FE-DOHC FE3 rebuild for turbo. What do I need?

[evo626]

Since I have a rod bearing that is one its way out I think that it is time to rebuild the motor for turbo conversion. My question is what do I need?
I think I'm going to stay at stock bore, what brand, type, spec pistions and rods do I need.
Are there any high performance rob bearings that I can buy?

I plan on replaceing the oil pump,head gasket, rods and pistions, rings, getting VR6 valvesprings and kia keepers. Also the head will be decked. Is there anything else I should know? My friend is rebuilding it for me so I know it will be done right.
Thanks
evo

[rebel2k4]

Toga makes high performance rod bearings and also custom pistons for any application. Their prices are also very reasonable.

www.importperformanceparts.net

Good luck evo. let me know if you ever need a hand, I can swing by.

Maybe we should take the opportunity to upgrade to the GT tranny as well.

[Jon]

From what I heard (From 88MX6GT) the aftermarket rod bearings do NOT fit for some reasion. You'll need to go with the kia bearings.

I still don't think you have a spun bearing. Did you check your oil for metal flakes?

[evo626]

There were no metal flakes. But the tapping was defintently coming from the bottom end. I just bought a engine hoist and have almost got the engine out. So its time for a full rebuild.
evo

[88MX6GT]

Yes, I found out the hard way aftermarket bearings have the knotch (rod journal or something) on the bearings on the wrong side and will not fit. Buy a Kia oil pump, it is designed for the higher pressure of the oil squirters.
Wiseco makes Pistons, you probably do not need rods (jayB was pushing something close to 500whp on stock ones).
If you are going turbo buy some bigger injectors. You may have to switch between impedence's on them which SDS needs some resistor pack to make work (if you don't already have it/them). I am running 650's on mine. Someone tried stock ones and they maxed out at 100% duty cycle at stock boost (7psi) by something like 5000rpms. They won't be enough with boost. You may as well do stuff like rear main and other maintenance while you are rebuilding it.
Rebel mentioned upgrading to a GT tranny, do you still have an N/A one? I know I always hear the N/A one will not hold boost, but I really don't know. I know they are soo much smaller than the GT tranny though. But that one is up to you.
Good luck with it all evo, you won't be disappointed.

[evo626]

What rob bearings do I have to use then? Just stock kia units?
Also I already have 440cc injectors so I should be fine on fuel if I only plan on running 15psi.
I would love to upgrade to the GT tranny but the money situation doesn't call for it just yet. When I nuke the n/a tranny I'll switch over. For now I'm going to have the flywheel machined and lightened.
evo

[88MX6GT]

Yeah, stock '98 Sportage bearings.
440's huh? Well, you may max them out running 15psi, but still definately better than stock ones.
Who are you going to have lighten your flywheel? I did that once to a Protege flywheel and it came back 2-3lbs lighter? I was like WTF? I spent how much $$$$ for a lousy 2-3lbs difference? If it was me I'd just wait and save that money for the GT tranny.

[Jah1mon]

Could you use Mazda FE 2.0 rod and Main bearings also? Evo do you plan on polishing or knife edging your crank since your going so deep?

[FallGuy]

I used Clevite mains and ACL rod bearings.

[evo626]

I think 440s will be fine for what I want right now. The tbird will start to lose effeciencey past 15psi?
Anyway motor will be out today.
Fallguy what car did you order the bearings for? Should I do anything with the head other than new vlaves, upgraded valve springs, and kia keepers?
The bottom end I basicly want new bearings and lower comp pistions. Do you think I'll be alright if I reuse the stock rods? Also what do you use for spark plugs since your turbo?
evo

[evo626]

OK I just finished pulling the engine out. The oil pan finnally came off and I found a dime sized piece of metal in the pan. Dont know what it is from though.
Hopefully my frined is going to pick the engine up today so he can begin work on the engine.
evo

[88MX6GT]

Originally posted by Jah1mon
Could you use Mazda FE 2.0 rod and Main bearings also?

No, that is the reason aftermarket ones are on the wrong side, according to who I spoke to at the parts store the aftermarket bearing producer based the bearings off of the Mazda 2.0 off the 2G, which has the notches on the wrong side.
BTW: What are those called anyways? The notch on the mains and rods/ bearings. I am not so good with terminology, any engine work I have done I have done on my own and had no one to ask these questions too.

[turbor]

Yeah i also found out the hard way about the mazda fe rod bearings not having the notch on the right side, you need the kia ones. But theres another catch, for the main bearings, you NEED to use mazda fe bearings is you have a genuine MAZDA fe3 not the kia one, reason is the thrust bearing on the genuine fe3 and the other mazda fe is part of the center main bearing, meaning its one piece, the kia fe3 on the other hand, the thrust are 2 seperate half moons and theres nothing to hold them in the genuine MAZDA fe3. For those of you who have been following my fe3 turbo mazdaspeed protege buildup, the good news is that i found out that clevite does make aftermarket oversize thrust (oversize on the thrust side and on the bore side) bearings so i was able to save my 2 damaged cranks.

[Jon]

Originally posted by 88MX6GT
No, that is the reason aftermarket ones are on the wrong side, according to who I spoke to at the parts store the aftermarket bearing producer based the bearings off of the Mazda 2.0 off the 2G, which has the notches on the wrong side.
BTW: What are those called anyways? The notch on the mains and rods/ bearings. I am not so good with terminology, any engine work I have done I have done on my own and had no one to ask these questions too.

He is referring to the 8-Valve 2.0 FE motor that came out of the '84-'87 626's, some trucks. This motor has the exact same crank as the FE-DOHC, therefor the bearings should* work.

The motor you are talking about is FS motor. Different family all together.

*Note that I have not tried/tested/ or even looked at these cranks. This is all hypothetical.

[evo626]

Yeah i also found out the hard way about the mazda fe rod bearings not having the notch on the right side, you need the kia ones. But theres another catch, for the main bearings, you NEED to use mazda fe bearings is you have a genuine MAZDA fe3 not the kia one, reason is the thrust bearing on the genuine fe3 and the other mazda fe is part of the center main bearing, meaning its one piece, the kia fe3 on the other hand, the thrust are 2 seperate half moons and theres nothing to hold them in the genuine MAZDA fe3. For those of you who have been following my fe3 turbo mazdaspeed protege buildup, the good news is that i found out that clevite does make aftermarket oversize thrust (oversize on the thrust side and on the bore side) bearings so i was able to save my 2 damaged cranks.

Ok so when I order rod and main bearings I order clevite rod bearings for the KIA FE-DOHC. But when I order main bearings I order the for the '84-'87 2.0 FE. Correct?
I sure am glad I waited till now to do the rebuild and didn't have to find things out the hard way. Also After looking at my crank I have determined that although I have a cast crank. There for I must have cast rods and not the wonderfull forged units. So should I reuse my stock FE3 rods or should I invest in some different rods?
Thanks
evo