Thread: VE vs DE bottom

I guess I will find out how far off it is.

It's already got a DE 8CW crank. The motor has already been running, just at too high CR. I'm gonna have to lower it, and because of that, I'm gonna take it a step further, and prep it for turbo.

What is this girdle you're talking about?

Here's a pic of mine.


It is bolted on top of the main caps and ties all of the main caps together for less destructive vibration at higher rpm.

^I have a VE oil pump and I will be getting the B16 golden eagle studs. All this will be on a JDM DE bottom end. So I can go with the VET HG with the rest of my stuff to better suit? I was looking into the cosworth HG and some oil squirters as well.

Reese, is this for an engine with a VE head? If so, the VET head gasket is the right one to get. Otherwise you should get a gasket to match your DE bottom and DE head which means a DE head gasket which means the Cosworth is a good option.

Ok, I now know what the girdle is.

I haven't opened up the motor yet, but what would typically be swapped when changing from SR16VE to SR20VE with DE crank and rods?

I mean, will the motor run without that girdle? Does a DE girdle fit a VE when using DE crank and rods? If not, does a VE girdle fit when using DE crank and rods? Does a VE have said girdle at all?

Sorry for all the questions, but it strikes me as odd on the first hand my SR16VE has been modded to SR20VE (Saw it running!), but on the other hand it's said that girdles don't match up?

^That's what I'm going with in bold. Ok, so I was on the right track. I thought I would ask the question though. Thanks for the reply. I know we discussed this a few days ago .

VE's don't come with Girdles. I'm not trying to be an ass but a lot of these questions have been answered before. You should research further. On this forum and the original forum there is a lot of info.

This is how I believe things to be. When you put the DE crank and rods (pistons of some type?) into your SR16VE to produce a SR20VE you've got the basic idea. I believe your SR16VE doesn't have a girdle though. It only has separate main caps. These need to be re-used so you don't mess up the line bore. These main caps are cast and then machined on the crank side, but left unfinished in their tops. The DE main cap tops however are machined flat to accept the girdle on top. Because your SR16VE main caps are not machined flat, you won't be able to add the DE girdle to your build without some work.
One way to do that would be to use DE main caps, but as we've discussed earlier that would ruin the line bore. This could likely be fixed by a machine shop. However, if you're taking things to a machine shop, you're better off flattening the tops of your VE main caps to accept the DE girdle.

Yes, the engine will run without the girdle. Girdles are necessary for very high rpm or very high power outputs. The fact that the DE engine has one really is a bit overkill (although the stock rev limit is a bit on the high side for the time).

This thread might be worth reading: http://www.sr20-forum.com/all-motor/13197-girdle-removal.html#post172043

In post #14 Doctor G says he's put a girdle in his VE engine. Maybe we can get him in here or you can PM him.