3ZERO3 Motorsports understands that the lucky engines who propel race cars for a living have a very hard albeit, fun life. A life where age is not measured in miles, rather it is measured in hours. This engine belongs to Sean Thul, and powers his 1985 Porche 944 N.A.S.A Spec race car. Unfortunately, Sean experienced motor failure very recently. But when you constantly battling for top position in the Rocky Mountain Region 944 Spec championship series, these things happen. Take a look as 3ZERO3 Motorsports rebuilds this hard working 2.5L inline 4 cylinder Porsche powerplant.
3ZERO3 Motorsports is very proud of what Sean ( and his father Mike ) have accomplished this season. To follow their progress and follow the points leaders :
The Porsche engine block is clean, prepped and ready to accept its pistons.
3ZERO3 Motorsports technician Randy Mueller prepares the cylinder walls for piston installation. Sean’s 944 is in excellent hands. Randy has been perfecting his craft for over 3 decades, and his experience serves him well on this project. Engine rebuilding is big job, one where dedication to details and protocol are of the utmost importance.
The pistons on Randy’s work table, laid out in order, ready to be prepped and installed.
Randy lubricating the rod bearings.
A ring compressor is fitted around the sides of the piston, and allows it to be inserted into the engine block. This is a very tight fit, and requires just the right touch.
Randy hand tightens the nuts for the rod cap bolts.
Randy triple checks the torque sequence and torque specifications on the computer. We take nothing for granted when rebuilding engines. Having digital access to up-to-the-date Porsche factory technical information is a valued resource for all 3ZERO3 Motorsports factory trained technicians.
The Porsche engine rests on a rotisserie engine stand, that allows Randy to rotate the engine 360 degrees along its horizontal axis. Randy can switch from working on the top of the engine to the bottom of the engine with a flick of a wrist. Here we see the bottom of the engine, exposing the crankshaft and the main bearing caps.
Precision in action; torquing the connecting rod caps to the crankshaft with a torque wrench.
Why does a freshly machined cylinder head make us happy ? Why ask why ? Here the cylinder head is wrapped in plastic to preserve is machine-fresh mating surfaces.
A belt roller sits ahead of the single overhead camshaft on Randy’s work table. Randy keeps the specific hardware for each engine component with that component. This makes reassembly much easier and more efficient when dealing with components that you have not handled since you first tore down the engine.
Sean’s 944 chassis, missing its better half…. The engine I mean.
3ZERO3 Motorsports is proud to support the Thul family in their quest to the top of the leader board for the Rocky Mountain region Porsche 944 Spec racing series. 3ZERO3 Motorsports prides itself on being the premier facility for maintenance, repair, high performance tuning, and motorsports applications in both Denver and greater Colorado. If you or your Porsche, Volksagen, or Audi need any repairs, modifications or preventative maintenance, please contact a 3ZERO3 Motorsports service or tuning advisor. 3ZERO3 Motorsports proudly sponsors and supports many VW, Audi, and Porsche racecars. If you and your vehicle need support or assistance, please contact 3ZERO3 Motorsports.
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3ZERO3 Motorsports Inc.
8065 W. 48th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO, 80033
Fax: (303) 456-8385 | info@3zero3motorsports.com
Cool pictures
Thanks Willis! I am getting GOOD with that polaroid camera!