blaen99

iTrader: (6)

So, I'm wanting to go in and replace rods in my engine.

I don't need pistons, oil pump, or anything else as all I'm looking for is ~250rwtq max. I'm just looking for a /very reliable/ 250rwtq, nothing more.

What's the bare (sensible) minimum? Rods and bearings? I don't think honing is required if the same pistons go into the same bores.

Neilv

iTrader: (1)

rods, rod bearings, headgasket, IM/EX gaskets, rear seal as a minimum.

clutch bearings as a precaution as a "while your in there" and maybe a re-ring depending on mileage

blaen99

iTrader: (6)

Smacking myself for forgetting the head gasket on my list, thank you Neilv. Although I have a set of FM clutch bearings in there with < 5k, so I think I'm good there. Engine has ~100k on it, so I'm fairly okay with the rings considering compression is good.

Thrust washers worth replacing?

18psi

iTrader: (76)

I think it would be insanely silly not to clean up pistons, lightly hone walls, and replace rings.

rkim

iTrader: (3)

Are you going to run stock oil pump? May want to add BE pump to the list too... That and what 18psi said

rleete

iTrader: (21)

^What he says^

AlexL

Is there anything wrong with the engine? Why not have a reliable 230 rwtq and when you're ready build the whole thing?

blaen99

iTrader: (6)

Rings have 100k on them. If I am still running this Miata 25k-50k from now, I'm going to be doing a fully forged rebuild on it w/a ported and cammed VVT head. I don't view it as a particular necessity to replace the rings immediately as a result.

If I still have the same Miata a few years down the road, I'll just be doing a fully forged internals build as I mentioned above.

For personal peace of mind and experience pulling the sucker apart - I don't want to have a big dollar, no expense spared build be the first time I have an engine apart.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

rings are like 80-90 bux. it would take about 10 minutes to do it. with 100k on the originals I bet a good chunk of that "good compression" is due to gunk build up.

whatever, its your car lol

blaen99

iTrader: (6)

Where can I get rings for 80-90?

Cheapest I've found is closer to 150 - at that price, I am probably going to jump on them.

(Edit) Well, I guess I could get no-name autobone rings for $125ish + tax....Is where I am just unusually expensive or what?

(Edit^2) Holy ****. Online sets of piston rings are half the cost of suppliers locally. Thanks 18psi, I'll probably be picking rings up.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

rockauto.com

"premium" chrom-moly ones were like 100 bux last time I got em.

the car still runs like a champ

blaen99

iTrader: (6)

Yeah. I'm going to be ordering a ton of stuff from Rockauto 18psi, I am having trouble believing they are /that/ much cheaper than local suppliers, but they are.

One part in particular is a third of the price locally!

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

RockAuto has rings for stock pistons at $35 for a set I believe. I know for my supertechs a set of replacement rings were about $100 from TSE. If you are trying to go cheap I would say pick up an engine rebuild on ebay here. Then pick up ebay rods for like $250 and then you are at about $500 in rebuild parts cost.

blaen99

iTrader: (6)

Graphite head gasket is fail@link :(.

I like your idea a lot, Shoes, and wish I would have done it from the start. Already got a timing kit to go on though.

blaen99

iTrader: (6)

So, what's the difference between stock pistons and these steel topped pistons:

94 97 Mazda Miata MX5 1 8L DOHC BP Engine re Ring Kit | eBay

? 'Cause that is kind of tempting to pick up - oversize pistons, MLS everything gasket-wise, and I can bore the block myself or get a mechanic friend to do it for me for cheap.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Yes it does. That's one thing I can really hand to you man. Misfire notwithstanding, this engine always sounds soooo happy. It revs freely and just sounds happy as can be to push the boost.

/threadjack

triple88a

iTrader: (2)

I dont see a clutch on the list but i'm assuming its on there.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Wait you are willing to spend $179 on new pistons and rings that are not forged? Honestly at that point save up an additional $200 and put in supertechs while the motor is apart.

Efini~FC3S

iTrader: (4)

I was wondering/planning to do the same thing.

My buddy who's built a few engines said that if you pull the pistons out of the cylinders there's no way they will go back in and get a decent seal. He recommended strongly to do a re-ring. If I do any of this (rods only, keep pistons) I will be buying one of the ball honing tools to do a quick re-hone.

blaen99

iTrader: (6)

Because that re-ring set, including MLS gaskets, is slightly cheaper than the gaskets I have to pick up off of Rockauto.

Secondly, as I mentioned above, I don't want to put anything high dollar into this first rebuild. I am looking for Cheap **** I can break and not panic going "Oh ****, those were $400 pistons!!!"