Readymix EJ22T build thread...

you wanted it...

 

It's ok. I'm down for now. I don't know what I'm going to do at this point. I'm looking at possibly buying an STi shortblock and putting some pistons in it. It isn't what I want, but I can't afford to take another shot at it really. For the amount required to rebuild the current block, I'd be better off buying a new shortblock and pistons and know that it'll be fine. I can't verify the integrity of the block right now, I need new rods and pistons, I will likely want to run a new crank. I'll need new bearings. For the money, I'd be better off just going with a 2.5 and dealing with the lack of revs.

 

Technical Analysis on what happened here.

I don't know where to point the finger of blame on this one, there are two places to look though. A little history...the block was machined at D&G. Guy suggested I machine the little end of the rods and the wrist pin holes on the pistons to loosen things up a bit for higher boost. When we finally got into the block, it was apparent that the damage occured in cylinder 2. The wrist pin on the piston in cylinder 2 wobbled until it had ovaled the pin bosses and the little end journal bearing on the rod. After it had wobbled itself a nice hole, it started to move aft and forced the retainer clip out the aft side of the piston. The pin clip removed, the wrist pin then worked its way out of the pin boss enough to begin rubbing the cylinder wall. The gouge it made in the cylinder wall is beyond being able to be bored out. So the block needs to be re-sleeved to be used. We triple checked the piston pin clips to make absolutely sure they were in there and solid before sealing up the access holes on the block. We are positive it isn't any fault of our own that this happened. It all points to either poor machining on the wrist pins, or improper machining on the pin bosses and small end rod bearings. Either of which would cause the wobble that was indicated by the ovaling of both the pin bosses and the rod bearing.
The rod and crank bearings were fine, no issues there. And the rattling of the wrist pin in cylinder 2 would likely explain the phantom knocking we were picking up around 3k rpms on decel causing the ECU to pull timing.
The damage is catastrophic. To repair the block I have I would need to re-sleeve it, have the new sleeves honed and possibly bored to fit whatever pistons I decide to use. New pistons and rods, bearings and a new crank just for good measure. Obviously new head gaskets and block gasketry, rear main seal etc...the cost of which is way beyond what I can afford at this time.
Which is why I'm considering going with an EJ257 with forged pistons.
It will be a while before I can afford to buy these things, so that is why I have backed out of the tune. Unless someone has an EJ257 with forged pistons just sitting around :iono:

 

Damn Jason, sorry to hear that it was the worst case scenario. It's just not fair! Keep us posted.

Maybe we could start an "EJ257-mixx needs a new motor!" thread for donations!? I'll donate to the mixx.

 

I'm speechless. I don't know if I'd even feel right about taking donations though.

And yes, it was hard on everyone involved. Especially when you can't look at yourself and say "this was my fault, i did it." When outside forces and inputs cause this magnitude of problem, it is hard to deal with it. It sounds strange but I think this hurt on an emotional level for a few people.

 

My recommendation is to stick to the manufacturer's specs. Don't deviate. I can't warranty this piston or the damage it caused because it will only turn into a finger pointing game between the builder and the piston manufacturer. My suggestion is that if your piston manufacturer gives you wrist pins and pistons, they likely have sized the pins in hte pistons the way they intended them to be and require no modification.

 

what now? do go on.

NVM, talked to Ben. Finger pointing as expected. Suspected bent rod? Please.

 

In fact, I'm going to pull the other 3 pistons tonight and check for pin wobble wear in all of them. I doubt seriously that all my rods would be bent.

 

Yeah, I have Dream sitting here talking me into further credit card debt. There is apossibility of getting a block and pistons by Wednesday.

 

Yes, saving the monies on your deposit now would be good, still having Clark tune it would be good! And the 'angry-miXx mobile' will be up and running again..w00t!...maybe even the La Crosse cruise, eh!?

I just want to see you up and running again and to have that feeling of defeat squashed beneath the tires of the AWD as you piss-pound the concrete in t3h WRmiX!

So yes, debt now!! FTW,FTL,FTcreditcardcompanies!

oh yeah, FTD&G!<<<Sorry....this ej22t build thread just gets me ALLwound up!:laugh: /rant

 

With the EJ257 I would need to run a .051" headgasket to get close to the stock STi CR of 8.5:1. Which is still boost friendly and gives me some bump to get moving. I'll see what I can accomplish, but I'm not making any promises. To the extent of saying "I wont know till 3pm on Saturday"

 

+1...^^^that will really tell more of a story than just the results of the one failing. Hard to say what or who is responsible(manufacturer's of said parts/Installers/or the shop in question, but the fact still remains), the damage has been done!!.... And it sux a**!

 

Listen. And listen carefully. I'm not pointing fingers at anyone. I know that the pins and retainer clips were installed correctly as we checked, double checked and triple checked that they were tight in the spots where they were intended to go. They had no play at the time. I'm not blaming anyone for this as there is no way to determine who is responsible or if it was just a freak problem that happened. I will be pulling the other 3 pistons in a little bit. I was working so there was no way for me to go into the garage and do that until about 30 min ago.

My plans for the future are an EJ257 with Mahle std. bore pistons, cometic .040" headgasket. 8.75:1 static CR with my WRX heads. I've got the fueling headroom to boost it with that CR, so I might as well use it.

As far as bench building and speculation are concerned, stop now, that isn't what this thread is about. I simply told you what was wrong with the engine and the findings I've found thus far. You guys can go debate what caused it in another thread. Do not get this thread locked. kthx.