Looking for advice from those with experience..built 7 Bolt

[gbpkr]

I am new on here and I am going to ask a question that would get me flamed on any of the various other DSM sites...

Anyway, I had a 1997 GSX with 150,000 hard miles ( plenty of racing) with a totally stock motor ( original head gasket, head and bottom end) that ran strong...then I sold it to buy an Evo.

Ever since I have been searching for another DSM. I found my car.....a 1995 Durango Copper Pearl GSX!! A 5 speed, LSD rear...good shape. I bought it off Ebay...that should tell you everything. The car needs work...lets leave it at that.

Anyway, I just rebuilt the trans ( Jack's value stage ) and the transfer case, new DSS axles ( got a smoking deal on them). Now I am onto the motor. The car probably has 200,000 miles on it. I am pretty sure the head gasket is blown and the motor is really tired.

When I got out of the DSM world ( 2004) everybody said that rebuilding a 7 bolt was foolish....is that still the case? I have seen quite a few people with built 7 bolts and I want to build mine. Nothing major, just upgraded rods and pistons. My turbo of choice would probably be a 16g...I would like to keep the 7 bolt in just for ease of maintenance and not having to source all the parts for a 6 bolt. It seems easy....but I know how that goes.

So, is it worth it to build a 7 bolt or should I build a 6 bolt?

Thanks,

Matt

[Dizmm]

i personally think the crankwalk issue is over rated.

[BoostinPower]

I got crankwalk on one of my 7 bolt motors, and Im in the process of builing a built 6 bolt and already built 1 other 6 bolt, But Im with Dizmm on this. I think its over rated too.. We have a 7 bolt talon that has 200,000 miles on it, and my 7 bolt I have in my GSX has 141,000 on it.. Just make sure you maintain it well and I dont think you will have to worry about it. With that said, It still could happen, so its a chance you have to take.

[Dizmm]

if your going to take on a full build like that, may as well go with a 6 bolt just for re-sale purpose. everyone else seems to be all about the 6 bolt, so it may make it a bit easier to sell when that time comes.

[gbpkr]

I think the crankwalk thing is overblown as well...just like a lot of "info" on the internet.

As far as resale value...I will never get what I have already spent on this car :( At this point it is a "labor of love"....or that is what I tell my wife.....

But, I plan to have it as a long term project car. I am thinking I can build the 7 bolt cheaper than a 6 bolt for now. I have seen more than a couple of 7 bolts with the 1g rods and 2g pistons run strong. I am thinking that set up would probably plenty of motor for what I want to do with the car. I will keep the 7 bolt head in either case...

But, the motor is pretty sorry....I would probably have to replace almost everything....even the oil pan has a huge dent and the drain plug is stripped!!!

Thanks for the opinions...

[dsm430]

in that case i have a motor in a car for sale drive it before i take it out, its a damn good engine offer a good price its yours its a 7-bolt eagle rods ,je pistons ,blah blah .....ect.

[Dizmm]

I have seen more than a couple of 7 bolts with the 1g rods and 2g pistons run strong. I am thinking that set up would probably plenty of motor for what I want to do with the car. I will keep the 7 bolt head in either case...

its a good combo, good & reliable for the 400whp mark. thats what i had in my talon that i just sold.

[BoostinPower]

in that case i have a motor in a car for sale drive it before i take it out, its a damn good engine offer a good price its yours its a 7-bolt eagle rods ,je pistons ,blah blah .....ect.
Ya, then you could buy my built 6 bolt for your car ;)

[dsm430]

700 miles on my built 6-bolt (fully built) upper and bottom cams and all, id sell that for the right offer, its the strongest runin engine ive ever buit it pulls great- i love it!
the one in my avitar

[gbpkr]

So, I have decided to build the 7 bolt....with the 2g pistons on the 1g rods. How much is reasonable to have the rods reconditoned and machined to fit the 2g pistons?

