hey guys...i just did a mild block build for my d16y8 (sohc vtec), so that i am capable of running more boost. i have a few concerns though; here they are:

1) is piston slap damaging to an engine or just mildly annoying?

2) is the engine supposed to burn oil for a while after the rebuild?

3) is notching the block damaging to the sleeves? i had to make small notches with a dremel tool at the bottom of the sleeves so that the eagle rods would spin freely.

4) my car seems to be running a little poorly right now...probably somewhat due to poor timing...but i noticed the spark plugs were not golden brown like they have been. instead they were very, very black. is this caused between the time the engine is first started the the piston rings seat?

5) i am using arias 9:1 compression pistons. what psi should i expect to get when i perform a compression test?

6) finally, how long should i take it easy before putting the car on a dyno to get re-tuned?

thanks for the help guy!!!

btw; this is my first time rebuilding an engine, and i'm still learning. this is what i installed yesterday:

arias 9:1 compression pistons, eagle rods, apr head studs, new stock head gasket, water pump, oil pump, and new misc gaskets and stuff.

 

I'll take a stab at a few of these.

1) Just mildly annoying. Forged pistons require more piston to wall clearance because they expand more and require the extra room. The result is that your car sounds a bit like a diesel during warm-up.

2) Yes. It'll burn a bit of oil until the rings properly seat with the cylinder walls. Usually within 500ish miles if all goes well.

3) No, no problem as long as the notch(es) are below the bottom oil seal ring when the piston is at bdc.

4) The plugs may be getting fouled by oil getting by the unsealed rings, but if your timing is way off it could be unspent fuel as well. Set your timing.

5) I do not know on your particular engine. Perhaps some of the d16 guys could give you a rough idea just don't take it as gospel since compression testers vary quite a bit. It's more important that the cylinders all have uniform cylinder pressure after break-in.

6) Wait till after the engine is fully broken in.

I assume you intend to boost this puppy? What are your plans?

 

i'm already boosted, actually. i had the car tuned at 7lbs with the greddy kit a while ago, and did 180whp and 165ft-lbs. since then i got 440cc injectors and a few other things, and was running 10-11lbs of boost with the kit. my best time at capital raceway in maryland (best of 3 runs, that is) was a 13.9@101mph with a 2.3 60' time. oh...the engine is the stock engine in a 97 civic ex coupe.
i'm actually trying what i've heard will be impossible with my kit and engine, but i'll try anyways: 12's on street tires.
everyone tells me that greddy kits are weak, and that my car is the only one with the greddy kit that isn't slow. so...i'm lookin for the "sleeper" look under the hood.
12 second 1/4 miles and just a single cam with a greddy kit :-)