96 Beretta Project

[3400-95-Modified]

A little bittersweet... Pulled the driveline yesterday and put it to the side knowing it will only be picked apart and that motor won't be going back in... It's treated me well so far. Can't complain about 12's and no failures with a stock bottom end.



Engine bay also needs some attention...

[3400-95-Modified]

I hate this work, but it will be worth it in the end...

Current status of the car...

Harness out..


Pulled the brake booster this time so I could properly seal above that area... Bay needs proper prep to before re-coating... That will teach me to cut corners...

[3400-95-Modified]

I do find it funny that everyone says go 3500 go 3500, screw the 3400... The selection of parts for the 3500 are quite slim... No crank scraper by WOT-Tech, no aftermarket rods, no forged pistons, no Napier rings... The only thing I'll be buying from WOT-Tech is the Cometic Head gaskets. A little disappointing.

[ericjon262]

I do find it funny that everyone says go 3500 go 3500, screw the 3400... The selection of parts for the 3500 are quite slim... No crank scraper by WOT-Tech, no aftermarket rods, no forged pistons, no Napier rings... The only thing I'll be buying from WOT-Tech is the Cometic Head gaskets. A little disappointing.

these are the rods I am running

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/esp-5967b3d/overview/

These would probably fit too

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/kot-012ba25596/overview/

both most likely need custom pistons though,

I've got the spec sheet for my pistons somewhere... if I find it I'll post it.

[3400-95-Modified]

Those are probably two of the things I don't plan on changing due to the costs, I'm already switching mostly for the slight bump into the 10:1 ratio area vs my current low 9s. If I feel I don't like this result I'll probably take my original 3400 block and forge the bottom end with what's out there and put it in the 11s for CR or just high 10s

Or my other option is change the cam.

[ericjon262]

Those are probably two of the things I don't plan on changing due to the costs, I'm already switching mostly for the slight bump into the 10:1 ratio area vs my current low 9s. If I feel I don't like this result I'll probably take my original 3400 block and forge the bottom end with what's out there and put it in the 11s for CR or just high 10s

after I'm "done" with this LX9, I'm going Gen IV or High Feature.

[3400-95-Modified]

I guess you could say I'm disappointed at the lack of aftermarket bearing wise and rings since those will be the two most important things in my setup with the nitrous.

May go GM all the way and just the wide cam bearings.

[3400-95-Modified]

So serious question here... With the lack of performance options for the 3500 what would you go with? Aftermarket replacement bearings and rings or go OEM GM stuff? I've been running clevite stuff on the pink car rod bearing wise, they are factory 04 mains and factory rings and pistons.

[ericjon262]

ring options are out there through summit racing. as far as bearings go, I'd worry more about oil and filters, big thing with them is making sure all the clearances are correct.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/department/engines-components/section/pistons-piston-rings/part-type/piston-rings?PageSize=100&N=4294949512%2B4294914195%2B4294882362%2B4294884174%2B4294803644%2B4294803701%2B4294803700%2B4294803948

[SappySE107]

Do any of those rings actually fit the stock 3500 pistons? I didn't see anything.

[3400-95-Modified]

That was my next question on that only because I haven't been able to go out in the garage and pull a piston yet, but what is the oil ring size? There are two different options on rock auto and I'm wondering if the sealed power version is made to only fit their aftermarket piston, I've seen them do that before.

[ericjon262]

Do any of those rings actually fit the stock 3500 pistons? I didn't see anything.

I'm not sure of the ring thicknesses, but those rings are for several bore sizes 94mm+ if the ring lands are too small, it wouldn't be impossible to chuck them in a lathe and make them bigger, assuming they don't need to be massively bigger, how much cheaper that would be compared to custom pistons? not really sure.

[3400-95-Modified]

Not really looking to have to re-cut all the piston ring grooves... It would probably be wiser for me to approach a ring company and request custom 94mm bore rings and give them the sizes they need for the pistons I have. Then I can also get the specific material I want as well.

on another note...

Opinions on this stuff?

http://www.eastwood.com/glyptal-red-enamel-set.html

[ericjon262]

no opinion, but I thought this was hilarious!

Note - Can may get dented during shipping. This does not impact the functionality of the product

[robertisaar]

basically an anti-stick coating for the interior walls of the engine? neat.

I'm not sure I would want to use anything like that though.... seems like it might cause heat distribution issues? speaking out of my ass though, for all I know the oil doesn't absorb/equalize the temperature throughout the engine significantly enough to matter.