The last of the hardware arrived yesterday, so it's time for reassembly using the new parts.

First part of the rebuild focuses on the bottom end. The OEM pistons were freshened up and mated to the new Integrated Engineering connecting rods, new rings and rod bearings were installed, clearances were checked, and then everything was reassembled back into the block. The head was cleaned to remove a few thousand miles of road and oil grime build up and also prepped for a tight seal to the block. Due to space constraints, the exhaust manifold and turbo were assembled to the head before putting the head back in its place.

Reinstalling the head, a new OEM head gasket as well as OEM stretch bolts were used. After the head bolts were torqued to spec, a new valve cover gasket and a freshly cleaned valve cover were used to literally top off the engine build. Next, the turbo compressor housing as well as the center section were clocked for correct location of the coolant and oil ports. Stainless steel lines coupled with AN fittings completed the cleanliness of the V-band manifold option. With the turbo securely in place, oil and coolant lines installed, wastegate fitted to the manifold, and intake pipe test fitted, we're that much closer to firing it up.