DarkSideGTI Big Turbo Build Round 2

[huichox4]

Got the short block built over the weekend... well almost. We broke a piston ring during install so I currently have a built VR5 while we wait for a new ring from JE.

I broke one too.... it sucks but JE ships those fast.

put tons of oil in the ring compressor

[JamesO]

What kind of ring compressor are you using?

They are a PITA and easy to break, but I have never broken one. But I always use the OEM/VW plastic tool.

[huichox4]

What kind of ring compressor are you using?

They are a PITA and easy to break, but I have never broken one. But I always use the OEM/VW plastic tool.

I used the oem plastic one too but needed to be very well oiled I think I missed a spot on one side and there is where it hanged and cracked it. ohh and make sure it is smooth from any imperfections, after I cracked the ring it put a little gouge in the plastic ring compressor that I sanded down smooth in case the other rings would want to get stuck at the same place

[DarkSideGTI]

I used one of the harbor freight ones that you crank down on. I think what happened is the ring popped out and I didn't notice and tapped on the compressor tool to seat it a bit better and it broke off the corner of the ring.

[JamesO]

ohh and make sure it is smooth from any imperfections, after I cracked the ring it put a little gouge in the plastic ring compressor that I sanded down smooth in case the other rings would want to get stuck at the same place

That is the biggest mistake that is make when installing rings, one pop's out and you down notice. Then you go to tap, tap, snap .

I agree with huichox4 that you should check your tool AND cylinder bore for any scrapes or imperfections. Sometimes when you break a ring it can catch the bore, better safe than sorry, even though your probably ok.

The ELSA Repair Manual had a warning/side note for installing pistons. Before using, the plastic OEM installer, you should thoroughly coat the inside with clean engine oil. Then you should run your piston(s) through the installer a couple times to ensure that it is a smooth installation. This should be done with the rings installed on the piston as they are what is scraping the plastic to fit perfectly. And we all know you wouldn't want that plastic stuck in between the rings!

I use Harbor Freight tools quite often and without problems, but I'm not so sure I would want to use them for installing pistons... Then again, you got five in. Kudos!

[DarkSideGTI]

yeah we checked for damage. I used it before when I replaced the broken piston so technically I have successfully gotten 6 in.

I would have used the OEM tool if I had one. Pete actually has a really nice ARP one he uses for 1.8T's.

[huichox4]

yeah we checked for damage. I used it before when I replaced the broken piston so technically I have successfully gotten 6 in.

I would have used the OEM tool if I had one. Pete actually has a really nice ARP one he uses for 1.8T's.

the oem is actually slanted for the pistons on VR's, this is what I used

[DarkSideGTI]

the oem is actually slanted for the pistons on VR's, this is what I used

Yeah, I know a guy with one, but it's for a 2.8l and the pistons are too big for it.

[R32R1]

My machine shop used a popsicle stick

[dr. b]

My machine shop used a popsicle stick

my guy machined one from a piece of billet stock. he let me keep it after he built the engine. i'm gonna wear it on a chain.

[DarkSideGTI]

my guy machined one from a piece of billet stock. he let me keep it after he built the engine. i'm gonna wear it on a chain.

like one of these, but with an angled bottom?

[rjdubtuner]

just use your fingers.... its the easiest by far. Built 3

[newcreation]

just use your fingers.... its the easiest by far. Built 3

Lol i have done that before

[JAVW]

just use your fingers.... its the easiest by far. Built 3

Me too I did the same for tons of VR I rebuilt and built

[DarkSideGTI]

Got my mounts back from powdercoat today. Shawn @ Unknown Coatings was able to match the "titanium" color of my AN fittings. They look good.

[JamesO]

I must say, I am shocked to find someone else with the same obsession to detail as myself. Literally worrying about the form and function of everything under the hood. The only thing is you take way better pictures than I do, they make your parts look so dramatic. I point and click with the wife's camera. Your going to make me want to start the next stage of my car...

Just don't start tucking wires or smoothing your engine bay, leave that for the birds. And this has got potential to be a very respectable car.

[DarkSideGTI]

Just don't start tucking wires or smoothing your engine bay, leave that for the birds. And this has got potential to be a very respectable car.

O I am tucking wires and shaving the bay. Not totally smooth though, I just want to hide some stuff and get rid of that nasty seam sealer that is slapped everywhere. I am keeping all the seams as I like the way they look and think that completely smoothed bays look like Jello.

[JamesO]

O I am tucking wires and shaving the bay. Not totally smooth though, I just want to hide some stuff and get rid of that nasty seam sealer that is slapped everywhere. I am keeping all the seams as I like the way they look and think that completely smoothed bays look like Jello.

I agree that the original workings are a bit rough. As you begin to move things and expose new parts it might really help to clean it up a bit.
I do however have my own taste for actually seeing the components in a clean and presentable fashion, such as your motor mounts. I like to see the hoses and wires but in nice covers/connections/fittings and even a color theme. Nothing wild, just classy understated uniformity that you only see with a deeper look.
I like to take it further and upgrade with OEM materials or parts. Just as if VW themselves were designing it. I even try to use all OEM fasteners, they may not all come from the same model but they are VW.

I wouldn't mind concealing a catch-can or its lines. Im out of space...

[huichox4]

did you get new poly bushings from VF? it might be a good time if those have been there for a long time.

parts look very nice in that color.

[DarkSideGTI]

did you get new poly bushings from VF? it might be a good time if those have been there for a long time.

parts look very nice in that color.

