Nkreig's K16 Geartronic Build by nkreig

4 minute(s) of a 105 minute read

Did a speed run on the parkway coming home this morning and at around 26 psi the car went lean and the check engine light was flashing!! I coasted it to the side of the road and tried to restart it---nothing. I popped the hood and when I opened it I saw oil on the flame trap and front of the engine!! I'm looking for the source of the oil when I see the cause!!! Wait for it....wait for it.....the silicon hose from the cold side of the turbo to the throttle body must not have been tight and popped off! lol what a relief that was! I thought for sure I blew it up when I saw the oil. I cleaned the oil off and used a penny to tighten the clamp back up till I got home. I think I might get t-clamps for all the connections and piece of mind. Next on the list is an Elevate intake plenum and install the retrofit kit that is coming for the rear engine mount from Don. I am really debating the addition of a water methanol injection for that added safety. More than likely I would just set it up the same way Madden had his.

12-29-2013

I am pretty certain I either cracked a cylinder or blew the head gasket when I ended up along side the road the other day. the car is running but I have white smoke coming out the exhaust and there had to be a reason for that oil by the PCV system. I am going to be in deep on this repair and I hope it didn't crack a cylinder.

12-31-2013

Thanks guys for the prayers especially. After deliberating with my wife we decided to have the shop pull the engine apart and see what happened. Regardless of what we find, the engine will be reassembled much stronger than prior to the tear down. We both feel too much was invested into this car to just pass it on to someone new. I contacted George to get some insight on what he suggests for taking the bottom end to the next level. If the engine is getting opened up then darton sleeves and forged components are going in. Estimated costs are steep but they are still cheaper than a new car. I could get a used 2.5l lump and put in it but who's to say it won't pop too? Stock engines don't bring peace of mind anyway. 

To answer your question quadcamsix, the short answer is the RS block is stronger. I do not know for certain but, the 08+ block is supposedly stronger than the 04.5 to 07 blocks. It is not uncommon actually for the cylinders sleeve to crack on the older blocks. I am not the first to have this issue but there is a common factor in most the cases...the tune. I was boosting 26 psi which is too high. The tune was fixed with the second file but I think the damage may have already been done. Before we installed the second tune the car was back in the shop trying to sort out a misfire issue. While we were checking things over looking for the cause, a compression test was performed. Results were not to pleasing: 1=132, 2=118, 3=118, 4=120, 5=118.

This car is a lot of fun with the k16 in the short time I spent with it but it is only a car. No matter what you put into it, it will always be a loss. It is going to be awhile before all is fixed and buttoned back together but in the mean time, my family and God are my primary focus. I'm sure this is a lesson for me and I hope in some way it is a lesson for others. I let an object become a desire for me and it was taking time from what is truly important to me in this life. I have seen the same story happen with others too. As for me, i'm going to take it as a positive situation and make the most of it.