ESS VT2-650 Engine Blowout/Bearing Failure at 20k miles

[DOUT]

Originally Posted by leigh

What happens with your customers that got a 650 kit when you sold it with out the bearings?

Originally Posted by Roman@ESS

When bearing failure is caught early typically the motor can be saved with minor costs involved. When it's not it is almost always a new motor that is needed as damage to the cylinder walls cannot be repaired and often the crank is damaged. As we have collected more and more data from motors we inspect we have been making customers and our dealers aware that preventative maintenance should be taken into serious consideration when running anything over 7 psi on these motors even though the failure rate on cars that are operating as intended has been very very low. Once you cross over 7 psi there is noticeably more stress on these motors and they also become very dependent on fuel quality. This is why we stress 93+ octane fuel on these kits and is why we have suggested replacing rod bearings in the past on the 650 kit for added safety. We have moved on from strongly suggesting it to now including upgraded bearings standard with the VT2-650 kit so customers understand how serious we are. We also now offer upgraded rod bearings as an option for customers who want to replace their existing set.

[OM VT3]

Originally Posted by DOUT

Lol yeah but at a price I bet!

[sales@ESSTuning]

Originally Posted by leigh

Lol yeah but at a price I bet!

We increased the purchase price of the VT2-650 slightly when we started including the bearings.

[1CLNE46]

if you already have the 650 kit, what would it cost to have the updated rod bearings installed?

[sales@ESSTuning]

Originally Posted by 1CLNE46

if you already have the 650 kit, what would it cost to have the updated rod bearings installed?

The bearings are $495. You would need to get a quote from your local shop / mechanic on the labor.

[Trip3's]

Originally Posted by leigh

Lol yeah but at a price I bet!

Originally Posted by Roman@ESS

We increased the purchase price of the VT2-650 slightly when we started including the bearings.

I think Roman is involved with some "crazy scheme to turn a profit". (Meet the Fockers)

[chris s]

Originally Posted by Trip3's

I think Roman is involved with some "crazy scheme to turn a profit". (Meet the Fockers)

Haha, yeah right...it's a conspiracy!!! How could they possibly charge more for additional parts?!?!

[tma1c]

Originally Posted by Roman@ESS

The bearings are $495. You would need to get a quote from your local shop / mechanic on the labor.

Any differences from the ones vac sells?

[SECOND2NONE]

What is a decent price to rebuild this motor. Im not talkin a fullly built motor with sleeves or anything.
Just some drop in lower compression pistons, rods and bearings.

Labor hrs and price estimates?

And also are their pistons/rods already out their f/s or custom order only

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by h4nh

I would definately [sic] replace bearings for 625 kit as well because I had the same issues.

Originally Posted by Jbook

Aren't you the one that put 91 and 89 octane in a supercharged car tuned for 93 and blew your motor?

Originally Posted by h4nh

Yeah I did. It blew up .....

I don't think it's correct to recommend something that ESS *doesn't* recommend, especially when the situation was brought about by your blatantly ignoring the octane requirement.

[Alex07M3]

Originally Posted by SECOND2NONE

What is a decent price to rebuild this motor. Im not talkin a fullly built motor with sleeves or anything.
Just some drop in lower compression pistons, rods and bearings.

Labor hrs and price estimates?

And also are their pistons/rods already out their f/s or custom order only

Ahhh that's a good question!!

[VCMpower]

enJOY!

Originally Posted by Vic311

I have said this all along, but it is pointless to try and convince some of the hardcore SC folks

Plus adding this much power necessitates beefing up the driveline, suspension and almost every other major component on the car

Enjoy the car in N/A form as it was meant to be. Grabbing some additional power through a tune and/or removing exhaust restriction is about as far as anyone should really go.

[SECOND2NONE]

Originally Posted by Alex07M3

Ahhh that's a good question!!

So far i found out pistons is like $1500, rods are like $2000. So i would estimate parts to be an estimated $5000. Thats pretty reasonable. Now to find out labor cost

[OM VT3]

Originally Posted by SECOND2NONE

So far i found out pistons is like $1500, rods are like $2000. So i would estimate parts to be an estimated $5000. Thats pretty reasonable. Now to find out labor cost

You still need valve springs but still parts don't cost much

[OM VT3]

Originally Posted by chris s

Haha, yeah right...it's a conspiracy!!! How could they possibly charge more for additional parts?!?!

ive always seen the 650 kit priced at 16,495 then 14,495 i dont think the price has gone up now with the additional parts

[sales@ESSTuning]

Originally Posted by leigh

ive always seen the 650 kit priced at 16,495 then 14,495 i dont think the price has gone up now with the additional parts

It was recently changed from $13,995 to $14,495.

[baba louey]

Post mortem.....we need a post mortem!

[OM VT3]

Originally Posted by Roman@ESS

It was recently changed from $13,995 to $14,495.

are they the same ones as you guys use in the vt3s?

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by SECOND2NONE

What is a decent price to rebuild this motor. Im not talkin a fullly built motor with sleeves or anything.
Just some drop in lower compression pistons, rods and bearings.

Labor hrs and price estimates?

And also are their pistons/rods already out their f/s or custom order only

Approximately 40 hours of labor to tear down the motor, rebuild it, re-assemble and install.

On average given a $95.00 shop rate (mind you, we are in California) this would equate to approximately $3800 in labor charges. This could fluctuate depending on the shop.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by leigh

are they the same ones as you guys use in the vt3s?

It uses the same blower on all the VT2 kits. This blower will spin to 13psi no problem...good for like 800 HP. Beyond that you may need a larger blower like a YSI.

[OM VT3]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

It uses the same blower on all the VT2 kits. This blower will spin to 13psi no problem...good for like 800 HP. Beyond that you may need a larger blower like a YSI.

Bearings not blower

[SECOND2NONE]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

Approximately 40 hours of labor to tear down the motor, rebuild it, re-assemble and install.

On average given a $95.00 shop rate (mind you, we are in California) this would equate to approximately $3800 in labor charges. This could fluctuate depending on the shop.

Thanks..so i would estimate about 10k for a non sleeved built motor. That sounds good to me.