after bad luck with 2 used engines (1st one went back due to 80% leakdown on Cyl #1 and 60% on cyl #4 (mind you our broke miata was 80% on #2) ..and then the 2nd engine had even more issues I won't go into so it was returned for refund as well...

so the decision was made to just rebuild mine since the block (fortunately enough) was NOT scored.


so pretty with brand new pistons installed:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/ibiduc/0Stuff048.jpg

and here is just before the oil pan went back on:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/ibiduc/0Stuff046.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/ibiduc/0Stuff047.jpg..some progress again:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/ibiduc/0Stuff076.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/ibiduc/0Stuff077.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/ibiduc/0Stuff078.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v328/ibiduc/0Stuff079.jpg

always better to go rebuilt than w/ junk yard engines

yeah, we already decided after that fiasco to build up one of our own sr20 motors for an ITA build over winter... so no more junkyard motors for us!

Are all Miata blocks iron? I thought they were aluminum...

yeah, we already decided after that fiasco to build up one of our own sr20 motors for an ITA build over winter... so no more junkyard motors for us!

if only more people had your common sense...they'll learn the hard way LOL

I cant think of one engine importer/junk yard I would trust with an engine right about now... you basically gotta walk around the yard w/ an air compressor and a leakdown tester and hope the bottom end isnt blown/rusted beyond repair LOL

Are all Miata blocks iron? I thought they were aluminum...

1.6 is iron block..

I'm honestly NOT sure about the 1.8 though

i
I cant think of one engine importer/junk yard I would trust with an engine right about now... you basically gotta walk around the yard w/ an air compressor and a leakdown tester and hope the bottom end isnt blown/rusted beyond repair LOL

yeah...

the 'importer' motor 'supposedly tested' had the 80% and 60% leakdown problems...

the 'other' motor was okay on leakdown test BUT when we took off the cover, it revealed all sorts of issues with cracked crank pulley and other issues (along with cracked VC, broken off water housing, etc. --- obviously a nasty hit) so it just soured me to both engine importer AND junkyard side of the house...

I think they're all iron blocks, except the current generation. Miatas are so similar up until the current gen, I doubt they changed that.

Miata's are so fun and simple. One of these days I'll get a better set of brakes, some better tires and wheels, straighten the sub frame, and take it to hallett or an auto cross or something. it needs some exhaust too. Guy before me got a maxima muffler and made it duel exhaust in the rear with a bunch of crappy welds, leaks and sounds dumb.

Spec miatas are limited to oem internals right?

Spec miatas are limited to oem internals right?


correct.. and not even oversized (must be stock sized pistons)

no ARP head bolts allowed for example.


only thing allowed is decking the block or shaving the head to be within factory allowed spec (we shaved the head to within spec btw)

yeah...

the 'importer' motor 'supposedly tested' had the 80% and 60% leakdown problems...

the 'other' motor was okay on leakdown test BUT when we took off the cover, it revealed all sorts of issues with cracked crank pulley and other issues (along with cracked VC, broken off water housing, etc. --- obviously a nasty hit) so it just soured me to both engine importer AND junkyard side of the house...

I hear ya...you really have to be careful...it was okay back in the day when these motors were only a few years old, but theyre really showing their age now...especially when kicked around a rainy/muddy yard all seasons by a forklift....rebuilding is the only sure fire way and such "peace of mind".

Not even the factory overbore pistons for .5mm over? That sounds a bit expensive...

And the ARP stud rule is stupid. What possible performance gain could you get on a stock motor from those?

no, ITA allows a bit of overbore but not Spec Miata.

The other option would have been brand new crate motor for $2350 shipped through mazdaspeed program.

Spec Miata is very specific on keeping everything stock. They have their reasons to try and keep the playing field even and prevent people from spending too much.

The other option would have been brand new crate motor for $2350 shipped through mazdaspeed program.


That's actually not a bad deal. I would buy a brand new SR20 for $2350 if such a thing were available.

I think you could fully assemble a like new SR for that much LOL but it would be kinda cool to just buy a new one I guess..

well, we have success!

the engine is back in the car and it started last night for the first time around 9:30pm

woot!

Monday is track day with it for the true test and break in of the motor!

well, we have success!

the engine is back in the car and it started last night for the first time around 9:30pm

woot!

Monday is track day with it for the true test and break in of the motor!


more pics, and some of it in action:biggthump

okay, the car is on the trailer... tomorrow is the true test.. complete with a spec miata race at 4pm so stay tuned!

always better to go rebuilt than w/ junk yard engines

I know of a guy who gets crate motors from Mazdaspeed and has them rebuilt for SM. :eek2: "They last longer."

Pat

I know of a guy who gets crate motors from Mazdaspeed and has them rebuilt for SM. :eek2: "They last longer."

Pat

Wait, he buys a new motor and rebuilds it?

Wait, he buys a new motor and rebuilds it?

Not only he, they Rockweed. Most of the front running spec miata drivers do this. They start with a crate engine disassemble and rebuild to the full extent of the of the factory tolerances. How do you think the front runners are the front runners, junk yard engines just don't cut it. Spec Miata is by far not a cheap class to run in if you plan on running at the pointy end of the field.