Turbocharging a rebuilt SVT motor.....good idea?

[cougkid83]

I need some input from those that have gone before me on the Nautilus Turbo kit. I've been dying to drop a turbo in my Cougar since I got it and its looking like a possibility. Here is my concern, I've swapped in a 99 SVT Contour motor but not long after I got it, two of the rod bearings spun. My father and I rebuilt the bottom end and had it timed and checked over by a local engine shop. The car runs great but I'm still very concerned about introducing boost into a motor that had a rebuilt bottom end. Before I went all out and bought the kit I was going to do a Compression Test and a Leakthrough Test just for fun to see how the engine was doing (It's got roughly 35,000 miles on it).

First, is this even something I should even consider doing with a rebuilt motor?

Second, if you think it is ok, what other test(s) should I run before I go drop $3000-4000 on the turbo kit?

Thanks for the help

[FastCougar]

How many miles are on the engine and what kind of rebuild was done? Where the pistons/rods replaced, or just the bearings? Did you replace the cap end bolts? Did you remove the heads? More specifics would be very helpful.

[cougkid83]

The engine had 32K miles on it when the bearings spun, it now has roughly 35K miles on it. We replaced the bearings and the connecting rods, we did not replace the piston heads or rings. We did replace the cap end bolts as well. We took out the crankshaft to have it inspected but determined it did not need to be replaced. We also took off the heads to inspect. We also found out that many of the fasteners 'stretch' when they are torqued to specification so we identified these fasteners and replaced them when we did things like remove the head. As I remember, the two spun bearing occured on pistons on the same 'side' so we only removed one of the heads.

Hopefully that helps, if you need any more information just let me know, this is all that came to mind. We also replaced things like the oil pickup and oil pump to make sure that we got any and all of the metal out of the engine. Apparently I've heard that I can take a sample of oil to someone in the area to have them test it for any metal shavings.

I appreciate the advice, obviously I realize this isn't a bulletproof 'you'll be fine' kind of deal but I know you guys have these Duratecs figured out so any guidance is greatly appreciated.

[FastCougar]

Well, without replacing the rings and having the cylinders bored and/or honed, a leakdown test is in order and will give you a good indication as to the sealing ability of those cylinders.

Did you replace all the rods or just the spun bearing rods?

[cougkid83]

Yea I figured the leakdown test was a must. We only replaced the two connecting rods with the spun bearings. Of course we did replace all of the bearings, but didn't touch the other four connecting rods.

And if you have any recommendations on things you would change before doing the turbo, like new connecting rods, I'm not opposed to taking the engine apart. I'm dying to turbo this thing but if I'm going to do it, I want to do it right. Unless your recommendation is to buy a 3L......haha thats not in the budget.

[FastCougar]

I personally would have rebuilt the entire engine when I had it apart. Yes it cost more, but you are left with a factory fresh pallet on which to paint ;)

At this point, I would boost the car and start saving for the 3L because it will let go some time, so why not upgrade when it does ... it doesn't cost any more to go 3L than 2.5L.

[cougkid83]

Haha its a terrible addiction, as soon as I get money in my pocket I get back in the forums to see where I can spend it. Looks like the federal government is going to help me get a turbo this year.....next year a 3L? haha. Thanks for the help FastCougar.

[Badazzcougar]

I would say go for it aswell just keep the boost level low for awhile,to see how the motor takes it. Get a proper tune and you will be fine. I've been running 14psi in my 2.5 for 30k completly stock internaled and it has 84k on it now. All I do is run a good synthetic oil in it;)

[fordrule]

what about the tranny, is it stock? that much TQ/HP and you will be wanting to thinking of strengthening the trans.

well since u have a svt motor, u almost 3/4 of the way to a 3L. all u need is picking up the engine, possible rebuild it. swap all the svt parts over to it.

if u want a turbo really bad....go ahead and get it...like badazz said. run low boost and save up to upgrade the drivetrain..hell look at fastcougs build...that s the ultimate 3L boosted build.....a lot of us are trying to mimmic that build ohhh dont forget dang's old coug that topik picked up.

[cougkid83]

When I had the tranny out to swap in the SVT motor I did upgrade the clutch (Stage 2, if I remember) and install a lightened flywheel. I figured when you got the thing off you might as well do it, I always find a way to justify these things.

The way I see it, I've had this car for over 8 years now and I'm sure not gonna let it go so over the next few years I can see things like a 3L swap, hopefully. Of course the year that I decide to install a turbo is the same year I decide to go back to school.....perfect timing, haha.

[nadthomas]

I besides the clutch a big weak point in the MTX is the differential. If you had plans for power you should had upgraded the diff while it was out. I suspect that will be the first thing to go once you add a turbo.

[Badazzcougar]

I besides the clutch a big weak point in the MTX is the differential. If you had plans for power you should had upgraded the diff while it was out. I suspect that will be the first thing to go once you add a turbo.

Seriously your gonna blow up your dif its just a matter of time:eek:

[morbid]

Yep... don't even need a turbo to blow our crappy diffs.

[20COUG00]

Yep... don't even need a turbo to blow our crappy diffs.

yep a 3L swap can do that.

[fordrule]

we are not trying to discourage you on the turbo build at no means......we are meerly offering you good points to take into consideration....go ahead and turbo it, but just know you will be building a Mtx later down the road , just the matter of when