My UMW 3.8L Twin Plug
#32
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#37
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Alas, Kevin is swamped with some projects so it looks like it will be January before its done and in the car.
Patience, Grasshopper
BTW - I blew the motor last October... it will be quite the homecoming when the car is back! It's been a long wait, but it will be worth it.
Patience, Grasshopper
BTW - I blew the motor last October... it will be quite the homecoming when the car is back! It's been a long wait, but it will be worth it.
#38
Race Car
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Miamah, La Florida
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I understand that these things take some time, but I guess I'm baffled that it could take months to build a motor. The fact that many of the items are custom made explains a lot of it but I think that most of the mega $$ builds are justified at how long it took to build the motor. How long would it take RUF to build a car including a complete motor? I'm not picking on anyone or any shop here just trying to rationalize with myself. Big Bird seems to be like a pregnant elephant and I'd really love to see these mega motors complete.
#39
Building anything takes 10x longer than expected....my car took 3 years...it was supposed to be 6-8 months. Try that one on...it was brutal...the waiting....Now sometimes, i just go out to the garage and take the cover off it and sit in it for fun....and of course drive it every chance I get!!!
Kevin had an excellent idea, he said a good way to do one of these builds is to go out on a limb and purchase a second motor or at least a case crank and heads and let a builder get going w/those so my car wouldn't "sit"....
Kevin had an excellent idea, he said a good way to do one of these builds is to go out on a limb and purchase a second motor or at least a case crank and heads and let a builder get going w/those so my car wouldn't "sit"....
#40
Three Wheelin'
How long would it take RUF to build a car including a complete motor?
#41
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It has more to do with planning, prioritizing and experience with that particular build rather than anything else. There is nothing new for these engines, it takes 7-10 days for an experienced engine builder to comfortably put together a full spec 3.8TT twin plug race engine with the lastest tricks, provided he has been given time to order the parts, and that includes tuning. No need to go very custom, forget all the fancy porting, knife edging and using custom machined parts or what have you, it will not make any difference to most, if anyone at all, accurate tolerances and careful balancing of all the rotating parts are the fundamentals for a solid build, and good ECU tuning is obviously a must.
Problem is that building a custom engine does not bring the best margins for a builder and there are always customers who need a small job here and there urgently, so other projects have to go on in paralell, which is perfectly understandable. The good old FIFO is most often not possible!
Problem is that building a custom engine does not bring the best margins for a builder and there are always customers who need a small job here and there urgently, so other projects have to go on in paralell, which is perfectly understandable. The good old FIFO is most often not possible!
#42
Jean...so no porting or knife edging or custom machine parts.....I'd guess you could save a bit of $$ that way....and you are probably right, wouldn't be noticed cause you don't have it....
#44
Nordschleife Master
I agree 100% with Jean that the accurate tolerances (blueprinting) and component matching (including balancing) is key to ensuring the engine produces good power and stays together. I alter some of the factory specifications based on wear patterns, etc. when the engines are used in a racing environment. I will say that cleaning up the intake and exhaust ports do make a difference in power, however, making them larger does not.