familysedan2

Hey guys my name is Nick and I am the proud owner of a 99 ebp em1, I acquired it about 7 months ago and am still loving it. I am currently in school for automotive, so for my project I am rebuilding my motor for boost. Considering it is my first build I am only going to run low boost aiming for around 275-300 whp. It is going to be mainly an oem rebuild with upgraded necessities for what my power goals are.
Currently planning on:
-Full oem gasket kit/ seals
-Arp headstuds/ rod bolts
-ACL main/ rod bearings
-Oem timing belt/ tensioner
-Oem Water pump
-Oem Oil pump
-Oem Thermostat
-Oem plug wires,
-NGK Plugs
-Oem Cap/ Rotor
-CP 10.5:1 CR pistons
-BC rods
-RC 550cc Injectors
-Walbro 255lph Pump
-And once I decide to go for more power I will be building/ port and polishing the head.
-*Still working on manifold/ turbo setup and surrounding components.*
Some pics




May have forgotsome stuff at the moment but I will update. Hope to get some feedback from you guys, I realize it won't be the most interesting build, but we all have to start somewhere and this is mine
If you guys have any alternate suggestions on what I should go with please let me know, I am eager to learn.
Thanks again, Nick

dicxonjim

iTrader: (1)

Like!!!
Good luck with the build !

Muckman

iTrader: (2)

Rebuild for boost but you aren't really building it stronger just new. I wouldn't do all that work without upgrading to forged pistons and rods. And what are your plans to tune it?

familysedan2

well what from what I've researched b16 block is safe to 300-350 whp on factory internals and I don't need that much for just an avg street car, and it needed a nice freshen up plus I can do all my own machine work in house at school for free. So I figured this would be a good opportunity for learning. Im planning on hondata s300 for tuning most likely. I would love to go forged internals, but money is also an obstacle at this point. If I can land this internship tomorrow I will have alot more to throw around since I'll have two jobs then. But we will have to wait and see for that lol

justYncredible

iTrader: (1)

Stock rebuild and boost...interesting
I would just save the money and do lower compression and not worry about. Stock can"ish" handle the boost but why risk it

Also you mentioned about funds, if you can afford to upgrade the internals then maybe you should reconsider boosting, it's not cheap and requires a lot of attention

familysedan2

I'm just going off of other's personal experiences with it, many off em1crew have gone relatively the same route as me (most did go with pistons and rods) which ultimately I will do to have it done right the first time.. I guess I should relabel it "semi oem" rebuild lol. I just want reliability and function. And I know the whole pick two scenario, by no means to I plan to cheap out on what parts I do go with. But other than going with rods and pistons would you say the parts setup I have listed is on the right track? Also the car is not my daily so I have all the time I need to get it done and do it right. If all goes right I will have this internship landed tomorrow which will allow me to go all out on everything I will want

Charlie Moua

iTrader: (3)

well said.
Honestly, I don't have any issues with those who boost stock motors, but then when someone rebuilds with oem parts only to boost?.... just shows flawed through process.

justYncredible

iTrader: (1)

It looks good minus the piston and rods which would upgrade. You just need a fuel management unit

familysedan2

Also, I forgot to mention that my out of round is too far out of spec to just re-hone, so I will be in need to go with oversized pistons anyway. And while I am at it I will just upgrade rods too with forged and avoid the cast situation.

familysedan2

well I've always been under the impression that oem= reliablility? Not saying there is anything wrong with fully building a motor but ultimately I am just looking for a fun reliable weekend car. At least for my first build. And after that we will just have to see where it goes.

justYncredible

iTrader: (1)

Yeah it is...when it's put back to stock specs 100%.

Muckman

iTrader: (2)

Whats reliable about over stressing components designed for half the HP?

familysedan2

That makes sense.. Well if I am planning on going with forged rods and pistons because of the out of round i have compensate for and bore out anyway, will that be a reliable start? I am open to opinions, thats why i made a thread for assistance so I don't take the route I would on my own and lose out and all my work and investment.

familysedan2

Would there be a better route as far as my bolt on oem parts? ie water pump, oil pump, t-stat?

justYncredible

iTrader: (1)

OEM work best!

Muckman

iTrader: (2)

Yes as far as those components go, OEM is the best.
I like everything on your list except the pistons and rods, of course.
And if you get upgraded rods they will come with upgraded rod bolts.
The main & rods bearings can be a crap shoot. It depends on the clearances you need to run.

familysedan2

Ok good to hear! thanks for the info so far guys! and sorry I'm somewhat new to all this.. I will be taking measurements on the rods and main housing bore tomorrow, so I will have a better idea of what clearances I will need to achieve. Can you obtain better clearances going with oem? Ill begin researching piston/ rod setups as well

Muckman

iTrader: (2)

You can fine tune the exact clearances using OEM bearings. It's debatable if a few ten thous even makes a difference. Many builders here go wider than OEM spec. For your power level the OEM cleareances will be fine.

familysedan2

So you would recommend oem for main/ rod bearings, and thrust washers as well? Are you a fan of eagle rods?

justYncredible

iTrader: (1)

Acl bearings would be fine as well
Eagle rods are good

familysedan2

Ok I am thinking that I will prolly be going with their h beam rods, any suggestions on good pistons to match them with? Since ill be going that route what would be my best option to help lower compression?

justYncredible

iTrader: (1)

Have you thought about using the search function? A lot of what your asking has been covered a gazillion times

But i suggest to not use the word "best", it's starting to lose credibility on this here site

familysedan2

Sorry man just got excited to finally have some feedback on my setup.. But I will from now on.
Looks like I am leaning toward cp piston 9.0:1/ and either Manley, Carrillo or eagle rods, have yet to officially decide lol

justYncredible

iTrader: (1)

Coolistic
I have cp pistons
Just look for a combo package to get from...yes...eBay. eBay is not a brand it's just an auction site. That's where I got mine from and they're legit

familysedan2

I found a good deal on some crower rods, cp pistons 81.5mm 10.5:1, w/ arp2000 rod bolts, he also has some arp head studs to go with it and for the price I think it's worth it. I just need to ensure the pistons with work for my application since I will be boring and need oversized anyways. Need to review the specs and measurements I have