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Members' Cars / Calypso GTi
The car:
1990 8v GTI in Calypso Green
i had the engine converted to k04 20vt a couple of years ago with an aggressive stage 2 map, this turned out to be a bit to aggressive and a few weeks ago i managed to bend a con rod
I stripped down the engine in the car to confirm and found this:
So my plan going forward is to rebuild the engine myself with forged con rods, the current spec list:
Standard Pistons with new rings
Pro-Race Engineering rifle drilled rods.
ARP2000 Rod bolts
ACL Race Bearings - Main and big-end.
Pinned crank gear
After checking the bores on my original AMK engine i found some scratches that would require a rebore, the cost of doing this and having to buy over-sized pistons is quite high so i have sourced a decent standard 06a block from a BJX engine to replace this.
im also considering getting the head rebuilt with some supertech exhaust valves and uprated springs, but ill make a decision on this once the bottom end is built.
Initially i plan to run the car with the standard k04 turbo while its run in and then look at hybrid or big turbo options in the future. i would like to get over the 300hp mark.
Engine out:
While waiting for parts to arrive i wanted to get the old rusty battery tray changed, i know a local welder who is excellent and has just done the following for me:
to:
it just needs a lick of paint that i will do myself.
My aim is to get the car back up and running in a few months time but there is quite a lot to do as i would like to tidy the engine loom, sort out the heat shielding in the engine bay.