Spun A Bearing - Rebuild Or Not To Rebuild?

[R33-RB26DETT]

Took my car to the mechanic and he has confirmed that i've spun a bottom end bearing in my RB26.

He's said that the knocking is very minimal and it's really early stages, he's also suggested that i don't need to go a full rebuild because the compression is still all good.

Here's what he's suggesting:

- Remove/replace engine

- Replace bearings

- Regrind crank

- Install a Sump baffle (to prevent oil starvation again)

- Install a head to sump oil drain (to prevent oil starvation again)

Total approx cost $2500

Apparently this option should repair the damage and also mean that my engine should go on strong for many more years to come.

I'm only running 300awkw at 18psi, so the stock internals should hold up to that kind of power levels i would have thought.

Or, since the engine is out should i go for a full engine rebuild at around $6,500?

My gut is telling me that I should just repair the engine and some preventative measures to prevent oil starvation again.

Thoughts?

[Moodles2]

I think regrinding the crank is a bad idea since Nissan nitrided them at the factory.

Also those head to sump drain kits that attach to the back of the head don't do much in the way of preventing oil starvation, they tend to only allow crankhouse gases to vent easier. Better off drilling out the oil drains in both the block and the head from 8mm to 9mm (or 9.5mm or maybe even 10mm), and possibly smaller restrictors (2mm factory).

Best way to prevent oil starvation is simply overfill to approx 6 to 6.5l (the hump on the dipstick)

[StevenCJR31]

dont be frightened about regrinding the crank. . . it may be reqd anyway and the reground crank can be renitrided. . . it all depends how much damage is done to it and the mechanic wont be 100% sure until he has pulled the donk out

[Duncan]

Personally I wouldn't consider the bearings only option in an rb. Those little bearnig flecks are going everywhere your oil does, including turbo cores, oil pipes, tiny head oil feed, even smaller cam oil feeds etc etc. I'd have it all disassembled and thoroughly clean.

I'd do it to my ute's motor, but not my GTR's one

[starwarz]

Personally i would do a rebuild, and not cut any corners if im looking at keeping that car for a long time.

[nomnomv8]

Go a forged complete rebuild mate, the cost compared to a standard rebuild isnt all too much greater.