Broken ROD

[Yekim]

Well this is the root of my problem. I was running down I-20 and broke a ROD in my GT. I really hate this happened but I guess this is as good as time as any. I am just wondering how I can add some horses to a newly built GT engine while it is down. All input will be taken into consideration.

[BQS4]

Mikey;
Come on out to Snellville. I have a basic 75 motor that runs good that you can pop into your GT till you can rebuild a motor.

[opelbits]

The big question is, do you want more torque or more horsepower or a little of both?

[yellaopelgt]

This might be some good reading material to get the ball rolling. I'm "sorta" in this process myself.
HTH
Joe
http://www.opelgt.com/forums/30577-post5.html

[jeff denton]

Just be sure you can handle the reality of what you're getting into when you stray from "stock". Moneywise, time-wise, help (machine shop), etc.
It's taken me almost a year to build a new engine, although I admit I actually was working on three at a time, but concentrating MOSTLY on the one that was installed yesterday. Will be firing her up this weekend, hopefully breaking it in (twenty five laps) next Wednesday evening.
Biggest problems in this project? 1)Budgeting custom pistons and rods. One grand right there! (Wives with horses do NOT understand this!)
2)Getting an automotive high performance machine shop to understand what you want them to do. And why. With unknown specs like "standard main bore diameter". And then to take it seriously and get it done when they'd rather be slapping Chevy's together left and right with their eyes closed.
3)Finding parts! I don't know just how hard a 1.5 head is to come by. I used a 1.9H. Was quite lucky to find it. The regular 1.9 head can work well too, though. A 1.6 head would be the ultimate for what I do, if you can locate one please call me ASAP. Stock rods? Ha. Beg every rod known to exist worldwide, then take a pickup load of them to the machine shop and see if four will pass magnaflux and match up as a set. Okay I'm exxagerating the pickup load. But my dumpster had to be fifty pounds overweight one day. Good place for stock rods. But you knew that already, what was this thread titled?
It all just depends on how far you want go. That is, how fast you want to go! And how hard you want to work to get there. And how much money you can justify (or get away with) spending... I do not want to add up all my engine building expenses. It would shock me. Nobody would believe me. And my wife would shoot me. For example, just the tools to fix the valve relief problem cost $250. Are you ready for that?
Regardless, all the advice and help are right here at gt.com. You do have that going for you! I truly think owning a GT and keeping it running (especially running really well) would be nearly impossible without this club.
Good luck, let us know how it goes! We're all here for you.

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by jeff denton 3)Finding parts! I don't know just how hard a 1.5 head is to come by. I used a 1.9H.

Hmmm, I wonder if I should mention about the 1.5 I have sitting in my garage...hmmmm.....