So as some of you know I took my car to AllPro in February so Brandon could do a leak down and compression test after I had a bad ringland suspicion. Unfortunately the car did have bad compression in cyl 2 and it also had a bad leak down test. Knowing that I needed a rebuild I have been babying the car since then and trying to save up money which has been really tough with a 2 year old. I have a little money saved up and Im trying to decide what should be my next move. Of course I dont know the extent of the damage but the car runs fine, still pulls hard and it hasnt had any extreme oil loss. But I know the timer is ticking. So what should I do next I dont have enough saved up for a new short block yet and this is my DD so the less time that its down the better and the less I could spend the better. Should I? 1. Keep saving up for a new shortblock? 2. Buy a used block and rebuild it? 3. Take the chance and just buy pistons and all the other necessary parts to rebuild mine and hope for the best when I pull my block apart? 5. Sell the car, or set it on fire, or park in downtown Atlanta with the keys in it? :rofl: Im open to ideas.
new SB for 04-07 was $1795 at SoG. something to consider. I'm sure All Pro can try to get the same deal for you.
New short block for sure. better piece of mind knowing its new. you dont want that much downtime so thats another advantage there. plus with buying used and re-building that cost about the same as just buying a brand new block.
When my ringland cracked on my 05 STI, I kept in my garage and DD'd a beater. Luckily when we pulled the engine there was no scarring on the cylinder walls and WJM managed to replace the piston. Overall costs of labor and parts were not horrible but all depends on the condition of your cylinder wall. Any chance you can get the #2 looked at before you make a decision?
Don't build the motor....it'll be a maintenance nightmare eventually. Built motors generally just don't last that long overall. I vote a new shortblock if you want to keep the car. If it doesn't smoke or anything and runs just fine without losing oil then perhaps trade it in on something more family oriented. I learned the hard way and don't even have a born child yet.....don't mod your DD. Hence why I got rid of the M3 and got a Xterra. It hauls junk and stuff, has plenty of room, and gets 22 mpg which is great for a SUV. I haven't regretted that decision one bit.
Get a beater with room for the kid, can probably get one cheaper than a sb. Look for a new sb after youve saved back up and fix it when you can, only driving it on the weekends until then