achervig

I contacted a reputable parts vendor about some parts for my engine rebuild and was presented with the opporunity to buy an unfinished rebuild at a "fair price".
A year or more ago they took possession of an unfinished engine rebuild consisting of the following:

• BP4W head, ported and polished and seated for +1mm oversized valves intake & exhaust
• Block bored for 84mm pistons
• BP4W Crankshaft
• Wiseco pistons 8400xx (new in box, but they tops show some minor scratches)
• Wiseco piston rings (new in bags)
• New Mazda BP4W oil pump
• ARP Head Stud Kit (new in box)
• Flyin Miata Fuel Rail (not in box, just the rail)
• "Carillo" rods, but I'm not sure they're Carillo. Not in box, they look very used and have CRS 5230 lasered on the sides.
• EngineTech crank bearings (new in box)

Now I can look up prices for these things just as easily as you can, my question is more about how much you'd be willing to pay to take this stuff considering that I have no idea who did the block and head (neither do they), no idea how good that work is and so will have to have it inspected by my local shop, so there's a cost. Also, those parts are new in boxes but I don't know how old they are or what damage they may have seen since they've been sitting "In the same spot we put them" for at least a year or more. I just don't know, and the pics I've got sure make it seem like they've been sitting around a while. These guys sell parts, why haven't they sold these? They're a four hour drive away and I'm more than willing to drive over and check them out, but I'm trying to be smart about it.

Curious about your thoughts. Me? If I could get the whole thing for $1800 I'd be willing to gamble.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

Who is the reputable vendor? Some people's definition of "reputable" varies quite a bit

achervig

I'd rather not say for fear of somebody swiping my deal from me. I trust them and they've got a good reputation, and I have no reason to suspect any foul play.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Can you possibly be any more vague?

achervig

Let's say its Trackspeed. How much if Trackspeed had taken this unfinished project off of some unlucky guy's hands. The guy was going through a divorce and needed some money so he unloaded his project on to Trackspeed, and they kept it in a pile for a year, for reasons known only to them they didn't part it out. Now they're offering it to me, sent me some pics and said 'You tell us what you're willing to pay and we'll see if we can agree on a deal".

It's a well known company like Trackspeed.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

lol he's about to learn a thing or two

Savington

iTrader: (31)

My thoughts in no particular order.

I've never heard of EngineTech and 30 seconds of Google says they rebadge other companies' parts. Reputable Miata shops use King (FM) or ACL (everyone else). Red flag.

The fact that the parts list includes a pricey head but no main studs indicates that whoever put the package together didn't have experience with the BP. Red flag.

500whp worth of piston and a stock oil pump, red flag.

"CRS-5230" used rods (those are SCAT, ETD, Belfab, or other generic eBay) being advertised as Carrillos, HUGE red flag.

The head is worth maybe $500, less if it's all stock valvetrain above the valves. No way to know if the porting was done properly unless you can compare to a stock head (increasing port volume = bad). No way to know if the valve seats were cut wide enough. Too many unknowns to trust it, so you have to pay a machinist to go through it and check everything.

If the pistons are scratched on top, that's a red flag. Used rods makes me equally wary of the pistons.

Used rods are worth $0, IMO. Good H-beams are so inexpensive that you would be foolish to install unknown used rods in a motor.

I think $1500 would be a fair offering for everything. Expect to spend another $2500+ in machinists' labor and additional parts to get to the point where you have a running motor that you can trust.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

And then he goes and has the ***** to compare this company to yours

achervig

In a forum where the worst flamers are the moderators? It takes ***** just to ask a question, man.

Savington that was a quality response from a respected source, and I thank you. I think I'll leave that package deal alone, and Trackspeed will get my business on this build Instead. I'll be in touch soon.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Pretty funny and darn accurate.

capitalcrew

So if you're not buying it where's it at, since we're all curious even if no one wants to buy it lol.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

Stick around, you'll understand why things are the way they are, everyone does eventually.

Some companies are truly reputable.
Many others just appear to be reputable, or advertise themselves as such, but in reality are a hackjob place putting out mediocre at best products.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

Yep. Vlad and I both have a strong idea of the shop you're talking about, and neither of us consider them to be reputable. Hence the light-hearted ribbing

achervig

I've never had a bad experience with them but I've not done too much with them either. I'm not trying to give them a bad rap; if they deserve one it shouldn't be because of my simple little description of their offer. They weren't trying to misrepresent anything to me, they just have this pile of parts and a block and head and they haven't paid any attention to it until now. At least that's my impression.

Anyway the only reason I compared them to Trackspeed was to get an answer! Thanks for that, apologies if offense was taken.

curly

iTrader: (25)

To be fair, this worked.

achervig

Just placed an order with Trackspeed for pistons, rods, rings and main studs. I'll be back for the rest when I know what bearing sizes to order.

18psi

iTrader: (76)