Something went on the RR--blue smoke from the crankcase vents
Turbo Mini Forums

Where do we stand with RR's? If they stick 30psi down it to see what happens, do we have to foot the bill?

In the 13's at last!.. Just

yes!

Of course the RR guy is blaming cheap pistons (shoulda got JE forged) , bad ring gaps etc.-----not slapping 10 degrees of advance on in one go.....

But again, I am the one who has been reading this site for 2 years. I knew that the advance was too much .... The lesson here is to go there with a set of rules (only 2 degrees at a time etc.) and stick with them, you can only trust someone with proven, specific Mini turbo knowledge (No-one like that in this part of the States). I should have set myself some rules that I would not allow to be broken no matter how knowledgable the guy seemed...

next time....

Edited by Turbo Tel on 3rd Jul, 2007.

website:- http://www.terryhunt.co.uk

Tel, You need to get your car to Uncle Ray once it's back together!

It wont take that long from Philadelphia will it? lol!

In the 13's at last!.. Just

normally at the RR there is a disclaimer saying they wont be held responsible for mechanical failure.

i've damaged so many pistons i've lost track! some have melted (probably due to pinking) and some have broken ring lands (could be fueling) either way turning down the boost and retarding the ignition would have prevented this but would not have produced more power. the reason for the RR is to get more power so will always push an engine, so failures will happen.

i've melted:

KP pistons (king Pistons) was 1310cc, melted one, changed it and melted another, turned out the pin to crown hight was more than standard turbo pistons so CR was up.

cast omega pistons. 1380cc, bores went oval, crushed sides of pistons and broke ring lands

cast mega pistons. 1310cc?, broke ring lands

forged omega pistons, 1293cc, melted crown

Conclusion
it dont seem to matter what pistons you use they can still break or melt, the RR operator should be looking at emissions for the fueling and listen for pinking to set ignition, but they dont. i had one RR and i could hear it pinking from the other side of the workshop and the operator carried on!!

i dont use RR any more, i just set it up on the real road.

I'm beginning to think that as well, unless you have a RR operator that really knows the Mini its pointless... with the wideband and a g-force you can get there if you are careful, slower but more considered, plus you are not stressed by the meter ticking on the RR charges...


So turboshed with your deep experience in broken pistons...

Should I trust the 2 other pistons? is there a way I can test them? or would you just use 4 new ones...(my wallet is detonating now!)

Terry

website:- http://www.terryhunt.co.uk

Have to agree that you do need a good RR operator but i wouldnt want it set up any other way.

If i'd had either of those operators i would of been taking out the keys and running off.

A good one will talk to you before hand and find a few bits out.

Unfortunately the only way to find the good from the bad is someones experience

i melted some pistons before ever going to a rolling road. but most have failed since a RR. i've also tried a few RR's such as Gerald Dale, southern carbs, minispeed and i would still rather do it on the real road.

RR time is expensive and none have as good a knowledge of my car as i do. also the RR is trying to simulate the real road and theres no substitute for the real thing. with a wide band A/F gauge and an ear for pinking you can do it yourself. set it all at safe levels then increase each slowly.

website:- http://www.terryhunt.co.uk

Aren't the emission laws out there fairly strict too m8? I suppose 'A' series people are not easily to find in the states. :(

why not ask a RR operator if you can hire the RR and tune yourself? .. i tune my car on the road, alsway have done and probably always will, but for my own curiosity i'll be hiring a RR for a few hours to see if i can polosh my street tuned engine any more, if i can i'll start useing RR's more, if not i wont

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

website:- http://www.terryhunt.co.uk

Don't trust the other pistons. I did, and paid the price. They will be damaged.

I was afraid you were going to say that.. what happened Dave?

I can afford 2 pistons now.. but 4 will have to wait another month as I was rash enough to go buy a new BINI last month..A celebration on finally getting my 2 kids through Uni..

Well at least I have something exciting to drive, now if I could just get the balls to actually push it.... Damn, that thing sticks to the road, I can't even make the tires squeal..yet!

website:- http://www.terryhunt.co.uk

years and years ago i did just change one piston. now days i would say its not worth the risk and cost of a full engine build if it goes wrong.

i would have thought that if it was a melted piston then you could use the others after a good inspection but it would be a big risk, but as this was ring land failure i would bin the lot no questions.

i have 2 mint forged omega pistons at home and one with slight pitting. if i melt another piston i would consider mix and matching for a spare engine, but i would get them crack tested and inspected (a friend works for an aircraft engine company )

it has been known befor for a Miglia engine to be stripped and 1 piston to be different as in different make and different style!!!

Edited by Turbo Shed on 4th Jul, 2007.

Pleased to report that the engine rebuild with 4 new pistons went well, the cars back in one piece and I am terrorising the local backroads again..

Its great to be back!!

website:- http://www.terryhunt.co.uk

So, was it pistons????

Yup..ring lands.

If you go back to page 1 of this post there is a picture showing the broken lands on Numbers 1 and 4. I replaced all 4 and all is well again--though I may well whip the head off over the winter and get the guides replaced.

website:- http://www.terryhunt.co.uk

Good to hear it Tel! Go have some fun mate!

In the 13's at last!.. Just