Immortal D Part 2 - D series Engine Build

Last month we started the D-series engine build to end all D-series builds. To recap, we're building a 400 wheel hp D-series motor to show one of our fellow editors at another magazine that: (a) we can, and (b) that we can school his sorry-ass Subaru when we're done.

Porting the head seemed like the most natural way to kick off the project, but it was also necessary. This motor is completely custom, and we needed to have the combustion chambers finished before the pistons could be made, the pistons before the sleeves, and so on.

In this month's installment, we return to Industrial Performance to have Ricky Ortiz finish the head by installing our Skunk2 top end package.

The Skunk parts include a cam, .5mm oversized standard compression valves, valve springs, titanium retainers and a Pro Series intake manifold. With a port job as beautiful as this one and a top end parts package to match, we're well on our way to our 400 wheel hp goal. And by pulling out a few other stops, we may even end up going bigger than that.

This is the head as we left...        read full caption This is the head as we left it since the last installment. The porting is finished, but the head is still bare.	Ricky starts by pressing the...        read full caption Ricky starts by pressing the valve seals on by hand.	Once the seals are on snug...        read full caption Once the seals are on snug by hand, Ortiz will use "Ricky's Special Tool" to press them on the rest of the way.
Using a foam pad to hold up...        read full caption Using a foam pad to hold up the valves from beneath the combustion chamber, Ricky sets the valve springs and titanium retainers into place.	Then he slides in the intake...        read full caption Then he slides in the intake and exhaust valves respectively.
Like a true baller, Ortiz...        read full caption Like a true baller, Ortiz uses a proper keeper installation tool. We usually use a magnetic screwdriver and a spring compressor since we're poor.	The Skunk2 cam gear gets tightened...        read full caption The Skunk2 cam gear gets tightened onto the camshaft.	Now that the journals are...        read full caption Now that the journals are good and lubed, Ricky drops the cam in.