They only have about 5k on them.

[huichox4]

They only have about 5k on them.

ohh ok then, I am planning to upgrade mine in the near future, I still feel the engine moving quite a bit.

I might use some hockey pucks to replace the VF bushings or get custom machined pieces. plus the addition of a front mount ... this will be a little later though

[DarkSideGTI]

ohh ok then, I am planning to upgrade mine in the near future, I still feel the engine moving quite a bit.

I might use some hockey pucks to replace the VF bushings or get custom machined pieces. plus the addition of a front mount ... this will be a little later though

Ed @ ForceFed has machined a few sets of solid al inserts.

here are some in JC's MKV.

[huichox4]

Ed @ ForceFed has machined a few sets of solid al inserts.

will call him soon then ... Thanks

[dr. b]

Ed @ ForceFed has machined a few sets of solid al inserts.

here are some in JC's MKV.

don't get me wrong, that's the coolest looking engine mount in the world. but doesn't that rattle the whole car to bits?

i'd like to ride in a mkIV with solid mounts like that before committing the $$$.

but i've considered a lot of other materials to replace that awful red urethane.

[JamesO]

but doesn't that rattle the whole car to bits?

i'd like to ride in a mkIV with solid mounts like that before committing the $$$.

I have ridden in a mkIV with all three VF mounts and it was a horrible experience. I hated every minute of it. Granted the car was slammed so it already rode like **** and you couldn't go fast. But does the good outweigh the bad with them? Idk if they honestly make the car handle any better. I do know that they are supposed to help put more power to the ground efficiently, but it has to be very hard on the engine/trans to NOT have any give. I know it makes more rattles in your car for sure, especially when your engaging first gear from a dead stop.
I would never run a solid mount in anything other than a track car. But that's just me. And a hockey puck, for realz? Haha

[gabe@bwperformance]

just use your fingers.... its the easiest by far. Built 3

That is how I always do mine. It has never failed me.

And a hockey puck, for realz? Haha

Hockey pucks work awesome in MK3s and My VF mounts go out every time I drive my car. Even the engine side and trans side. Maybe the hockey pucks would help.....

[dr. b]

I have ridden in a mkIV with all three VF mounts and it was a horrible experience. I hated every minute of it. Granted the car was slammed so it already rode like **** and you couldn't go fast. But does the good outweigh the bad with them? Idk if they honestly make the car handle any better. I do know that they are supposed to help put more power to the ground efficiently, but it has to be very hard on the engine/trans to NOT have any give. I know it makes more rattles in your car for sure, especially when your engaging first gear from a dead stop.
I would never run a solid mount in anything other than a track car. But that's just me. And a hockey puck, for realz? Haha

i've got the VF trio. but my bushings will need replaced after this season (if not during). just considering my options. i do not daily the car, and with the recent addition of a GT4088R, the mounts need to hold fast. probably going to have something machined out of a higher durometer urethane that i can source locally (indianpolis) and on the cheap.

ninja edit:
my car is obscenely low and can be driven very, very fast should the inclination arise. it's not nice to stereotype.

[BOUDAH]

my car is obscenely low and can be driven very, very fast should the inclination arise. it's not nice to stereotype.

Darkside. Very nice .:Rebuild, loving the progress and nice job with the mounts.

[DarkSideGTI]

don't get me wrong, that's the coolest looking engine mount in the world. but doesn't that rattle the whole car to bits?

i'd like to ride in a mkIV with solid mounts like that before committing the $$$.

but i've considered a lot of other materials to replace that awful red urethane.

It will rattle a ton. He doesn't care though as this is a dedicated drag car so it won't ever see the street.

[huichox4]

I have ridden in a mkIV with all three VF mounts and it was a horrible experience. I hated every minute of it. Granted the car was slammed so it already rode like **** and you couldn't go fast. But does the good outweigh the bad with them? Idk if they honestly make the car handle any better. I do know that they are supposed to help put more power to the ground efficiently, but it has to be very hard on the engine/trans to NOT have any give. I know it makes more rattles in your car for sure, especially when your engaging first gear from a dead stop.
I would never run a solid mount in anything other than a track car. But that's just me. And a hockey puck, for realz? Haha

I know that there will be some compromises, you will have vibrations... yes, will they be terrible ... maybe, most likely if you want comfort ..... I can deal with it because I can sacrifice comfort for performance and not all the way around (which is most people).

I am willing to take my car as close to a race car as I can and keep it street legal until I have the means to trailer (which I dont see in the near future )

[DarkSideGTI]

Painted the bushings in the mounts black.

[JamesO]

What did you paint the bushings with? Is it a flexible paint that won't crack and chip? And how does it do with heat in the engine bay? I know my ambient engine bay temps get HOT! I would just be curious how the paint holds up over time and use.

[dckeener]

Sharpie maybe? This build is awesome, I am definitely watching.

[dr. b]

Painted the bushings in the mounts black.

great. now i have to repaint my mounts. *they do NOT look this amazing

[DarkSideGTI]

What did you paint the bushings with? Is it a flexible paint that won't crack and chip? And how does it do with heat in the engine bay? I know my ambient engine bay temps get HOT! I would just be curious how the paint holds up over time and use.

I used Rustoleum for plastics. Krylon Fusion works as well. I first saw black painted ones on Sav's Jetta. He said that the Krylon Fusion has held up well on his mounts. Spitfire also used it to paint his bushings and his are still good.