Srt4 swap, should i rebuild the engine? - SRT Forums

2005sxt24 · 10-06-2009, 06:56 PM

Im in the process of doing an srt4 swap into my 2005 neon sxt. I found a donor car for a steal, the only thing is it has high miles. 102k to be exact. I will have the engine out before it gets swapped into my car, so i was assuming i should rebuild the engine? I didnt know if id be better off rebuilding mine, or trying to find another long block with lower miles. Im kinda on a tight budget and would know which would be the cheaper better option. What do you guys think? thanks.

duster360 · 10-06-2009, 08:29 PM

With a 102K miles I would seriously consider a timing belt, water pump and possible a head gasket. The high mileage dictates you should do these as normal maintenance. Plus its a HELL of a lot easier to do these repairs on the engine stand than once the engine is in the car.

I wouldn't mess with the short block unless a leak-down test says the rings are crap. I would probably pull a bearing cap(rod/main) just to make sure you're not wasting your time putting the engine in. At the same time I'd clean the gunk out of the pan.

Agent_Smith81 · 10-06-2009, 08:51 PM

I agree...

RarB!tch · 10-07-2009, 04:21 AM

I had 70k hard miles on my motor when I pulled it to put my built motor in. Motor had 75 shot on it for 35k miles, 93 octane, 20 lbs and meth. The water pump, head gasket, everything was great, one pin hole detonation mark on cyl #1, car was tuned by me on a neo. Cyl walls were just about perfect.

Anyway, just saying you wont know until you open it up.

2005sxt24 · 10-07-2009, 07:11 PM

Okay thanks guys, i plan on doing a compression test then tearing it down to see what i can find. Hopefully nothing bad..

2005sxt24 · 10-07-2009, 07:12 PM

Should i replace the tensioner too? or are they reusable?

2005sxt24 · 10-09-2009, 11:21 AM

well i just did a compression test, and i got horrible numbers. one cylinder was as low as 60 and the other three were right around 100. I put a little oil in each cylinder and that raised the compression to around 140ish, this would indicate i have bad rings correct?

duster360 · 10-09-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2005sxt24

well i just did a compression test, and i got horrible numbers. one cylinder was as low as 60 and the other three were right around 100. I put a little oil in each cylinder and that raised the compression to around 140ish, this would indicate i have bad rings correct?

On a running engine, yes but it depends how long your engine was sitting. If the cylinders were just dry/dusty/rusty from sitting for months, the comp test will show that, but it doesn't neccesarily mean you need new rings.

Adding oil should only have a temporary effect at improving the ring seal if the rings are actually worn out. Retest the engine in a day or two. If the numbers still look consistant, you're good.