Claude's BP SWAP..... :)

[Claude]

i wouldnt call it a waste...nothing on that car went to the junkyard, nothing got trashed, everything was recycled to numerous others who are now putting the peices to good use.Just like what I am doing, even the shell and remnants were taken buy a guy who put a motor in it and is now racing it.

[graywolf_14]

That is great man I have just seen builds when someone takes a car in better shape than theirs and use it for parts. And usually the rest ended up at the salvage so it is good that you actually used it all.

[Claude]

Update-I have not forgotten bout yuall

Alright so been a while figured it was time for an update, progress is still coming along and everything is falling in line for the final assembly into the actual swap. So the engine has been completely broken down and the block sandblasted and washed clean as a whistle, along with the head run through the parts washer and came out very nice and silvery. will put up pics as soon as I can get them, thanks to perucho i will be doing some valve reconditioning and then they will go back in, replacing all gaskets and seals and anything that needs it, basically doing a full rebuild.The block and the heat sheilds got painted blue and imho it turned out very nice looking., Got a ne oil filler cap with a Shocker symbol on it :p. Anyways once the engine is all back together I will start the actual swap! Ive prepared pretty much everything that I will need and more to make sure the swap goes smoothly, ive procured all the parts etc etc and the battery will go in the trunk and the heat box will get modded and after those two things everything else is ready to go. Stay tuned and thanks for all the input

[Claude]

h box?

so what exactly is the purpose of the h box? do most people use it or no? i dont know if I need it on my intake set up or not im using a cone filter not the stock box but i saw that in the swap guide it is on the intake in a picture but doesnt mention it in the guide.. i dont know if i should use it and plug the lines coming off it or what?

[Claude]

Update

So yesterday I seated all 16 valves in preperation for re-assembly. The block got painted a nice neonish blue color, as did the heat sheild and they both turned out great due to the sandblaster prep we did on both. I grinded down the oil pan so thats one less thing thats needs to get done for the swap, also i still have to relocate the battery to the trunk and modify the heater box, i have all the stuff to do it i just need to find the time, as for the battery box i need to get the materials. Ive been working on this gauge pod for the pillar and as u know there is no aftermarket for our cars so I ordered one that looked like it could fit and with a dremel and lots of bondo, i got it all done, all of my interior is getting painted black along with the pillars and my fabbed up pod, which will hold a tachometer and an air pressure gauge. I needed the tach no doubt and I muchprefer aa small one to those ridiculously large ones they just look tachy to me... no pun intended. and i will use the extra port on the engine for my other gauge, rather put it to use then just plug it up. I am in the process of getting the final parts for the swap, still need some new injector o-rings/seals that are coming, and a few more little things like that, the valves are looking good so i am not gonna replace, the lifters will get thoroughly cleaned and everything else in the head/block will get one final cleaning then re-assembly begins with all the cool new parts and gaskets etc etc. Stay tuned

[eurotiva]

air pressure gauge?

Why not just put a tach dash?

[Claude]

im swapping in a speedo that goes higher but it wuldnt be possible with the tach model. And the air pressure; vacuum gauge will allow me to monitor the vacuum/ compression my engine puts out, not by just monitoring the number it reads but the way the needle moves just another way to keep an eye on things, id be able to tell if any air starts leaking, if my compression lowers, if valves are sticking etc.. so imho easier to diagnose a problem before it occurs as opposed to after the problem already happens and then hooking one up..

[eurotiva]

^ ok i see.

[Claude]

Rebuilding further...swap soon.

So I have managed to grind off all the carbon build up and gunk off of the valves and they are looking much better. valve seats and guides also look good and have been thoroughly cleaned, along with pretty much the whole engine. I spent hours yesterday scrubbing the head of all its gunky build up on the ports and inside areas that were still a little questionable, i took some pictures but dont have pics of the finished head which is looking very nice if i do say so myself. I am feeling really good about all the progress I've been making, slow yet it may be but still steady and progress nonetheless. I have gotten all the necessary parts to make this thing work, there are just little things that i keep remembering here and there , nothing too important but i still am going to wait until I know i have done everything I can to prepare and make sure things go smoothly. So in between waiting for parts in the mail I have just been cleaning and refurbishing this engine. Here are some pics if your interested


pistons and rods, im considering replacing these with shot-peened miata pistons/rods for higher compression, not sure yet if I will do that right now anyway also if i decide to turbo then stock pistons/rods are probably what ill stick with.



trying to make sure everything stays in order for the final re-assembly


some of the build ujp that i cleaned off the ports, only a before pic here though





seated valve





lifters/valves/valve springs etc all neatly organized so nothing goes back the wrong way. everything has to go back in exactly as it came out.



Painted the block bright blue



And the heat shield











picures of the head, just a comparison too but that is not the final product just showing the massive improvement, still gets better.







valve grinding



one on the right is not grinded yet, not too bad of build up but a layer still. came off very nicely with the brass wheel.



huge difference

[Roboskittle]

Looking very nice as usualy cannot wait to see this thing in action.

[Claude]

Looking very nice as usualy cannot wait to see this thing in action.

neither can I its going to be so worth the all the work im getting anxious but no time to rush ive waited this long

[92festie]

wow is all i can say bro!! kudos!!

[Claude]

thanks man, definetly puttin a lot of effort into this

[92festie]

It definintly shows

[Claude]

Small update

I am replacing all four piston rings as I already have all the other gaskets and thingsneccessary for a complete rebuild. Ordered a set of NPRs which should be here in a day or two. I will have to hone the block before installation of the rings, but after that the final reassembly will start and this engine will be in tip top shape. Then the fun stuff begins. I will have to set out a good weekend to start the actual swap, i have gotten basically everything ready except for the heater box mod, which I will do in an afternoon sometime soon. I already have my 2.25 exhaust set up ready to be welded up, which i assume will be saved for last as it is probably the least difficult prospect at this point. The cat will be removable for a straight pipe when not street driving, but there will be one. Also several interior mods will be done and many more goodies i dont think i will ever be truly done with this project it is just all too much fun and seemingly no limit to what can be done! At any rate I am very pleased with the progress ive made thus far and am confident in this engine and myself so ill keep you all posted as i continue to progress. As always I appreciate all the help and suggestions everyone has offered me, i really cant wait to get this thing in my car!