Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) building an engine any suggestions?

[Chandog]

i am going to start building an engine and would like any suggestions. i have heard about marine pistons and injectors what is the difference?Fire rings?anyone know a good machine shop in the bay area?I was hoping to build a fairly bullet proof 450 hp engine. any suggestions in regards to pistons,cams,anti friction coatings,injectors and or anything else i am missing?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Chandog, if building up I'd be thinking about a new camshaft such as a Formula1 Stage 2 with bolt on gear. Yes marine or Mahle pistons are good but someone else will have to chime in and explain pistons better than I can. I do know some have steel ring lands on both rings (whereas the stock ones just do it on the upper ring).



I would also consider balancing the entire thing (rods, pistons, crank) to within a gram for smooth operation.



Other good build options are a ported head, O-ring the block, . 010" over marine head gasket, install head studs, add a Fluidampr balancer, etc.



Vaughn

 

[Chandog]

Vaughn

thanks for the input. Balancing and the ARP studs are already in the plans. I have looked into Mahle pistons but have not been able to get actual part#s for the ones that have the anti friction on the skirts or do all of them have that?i asked about mahle pistons at my local auto parts shop and they told me around 65 dollars a piston,which sounded kind of cheap to me for coated pistons. I will be using total seal rings. O-ringing the block was being considered is that the same as a fire ring?Formula 1 stage 2 cam is that manufactured by cummins or?. 010 over marine head gasket?can you elaborate?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Formula 1 camshafts products



Here's a Mahle catalog, Cummins starts around Page 8 http://www.mahle-aftermarket.com/obj. nsf/79F2ED4E66CA2DE1C1256BC80056FA3C/$FILE/Mahleinc_cat03_21_02.pdf



but none seem to be coated.



This might be interesting but talks about 24v pistons Pistons? - BOMBER Board

 

[fox]

I think your questions are answered.

I want to add this.

Most of us who are wanting 450 hp just add fuel and air with a stock Cummins. Real easy to get to and very durable/dependable.

 

[Shadrach]

I hear a lot about "marine" head gaskets. Cummins changed the head gaskets a long time ago. The ones you get now are the same as the one used in marine applications. The current Cummins p/n are : std 3283335 . 010 3283337 . 020 3283339 Chandog What are you using for your base engine? How much power do you "NEED"? I agree with Fox about the stock pistons. If you don't want stupid power then you might try the Cummins ones from a 97 215hp engine. They are the same ones used in a 230hp/605tq Freightliner 5. 9. Of course there are always improved versions available in the aftermarket, but Cummins does make a pretty decent product to begin with, especially if you use their strongest version (eg: 230/605 pistons ) Shadrach