installing internals

I am just curious to know how many people have installed their pistons and rods by yourself with what tools you needed and if you encountered any problems. I have a 2000 GSR I am about to put JE 9:1 comp pistons and crower rods and a block gaurd. I work on aircraft and am somewhat mechanically inclined but I am wondering how long I am looking at to do this and what all is involved. Any input will be much appreciated. :bigthumb:

I havent tried it but I am guessing it can be done wiht the engine in the car, take off the head, take off the oil pan., from underneath, unbolt the rods, push them up though the top and have someone grab them, put the new rods on the new pistons, drop em down the cylinders and re bolt em, put on the blockgaurd and then bolt the head back on and the pan back on, and you should get a new headgasket im prettty sure. adn about the blockgaurd, it'll make a hot spot right there.

You need ring compressors, plenty of oil, some plastigauge, torque wrenches (for ft/lbs and inch/lbs) loctite and a good lubricant to put on the bearing surfaces so you don't get a dry start. it also helps to pull the spark plugs + injectors and crank the motor over a few times before you actually started to get oil into the galleries.