Alright. So, I've been doing this project completely wrong. I need to change my plan. Before, I was doing this:

Stage 1: Buy Parts
Stage 2: Install
Stage 3: Tune

This is stupid. Really stupid. I've needed to step back and really think about what I'm doing. I'm rebuilding an engine to run stock/maybe mild build. I'm boosting the engine afterwards. I'm converting to a 5 speed transmission. I'm converting to the y8 intake manifold. I'll need to tune. So I need to break this build down into more stages.

Stage 1: Buy all the parts for the OEM rebuild
Stage 2: Rebuild engine to OEM specs
Stage 3: Install engine with y8 intake manifold conversion, break in the new rings and bearings for a few thousand miles
Stage 4: Convert to 5 speed transmission, learn to drive again
Stage 5: Buy the rest of the turbo components and plan the project more carefully
Stage 6: Install turbo components and tune the setup

While all that's going on, I'll need to make sure the old engine is still healthy enough to go back in if anything goes wrong with the new engine.

This is going to end up being a lot more expensive than I thought. But that's okay.

 

As a dd you it is smart to put out the extra cash to do a rebuild. I'm going boost with my car, but I am thinking about buying another y8 first. I'll be driving out to college everyday which is a 40 min drive, so I don't want to have to worry about something happening to my engine if I have a little fun and end up be carless from something failing. So I think I'm going to get another y8 and build it, at least the bottom end. Vitara's and Eagle rods, all new bearings, ARP rod bolts and headstuds, port/polish the head, and leave valvetrain stock for now. With that I'll at least have some comfort knowing that the bottom end will take the boost.

 

My valve cover is back from the powdercoater. Its not the perfect color match but it's pale gold enough. Still gotta get those damn seals off the thing. They're pretty well stuck on there. Pics later.

 

the seals on the vc bolts? they arent that bad to remove. or you mean the spark plug tube seals?

 

The tube seals. I've been told they're gonna have to be torched out.

 

nah, just get a pair of good vice grips and yank them out, ive never had to torch any out, and also the vc is thin alum that torch will burn holes in it. trust me the vice grips works, and also a flat head screw driver and pry them out.

 

Just keep prying them with a screwdriver and eventually they'll come out. Don't be afraid to destroy them.

 

dito. i used a screw driver and a small hammer. once you bend one part of the seal then the rest comes out alot easier! its just getting it started on all of the seals.LOL

 

^ yea I just use my little mini pry bars to pop them out, takes work and will scratch up the seals area a little bit but it is no harm done. Putting the new one in is just using a large socket on them.... baby the powdercoated side when hammering em in though! Lube always helps

 

My room is tough to photograph. The valve cover is Titanium Gold, but the flash overpowers. Without flash, it's too dark to see.



I've still gotta re-polish the letters so there'll be a pic of that if I ever have time to mod Hondas again.