2001 GS-R: Engine rebuild, other refreshments

[Dave7CDMTYPER]

Just watched this video about bottom end components. I'm gonna have to think about my options for a bit before deciding on the block.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFsC-N1CeyA

[Dave7CDMTYPER]

I've been taking some time to decide on what parts I will use and what exactly I will do for the engine rebuild. Right now I'm leaning toward using a higher comp oem piston, for the benefits of cast and oem reliability/quality. I am just a bit hesitant though about having to tune the ecu, but at this point with the 4 Piston head, that may be necessary anyway. Plus, I may not really mind having to tune it.

If I do the higher comp pistons, and then assuming it will be tuned, I figure why not do a mild cam upgrade. Maybe Toda A2 or something similar.

If Ferrea valevtrain makes sense, I'd love to do that. They have different valve and spring options on their website. I have no idea at this point which ones to choose, but would want more of a mild upgrade. They also make rockers, which are much lighter than oem. I wonder if that is worth it? And if using those would compromise reliability? They seem like they would help the engine rev freer, give the cams an easier job (but this is just me imagining in my head).

Here are some Ferrea links:

Valve springs: https://www.ferrea.com/acura-dual-valve-springs/p699
Valves: https://www.ferrea.com/acura-5000-serie ... alves/p456
Rocker arms: https://www.ferrea.com/acura-rocker-arms/p409

So yea, tentative plan is: Oem piston higher comp (maybe aim for c/r of 11 or so). Ferrea valve train with their rockers, and mild cam, 4 Piston head. Imo that would be an epic engine. That might rev to 9k.

More random thoughts: When getting the new pistons, will they be in stock? If I go for a JDM oem piston option, will they be available? Will I need to do block work on cylinders? But then I'd need oversize pistons, and that gets a little complicated. Same thing with deck resurfacing. Also gotta think about bearings. Definitely want to go oem.

Or maybe my block will work fine as is for the standard size new pistons. I do want to clean it up at least, and do anything to improve it, but avoid machine work that would make piston/bearing size adjustments necessary.

This is pretty challenging to decide on parts and what I'll do exactly. But I'm happy to get this experience. Any feedback is appreciated.

[DC231]

I've been taking some time to decide on what parts I will use and what exactly I will do for the engine rebuild. Right now I'm leaning toward using a higher comp oem piston, for the benefits of cast and oem reliability/quality. I am just a bit hesitant though about having to tune the ecu, but at this point with the 4 Piston head, that may be necessary anyway. Plus, I may not really mind having to tune it.

If I do the higher comp pistons, and then assuming it will be tuned, I figure why not do a mild cam upgrade. Maybe Toda A2 or something similar.

If Ferrea valevtrain makes sense, I'd love to do that. They have different valve and spring options on their website. I have no idea at this point which ones to choose, but would want more of a mild upgrade. They also make rockers, which are much lighter than oem. I wonder if that is worth it? And if using those would compromise reliability? They seem like they would help the engine rev freer, give the cams an easier job (but this is just me imagining in my head).

Here are some Ferrea links:

Valve springs: https://www.ferrea.com/acura-dual-valve-springs/p699
Valves: https://www.ferrea.com/acura-5000-serie ... alves/p456
Rocker arms: https://www.ferrea.com/acura-rocker-arms/p409

So yea, tentative plan is: Oem piston higher comp (maybe aim for c/r of 11 or so). Ferrea valve train with their rockers, and mild cam, 4 Piston head. Imo that would be an epic engine. That might rev to 9k.

More random thoughts: When getting the new pistons, will they be in stock? If I go for a JDM oem piston option, will they be available? Will I need to do block work on cylinders? But then I'd need oversize pistons, and that gets a little complicated. Same thing with deck resurfacing. Also gotta think about bearings. Definitely want to go oem.

Or maybe my block will work fine as is for the standard size new pistons. I do want to clean it up at least, and do anything to improve it, but avoid machine work that would make piston/bearing size adjustments necessary.

This is pretty challenging to decide on parts and what I'll do exactly. But I'm happy to get this experience. Any feedback is appreciated.

If you are going to use new pistons then you will need to bore the cylinders to be fresh and true. If you use the existing pistons then each piston needs to stay in the cylinder it was pulled from.

At this point imo you should def go with oversized pistons and have a fresh brand new engine build.

Ferrea rockers would be awesome but totally unnecessary for your goals it seems. You can safely rev to 9k all day with OEM GSR rods and OEM rockers with supporting cams and valvetrain.

