[Ogre_]

My opinion, I would do oem damper instead of fluid damper. Pistons, cam, and lifters. I tried to make two of the mishimoto rad braces work, put a lot of lateral pressure on the OEM plastic rad tank, sent em back. Put couple screws in insulation hanging down on turbos. You using the metal coolant tubes from dorman?

 

[Ogre_]

Ten fo. Piston size tbd after machinist determines overbore btw. Also hpfp gasket/harness while it's easily accessible, and ta 31. Also be sure to thoroughly clean out the heads with compressed air, mine had lots of trash in them.

 

[Ogre_]

Just what I read about the dampers, and cost to benefit ratio. I used OEM and balanced damper, crank, flex plate to 5k. Brace ought to work better with their radiator, I read the same and was tired of looking at mine sloppily cut. Cleaned up the cut and painted oem.

 

[Ogre_]

I’m ordering new heads today the aluminum heads from kill devil today. Got my heads back from the machine shop yesterday both were cracked. Should I change the high pressure fuel pump as well? I was trying to not do anything with the pistons and cam to save money but honestly I’ve spent so much already there’s no turning back might as well get it right

Yes, I was talking about the icon heads. Trash from casting and machining. I had a piece I could hear rattling around internally that I THINK I got out. But they are effin sweet heads.

Man, I went back and forth on the hpfp, but given the low miles on mine, and availability/reported reliability of replacements, I kept oem. Really not too bad to replace later if it craps the bed. Also figured since I kept stock injectors, I'd defer that cost until the pump failed.

I hear ya on the pistons and cam and costs. I went through much the same thought process (the exception being that the cam and lifter were the root failure on mine). My regerts would probably be not doing rods (expensive), and definitely those effin valve covers.

 

[Ogre_]

10-4 yeah I already got the fluid damper on I’ll try it out I damn sure don’t want to fight it back off, the old one was on pretty tight! In your opinion would it be a bad idea if I just left the pistons and what not be and if/when they fail just order a short block from kill devil. That’s kinda what I planned but I’ve also already dumped more into it than I expected

Odd, mine slipped on and off pretty easy, also as I used the damper as a leverage point to clear oil pan over k member, and cracked my old one, its good to have the old one on for install.
Subjective decision on short block, I was in for a penny in for a pound, and knew I'd be stripping it all the way down from the beginning to get at the cam. Also, I hate leaks, and that gave me the opportunity to have a bone dry engine on the outside, read beadplate

 

[Ogre_]

Them duralast belts I see in that picture? Take that crap back and get you some gates green belts!

 

[Ogre_]

Are the oem valve covers a problem area? I’ve been looking at some from Rudy’s they’re blue like the charge pipes air filter kit and water pump I got from sinister, I wanted to get them just because they looked cool but couldn’t justify $1200 for covers because they look cool! If the oem ones are a problem I may can change my mind!!

No, OEM valve covers are fine. I was referring the 2k choate covers that I attempted. The oiling function was sweet, but fitment and machining were a big problem, and getting my money back has been troublesome.

 

[Ogre_]

Every time I think I’m getting somewhere something else goes wrong! Back in it we go to replace the #3 injector. Is there any tips for bleeding air out the fuel system? I’m not so sure it’s not just air in the system still causing it to throw the code for unbalanced #3 there was codes for #3 #6 and #7. 6 and 7 cleared up has I got more air out the system. Also has anyone installed the sinister degas reservoir? I ordered one but was curious how it installs or rather how you separate the oem from the battery tray?

I cant help much. There's plenty of videos out there on bleeding. I did the research, built the fittings, then couldn't help myself and tried starting before bleeding. Fired right up. I do have an aftermarket lift pump and no fuel bowl, so maybe that's why. At least the injectors aren't too bad to get to, cant reuse those lines though..