Thread: High RPM 88mm de/ve build - couple of questions

So I had this motor running for a little while but it picked up a bearing knock after a recent dyno and then subsequent racing the next day. It was pulling really great and revving it out to 9100rpm kept it in a very sweet powerband.

However, I'm thinking the higher rev limit may be what killed it. I changed oil 2 days before the dyno. In retrospect I should have changed it after the dyno too. I'm running around 40% ethanol mix to keep detonation at bay.

Setup is a DE block and DE crank, IJ crank scraper, no girlde
VE pulley, collar etc.
XTD flywheel
16ve tranny
Eagle rods and 88mm forged pistons, custom cams, franklin springs, stock retainers
VE head, headwork & modified intake
custom tri-y headers & 3" exhaust etc.

Downside of the DE block is off course the oil gallies for the main bearings and no piston coolers. I wasn't running high oil temps at the time of the bearing failure - In fact the motor runs pretty cool. I may add a small oil cooler anyays now.

Oil was a Shell semi-synthetic (i suspect this was part of the problem)

Planning to rebuild as follows. I need this motor to be happy taking high rpm abuse:

Balance entire rotating assembly (again)
Using a fresh DE crank. Campher and possibly teardrop the oil channel holes?
Clevite 77 rod bearings
DET mains with the 5 oil holes (will these provide any benefit since I have a DE block with no oil gallies for the mains?)
small 9 or 13 row oil cooler
New VE oil pump. (possibly new style 16ve or VET if necessary??)

Would like to hear some advice and opinions on the setup. Also, what would be the best bearing clearances for what I'm trying to achieve here?

i would suggest using gti-r bearings. they are 19mm vs the 17mm found on the de, ve and det engines.

Thanks lance. Turned out not to be a bearing when I opened her up. Piece of valve guide broke off and got swallowed in. I made another thread about that.

The bearings looked pretty good still. Std acl race bearings since I'm using a de block. I didn't even bother with the 5 hole mains either as I see no benefit without the oil gallies underneath them.

While it's open I may consider any upgrades that are easy. What does it take to make the 19mm bearings work?

Its not wise to mix match main caps. They should always stick with the same engine it came with. In a DE block, you will have to get the oil galley machined in the block to make the 5 hole mains work. Having oil squirters in the block is a plus. Most blocks have the "casting" ridge for the oil squirters. A machine shop can probably drill and tap for you have them. Just check your pistons to make sure you have the oil squirter clearance.

To run 19mm rod bearings (GTiR) the rods will need to be machined to be able to run them.

will the ACL main bearing off a GTiR 5M2975H-STD work with a VE?

5M2975H-STD
ACL 5M2975H Std Race Main Bearings Nissan SR20DET RNN14 Gtir Pulsar Standard | eBay

Yes the ve block has the oil gallies.

Ps: Mazworx has some decent pricing on the main/rod combos with the 5hole mains.