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Hi
I thought it would be a good idea to strart a new post to let everyone know how I am getting on with my LET build, and to also ask any questions that people may be able to help with.
The story so far
I purchased my bargain LET from a breakers yard with no idea of its condition, something I would not usualy recomend.
It was mostly complete but the ECU and AFM were both missing.
This weekend me and my son (Sam) started the stripdown. While removing the flywheel I noticed it did not try and spin. Once the engine was manhandled onto the stand I tried turning the engine with a long bar on the pully but it did not move. I was hoping at this time it was just where it had been standing a while.
When we removed the crankshaft caps we spotted some metal filings under the caps and the number 4 piston bearing caps are welded to the crank.
The pistons were free and the bores look good. the cylinder head looks good, almost like it has not been on the car long, and apsrt from 2 exhaust studs broken off in the head all looks well.
The Turbo also looks good. The penny valve moves well after some WD40 and has almost no play in the shaft.
So here is the plan.
This is not a money no object project as money is very tight so where I can cut corners I will. Where I can save I will. As long as where I save can be easily rectified later.
The bits I will need for the project is as follows.
ECU (May have found one)
AFM (Have my eye on one on ebay, please dont bid on it.)
Dizzy (See below)
Flywheel (See below)
Oil pump (Dave, Stef, was there a problem with your ones? did you resolve it?)
Top and bottom Gasket set (Possibly metal head Gasket, will get advice)
Cambelt Kit
Air filter
2WD conversion for gearbox (Hopefully fitted by Stefan)
Here is the plan.
I have taken the crank to Rob (Engine builder for those who dont know him) and will drop the block and pistons to him later this week. I will be asking him to regrind and balance the crank (balanced with the flywheel and clutch) and check and rebuild a short block with new piston rings and a honing of the bores if nessersary.
I will not be selling the XE in the astra since firstly I need to use some of the parts and secondly it would be worth much more selling the bits seperately.
So from the XE I will use the following if they are compatible
Distributor
8.5mm Magnacore leads
Lightened flywheel
Clutch assembly
Inlet cam (Is that right, what benifit on the LET using the XE cam?)
The following bits will be for sale
Powercap (Painted red)
Underdrive pully in alliminium (Twin belt)
F20
Coscast ported and polished head with valves
Pair of schrick cams
Good Block
Crankshaft
Pistons (Will sell complete block with crank and pistons if wanted)
Sump
Chipped ECU
Loom
Red painted cam cover and belt cover
polished metal spark plug cover (Not brilliant, would be good to get flattened and have your own logo engraved into)
Inlet manifold (Very clean)
Throttle body (Very clean)
Exhaust Manifold (Sandbalsted and painted black)
All these bits will be put in the for sale section soon to help fund the build but the engine is still in use at the moment. PM me for details or to reserve anything.
I will post some pictures and updates as I start the rebuild procces.
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Corners to be cut will be carefully and only if I am 100%. I was talking to Rob about piston rings and he pointed out that as I am using my old turbo, if I get smoke and have not changed the rings what do I blame. So new rings it will be.
Originally Posted by Brian Stirrup 
