I kind of have a plan for my swap. I want to know that I have a strong engine that will last a long time with a minimum of problems, so I want to buy the engine and tranny and build and rebuild it over a period of months so that when I put it in I know I won't have to worry. I would replace all the bearings in the bottom end, replace all gaskets, CTR pistons and cams, Mugen headgasket, resurface the flywheel, new clutch, Hondata 2b, and the standard intake, header, and exhaust (maybe throw in an Quaife if I have the money while its out of the car). That should be a fairly reliable setup (mostly factory parts), and when tuned should produce a good amount of power. The question is, would you trust an engine you built. I've never done anything like this before, it would just be me and a Helms and a lot of time. I wouldn't do everything myself (like installing pistons or resurface flywheel, basically anything that requires special tools), and I would have someone check my work after I did it. I just figure this would be a fun thing to learn to do and it would be easy to all this stuff while the engine was out of the car, not to mention the pride I would feel in building my own motor. Am I stupid for even considering this? Am I more likely to screw it up than anything else? This wouldn't be a rush job so I think I could do it, but I'd like to hear from others who have tried this.

 

i re-assembled my head after i got it back from the shop. i have some, but not much, technical experience with dealing with engines. i'm probably even less informed than you. i took the chance to do my own work, but at the same time, had my friend who was a mechanic, check over my work to make sure i didn't mess up. it's great to do your own work, but have someone qualified to check up on you, so you don't end up making an expensive mistake. experience goes a long way, so it's okay to try everything yourself, just make sure you have someone double check your work. i think you're right on the money, and you have a plan, so go for it!

 

Thanks! Let's just hope the a6 doesn't choke before I'm done!

 

Yea, there are those certain things that not everybody can do just because of the tools (resurfacing flywheel, pressing OE pistons onto rods).. Go for it and just have a friend double check everything... You should be fine.. Good luck

 

i'm going to try and do it myself. just grab your Helms manual and follow it. but it helps to know a mechanic just in case you're stuck/need to get something double checked.