Lighten or Not?
07-09-2014, 07:16 PM
#3
Probably not, it'll just weaken the rods. But balancing the rod/piston assembly may be worth doing as it will increase smoothness and reliability.
If your pistons/cyl are significantly worn, putting them back in the car is really false economy, so consider replacing them with J&E pistons. These are lighter and stronger than the factory pistons, and you can bump the CR to "Euro" spec (about 9:5), which is generally considered to add about 15+ legitimate HP. Also, if your car has Mahle cylinders, I believe J&E can have them re-coated and honed to fit your new pistons. Talk to them, but I think whole package will cost less than half what new OEM P&Cs will cost.
Some other suggestions:
Check your oil pump. If its not badly worn, it can be rebuilt for about $150 or so, if it is badly worn, you absolutely have to replace it ($800... ouch!!)
Replace all your headstuds with new steel ones... this is cheap insurance.
If your cams are worn and starting to gall, Elgin can repair and regrind them, although if you are retaining the original CIS, you can't get too aggressive.
Finally, consider replacing your stock exhaust with headers and a free-flow muffler... this can really add 10 or more real HP.
If your pistons/cyl are significantly worn, putting them back in the car is really false economy, so consider replacing them with J&E pistons. These are lighter and stronger than the factory pistons, and you can bump the CR to "Euro" spec (about 9:5), which is generally considered to add about 15+ legitimate HP. Also, if your car has Mahle cylinders, I believe J&E can have them re-coated and honed to fit your new pistons. Talk to them, but I think whole package will cost less than half what new OEM P&Cs will cost.
Some other suggestions:
Check your oil pump. If its not badly worn, it can be rebuilt for about $150 or so, if it is badly worn, you absolutely have to replace it ($800... ouch!!)
Replace all your headstuds with new steel ones... this is cheap insurance.
If your cams are worn and starting to gall, Elgin can repair and regrind them, although if you are retaining the original CIS, you can't get too aggressive.
Finally, consider replacing your stock exhaust with headers and a free-flow muffler... this can really add 10 or more real HP.
07-09-2014, 07:49 PM
#4
Addict
Box up everything and send it to Steve Weiner. ...well, call him first, then box everything up and send it to Steve.
Personally, I'd not lighten them. Balance them, yes, but if you have that kind of money, lighten your flywheel.
Personally, I'd not lighten them. Balance them, yes, but if you have that kind of money, lighten your flywheel.
07-09-2014, 10:30 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
A pull clutch ('70-1 901, any 915) flywheel doesn't really weight anything to begin with. The cast iron pressure plate, on the other hand........ (In the Olden Days, the AL pressure plates were $1.99, so they went on all the cars in for clutches.)
07-10-2014, 03:33 AM
#6
Addict
It's the pressure plate Steve Weiner is famous for.
07-10-2014, 11:27 AM
#7
Racer
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You have all pretty much confirmed what I had already suspected, so I'll not be doing that. I'm going to post another thread looking for ideas/experience on another decision item shortly!