Gtr32 Pistons Gone - What Next?

[JotEn]

am new to this forum so hi to everyone

my 90' gtr32 is very good almost stock condition with gtr34 cam, hks fuel&oil pump and 1.2 boost. Many years no issues but finally pistons need change and am not sure whether should change crank, rods and bearings as well.

So am seeking advice which option to go for to have a reliable base for 500bhp:

1. just change standard pistons and have it run as before

2. go for forged stroker kit (crank, rods, pistols, bearings, oil spacer)

3. go for a new short block / R34 swap

Obviously they are all at different cost (would like to spend not more than 4-7kAUD) but goal is to have the most reasonable solution for a long term reliable engine. I am afraid that will change pistons and then get issues with rods, crank etc.

Which kits from Japan you had good experiences with, JUN, Tomei ?

No track/drag racing, car is driven on roads in pretty tough Hong Kong conditions, oil gets very hot quickly.

thx

[SimonR32]

Option 1 is the only one that is going to come close to being inside your budget...

[JotEn]

Option 1 is the only one that is going to come close to being inside your budget...

right, budget is flexible.

Is it worth increasing budget to 15k AUD to go for a JUN 2.8L stroker kit if I don't want to go for more then 500bhp?

Reliable 450 - 500bhp is all I want.

[KiwiRS4T]

RB30 for reliable 500kw

[Hanaldo]

right, budget is flexible.

Is it worth increasing budget to 15k AUD to go for a JUN 2.8L stroker kit if I don't want to go for more then 500bhp?

Reliable 450 - 500bhp is all I want.

Woah, that is flexible.

Do you know what caused the damage to the engine in the first place? And is it actually damage to the pistons, or just the rings? There's not much point replacing everything unless you know what went wrong.

[JotEn]

Do you know what caused the damage to the engine in the first place? And is it actually damage to the pistons, or just the rings? There's not much point replacing everything unless you know what went wrong.

car was running very well for many years, no issues. a week ago blue smoke came out of exhaust when driving down hill in gear and oil was leaking - I thought is valve seals. But next day blue smoke covered whole Hong Kong island when driving up hill and so far my mechanic said one piston head + ring +valve is really damaged. strange but car is 21 years old. I will see it tonight and will update then.

as need to rebuild engine am thinking what to do to have reliable 450bhp for normal use. Does a striker kit makes sense?

I don't think Rb30 is the only way.

Hong Kong is humid and hot, up and down hill all the time and many traffic, so it is pretty tough for oil. SO perhaps I should downgrade to 400bhp.

[N1GTR]

400hp? please God no - dont do that

Really basic 2.6L build and some nice low mounts will have you around 600hp. As for oil temps, get a quality Japanese oil cooler kit (Such as HKS) to suit R32

Engine, head;

Reco head

Add cam gears

Add tomei poncams

Add tomei type A springs

Bottom end;

See if crank is reusable, if not get a new stock crank

CP Pistons in 86.5 if it's a stock bore currently, you can get 9.0:1 CR

Eagle rods (or whatever brand you like really, it's all a wank for 600hp) with ARP rod bolts

ACL Race bearings

1.2mm head gasket

Put back together. Then add a set of 2530's and some good dump pipes matched to a quality set of front pipes and catback. Assuming here you've got a good fuel pump and capable injectors with ECU.

Run in, tune, done.

[GTR_JOEY]

Was it number 6 that let go? just out of interest haha

[JotEn]

400hp? please God no - dont do that

Really basic 2.6L build and some nice low mounts will have you around 600hp. As for oil temps, get a quality Japanese oil cooler kit (Such as HKS) to suit R32

Engine, head;

Reco head

Add cam gears

Add tomei poncams

Add tomei type A springs

Bottom end;

See if crank is reusable, if not get a new stock crank

CP Pistons in 86.5 if it's a stock bore currently, you can get 9.0:1 CR

Eagle rods (or whatever brand you like really, it's all a wank for 600hp) with ARP rod bolts

ACL Race bearings

1.2mm head gasket

Put back together. Then add a set of 2530's and some good dump pipes matched to a quality set of front pipes and catback. Assuming here you've got a good fuel pump and capable injectors with ECU.

Run in, tune, done.

N1GTR, appreciate your advice. Have just seen the engine, number 6 piston head detonated (looks more or less like in picture), bearing gone and better to change head gasket. Were all 21 years old. Need to recheck the cylinder head but looks really ok.

So for the time being I decided to rebuild stock engine: pistons, valve springs, bearings, rod bolts and head gasket - as all parts available short term. And will definitely add the oil cooler kit.

N1 GTR, your advice seems very well balanced so have saved it But following it I would need to change my pretty new N1 exhaust, bottom gasket, injectors, pipes and probably the oil pump. Bit too much for no space to drive like Hong Kong

thx

[Nee-san]

400hp? please God no - dont do that

Really basic 2.6L build and some nice low mounts will have you around 600hp. As for oil temps, get a quality Japanese oil cooler kit (Such as HKS) to suit R32

Engine, head;

Reco head

Add cam gears

Add tomei poncams

Add tomei type A springs

Bottom end;

See if crank is reusable, if not get a new stock crank

CP Pistons in 86.5 if it's a stock bore currently, you can get 9.0:1 CR

Eagle rods (or whatever brand you like really, it's all a wank for 600hp) with ARP rod bolts

ACL Race bearings

1.2mm head gasket

Put back together. Then add a set of 2530's and some good dump pipes matched to a quality set of front pipes and catback. Assuming here you've got a good fuel pump and capable injectors with ECU.

Run in, tune, done.

That's the business Kids ! let's be honest, it's a bloody cheap way to around 600hp !