Ryno! you know you can call me if you need something bro

Wow... So sorry Ryan, what is it with all the bad luck with cars, this has surely been an eventful car year for you. My hats off to you for sticking through things for as long as you did and the way you did, I would have hung my coat a long time ago and saved myself all the trouble and money. I DO hope the shop makes it up to you, 600 miles later and the same issue?? :mad:

Update:

I have amazing friends! Since they knew I misssed the last boutique Festivals of Speed event at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando due to my motor taking over a month longer than expected to be finished...and the fact that I spun another rod bearing and wouldn't be able to make the 2hr drive to Orlando for the Festivals of Speed at the Ritz-Carlton...they rented a trailer and trailered the Viper over Saturday night. I got to drive my friend's 996TT to/from St. Petersburg to Orlando.

What a show though! So many amazing cars and so many people! The weather couldn't have been better. I didn't take too many pictures due to the overwhelming amounts of people and it's kind of a "if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all" type of thing. Cars in attendance were a 1 of 2 Koenigsegg CCXR Special Edition, Maserati MC12, 2 Veyrons (1 of 1 and 1 of 5), and a plethora of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Astons, classics, etc.

On the way home last night, we dropped my car off back at the shop...now I get to go through the agony of deciding if I want to stick it out with the Viper or maybe a 996TT? I'll post some pictures later tonight.

That sucks man about the motor problems again. Glad you had fun at the show, sounds like a lot of awesome cars were there.

Please no more expensive cars...

Come back to Nissan!

A stock, or MILDLY modified GTR, lol

So sorry to hear that brah, but remember there is alway's a better tomorrow.

You should probably get a Hyundai... 100k mile warranty on that bad boy.

Last picture I took before dropping it off at the shop last night
http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...33648024_n.jpg

Cars and I don't get along apparently, but I have an affixation with them. Same issue...spun rod bearing. Clearly, it's nothing I did since it was just breakin miles anyways. The hard part will be getting one of the two shops involved to take the blame though.
The show was huge. It was so big and so packed, I take many pictures :(
Nissan Cube it is:icon17:
I do like GTRs, but I don't want one. Plus, they are out of my price range. I'm not a big fan of their exhaust sound and it's a big car (especially with my car parked next to it).

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphoto...32962141_n.jpg
Tomorrow is always better...:tup:
I wouldn't mind one as a daily, but now I'm spoiled and enjoy having a weekend car.

I was thinking of getting a Vette but after your beutiful Viper I'm having different thoughts. The 3rd and 4th rod bearing is a common issue with all Vipers or just that gen?

whoooo hooo to that line up! Y do i feel like the GTR is eating you the 996 and 997?

GT-R is fine by me!

Well, the motor was finally pulled yesterday and it was delivered to the machine shop today...progress!

It's not "common", but it does happen to the 2003-2006 Gen 3 motors.
The GTR is no joke...it's a 2012 Black Edition with a Cobb tune. Lets just say launch control in that thing is like a rocket! The 996TT has the X50 upgrade and straight exhaust. We were pretty even the one time we had fun. The 997TT has upgraded turbos, boost actuators, intercoolers, intake, straight exhaust, clutch/flywheel, and tune. Before the turbos, it did 11.7@124 with a baby launch.
It's definitely a great car, but I prefer a manual transmission. Still torn on sticking it out with my car, a low mileage 996TT, or a low mileage 997S.

very sorry to hear about your engine troubles, again :ugh: my vote would be sticking it out with the viper. you've have had some really unfortunate luck (not even counting the Z!) but it seems like you have had your heart set on this car for a long time. are there any options for sourcing a fresh pre-built short block that won't bleed you dry?

Yea the no true manual option is a huge pill to swallow...

More power to whatever you decide!

A crate motor is $17k. I can probably find a blown block with the spun bearings for $3k...but why spend that when I can just use my motor? I should have an update today from the machine shop.

I've already found a buyer for my headers, KWs, and recently purchased LED lighting and upgraded bulbs to redo the gauges, interior lighting, and headlights/fogs.

It seems like the Viper will be up for sale as soon as I get it back :shakes head:
Thanks. Maybe I should make a poll like some people do and have strangers vote on what kind of car I should get next? :stirthepot:

The Viper is rare due to the low volume production. I love the black on black look and the fact that it's slammed. It would also be cool rolling 3 deep in Porsche turbos...plus I'd be back into boost:driving: Boost vs. NA power:confused:

how much ;)

$48k stock, with the brand new motor/clutch/Interstate battery/Woodehouse Dodge polyurethane motor/transmission mounts/resurfaced flywheel.

$54k with the above plus the 19"/20" Modulare Forged wheels/K&N intake/Belanger headers/KW V2 coilovers/all new LED lighting for interior,gauges, and upgraded 6k headlights/footlights (the wheels alone were more than the $6k extra I'm asking over stock).

