I told him I wanted to throw JDM Type R pistons and valvetrain in my car, and he said np that he can do it - but he wants to pull the block and check on clearences (because my motor has a lot of miles) to make sure stuff isn't too loose or too light because he said I could have a lot of engine noise and the motor could possibly lock up..

He says he wants to start from scratch and hone(?) the block, and possibly go with oversized, etc...

Bleh! I wanted to keep it simple and as least expensive as I could - should I go wit all this or just tell him to throw the pistons in?

 

Whenever you put in new pistons honing the block is a very very good idea (good idea is an understatement, id say necessary in most cases). If you are going with OEM valves and OEM pistons your clearences for the valves should be okay.

 

what exactly is done when you hone the block ??

 

Is honing still neccesarry if you can still see the factory honing crosshatch?

 

well since youll probably be revving higher you should always have everything checked out

if youre gonna open up the motor replace everything you possibly can

 

Ive been told that it is possible to hone the block with the engine still in the car, that they just have to take off the oil pan and there it is. A buddy of mine said they did that to his car when they installed oversized pistons in his car.

 

i dont see why you couldnt do it that way, people replace rings all the time without removing the motor

 

i would buy new sleeves and forget bout honing the thing. it would be cheaper and better for your motor

 

thats my dream, to one day get my gsr motor's bottom end built with GE sleeves, knife edged crank, 85mm 12:1 forged pistons, forged rods, and new seals, etc........if only money grew on trees...(whats that like 2000-2500?)

But I'm leaving the country for a few years so unless I find some good builders in Germany I'll be outta luck on that part. (I assume shipping a block to the US from Germany and back would be kinda $$$)