[Coty]

1g rods don't work on 7 bolt crank

I'd go with a 6 bolt if I were you. Your always going to have the 7 bolt thing in the back of your head.

[gbpkr]

:confused:I know a couple of people who have done the 1g rods on the 7 bolt crank......

[Coty]

By the time you screw around machining and getting those to fit you could have a bunch of money to stick into a 6 bolt.

[FLASH1970]

I have read that the 97-99 7-bolt engines are not as likely to crankwalk. Also, from what I have read, with the extra machining expense needed to get the 2g piston & 1g rod combo, you might as well spend the little extra to get a piston and rod combo that's stronger. A little more money, a little less of a hassle. My bottom line opinion is if you want to keep it stock or pretty close to it, the 7-bolt should be ok. If that's what you want to do, just get stock pistons and rods. But, if you want to mod it, build a 6 bolt.

[991/2kgvr4]

I didnt think 6 bolt rods work either. from what i understand the 97-99's dont really have a problem with crank walk. its the 93-94 1g's that are terrible and the 95-96's are kinda in the middle. i would agree that by the time you have the rods machined to fit you could have bought a set of aftermarket rods and pistons. or close to it. go bigger right away then in the future when you decide to upgrade further you wont feel like you made the wrong decision in the first place.

[DontStopMe]

I didnt think 6 bolt rods work either. from what i understand the 97-99's dont really have a problem with crank walk. its the 93-94 1g's that are terrible and the 95-96's are kinda in the middle.

I heard the 1G 7 bolts were good, Most crankwalk= 2GA's 95-96. its overrated anyways.

[Dizmm]

my evo has a 7 bolt. :)

[gbpkr]

The crankwalk stuff is alot of hearsay...anyone on here get crankwalk? The internet is full of misinformation... alot of the crankwalk cases are something else. But, when people have problems with their cars it is always crankwalk.....


Anyway, I figured I could do the 6 bolt rods and 2g pistons ( maybe forged pistons ) for cheap. I have seen more than a couple of 1g rodded/ 2g piston cars making the power I am shooting for.

Everybody wants to build the 500 whp internet monster...not me.

[Coty]

It's always better to overbuild then underbuild. The cheapest part of these cars are the internals imo. Everything else that attaches to these things are what kills.

[twicks69]

Stick with your 7-bolt if it is a 1997-1999. If it has a good crank, and there is no major damage to it which can't be fixed with a 0.020" or 0.040"-over.

Be sure to use a new Mitsu front cover assembly, oil pump and gears, BSE kit, new Mitsu water pump, new gaskets, Eagle 7-bolt rods with the proper bearings (I believe that it requires 1G rod bearings to fit Eagle rods on a 7-bolt crank -- it should be Clevite "CLE CB1120AL" rod bearings, and ACL "ACL 5M1219 + ACL 1T1219" main bearings and split thrust setup -- these numbers are for a stock sized crank -- if it needs undersizing you will need different part numbers.), a good set of Ross 8.5:1 .020"-over (ROSS 99815) or .030"-over (ROSS 99816) pistons.

A set of ARP head studs, main studs, a Mitsu MLS head gasket, and some freshening of the head if necessary. At least do a resurface, and have a machinist inspect the cylinder head for any problems.

Get the block machined, resurfaced, etc, and get it back together.

The rods and pistons should cost you around $700-775, the bearings are around $100, the headstuds are $90, the main studs are $60, the head gasket is like $75, the engine gasket kit is around $150. These are estimated prices, as I have not taken the time to give you exact prices or the best prices -- that is up to you to take the effort.

This setup is cost effective, extremely capable, and a "bolt-in" solution to deciding which engine to go with.

If you have further questions, I would reccomend you calling up Luke at Beyond Redline Performance -- 920-498-1223 -- www.beyondredline.com -- I am sure he would be happy to give you a quote for it if you are unable to do it yourself.

[dsm430]

buy my car or engine ill even install it