[Dave7CDMTYPER]

If you are going to use new pistons then you will need to bore the cylinders to be fresh and true. If you use the existing pistons then each piston needs to stay in the cylinder it was pulled from.

At this point imo you should def go with oversized pistons and have a fresh brand new engine build.

Ferrea rockers would be awesome but totally unnecessary for your goals it seems. You can safely rev to 9k all day with OEM GSR rods and OEM rockers with supporting cams and valvetrain.

Ok things are getting more clear in my mind, thank you! I'll call 4Piston and see what they say. Maybe I could send my block to them along with the pistons I've selected (unless they can get oversize oem pistons). I'll ask him what size of oversized pistons to get.

For now, I'm starting to look at piston options. Found these for JDM P73, but I'm leaning toward oem rings at the moment:

https://www.swapshopracing.com/contents ... Rings.html

[DC231]

If you are going to use new pistons then you will need to bore the cylinders to be fresh and true. If you use the existing pistons then each piston needs to stay in the cylinder it was pulled from.

At this point imo you should def go with oversized pistons and have a fresh brand new engine build.

Ferrea rockers would be awesome but totally unnecessary for your goals it seems. You can safely rev to 9k all day with OEM GSR rods and OEM rockers with supporting cams and valvetrain.

Ok things are getting more clear in my mind, thank you! I'll call 4Piston and see what they say. Maybe I could send my block to them along with the pistons I've selected (unless they can get oversize oem pistons). I'll ask him what size of oversized pistons to get.

For now, I'm starting to look at piston options. Found these for JDM P73, but I'm leaning toward oem rings at the moment:

https://www.swapshopracing.com/contents ... Rings.html

To my knowledge Nippon is the manufacturer of OEM Honda pistons. I have used their pistons and rings dozens of times and had no issues with ring seal. You cannot use those pistons that you shared a link of with OEM Honda piston rings.

OEM Honda only produces oversized pistons and rings in the 81.25 mm size for your engine. The oversize aftermarket are 81.5 mm and up.....

[Dave7CDMTYPER]

To my knowledge Nippon is the manufacturer of OEM Honda pistons. I have used their pistons and rings dozens of times and had no issues with ring seal. You cannot use those pistons that you shared a link of with OEM Honda piston rings.

OEM Honda only produces oversized pistons and rings in the 81.25 mm size for your engine. The oversize aftermarket are 81.5 mm and up.....

Ok good to know! I'll have to find the right source for the Nippon pistons if I go that route, seems like pricing varies a lot for some reason. It takes time to learn these details. That's cool that Honda makes oversized pistons, but I guess they understand what people need for rebuilding engines.

[Dave7CDMTYPER]

I haven't had much luck with finding oem oversized pistons, but may have just found a set of bnib P30's!

[DC231]

I haven't had much luck with finding oem oversized pistons, but may have just found a set of bnib P30's!

Yeah b series parts are becoming scarce after 34 years of being used and abused.

On another note I meant to mention this in a previous post but when you do the assembly of the short block please be sure to use a tapered ring compressor or the plier type ring compressor. DO NOT USE A SCREW TYPE RING COMPRESSOR.

[Dave7CDMTYPER]

Yeah b series parts are becoming scarce after 34 years of being used and abused.

On another note I meant to mention this in a previous post but when you do the assembly of the short block please be sure to use a tapered ring compressor or the plier type ring compressor. DO NOT USE A SCREW TYPE RING COMPRESSOR.

Awesome thanks! I should use an 81.25mm ring compressor/piston slider correct?

[DC231]

Yeah b series parts are becoming scarce after 34 years of being used and abused.

On another note I meant to mention this in a previous post but when you do the assembly of the short block please be sure to use a tapered ring compressor or the plier type ring compressor. DO NOT USE A SCREW TYPE RING COMPRESSOR.

Awesome thanks! I should use an 81.25mm ring compressor/piston slider correct?

If you use OEM Honda pistons then you will have to use the adjustable type tapered ring compressor like this

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sme-90a3100

Or the plier type like this

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/otc- ... GqEALw_wcB

It seems that the ARP and Wiseco tapered ring compressors only come in .5mm so they have 81 & 81.5 but not 81.25.

That being said I would go with the plier type adjustable set personally if you decide to go with OEM pistons.

I have never had this issue because I've always used Nippon or forged pistons the past 20 years.