Yes... another post for my friend's LS/craptec

We are fixing everything on it... new clutch, flywheel, gsr tranny... etc. He purchased USDM TYPE-R pistons and total seal rings (his car is now spitting oil upon high revs... can you say "bye bye piston rings"?). We were both wondering what has to be done to install new pistons/rings and roughly how much it would cost. Thanks a bunch.

-Ryan

 

its not that easy.. even if you were to bring your engine block to a shop and ask them to install it would easily cost you $400 (including balancing)

 

Short of resleeving, replacing the pistons is the most extensive procedure involved in motor reconditioning (extra checks and reconditioning procedures needed over simply replacing...say...the rods for example).

If you're gonna go that far, you might as well be freshening up wear items and seals.

Disassemble everything.
Take a few measurements.

Overbore/hone or hone the bores (depending on the measurements) - if measurements are borderline to listed specs...overbore

Mill the deck (depends on the measurements)

Hot tank block and head.

Measure crank journals for taper and overall diameter.

Deburr and shotpeen the rods.

Polish the journals if necessary.

Balance internals. Avoid any external balancing unless necessary. It makes flywheel/clutch replacement harder in teh future.

Check piston rind end gap. I've heard bad things about teh Total Seal rings and recommend using the OEM Honda rings that are proven to be reliable.

Align and stagger piston rings and install piston/conrods.

Plastigage new bearings.
Check crank endplay (with old and new thrust bearings).

Replace front and rear main seals (rear - flywheel cover, front - oil pump)

Replace oil pump pickup gasket, oilpan gasket, and any other seal you feel like replacing.

Replace timing belt, water pump, timing belt tensioner, and all acc. belts.

Replace valve guides, valve seals, cam seals, headgasket, intake manifold gasket (if you remove the intake manifold).