# turboSHO engine teardown W/pics

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335>\
**Category:** Builds\
**Created:** [May 13, 2008, 4:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335 "2008-05-13T04:52:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 4:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/1 "2008-05-13T04:52:05Z")

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after 232K of operation, and running boost as high as 20psi with no means to measure EGT or detonation here is the pics of the engine tear down.

fully assembled engine/trans on the subframe  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048741&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048741&w=523)

intake removed  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048742&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048742&w=523)

![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048744&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048744&w=523)  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048749&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048749&w=523)  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048750&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048750&w=523)

timing belt was oil soaked to i just cut it to save time.  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048751&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048751&w=523)

You can’t see it in the pictures but the right (front bank) cam seal poped out of place as was blowing a huge amount of oil from it.  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048752&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048752&w=523)

rear bank cams removed. buckets and shims still in place.  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048753&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048753&w=523)

Rear bank head removed. Note that there is one clean piston (cylinder 3)  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048755&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048755&w=523)

closeup of the cylinder walls on the rear bank. This is typical of a high mile SHO engine. The ridge at the top is minimal and is pretty much limited to carbon buildup.  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048758&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048758&w=523)

head off the front bank. Not seen well in the pictures. Cylinder 6 (far right) was full of oil. cylinder 1,2,4,5 look normal but the 2 far right cylinders are not normal. One is really clean and one is taking a bath in oil.  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048776&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048776&w=523)

cylinder 6 bathing in oil  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048779&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048779&w=523)

This is cylinder 2. I am no expert but this looks pretty normal for a high mile engine I think.  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048778&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048778&w=523)

Head off the rear bank. Note how clean cylinder 3 is.  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048782&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048782&w=523)

closeup of cylinder 3  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048780&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048780&w=523)

closeup of the oil soaked cylinder 6  
 ![http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048781&w=523](http://images.streetfire.net/handlers/getsizedimage.ashx?id=1048781&w=523)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 4:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/2 "2008-05-13T04:52:58Z")

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This is from hotrodkid. He took cylinder 3 with him to get better pictures.

> 

> [@FS: '92 Infiniti G20](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-92-infiniti-g20/46387/21):
>
> the ring lands are definantly cracked, i took a better look at the piston i have in my posession …
> 
> > oil rings are def in to far:
> 
> > first crack (rub marks also visable on the piston)
> 
> > second crack, more piston scuffing visable, notice once gain the contact marks are very localized on the edges of the lands
> 
> > more scuffing, opposite side of the piston from the 2 cracks
> 
> > no signs of detonation !
> 
> > rod bearing:

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**Author:** ![Jack](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jack/32/7613_2.png) [@Jack](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jack)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 6:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/3 "2008-05-13T06:40:20Z")

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Nice pix…

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**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 7:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/4 "2008-05-13T07:23:11Z")

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Too bad I don’t have my 60,000 mile heads any more, they were as clean as KOA heads get!

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**Author:** ![cougarspeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cougarspeed/32/7468_2.png) [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 7:24am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/5 "2008-05-13T07:24:05Z")

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So whats the plan?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 8:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/6 "2008-05-13T08:15:28Z")

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I have a low mile SHO engine on a stand waiting to go in the turbo car. The only problem is i’m waiting on a special order go fast part that needs to be installed before the engine goes in.

The block in the pictures will be cleaned and will recieve some 9:1 pistons and I will try and max my turbo out when its done later this summer.

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**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 8:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/7 "2008-05-13T08:17:37Z")

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:tspry:

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**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 8:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/8 "2008-05-13T08:23:04Z")

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Cool pics, HRK!

I’m not looking forward to seeing why my STi has 50% leakdown…

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**Author:** ![cougarspeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cougarspeed/32/7468_2.png) [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 8:28am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/9 "2008-05-13T08:28:02Z")

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> [@somedude](#):
>
> I have a low mile SHO engine on a stand waiting to go in the turbo car. The only problem is i’m waiting on a special order go fast part that needs to be installed before the engine goes in.
> 
> The block in the pictures will be cleaned and will recieve some 9:1 pistons and I will try and max my turbo out when its done later this summer.

Sounds like a plan. Cool project.

> [@newman](#):
>
> Cool pics, HRK!
> 
> I’m not looking forward to seeing why my STi has 50% leakdown…

WTF? When did this happen?

