The saga continues! Blew up "NEW' engine

[Byron in Atlanta]

The car was running great after I installed the replacement flywheel that Aasco sent me. I had also installed the Accusump and drove the car 40 or 50 miles around town last weekend. Everything seemed perfect. Loaded the car up for the DE at Barber this weekend. Teched out ok and I drove 4 or 5 "parade" laps to get re-familiarized with the track. Everything seemed fine. Went out with my run group and did 2 pace laps....first green flag lap and I let a couple of cars go by as I wanted to bring it up to speed slowly. Got up to about 90mph on the first straight away, through the first turn and up the hill into the next straight, pressed the clutch for the hairpin, down shifted to 2nd and the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree. The engine was dead, popped the clutch to restart, powered through the next straight.....kept it running through the next turns, but noticed a rattle on the subsequent straights. Backed out of it and pointed everyone by. Gave it a little more gas to get off the track and now it is a definite clatter. Limped it off the track...coasted into pits. Started it one more time with my helmet off....sounded like a sack full of wrenches! Pushed it onto the trailer and drove home! FUN!

Anyone know of any good basket weaving classes?

[JFP in PA]

I’ve seen M96’s with a rod or piston out do exactly what you describe; really tough luck, Byron. Are you going to tear it down and see what failed?

[Lightning MO]

Pull the OBD codes from the ECU before you do anything else, as they may give you a clue. My used 3.4L replacement engine broke a valve spring after running about 4800 miles (misfire codes for a particular cylinder, no improvement with changed plug or igniter, low/no compression on that cylinder), but it was repairable. But it doesn't sound good...

Edited March 11, 2011 by Lightning MO