the engine, and I didn't want a debate as to the "right" way to go about it to be honest. If it backfires on me, so be it. Shit happens. I already found that out.

Hooray for the RED ROCKET. YAY! I have to say that was a pretty good turn around, and I think your right about not making it sit in the garage forever until you could get the new shortblock. Shit, even with a new shortblock, it still doesn't guarantee that you won't have any problems.

Nice job Jesse! Very quick turn around.

later,
Curt

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Minnesota 3/S message board: http://forums.mn3s.org/
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Excellent work Jesse. I would have done something similar if it happened to me. Most likely with a used J motor.

What year motor was it? Does it have a first or second revision forged crank?

Why did you keep the A/C on a track car? Did you use the old compressor with the new pulley? Or was the belt just bad?

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1992 3000GT VR-4
-----------------------
3SI Member 0660, 1753, 2038
W3SI Member 15

Glad to see you're sticking with it. Sooo, when's the next race?

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06 Blue EVO 9

Joe,
I didn't keep the AC or cruise - I think you read it wrong. I pulled em out. I used the same pulleys, just a different belt. They were pretty easy to remove with the motor out. I'm pretty sure the crank is forged because Mitsu supposedly doesn't sell the cast one anymore as it's been superceded by the forged. I don't have my list of notes here at work with the details about the motor. It was from a 92 I believe.

Greg,
Dunno when the next race is. Gotta spend some more time pulling weight, also throwing in a lightweight battery and testpipe. I'm guessing August sometime is when I'll race next. Maybe September.

Jesse

Glad to hear she's back up and runnin'.
I knew it wouldnt take you long.
Let me know if you need any help with pulley shit off or anything.

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~Joe - aka spider gear destroyer
'94 Stealth R/T
-Lightly Modded ;)

Opps my bad I misread the A/C part. I though it read you yanked A/C parts off the old motor and put them on the new one.

I was just wondering if it was a new OEM crank when it was rebuilt 10k ago or a remanufactured crank from another source like 3SXperformance who sells the 3 revisions including cast or if the original crank was used, etc.

If or when you decide to work on the other motor. Tallahasse Mitsu has the 2nd rev forged for ~$600. I remember it being more 2 years ago so it looks like this part is getting less expensive with time.

Sorry I have engine crank on the brain lately.

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1992 3000GT VR-4
-----------------------
3SI Member 0660, 1753, 2038
W3SI Member 15

BOOOYAHHH!
That RED DEVIL didn't win! Great Job ! I've used Mr. Williams on more than several occasions. He is very good to deal with and always seems to cut a sweet deal with you.
What about Sat?? Is it going to be possible to hook up?? Let me know I am good to go after 1:00. Just give me the word.
Tim

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Is it true that cannibals won't eat clowns because they taste funny?
What happens if you get scared half to death twice?