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**Author:** ![Nikuk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/nikuk/32/7254_2.png) [@Nikuk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Nikuk)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 8:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/10 "2008-05-13T08:33:07Z")

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Couple weeks ago… have you not been keeping up with your Newman [RSS feed??](http://nyspeed.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=12)

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**Author:** ![cougarspeed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/cougarspeed/32/7468_2.png) [@cougarspeed](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/cougarspeed)\
**Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 8:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/11 "2008-05-13T08:36:09Z")

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> [@Nikuk](#):
>
> Couple weeks ago… have you not been keeping up with your Newman [RSS feed??](http://nyspeed.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=12)

Nope i must have been distracted by work or something.:suckoff:

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**Author:** ![rj-92](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rj-92/32/7310_2.png) [@rj-92](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rj-92)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2008, 1:33pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/12 "2008-05-24T13:33:33Z")

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nice. not bad to a totally stock motor running 14psi. Some forged pistoons and let her scream! :tup:

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**Author:** ![Carnut](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/carnut/32/7590_2.png) [@Carnut](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Carnut)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/13 "2008-05-24T15:48:15Z")

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The signs of detonation are the cracked ring lands and the wear pattern on the rod bearings. Ignoring the fact that it has 232k.

Detonation, while not severe enough to melt the dome of the piston, was present.

Please for the love of God. Since you have this engine out and I assume you are planning on rebuilding it. Do it right the first time. Take some time and money and actually use quality parts and do the job correctly. Get an EGT gauge. Tune the car properly this time. If you are not sure what you are doing, hire someone. It will save you lots in the long run.

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**Author:** ![reliant\_turbo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/reliant_turbo/32/7189_2.png) [@reliant\_turbo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/reliant_turbo)\
**Post date:** [May 26, 2008, 8:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/14 "2008-05-26T08:58:26Z")

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wideband? ghetto detonation can/tube at least?

westach aircraft gauges are pretty economical too.

Brian

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**Author:** ![dftsilvia](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dftsilvia/32/7447_2.png) [@dftsilvia](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dftsilvia)\
**Post date:** [May 27, 2008, 7:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/15 "2008-05-27T07:38:46Z")

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is that a beat ass 240 in that one pic???

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\
**Post date:** [May 28, 2008, 5:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/16 "2008-05-28T05:23:51Z")

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> [@Carnut](#):
>
> The signs of detonation are the cracked ring lands and the wear pattern on the rod bearings. Ignoring the fact that it has 232k.
> 
> Detonation, while not severe enough to melt the dome of the piston, was present.
> 
> Please for the love of God. Since you have this engine out and I assume you are planning on rebuilding it. Do it right the first time. Take some time and money and actually use quality parts and do the job correctly. Get an EGT gauge. Tune the car properly this time. If you are not sure what you are doing, hire someone. It will save you lots in the long run.

I thought that cracked ring lands typically occur because the cylinder pressure is too high. What on the rod bearings gives signs of detonation? I’m not doubting you I just want to learn. In the past I have tried beating the shit out of the car in 90+ deg weather and pulled plugs but I never saw anything unusual on the plugs. We could never get the tuning software to show us that we were getting detonation. I think we went as high as 25deg of advance at 14psi. Actually I think that is where it was pretty much where we left the timing. That said I don’t know if the computer was pulling timing and not displaying it on the tweecer or if it was just letting it knock away.

The rod bearings have 33K on them. the car had sever rod knock at 199K and everyone said the engine was toast because it was audible but the crank was not scored and all the new bearings were on the tight side of the spec so I rolled with it.

For now I am dropping the boost to 10psi but I am installing a 3" exhaust instead of 2.5 and I will be installing a custom set of boost cams that are due to arrive today. The engine going in is another stock one except for cams this time. I am going to the dyno next week before carlsile and I am definately hoping for the 400WHP numbers… What is the break in period for new bearings?

More updates this weekend.

edit: forgot to add we used a AEM wideband for tuning. I never installed my EGT monitor but i did buy one.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![rj-92](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rj-92/32/7310_2.png) [@rj-92](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rj-92)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2008, 5:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/17 "2008-05-29T17:55:14Z")

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If you notice most of the wear on teh bearings aren’t on the 12 and 6 O’clock positions but rather closer to 1 and 7. That usually gives signs of pre-ignition (detonation).

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2008, 8:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/18 "2008-05-31T08:39:29Z")

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got the engine mostly put back together last night. todays project is to complete engine assembly and get that hore back in. If its not running today it should be for sure by tomorrow.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 6:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/19 "2008-06-06T06:18:47Z")

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got about 4 hours of work left to get it running. Then I’m leaving for carlsile this afternoon. I can’t wait to see if I did it all right.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BuickGN](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/buickgn/32/7200_2.png) [@BuickGN](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BuickGN)\
**Post date:** [June 6, 2008, 6:35am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbosho-engine-teardown-w-pics/48335/20 "2008-06-06T06:35:06Z")

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lol u cant wait to see if u did it right?

ohh man, good luck with that.

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