Another V8 Swap

[DustinS]

Cheap and easy intake "box". Just something to keep some of the heat from the radiator fans off the filter. Also started cutting out the scion logo for some fresh air into the filter.

[Swift]

So since you got your second engine in with similar oil pressure issues I am going to put out their that I believe that they are clearancing(countersinking) the oil holes to much. The oil then is going behind the bearing and also not properly dispersing on the crankshaft in that area. This is why when you removed the bearing they had those strange markings on them. Do not know how accurate this is as this came from a part-time engine builder whom worked for others not well respected in my area for their level of work. However the theory seems sound in what we are seeing with two engines from the same builder having the same issues that no one else has had.



More of an FYI for guys building LS motors themselves or any other motor for that matter. I just had fun rebuilding a tractor engine fully because all previous rebuilds were half-assed in chassis builds and I have never seen journal wear that bad in my life lol. Cracked head, slight crack in block as well. $2500 later....

[DustinS]

Originally Posted by Swift

So since you got your second engine in with similar oil pressure issues I am going to put out their that I believe that they are clearancing(countersinking) the oil holes to much. The oil then is going behind the bearing and also not properly dispersing on the crankshaft in that area. This is why when you removed the bearing they had those strange markings on them. Do not know how accurate this is as this came from a part-time engine builder whom worked for others not well respected in my area for their level of work. However the theory seems sound in what we are seeing with two engines from the same builder having the same issues that no one else has had.

Stands to reason the issue is with one of the main components that wouldn't be changed with a rebuild. I also suspect my small gain in oil pressure is from the oil bypass for DOD being capped with this new rebuild. I still feel I am going to have issues with this engine. I have noticed the valvetrain noise is never the same as well. Some days it's quiet, and other (like this morning) sound like they aren't getting any oil. Though some say lifter noises are normal for LS engine with aftermarket heads.

[DustinS]

Finally got the badge cut out. Cleaned it up a little after pictures. I also did a bit more work on the filter box.







I need to clearance around the MAF wires a little more.

I also ran into an issue. Noticed some discoloration on the Radiator hoses. Corresponds with my hood vent. I believe the Sun/UV is deterioration the outside of the hose. You can see where it is in the picture, and can see the fibers that came off when I touched it. So plan is to go back to regular hose when I install the new radiator.

Starts just about where my finger is.

[wooly35]

Originally Posted by DustinS

Stands to reason the issue is with one of the main components that wouldn't be changed with a rebuild. I also suspect my small gain in oil pressure is from the oil bypass for DOD being capped with this new rebuild. I still feel I am going to have issues with this engine. I have noticed the valvetrain noise is never the same as well. Some days it's quiet, and other (like this morning) sound like they aren't getting any oil. Though some say lifter noises are normal for LS engine with aftermarket heads.

This could be very true. I continually hear noise in the valvetrain with the PRC heads. So much that I took the valve covers off to check if any rocker arms had play in them (they didn't). Must be a common thing.

[DustinS]

Exhaust is doing okay, but it needs some cleaning up and moving a few of the pipes. Might be able to just adjust the hangers a tad. I am going to have to figure out a new trans mount that allows more clearance for 3" pipe. I am not even sure the oval tubing will work with how tight everything is. I also need to raise the car a tad, scraped the oil pan a few times.



You can also see oil on the muffler from the transmission leak. Tried to find where it was coming from again yesterday. It's coming from the passenger side, but up far enough I can't see where.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by wooly35

This could be very true. I continually hear noise in the valvetrain with the PRC heads. So much that I took the valve covers off to check if any rocker arms had play in them (they didn't). Must be a common thing.

Funny I randomly read this. I also have PRC heads, and the valvetrain noise sometimes scares me to death, specially when the car is fully warmed up. Oil pressure is always on point, I have a Melling high volume pump, but the valvetrain sounds always give me second thoughts.

[ILLSMOQ]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

Funny I randomly read this. I also have PRC heads, and the valvetrain noise sometimes scares me to death, specially when the car is fully warmed up. Oil pressure is always on point, I have a Melling high volume pump, but the valvetrain sounds always give me second thoughts.

You know, mine (same motor as Dustin) used to be loud and I also was uncomfortable with the noise but it has since quieted down...I used the “drive it like I stole it” method to break it in.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by ILLSMOQ

You know, mine used to be loud and I also was uncomfortable with the noise but have since quieted down.

Maybe it'll quiet down when I am able to rip it HARD.

[DustinS]

Tuning scheduled for Saturday.

I have a lot to accomplish before then. I need to finish my exhaust, weld in my wideband 02 bung and wire that up, finish my fenders, install new rear rotors, and possibly do an oil change and transmission fluid change.

Hoping my wideband sensor is still okay. It's been tucked away since the header swap, but I left it in the engine bay. Hopefully water didn't reach where it was. Wasn't powered on, so hopefully that will help.

Fender was cut to get rid of a dent that appeared after accidentally forgetting about and running over a wheel chock. Should look a little better with the side skirts attached.

[DustinS]

Exhaust is somewhat finished up, pictures to come when I get it finalized.

I also ran into some interesting information. People have come to me asking about no start issues and I had no answer as I had no problems. Come to find out there are ECU grounds that needs to be done, and I didn't ground them. No idea why I never had to do it, but I am going to try and ground them and see what happens.

Hmm. I never reconnected these grounds and car is running fine. Wonder why I haven't had an issue and it seems a lot of other people have. Did you add a pins and wire to ground it? or just cut and add to ground?

These grounds are Black/Red - Black/White - Black/Yellow and connect to AC1 plug (engine harness plug in engine bay) and ground at the injector harness. I know for a fact I haven't grounded these as I cut them short this last rebuild and used the wire for extending another part of my harness. Going to try grounding these and figure out what happens. Maybe the cause of my CEL?

[wutsaiu]

Very interesting. My subaru ECU is removed and I did not ground anything. Car has been running since 2015. I guess this is specific to the way you wired everything. I took a very standalone route.

[DustinS]

Originally Posted by wutsaiu

Very interesting. My subaru ECU is removed and I did not ground anything. Car has been running since 2015. I guess this is specific to the way you wired everything. I took a very standalone route.

That is why I am confused. I have had multiple people complain of no start conditions and the fix was grounding wires. These wires seem to be the fix, but I never grounded them and never had an issue. I didn't do anything specific.

[spitsnaugle]

Originally Posted by wutsaiu

Very interesting. My subaru ECU is removed and I did not ground anything. Car has been running since 2015. I guess this is specific to the way you wired everything. I took a very standalone route.

Those grounds go to the ECU... if you've bypassed the ECU, they wouldnt be needed.
I was able to eliminate one entire connector from the ECU, got side tracked trying to kill a FAST fuel rail leak before I got much further.