Piston3's LDK Swap
03-02-2014, 03:54 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: 10-16-13
Location: Iowa
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Piston3's LDK Swap
First a refresher https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/08-1...ty-pic-303624/
After a couple months of planning and saving up, I now have full bolt ons including SSC springs and 6K HIDs (not installed yet), a ZZP tune for break in, and oh yeah, the LDK bottom end.
This took a little over an hour in a completely basic garage with hand tools. Lots of unhooking stuff, and taking pictures for reference later. We just used a bungee cord to support the compressor. Same thing for the radiator and the condenser later to avoid having to remove them and discharge the AC. Strapped them right to the support.
Next morning, we tow the car across the street and into my neighbor's garage in the back yard. This garage is fully equipped with anything you could possibly need including heat! Yes, the Civic is mine and is also fully built running a T3/T4B 57 trim .63 a/r. Can't wait to run them against each other.
And there we go. Too easy right?
Oh em gee! Is that the ring I see?! This would be cylinder 4.
This appears to be a MUCH better design. Not that that had anything to do with why I was blowing pistons apart, but this wasn't too much more than rebuilding, and I like new things.
Look ma! No sleeves!
Viva la Cobalt??? No surprise, nothing's made in America anymore.
I could not believe how nasty the valves were after only 30,000 miles. I'm sure that's not super bad in comparison, but damn. The head is going to the shop to get checked over and if everything is straight it will be cleaned and new Viton valve seals installed. It should be fine as it never got hot and I'm guessing the piston pieces went straight out the exhaust.
Speaking of exhaust, can anyone identify this downpipe? No logos or markings on it. This is the first time I've had the car in the air and I had no idea it even had a catless downpipe. This should clearly illustrate my ignorance and haste involved in the purchase of the car. In my defense I have a total of 11 days behind the wheel in it since it was breaking pistons right after I bought it.
More to come in a couple of weeks once all the parts are here!
Last edited by Piston3; 03-02-2014 at 04:00 PM.
03-02-2014, 04:00 PM
#2
Senior Member
Well I can tell you its not ZZP because it would say so lol. but damn dude 11 days and it goes boom? I'm so afraid my pistons are gonna go but it seems like a hit or miss on here..r
03-02-2014, 04:06 PM
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: 10-16-13
Location: Iowa
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I wouldn't worry too much. This car obviously had a tune and I didn't know very much about that when I bought it. Probably too aggressive with the timing or for all I know set up for E, although my AFRs weren't super lean when it went. If you're not getting knock, these pistons are fine. I asked ZZP if I should upgrade to Wisecos and they said no. I'm staying stock turbo for the foreseeable future and they said this motor is good to 500hp and they have not managed to break one yet.
03-09-2014, 01:01 AM
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: 10-16-13
Location: Iowa
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Got the ZZP intercooler kit and K&N SRI delivered yesterday. Also got all manner of gaskets and seals, thermostat, etc., from CED as well as a new timing kit. Dropped off the Viton valve seals to the machine shop. The head should be ready by Tuesday. I had a great experience with Matt at ZZP. He addressed all my concerns with the tune and I now know exactly why my pistons were exploding:
"Did you know you were running an E85 tune? I think what happened is your ECM trimmed out the extra fuel in the E85 tune, but it was left with a leaner target lambda and also 10 degrees more timing advance than we run in our 1.0 file. This file seems aggressive on the timing even for E85."
So there you have it. Independent dealer sold me a car that looked stock but was overly aggressively tuned for E85, GM ignored my plea to re-write me to GMS1 because I felt something was wrong, and now here we are with a new motor courtesy of my wallet
Anyways, here's some shots of the ZZP intercooler vs stock for comparison.
"Did you know you were running an E85 tune? I think what happened is your ECM trimmed out the extra fuel in the E85 tune, but it was left with a leaner target lambda and also 10 degrees more timing advance than we run in our 1.0 file. This file seems aggressive on the timing even for E85."
So there you have it. Independent dealer sold me a car that looked stock but was overly aggressively tuned for E85, GM ignored my plea to re-write me to GMS1 because I felt something was wrong, and now here we are with a new motor courtesy of my wallet
Anyways, here's some shots of the ZZP intercooler vs stock for comparison.
03-09-2014, 05:53 PM
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: 10-16-13
Location: Iowa
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I plan on posting more pics when we time it. My brother says it's very simple unless you're color blind but then again he's kind of a freak of nature when it comes to this stuff. No special tool on hand but he has access to anything we need.
I cleaned up a bunch of parts today. Should I pull the MAP sensor out of the manifold and clean it too? There was a lot of oil in the #4 runner. Can I re-use the o ring or do I have to get new ones? Will be transferring the lower to the zzp pipe of course, seems like a no brainer to clean them as preventative maintenance. Also my o2 is covered in oil. Where's the best place to get a deal on one?
I cleaned up a bunch of parts today. Should I pull the MAP sensor out of the manifold and clean it too? There was a lot of oil in the #4 runner. Can I re-use the o ring or do I have to get new ones? Will be transferring the lower to the zzp pipe of course, seems like a no brainer to clean them as preventative maintenance. Also my o2 is covered in oil. Where's the best place to get a deal on one?
03-10-2014, 08:27 AM
#10
Member
Join Date: 02-14-11
Location: Innisfil, On, Canada
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
03-11-2014, 09:18 PM
#12
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: 10-16-13
Location: Iowa
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
By the way, did you get your LDK shortblock from ZZP? And did it come with a dipstick and tube? They say it's supposed to because the oil pan holds one more quart, but I did not get one with my order.
03-13-2014, 10:22 PM
#13
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: 10-16-13
Location: Iowa
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not too bad eh? Color matched to the body in crystal red. Also I got my head back. Pressure checked, cleaned, new seals, cleaned up the valves, etc., all for $105. Putting everything back together this weekend with all my new bolt on goodies!
Last edited by Piston3; 03-16-2014 at 11:53 AM.
03-16-2014, 12:21 AM
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: 10-16-13
Location: Iowa
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dropped a valve after initial break in and 3 miles cruising. This car is ******* cursed. No boost, 50mph 4th gear. She was running so smooth and no vibes from the Powell mount. Pulled the intake and shrapnel fell out everywhere. I will post up a pic tomorrow when I'm sober. Buying the LHU crate motor from ZZP next but will be a few weeks due to cost.
Last edited by Piston3; 03-16-2014 at 12:37 AM.
03-16-2014, 12:30 AM
#18
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: 10-16-13
Location: Iowa
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Not sure what you mean. We installed everything including the wiring harness on the motor and trans assembly then dropped the car on it and bolted/hooked everything up.
Last edited by Piston3; 03-16-2014 at 12:39 AM.
03-16-2014, 11:41 AM
#23
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: 10-16-13
Location: Iowa
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It dropped in #2. Previous failures were in 3 and 4.
Last edited by Piston3; 03-16-2014 at 11:56 AM.