Attn: brat1709-Special EA81 Engine Rebuild

[Guest hodakarider]

Would you mind posting the details on your rebuilt engine here? I would be interrested in the specs on the cam, and your feelings on the before and after performance. What is different between the turbo and non-turbo rods? What kind of timing are you running with that 10:1 comp? How's the coolant temp? Why am I asking so many questions? Sorry, I just want to build myself an engine, too, and I think it would be great if I could start out with your experiences instead of starting from scratch.

[Guest brat1709]

Hi hodakarider. I'll start with the rods. I have an E81T s/w that needed to be replaced. I found out from the machine shop that the rods were interchangeable and slightly thicker than the stock E81 rods.As for the camshaft, I've noticed alot of postings of camshaft grinds. I got my cam done by Webcam, in Riverside,CA. I can't recall the specs, but I specifically requested that the cam not be to radical of lift and duration,since I really didn't want to modify the carburation. They reground the cam and tokd me it would work alot better than stock, since the stock cam runs very little lift.I was very impressed with the cam grind, and also that it even passed the California smog test. I was very impressed. The engine is alot torquier, more mid range, and really opens up above 3k rpm.Alot of diffrece -VS- the stock E81 cam.Another thing is to make sure you have a stock E81 cam reground, and not anE81T cam, since the Turbo cam's lift is alot shorter, and it will require alot more grinding. In short, the lock nuts at the adjusters will be at thevery ends of the bolt.Again, do not utilize the turbo cam for regrind.I did it, it works, but, very close to the end of the adjustment threads.The cam alone will dramatically improve performance. Also, the motor ran a bit on the lean side, so I did some research on the stock carbs, and found out that most of the automatic E81's and older soobs ran larger jets. This solved my lean condition, but I'm sure it would love an aftermarket Weber carb. I still can pass smog with the motor, and thats a plus for me. I also did a bit of home porting and polishing. One suggestion,is when you get the valve job done, if the soob is the model with the extra piping for the reedvalves(air injection system found on 84 and later), suggest you have the threads in the exhaust side drilled/ and steel threaded inserts placed. That way, you won't have problems with stipping the exhaust threads in the aluminum heads, like alot of us out there are having.Also have the lifters resurfaced. Another thing I had done was to balance the crankshaft and rods. I'm up to 60K+ miles and the motor runs great.By the way, both of the cases are interchangeable. Hope this helps you. I'll try to post the number of Webcams. These guys are very frindly. These guys do all sorts of cam grinds. They've even do motorcycle, ATV's, and prototypes. They are very knowlegeable. Hugo/CA

[Guest hodakarider]

Great, thanks! Can we get this put in the archive?

[Guest ShawnW]

Sure why not. We are due for something new in there :-).