OK a quick update before I continue on with wiring etc. Im taking this week off work to hopefully get all the wiring and basic ecu setup sorted out. Maybe if the time gods allow I will try starting it in Easter weekend.
I have been making my own 36-1 trigger wheel. I have spun down the old 6 point pressed steel disc that is pushed onto the front pulley. I machined a new ring and then with the quick and fantastic response from several on this here great forum I got a cad picture emailed to me which I used as my stencil. I then spent about an hour filing. I need to double check it but so far its pretty accurate. Some teeth are about .2mm narrower than others but I reckon if I keep filing them down chasing perfection I'll end up with nothing left. I figure that the ECU software might have some sort of 'smoothing of the signal' in the code? once I have tigged the ring onto the turned down base I'll pop it in the lathe and double check it spins true.
I have added a boss (turned down $1 nut) for the wideband. Its only reading one bank but maybe in the future I add another on other side. I thought putting it in the Y pipe further down would be too far away and lower response time? Maybe I'll put a boss there too..
I gave the new engine a quick clean and assembled it together with new gaskets, pulleys, T belt etc that came with the bargain bulk load of bits from Auckland.
I also stripped the heads down, replaced the troublesome JDM ZE spec inlet valve springs and retainers (well known for breaking and dropping valves) with some better items from my spare heads. I also checked the cam cap clearances. Many factory heads have too much clearance and the engine can suffer from poor mains pressure as a result. Mine were spot on
I assembled the inlet together with seals and the base of the plenum was slightly bowed out stopping the runners sealing properly. I needed to squash it down but the bench was just lifting up when using the bottle jack. I needed something heavy. I chose our house..
On Saturday we pulled the 2 litre out. Luckily we had a very handy and helpful tree right there!
While the engine was out I painted all the engine mounts and touched up the crossmember etc
Then we slung the new engine in place. Happy times. Such a satisfying feeling when the shaft slides into the hole.....
The bright orange covers are only there for now- the previous owner had chopped them down as he didn't use the timing belt covers. I'm going to repaint some other cam covers and cover my belt. But the orange does look cool eh... gulf racing almost..