I ran my car with 7200 RPM redline for about 300 street miles. After GIAC fine tuned the car they put the redline back at 7,000 RPM. After having seen this I'm going to stay with stock or 7,000. Just isn't worth it IMO.

Thanks for the info Scott.

 

Hey guys,

Just wanted to let you know that Mike just opened the bottom end of my motor, and he said it looked flawless. The stock rods are perfect and the bearings are perfect even after running 720+ rwhp on the stock motor.

Since I already purchased rods and liners, and he's already in there...I'm having him swap them out anyway, but it's very good to know that other than my lifters, the rest of the motor is in perfect condition even after running all that power.

Figured you guys would want to know for some piece of mind regarding your own stock-motored cars.

 

Yes, that's very good news!!!

Here's what I think:

- Your tune is just perfect (Proto magic...)
- The TT engine is very very strong and can take a lot of power.

 

Scott,

I just had a similar experience in regards to motor condition, but beware of the intermediate shaft. My intermediate shaft gear woodruf keys wore causing the IMS gear to begin to wobble (I have heard of this on some other cars). The result was a very loud timing chain noise, much louder than the normal ticking these engines make. To replace the gear requires a complete motor tear down. At 105,000 miles, 100,000 of those miles modded and with the car regularly exercised it's entire life, we found the motor was in great shape with the exception of the IMS gear problem. The cylinders still had the factory honing marks in the walls, all the bearings, lifters, rings, pistons were perfect. My tech said the engine internals are in perfect condition. Too bad the IMS is a weak point. We are simply replacing the intermediate shaft, all the bearings, the timing chains, chain tensioners and putting it back together. I realize that this is the perfect time to do a lot of other tweaks, but I have been happy with the power level I am at for 2 years now and I don't forsee chasing bigger power at this point... I just hope it goes another 100K now. I also welded the oil cooler fittings on, while things were apart, to prevent that other weak point failure.

 

Yeah, mike is working on your engine all weekend scott. Cant get him away from work... even on a holiday!

 

very good read,thx for the useful info guys

 

so what is being done to the new lifters ?

 

Replacing all of them with new OEM ones. I wish there was a reasonable alternative, but their failure seems to be an occurence that's pretty rare, overall.

 

That's good to know, John. Thanks.

My motor only has 8k miles on it, so hopefully I won't need a new IMS for a very long time.

I plan on running 100-150 more rwhp than you currently do on the street, so I couldn't convince myself that new rods weren't worth the extra cost in my case.

At your power levels, I bet your stock rods and liners will last long beyond your new IMS will.

 

That's what I call 'dedication'.

 

so are you using the OEM 996 lifters or a 997 P/N?

ill be in my cyl heads soon is why i ask

William

 

OEM 996 lifters. The 997 lifters aren't any better.

 

My motor is back together. Should be back in the car and ready for break-in next week. The only problem that was found were the intake lifters; all of them were bad. Mike replaced them with superceded part numbers, so hopefully this will never happen again.

So, in summary; I replaced all of the intake lifters, installed new Pauter rods...and that's it. The most simple engine build ever.

 

Glad to hear it's all wrapped up. I'd love to see some video of that BEAUTIFUL white 996!

 

Here are some pics of the completed motor and new Pauter rods.