My R8 blew its engine today......

[davegreg]

Waiting to get it hauled upto AAS next week to let them have a look. It started misfiring for a few miles, then when i slowed for a roundabout it made a very loud metallic rattle then cut out. Crank wont turn. Gut instinct says the timing chain has snapped. Any thoughts? Possible costs if it is worse case scenario? Cheers in advance.

[davegreg]

Yeah temp and oil pressure was fine Snowy, timing chain is only a hunch - Monkfish say they've never heard of one letting go either. The most annoying thing though is that im in the process of buying a new house at the moment too.

[davegreg]

Cheers moif, yeah ive resided myself to the fact that it'll probably need a new engine, and if it does then im liking the sound of that 480 bhp block!

[davegreg]

ARAF said:

If you've resigned yourself to that, maybe you need to chat with Moif about options. He may know of one that you haven't thought of.

Sounds intriguing!

[davegreg]

If i did opt for the 480 bhp engine for example, is it literally a matter of one out, one in? Looks like there could be an electronics pack to change? As i said, im looking to get the car taken to AAS in the next few days as they are literally just up the road, and since its my everyday driver i need it back asap.

[davegreg]

Cheers for that lengthy reply Araf - lots of food for thought there. Probably will go with a standard LS3 to be honest, then get another cam fitted at a later date, as i will miss it's lopey idle!

[davegreg]

Finally got some news on my engine today, and its not good even though i was told that i WILL laugh when i see the photos! It's totally wrecked, starting from a valve spring failure - probably caused by over-revving at some point in its life. Crate motor it is then.

[davegreg]

Cheers guys, hopefully will be back on the road soon - it'll have to be, its my everyday driver!

[davegreg]

Think im going to go with a 480bhp crate motor - just watched some vids on youtube and they sound real nice! Hopefully have one ordered next week. Got some photos of my old engine sent to me today - it looks like a 'top fuel' motor does when THEY let go! Fit only for the scrap bin.

[davegreg]

The engine was N/A, stock except for a mild cam and full exhaust. I'll post the pictures when i get proper copies of them, i only have them embedded as part of a text message at the minute.

[davegreg]

LS376/480 engine extremely mot UNfriendly apparently - cam too agressive. Stock engine it is then.

[davegreg]

I'll probably run it stock for a year or so, then put a Monkfish cam in it - last engine had a cam in it, but not a Monkfish item.

[davegreg]

Yeah, mine had just flew through the mot with its Walky small cam and high flow cats just days before it blew up! The problem with the cam in the LS375/480 is the amount of valve overlap that causes the emissions issues, so i've been told.

[davegreg]

Just got the call today to say my car is finally sorted - they just need to give it an oil change after it's initial 'shakedown' drive and re-gas the aircon. There was a few issues over the engine map and security codes, but all is well now and i'm going to pick it up Thursday morning.

[davegreg]

Yeah can't wait to drive it Mick - haven't seen it for about 6 weeks! They didn't need the code in the end Dennis - they contacted Walkinshaw who were good enough to supply them with the original engine map that was on my car before I had the cam done.

Edited by davegreg on Tuesday 29th September 19:27

[davegreg]

[davegreg]

The engine in my photos started from valve spring failure, the engine was misfiring as I drove, then as I slowed for a roundabout it just completely failed amid a cacophony of harsh metallic sounds from under the bonnet! New engine fitted now.