7A-FE Compression Ratio, Looking at changing the CR of my 7afe when I rebuild. Options

[PaukST]

Hey all, I'm trying to decide what to do with my 7AFE (have to take it apart due to a rod knock anyway). I've kicked around a few ideas (or maybe a lot ), and I'm currently researching what an increase in compression ratio might do. Does anyone have any info on this? I'm unsure of the potential difference in performance, and I can't seem to find any hard data on what pistons (4age, smallport 4age, 4agze) result in what CR. I've been trying to make sense of these tools and formulas - http://www.csgnetwork.com/compcalc.html http://s-86.com/s-cr.html and http://s-86.com/s-cr-chart.html - but I'm having a hard time digging out the relevant numbers. Doing the math myself or using the calculator I come up with significantly different numbers than their little handy chart, so I don't know what to think. Is this a futile exercise? Will I even be able to notice a performance difference over the stock 9.5:1 without having to use higher octane?

[PaukST]

Got my engine fully apart, I'll put up pics or start a build thread or something later, but my cylinder 3 and 4 rod bearings were obviously damaged, and the two main bearings at that end of the engine as well. The crank shows it, so it looks like I'll be having the crank cut. I was considering boring the cylinders over, but the cylinder walls look like they're in excellent shape... Haven't measured them, though. We'll see what the machine shop has to say about it, I'd enjoy not having to shell out for a new set of pistons if I don't have to. I had thought of porting and polishing the head myself (being that port/polish kits are decently cheap), but after reading into the subject I think I'll pass. It'd cost less up front, but I'm fairly confident I'd get (a lot) more for my money having it professionally done.

I did have a few open questions for anyone who cares to chime in with an opinion:
1) Assuming I do end up getting it milled, would the cam timing be adversely affected by the change in distance between the crank pulley and cam pulley?
2) Assuming that I need to have the cylinders honed, would that necessarily mean I'd need oversize pistons/rings?
3) Does anyone have a machine shop to recommend in the general Charlotte, NC / Rock Hill, SC area?

[celica74]

Got my engine fully apart, I'll put up pics or start a build thread or something later, but my cylinder 3 and 4 rod bearings were obviously damaged, and the two main bearings at that end of the engine as well. The crank shows it, so it looks like I'll be having the crank cut. I was considering boring the cylinders over, but the cylinder walls look like they're in excellent shape... Haven't measured them, though. We'll see what the machine shop has to say about it, I'd enjoy not having to shell out for a new set of pistons if I don't have to. I had thought of porting and polishing the head myself (being that port/polish kits are decently cheap), but after reading into the subject I think I'll pass. It'd cost less up front, but I'm fairly confident I'd get (a lot) more for my money having it professionally done.

I did have a few open questions for anyone who cares to chime in with an opinion:
1) Assuming I do end up getting it milled, would the cam timing be adversely affected by the change in distance between the crank pulley and cam pulley?
2) Assuming that I need to have the cylinders honed, would that necessarily mean I'd need oversize pistons/rings?
3) Does anyone have a machine shop to recommend in the general Charlotte, NC / Rock Hill, SC area?

Im assuming 1 is when your refering to having the crank cut. It shouldnt make a difference. Just make sure and spec everything to make sure you get the propper size bearings. Shouldnt have to get anything but standard unless the crank was scarred that bad. 2 you always wanna hone the bore anytime you rering. Doing this helps the rings sit and help with oil. It wouldnt take anymore then maybe a thousandth away if done propperly. No need for oversize upless you bore. 3 i live in Raleigh, NC, so im not formillar with the charlotte area.