Well here's the situation.

My stock A6 engine blew some time ago. I haven't opened it up yet (have been too busy studying for finals) so I don't know the extent of the damage. It turns and runs, but at about 3k RPM it has a heavy rattling sound, so I believe a full rebuild is in order.

Now, I have been wondering what to do, and I hope to hear some feedback and opinions from my fellow HT'ers.

Also, discard the posibility of a B series swap, I don't have that kind of money right now.

Now, I have been planning for a mild boost setup in the long run, so I want to have a good base. From what I've read and seen, both engines are in similar aspects of performance gains from boosting, so I believe there isn't a problem there.

So, now here's the dilemma: Should I rebuild my stock A6 engine back to factory specs, keep it mostly stock (maybe some head porting and bolt-on's) for some time until I have the money for my turbo setup, or swap in a DOHC ZC engine and do the same thing, keep it mostly stock saving up $ for the turbo setup.

Which would be the most cost effective choice?

Thanks for you opinion and sorry for the long post.

 

I don't like the zc engine. I would rather rebuild the a6 and put in a nice cam and some higher compression.

 

A6..... however the ZC will have the finer tuning options offered w/ DOHC.

A6 still my choice...you have it already... and you'd want to refresh the ZC anyway.

 

With ZC's so cheap I'd go that route. If maintained well they last as long as A6's. I think the people that have probs with them must beat on them thinking it's a b18c5 or something, I've had mine running strong for 6 years now.

 

sounds like a spun bearing, could be an easy fix!

 

I messed up my a6 almost 2 months ago and have decided this is a sign to get a DOHC ZC. So in a few weeks i will (with the help of everyone here )be putting in a DOHC ZC

 

The a6 is the best d-series every made, why use any other?

 

I'd just do the swap, it's cheap and it's quick.

 

get the dohc zc and rebuild it.. Reason people are hating the dohc zc is because they didnt rebuild it or give it a tune up when they swapped it in.

 

build up a sohc beast.

 

i think the DOHC has a smoother rev and revs higher than the D16a6 so is a better base, also i heard that a turbo/NOS is better because of compression.

As for parts, i dont' know but i have like 6 sites book marked on the replacements.

 

how about a 88-91 SOHC ZC motor

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Project91CRX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">get the dohc zc and rebuild it.. Reason people are hating the dohc zc is because they didnt rebuild it or give it a tune up when they swapped it in.</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's what I was going to do. Do a basic replacement of parts: Timing belt, water pump, headgasket, etc...

And that's where I think that costs could begin to escalate a little, and where part of my dilema is. I think that the cost of the engine + the cost of replacement parts to leave it in tip top shape would surpass by a large margin the cost of rebuilding the A6.

Keep the opinions and comments coming people