So it begins: engine removal Atom2 brammo 2006 Ecotec LSJ aka "Max"..

[MadMaxAtom]

Well..about time for me to get my ass in gear and repair the engine in Max.It's only been..three years this spring..talk about denial!
For a brief replay of events leading up to this time: I installed a Harrop blower on the stock low mileage Ecotec LSJ engine,and had it "tuned" by a local tuner (who had "tuned" quite a few LSJ engines in Cobalts) but never tuned a track driven LSJ. The end result on the dyno was 300whp and safe air/fuel ratio numbers,and intake air temps.We did not however monitor exhaust gas temps,which worried me at the time,but were dismissed as "old school,old guy" worries.
Foolish me..I decided to track test the car without waiting for my EGT gauge to arrive.(denial of a problem..) Haste does indeed make waste.
6 laps at New Hampshire Motor Speedway,5 of them very exciting ones...(fastest times I have ever lapped there) crossing the start/finish line the 6th time,the engine fell on its face,and smoke started to pour out the back.I took it into the pits with the engine firing on 3 cylinders and smoking heavily. I pulled the #4 spark plug to find the electrode hammered and the cylinder full of oil. I assumed a piston failure,but until you tear it open,it's only a guess.

So first step is to remove the stuff in the way of the engine/transaxle coming out the top; basically,drain all fluids,remove rollbar/tea tray/intake snorkel/exhaust/blower/alternator/wiring/axles/cables etc.
The engine/transaxle will come out as one unit,on an angle..hopefully...

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[Norm]

Mark, sorry you have to go through it and if you already hadn't it would give you an "opportunity." Hopefully it won't take you long. Too bad I am not closer, as I want to scan one out of the car so I can model it next winter. Taking the head off of mine next month.

[MadMaxAtom]

Getting the angle was tough..so,after 40 years of never needing on of those engine angling devices,I spent the $40 and bought one. Made the job much easier:

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It's out!...CIMG3953.jpg


Pretty empty in there...CIMG3955.jpg


Next step; separate the engine from the transaxle and put the engine on a stand. To be continured...

[Dbwy]

Wow, sorry to hear that happened. It the exhaust temp also an issue in the Honda powered cars? I've seen the temp sensors in the Ecotech cars, but never seen one in the Honda cars...

[Norm]

Not taping the frame = brave. I love the angled engine tools, I have always used them. Well, unless there is a forklift close.

[Scuderia VA]

MadMax, Thanks for sharing the photos. I hope Max is up and running again real soon!

RP

[MadMaxAtom]

Transaxle/flywheel off and engine on the stand. Teardown to commence..

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[MadMaxAtom]

Let's see...purple chain link on the exhaust cam sprocket triangle...blue link on the 5 o'clock position on the crank gear...other purple link on the intake cam gear triangle..or is it the diamond I'm suppose to use,or does the blue link go at 5 o'clock on the crank.....hmmm...talk about confusing,and I'm a mechanic!

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[MadMaxAtom]

Houston,we have a problem! Looks like the piston in #4 cylinder collapsed on the ring lands and scored the cylinder wall.

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I had already purchased new pistons,expecting to find carnage,but it's time for a new sleeve as well..thank God they are easily replaceable.

I'll cover that in the near future...

Yep..melted piston. Notice the dome is spall free,it did NOT die of lean a/f detonation..this piston melted due to too ultra high combustion temperatures.

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[FourFather]

Let's see...purple chain link on the exhaust cam sprocket triangle...blue link on the 5 o'clock position on the crank gear...other purple link on the intake cam gear triangle..or is it the diamond I'm suppose to use,or does the blue link go at 5 o'clock on the crank.....hmmm...talk about confusing,and I'm a mechanic!

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Max, Does this help at all?





Eddie