So. My motor has 90k on it, all original including turbos. We have winter up here, so I'll be storing the car. Now, the motor runs great as it is, however I really don't want to do a rebuild because of a chucked apex seal and possibly lose a turbo. Based on mileage, and a $1300 rebuild kit, should I do it over the winter and get it over with? I could have the side plates lapped, and make sure everything else is in spec, but do the coolant and hard seals (apex, side, etc), maybe do a small streetport, have the injectors balanced and maybe have their flow increased. I think it would be cheaper to do as a preventative maintenance thing rather than ending up possibly replacing a rotor/housing etc. when (if? ) this thing chucks a seal.

I get an occasional puff of smoke during hard shifts to 2nd near redline, could be a pcv valve. After extended (days) sitting, there is a tiny, tiny puff of white smoke from the tailpipe. I also have a leaky oil pan gasket, under the car is a little oily. My vaccum is good, i pull -430 to -470mm/hg at 850rpm idle.

Based on the info, what do you guys think? Should I pull it for the winter and get it over with, or just run it until something goes and I end up spending more?

TIA,
Jason

 

your engine sounds like it has plenty life let.

aged stockREW's usually don't just spit out an apex seal. More times than not...you will lose a coolant seal, which does no damage IF THE ENGINE IS NOT OVERHEATED.

I'd wait until the wear causes loss compression or you start losing coolant...and wouldn't worry about chunking a seal.

if you want some insurance (or wrench time w/ the FD over the winter) send the injectors out for a cleaning...and learn about the vacuum system. It will intimidate you as soon as you start to pull the UIM.

porting and increasing flow of injectors you are talking about a new ECU added to your $1300 tag...once you start modifing your chances of ruining a housing, rotor, and your twins increase quite a bit.

 

The above is a good answer. Spend some money on reliability modifications .

 

vaccum hose job done, car has a pfc and soon to have a wideband and datalogit (hopefully). reliablity mods are done.

Its running on about 11 psi, I need to get a wideband before I do anything else. I just thought it might be a good thing to do this winter, should I expect this to last through next summer? I just don't want the car to be down when I can actually drive it :-P

Thanks guys