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I blew my SRT engine to say the least ( I had an oil issue and my oil light didn't work). I'm looking into replacing the short block, but someone suggested to me that while I have the engine apart I should look into rebuilding the top end. Anyone know how hard this is to do and what I might need to do it?

Mind you this will be my first time actually digging into the internals of my engine so talk to me as if you are talking to someone who knows nothing about cars. Don't be afraid about me doing the work though, I do have people to help me do that . Also, I'm on a budget so I don't want to do any performance modifications unless the costs are the same as stock (or really close).

Its already been suggested I do the 5 layer gasket which I'll have to look into since i don't really know anything about that.

And finally, can we keep this fairly on topic please

Thanks for your help in advance!

Oh and I guess i'm replacing timing belt, and water pump while i have the engine out too.

Well sounds like you have experienced people to help you with the work, so depending on how much of it you really are going to be doing yourself or just how experienced they are will determine the difficulty of doing this. Next is, depending on what youre goal is with the motor will determine on what you should consider purchasing and installing internal wise. I'd suggest figuring out why your oil light failed first off and repair it. Also find out why you had an oil issue and repair it too. Then worry about the build. Yes always replace timing belt. And waterpump too if the mileage is high-ish. Get your clearances checked and purchase appropriate rod bearings. Do NOT reuse old ones. Replace rod bolts too! Oh and if I'm not mistaking while replacing the timing belt and such most guys replace the temsioner or something too if I'm not mistaking? OD and/or Dante will speak within the next day or so (At the latest) Goodluck!

Yeah, I'm just flat out replacing the bottom end so it will be new, my goal here is to see how much more it will cost to bring the top end up to newish and what it would take.

As for the oil issue, we will be looking into that as well. I have to figure out were 3 quarts of oil went to. I don't think I've been burning it and I don't have any leaks that I know of, which is also supported by the lack of oil drips in my driveway. I'll be seeing how much is in the intercooler when I have the engine out... hahaha, but really i just don't know what is going on with the oil just yet. I'll start tearing the car apart in a couple days.

hansken_yo wrote:my goal here is to see how much more it will cost to bring the top end up to newish and what it would take.

What I meant is like do you want to up the power like go bigger and badder? Cause your pistons are probably fine, replacing the rings wouldn't hurt but that's dirt cheap for stock ones. Could get bigger cams or even if you don't want to dump big money on cams get a set of 2.0 DOHC cams they are known to be more agressive than the srt ones. Every little bit counts.

Since you'll have the head off, a top end rebuild is pretty easy. The only part you can't really do yourself are the valve seats if they are worn or you're upgrading to OS valves. It might be worth having someone check the valve guides for wear as well.

Cam seals, both ends. Valve seals. Valve cover gasket. manifold gaskets. PCV.

BC springs are like $80 and are are a great cheap upgrade. If you have money for the $150 Ti retainers, they're worth it. I just installed some on my car, and it's a lot easier to rev match now with the lighter valvetrain.

+1 on the 2.0 cams. You could probably find a used set of cam gears for cheap too.

ZeroChad wrote:+1 on the 2.0 cams. You could probably find a used set of cam gears for cheap too.

I wish it was easier to find cheap cam gears. I was looking for a while for some. Apparently it is NOT absolutely necessary but I swore I read somewhere that most srt guys that went with this setup had ended up advancing one cam and retarding the other a certain amount of degrees. Correct? I was told on here that you can only do that on a dyno tune. ZeroChad you have a pm!

While the head is off, you could p&p the runners. Cheap (or free if you have a dremel and the bits) and effective.

I guess from what I'm gathering, I won't have to worry about the head unless that is the source of my oil problems. So besides the 5 later gasket, It was suggested I get rid of the balance chain.

you could also pick up a set of nice SS valves to replace the oem ones
<<<check out vendor topic - cheap plug

Hehe. I am trying to buy a condo, and I'm using my hood funds for these repairs...

I was out procuring supplies when the engine went...

Dammit! The hood is much more important!

I think functional car is more important. Rental car fees are expensive enough.

I meant than a condo, haha.

Nah, can't live with the rents forever and my commute makes me wanna hurt people

If the bottom end failed from lack of oil, then the cam journals in the head may also be toast. They would be the first item I would check. (As the head is last in line to get oil) The caps could be milled, and the bores re-honed, but a replacement head might be the better bet, price wise.

boy i fucked myself with this. new block, possibly new head and might as well consider the clutch while i'm at it.

Not really a better time to do the clutch...

going to call dodge-parts.com to get prices tomorrow on stuff. Right now their online prices are not beleiveable... a short block for 244... i don't think so.