krayzrac3r

Ok guys so check it out....My 1.6 liter motor is dying slowly and i last dyno'd at 209whp with 196wtq with the greddy kit. I now want 275-300whp and want your opinions on which route to take.

1) buy a motor thats been imported from japan for 500 bux with low miles and good compression (its a local pick up for me so i can go check it out). Keep my greddy turbo and go with a 19T compressor wheel

2) Use the 1.8 motor in my garage that needs a rebuild. (came off a 95 miata) and go with a bigger turbo.

3) Just rebuild my 1.6 liter motor thats currently in my car and get my nice compression numbers back. (keep in mind i will have to change the crankshaft because its a short nose- even though i have no crank wobble or anything)

I dont want to spend too much money on this btw so any advice will be taken into consideration.

Only reason why i want to avoid the 1.8 route is because im scared it will cost me too much.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

rebuild the 1.6L with better rods and better rings.

that will be the cheapest way, you can push the GReddy to a tad over 250rwhp, but the turbo will need upgrading to go further.

patsmx5

iTrader: (16)

Rebuild and get better pistons, rings, and rods. Then you know what you've got.

krayzrac3r

So just change the rods/rings? I already know by opening the motor i will want to get new pistons w/rings/rods,valves,valve springs.... i just want to know is it really necessary?

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

You don't have to touch the head. But the ringlands/rings are the weak link. They go before the rods, but the rods themselves are thin comparatively.

you could get away with a light build to make sure the block itself can handle things, then it's a simple of finding a turbo that will support the goals, you can crank the 15g to about 15-16psi and reach 250-260rwph, won't see much higher than that unfortunately.

but, while you're at it, mild headwork will make that turbo spool much better and even at 250 with better low-end from 210 and the odd spool will be worlds difference.

brgracer

iTrader: (14)

Trade/sell your 1.8L for a 1.6L and do a mild build of the 1.6L on the side so that you can still drive your current car (and as hard as it is to do, turn down the boost just a notch so it lasts ever so much longer.)

I'd normally say build a 1.8L since you have it and a conversion is not a big deal, but then you'd need a new exhaust manifold and while your at it why not get a better turbo, etc... so it could get pricey overall.

Building an engine is a very slippery slope so if cost is an issue, just doing a mild shortblock build is your best bet. ~$700-800 for the CAT rods and Wiseco pistons + the cost of reboring/honing the cylinder walls + balancing + assembly + refreshening (seals/TB/WP/etc...). Headwork is $$$.

If you are more serious about breaking the 300hp mark, then I'd suggest that since you'd need a different turbo anyway, a different exhaust manifold would give you better options so you might as well build the 1.8L for the extra displacement. Not that you can't do it with a 1.6L, but the extra 200cc of displacement never hurts.