9.5:1 SCR is not a big deal with EMS. Install as-is, save the leftover funds for fixing broken parts and going to track days.

 

Cool. I'm in Houma. That price is not typical though. Here, it's normally about 700/mo for the same house.

 

I know this was not one of the listed options, but it might not be a bad idea to put the whole thing on hold until your financial situation stablizes. I had to do that a few times on my last project. took longer, but it was done right the first time, which usually saves you money in the long run.

 

Just build it and see what blows up. you have EMS, and as long as you don't go crazy with boost you'll be fine.

 

$750 with the torsen 4.30 rear swap...lol.

 

There are people out there that want the 9.5:1 pistons, you could almost definitely trade bottom ends with someone if you're worried about that.

 

I'm back on this **** again. Would it be a bad idea to just get the bottom end done, and not **** with the head? Cash is pretty short, but I really want to get this car running. The machine shop guy advised against it of course.

 

I see no problem at all with doing that. In fact thats what most people do. Just get some new valve seals on the head and call it done.

 

Just DO SOMETHING. Let George Washington decide. If the quarter lands flat, build the bottom end only. If it lands on it's edge, do the head too.

 

how much power is stock '96 bottom end w/ built 99 head is good for?

 

isnt paul pushing 270 with this combo?

 

Everything I've heard says any 1.8 will make 250whp reliably with good tuning. Ie, the motor is not gonna break ring landings and bend rods at this power level unless you have tuning issues that cause detonation or something. I'm hoping to make 300whp on a stock 99, and I will this summer. I'm hoping with good tuning it will last about 10-15K miles until I build a motor.

 

what about ring death at 250whp? If I can get lets say 50 30-minute sessions out of a stock bottom end, I'll be happy. Then I can jack with the rods and pistons in my garage.

 

build bottom, freshen head.

don't count on 250 rwhp for 50 30-min track sessions on a stock bottom end.

I surprise myself every time I floor my car at 250 rwhp that it hasn't blown up yet. and that's not on a track.

 

i hope to get 250rwhp on a stock early 1.8, from what i have heared so far is that 250 on a good tune is very reliable, the tranny is the only thing to worry about if you beat on it...
seems that there are some people that believe otherwise, but mostly what i hear is that BP's can take closer to 300rwhp, the tune is what makes it or breaks it...
the tranny is what you should worry about over 250rwhp

 

****... im not going past 8psi on my turbo then just yet

 

If I could get one track season I'd be happy, but I think I need to bight the bullet and get my wallet out.

 

look it this way...
install your new motor/tranny
boost the bitch and have fun
in mean time, gather all the parts that you will need and save money for machinist
if motor starts to go out, or something breaks, take motor and all said parts to machinist and built it properly the first time around...
with 250 rwhp i dont forsee you having many problems as long as your tune is ok...
just boost it already

 

Build the block. Don't you have all the internals already anyway?

 

I'd save some money and buy a trailer to get your car to track days. Pretty hard to expect that the car is going to be completely reliable after more than doubling the HP/TQ. It isn't a matter of will it pop, just when. Built or not all it takes is a busted oil line or a coolant leak that you don't notice in the heat of the battle.

Take away reliability, if you are really serious about tracking this car you should be towing it. Any number of things could come up and make the car non-drivable. Not a big deal when you are an hour away, but it'll suck the big one if you are four hours from your garage.

I took my car to an autocross 5 hours away, on the back of a trailer. Not because I couldn't drive it, I just wasn't willing to attempt to repair it on site or have it towed home.

Anyway, good luck.