Engine Rebuild Reliability Mods

[sailnaked]

Got the word back from the machine shop and it looks like 7/10 holes are either too large or out of round so far that honing will take them over. Kind of impressed it's that bad but is what it is so going full rebuild. Target is 600~650 hp so nothing outrageous and I'd expect I should be okay with 4032 pistons and stock rods. Preference for 4032 is reliability - the tighter piston-wall clearance should allow the bores to last longer. I believe the only manufacturer I've found is DSS but if anyone has any other suggestions I'm not committed.

Other than this if you were going to rebuild a block for mostly street use are there any Viper specific mods that you'd be doing at this time mostly to target increasing the reliability? Crank oiling mod? Oil baffle kit? Anything strange that would be good to know for someone who hasn't put one of these together?

[1Willy1]

Sorry I have no info for you but curious to see what the replies are

May I ask what went wrong with the engine in the first place ? Wgat the year and mileage was?

Thanks

[sailnaked]

All good man, lot of us are here to learn stuff anyways.

Car came with 2 engines - one long block, one short. Long block was shot - had a hole in the side of the block. Short block was supposed to be good to go (that's the one at the machine shop now). Long block looks like it had the wrist pin and rod stick which snapped the rod and put a hole in the block - how that happened I can't say but it's probably an oiling issue. The short block had a rod bearing evaporate from the #3 cylinder and the #4 was on the way out. The #3 rod bearing being gone makes me suspect it was a race engine which ran low on oil and was pulled once it started knocking. I'd expect the cylinders are out of round just by the beating it was given.

Other than that the vehicle is an 03, the long block I believe is an 03 and I believe (hope) the short block is an 03 as well. Mileage on the car is around 30k I think, which is probably the same with the long block, the mileage of the short block is unknown

[Aevus]

Would start with the swing-arm oil pan, from a Compe Coupe or gen4. Even if you don't track the car and since there is ''reliability'' in the title. Anything that would improve the oil system is most welcome on a gen 3.

Then, Reliability + More HP = focus on the valvetrain.

few tips here:


https://driveviper.com/forums/threads/28790-What-really-limits-our-engines-to-rev-higher?p=448720&viewfull=1#post448720

[J TNT]

Depending were you are , I would send it to Prefix. They are known for reliable builds. Ask for Scot.

[sailnaked]

Thanks, heard good things about Prefix but the plan for now is for me to build it. Built a few engines and I enjoy the challenge of taking on something new that I haven't done.

Aevus - that page about oiling mods is going to super helpful, thanks for the heads up.

Got another question for you guys... word on the street is the rods are different for an 03 than they are the 04~06's, is that true? Given that I've got an 03 with 1 bad rod and a year unknown block I'm a bit nervous about using some rods from one engine in other unless the block can be verified as an 03. You guys know if the rods were changed or how to read the serial number on the block for the model year?

[Ramtuff]

Found this on another forum. Not personally verified.

50218

[Aevus]

very interesting, thanks Ramtuff

[Aevus]

Got another question for you guys... word on the street is the rods are different for an 03 than they are the 04~06's, is that true? Given that I've got an 03 with 1 bad rod and a year unknown block I'm a bit nervous about using some rods from one engine in other unless the block can be verified as an 03. You guys know if the rods were changed or how to read the serial number on the block for the model year?

And you are right to be nervous.

Make sure all of them are the same OR go with a set of aftermarket rods (as I did) especially if you look for 550whp+

[Aevus]

Depending were you are , I would send it to Prefix. They are known for reliable builds. Ask for Scot.

Prefix = Yes.

If you build yourself, at least they can supply some very good parts (hyd. lifters that you can put 1/8 from zero lash, oversized oil pump rotor, camshaft, forged pistons and rods at decent price, etc..)

[sailnaked]

Checked out Prefix and holy shit what a neat place. Online selection looked pretty bare but I'll call them up and see what they have for reliability mods. Would like to up the rev limit a little bit too... luckily it seems like the guy who knows a lot about this is here also.... hmm

So for everyone out there this is some general information on the differences between the 03 and the rest of the gen 3 series I've found while trying to order pistons. According to one of the suppliers the only difference between the 03 and the rest of the Gen 3s is that the rods went from being a cracked rod with pressed in wrist pins to a non-cracked rod with snap rings holding the wrist pin. Other than that the 03 and the rest of the Gen 3s are the same. As always I'd verify fitment if you intend to order pistons and use them with the 2003 rods. If you intend to get pistons and rods then there isn't much you need to worry about.

Again if anyone's heard differently then feel free to say something

[drasch21]

id call scott up at roeracing. Out of all the vendors ive interacted with cars... he is one of the most knowledgeable and genuine folks I've spoken to. Sometimes to the point hell advise me not to purchase something if and explain why i shouldnt...

[Item 7]

Depending were you are , I would send it to Prefix. They are known for reliable builds. Ask for Scot.

This is great advice. My 2008 was modified by Prefix, and has performed well. Absolutely no complaints and met Winkles too, who consulted on the build and was doing some work for Prefix / Arrow at the time. Good people.