O.K. I've had my 94 gsr turbo'd for about a year now. I'm running a t3/t4 with fmu and intercooler at about 6psi. My head gasket is blown so I'm going to fix that and I also got a chip burner to run Uberdata. While I'm doing this I'm wondering whether I should put new rings in as well or say screw it (just got done rebuilding my buddies jeep so I'm not really in the mood). I checked the compression tonight and it was 220psi across the board. My manual says standard is 270psi. The motor has 80k miles and runs well. Just trying to save money and time if I can. Is 220psi low enough to consider replacing the rings?

PS-Stock internals.

 

Thank you for posting a nearly complete question.

My next move would be to ask you if you did the "squirt" check. What I mean is check your compression across the board, squirt some oil into the piston chamber that you are testing. If the compression spikes up, then the rings are fucked. If the compression reads the same, the problem is up top (valve train/head).

I assume you did this check with the blown head gasket? You got straight across the board compression with a toasted gasket? That's kinda wacky, you should have seen some variance, at least between 2 cylinders (typical of head gasket).

I really haven't had that much a chance to play with b18c blocks so I can't be the end-all answer man for you. I just don't see metal head gaskets going every day, then again you were boosting.

Make sure to follow the manual exactly for pressure checking, like taking all the plugs out, opening the throttle, unplug the dizzy.

Get back to me on this one, I will help you more.

BTW - I say keep what you got, if anything get a nice built LS/VTEC side project going, b18a1 bare block should be easy enough to find.

-Ryan

 

Thanks alot for your reply quadnie (I appreciate thorough, well thought out answers). I didn't try the squirt test yet. I talked to a mechanic at Modified Motorsports and he thought I shouldn't screw with anything that's working well; he also thought 220 was reasonable. I might try the squirt anyway. As far as the head gasket, he said most Hondas leak on that side (distributor) a little and that it was nbd even with boost. As for the "keeping my setup" comment, do you think Uberdata is a waste/no good? I really want something cheap for tuning. I run either really rich or lean in 3rd and 4th gear above 6k rpms at the track (engine starts to break up) and I figured with 440's and a chip I could solve that. Comments?

ps- sorry for the long paragraph, mod

 

Uberdata is very good ----. I think Mr. I'm so cool with my hoodlum mask (yes quandine, i'm still bitter) was talking about was getting the new headgasket and building your current engine

 

Have you had good experiences with Uberdata? I have a programmer, chips, etc. coming tomorrow and want to give it a shot (my buddy has a 2001 Camaro ss that runs a tenth or two quicker than me at the track so I really hope this sh-t works! really want to beat his v-8 ***!).

 

Uberdata is the ----, I have lots of friends who run it and have been very happy with it. As far as compression goes I'd be very satisified with 220. I wouldnt even ---- with the bottom end. Unless your going ballsout boost happy.

Jeff

 

ahh ----, I'm going to start using that "Mr. I'm so cool with my hoodlum mask" from now on.


The squirt test won't hurt anything at all, maybe burn some oil for a few miles, but there is no harm in doing it. If you would like a writeup on how to do a compression test, there was a posting a little while ago, look around for it. If you can't find it, I probably can.

If your pistons are running straight, consider replacing the head gasket, should only be like $40 at an auto parts store, you could even consider getting a thicker one to raise CR (=more boost). While you have it all apart, change the timing belt/water pump for safe keepings. Leave the bottom end alone, that is a b18c1 bottom end, right? If you really wanted to go for that built car performance, just pick up a junker b18a1 short block and get crackin' on that built ls/vtec. If you do go that route, save replacing the head gasket till then. You have some options, look at your motor more before deciding which way to go.

-ryan

EDIT: consider getting a thicker one to LOWER CR (=more boost)

 

I dont mean to be an *** because quadnie is hitting it on the nose on all points and quite "FUCKEN" knowledgeable as far as I'm concern. Only thing is that getting a thicker headgasket will lower your CR and allow you boost more. I'm sure thats what he meant to say anyways... Probably just got tired because it was his 1000th post today haha Freaken post -----!

 

damn, good point man. See what I get for not proof reading and going out drinking before I start to hit up this website.

Thanks for the lookout, I shall edit that mother ****** right now.

 

quadnie, you freaken surpassed me on number of posts already you FUCKEN POST -----! I've been on here for about 6 months and got as much # posts as you do who started like posting ---- up a few weeks ago. GOOD LORD!