hey fellas. i took my ute in to put the new exhaust manifold on and get the exhaust straitened to fit. when put on the dyno it wasnt pushing any more than 125hp. turns out i need a rebuild. to the point.... i was thinking of jamming some forgies and doing the complete rebuild(go all out). was wondering what are some of your opinions on the type of pistons and rods i should use and what are best value for money. or is it even worth it. should i just be happy with the rebuild .

thanks in advance

Shop around for your parts I did and saved heaps stick with name brand parts and you shoudl be rigth ACL/ROSS forgies aint too bad and reasonably priced I got a set of argo rods for $800 im not too sure on some of the cheaper no name chinese copy rods that are cheap I personally wouldnt put them in my engine. Id budget at least $4k to build a decent strong engine with basic mods. Forged rods pistons MLS gaskets ect ARP head studs are also a good idea a bit of head work if funds permit and a set of cams and bigger turbo if you want some really decent power. All the forged bits in your engine wnat make any more power it will just mean your engien will be stronger if you decide to wind more boost fit bigger cams ect into it.

If your going to rebuild then do everything at once, especially if your looking at winding up the boost in search of more power.

You can strengthen the bottom end and it will hold more boost but try to think of your engine as a chain. once you push it it looks for the weakest link that might be spinning a bearing, blowing a piston, blowing the oil feed to the turbo, bursting heater hoses anything.

personally i have used the ARIAS pistons before and was really happy with them. as for the rods depending on what you want out of the engine just shotpeening and linishing the rods will increase the strength for most applications. That is a much cheaper option than buying new rods. Also don't forget the little things make sure you get ARP rod bolts aswell.

While everything is out lighten and the balance the crank, will help you rev a little higher. If your going to do that make sure you spend the $200 odd on a rocker stopper kit as well.

The last engine I did was a GTI-R SR20DET, it cost $3100 for the bottom end machining and fitting. that included the dipping the block, honing it to 40thou, shotpeening the rods linishing the rods and crank, and assembly of the bottom end. The Arias forgies and ARP bolts were about $1000 ontop of that.

So roughly $4000 for a complete bottom end.

also I if your in Sydney Mike Dyer in Brookvale did my engine work and highly recommend him to everyone. He will be looking after my CA when it comes to rebuilding that too.

thanks for the replies fellas.. i opted for

CP pistons
Crower rods
Clevite brearings
Tomie head gasket
and a genuine gasket kit.

plus other things like. recond head( bit of port and polish aswel). grinding crank and a bore and hone.. also a few other things that i forget. but should be a monter when its finished

Hey Campo sounds good you can get a full ACL race series gasket set that gives you the works including MLS head gasket. Has every gasket you will need including turbo manfiold ect ect cost around $600 from memory the tomei metal head gaskets are nearly that alone.
Im using the ACL gasket set in my latest build all fitted sweet and had a few spare.
Also get yourself a gates race timing belt around $90-$120 a ste of adjustable gears for cams even with stock cams can make nice gains with a bit of dyno time.
Cheers Andrew