Wow, sorry to see you're dealing with this again :( i would be so done

Well, it's been 7 weeks since I heard the bearing failure again. The machine shop told me they would have the motor torn down and diagnosed in 2 days...that SHOULD have been 12/14. Well, great timing...they were closed for 2 weeks for the holidays. I just called the machine shop and they said all 10 rod bearings are damaged, but the main bearings seem to be ok. The crank looks worse than the first time and is at an outside shop now to see if it's salvageable or if I need a new one; they should have an answer Tuesday. Once they figure that out, they can determine what parts need to be ordered and can give me a quote.

The machine shop said the motor failed due to oil starvation (this goes back to the installer telling me he only put in 9qts of oil when the motor calls for 10.5qts). I also mentioned the installed told me he blew out the oil lines, but did not install a new oil cooler. This could have obviously been a culprit to the damage.

As of now, all fault points at the installer. Once the crank is diagnosed, the machine shop will be calling the installer and we will go from there.

=(

I'm sad to hear that. Good luck!

Why in the hell would he only put in 9 qts??? :confused:
Best of luck.

Good luck man

Ugh, that sucks. Good luck getting things fixed.

Update:

I went to visit the machine shop for the first time yesterday. They showed me my shot bearings. All of the main bearings have burnt the clevite coating off due to excessive friction/heat and most of the rod bearings had deep gouges in them (my previous damaged engine almost had nothing left of 2 of the 10 rod bearings, so we assume this is where the gouging came from). This is a clear sign that the bearing material from the previously damaged motor was not thoroughly cleaned out. The machine shop showed me their process of how they clean the block out, so all signs point to bearing material being left in the oil pump. We also went to pick up my crank (done at an outside shop) and the crank is CRACKED :eek:

My installer said he never replaced the oil pump, but blew out the lines. The one thing I didn't know is the Viper is not like our Zs... on the Z, you can just swap out the oil pump. On the Viper, you have to replace the entire front timing cover. Now I see why the installer cheaped out on that part, but it's still a completely unacceptable excuse not to replace it.

The machine shop is going to give me documention sometime this week that the motor failed due to oil starvation and metal material cycling through the engine. He's also going to prepare a written estimate of the cost to rebuild. My last rebuild was just shy of $8k. Depending on if we can source a good used crank or have to order new, I suspect this rebuild to cost another $5k on top of the last estimate.

The installer will be held liable for all charges. I have a feeling he is going to deny any guilt unfortunately, so I have a lawyer on standby. I've had the car for 9 months now and it's only been drivable for 13 weeks. :mad: I just want the damn thing back...I don't even know what it's like to drive the car really.

this is really unfortunate, i know how you feel on some level, the worst part is owning a car you never drive and dumping loads of money in it. i hope the builder does the right thing and accepts responsibility. hopefully you can be up and running again before spring.

My heart goes out to you. This is totally unbelievable. I read all about your Z. And now this. :shakes head:

Two weeks ago, I had a conference call with my installer and machine shop and both were only willing to cover the labor...and wanted me to pay the $4k in parts for another rebuild. I said absolutely not! An hour later, I get a phone call from the installer offering to pay for 1/2 the parts if I cover the rest...I told him thanks, but no thanks. Well, last Wednesday, my installer finally said he'd cover all the parts and he would "have to postpone his honeymoon until next year".

After trying to get a hold of the machine shop since last Wednesday, I finally got confirmation today that they they had spoke with the installer and all parts will be covered!!! It's only took 86 days to get everything squared away, but at least that part is over. Now time to get the damn motor back together.

Hopefully they get it right this time.

Good luck man! I hate that you've had to go through so much crap with the Z and now the viper. Hopefully this time the motor will last!

i can't believe one person can have this much bad luck with cars... i hope all this goes good ryan, i really, really do.

as I said on the FB, about ******* time.. :woot: congrats bro

600whp or bust this time...it's a go!!!

Good luck man! I hope they can finally get it done right so you can actually enjoy your car :tup:

I can't wait to hear it cammed with head work. It's going to sound brutal!

glad they are covering their mistakes. it will all be worth it in the end, just stick with it

Im happy for you buddy! Cant wait to roll out together one day soon!

HOPEFULLY!
I sure hope so. Since both parties are picking up the labor costs and the installed is picking up all the parts cost, I would like to believe the wll make sure 29239% that everything is perfect this time.

That's why I thought what better time than now to upgrade the heads and throw in a cam:driving: I'm obviously paying for this work, but the bill isn't too bad of a shocker since I don't have to pay for anything else.
It has to end sometime, right?:rofl2:
Thanks, man! Now buy my HKS single exhaust.:stirthepot:
I certainly plan on it.
Thanks, Nick. I can't wait to drive the beast. I hope your build is going well.
Soon! How are those coils doing?

Good luck man.. know how it feels to be without your car especially with so much money being put into it. Keep us updated and lets hope you have no issues from here on forward.