Engine Decisions.... Pls help
 

So, after a bit of misfortune, I am needing to buy another engine. I want 10psi. Have larger injectors, intercooler, and etc. I want 200hp, run a megasquirt.

A friend of mine has a 99 block and head 138,XXX miles, already separated, walls look good, and have videos of it running before pulled. He claimed it smoked a bit and burned some oil, but his turbo on the intake side had oil residue, so could have had bad seals and smoking from that. He cannot recall the compression numbers but his friends say they were fine, but again, no numbers (was a while ago).

The other engine in question is a 95. 125,XXX miles. No stories, he is swapping in an ecotec. Runs fine, no leaks or anything. A bit more expensive, but no uncertainty.

Both are priced similarly, the 99 being a bit cheaper, but comes with the uncertainty.



Which would you choose and why?

Moved from front desk to engine discussion.
Strike one.

Buy the 99 and rebuild it with new rods and rings.

What do you consider cheap?

Do a search on why NB heads are desired despite the cost advantage.

You can buy my 03 motor with VVT and 76k miles on it.

This would be the best option

Sorry! lol, New here.

Here's my story. In college, wanted a turbo Miata, bought one that knowingly had bad rings, trailered it a long way home, pulled that engine, bought a 99 with supposedly 70k miles. Swapped all turbo goodies, etc, back in the car, fired right up..... ROD KNOCK. Pulled that engine, and am now between these 2.

That said, I am already past budget, and would like to see it get done. I am not going to cheap out on anything, but I want to see it done by end of March.
Either engine I buy will not be torn apart, and build, as I am asking for the pretty standard issue turbo miata requests, I am tossing around of building my engine with bad rings eventually (E85).

That said, my original question, which better fits my application?

Both are around the 500$ range.

Which megasquirt do you have? If it is a MS3 of some sort then getting a VVT motor is worth it. If only a MS2 then stick with the 99/00 head unless you want to upgrade to a MS3.

Shuiend, we talked previously. This is Ben Holmquist's old car. PNP V1, I know I need to upgrade, but it runs the car fine.

If still on the MSPNP1 then it really does not matter what head you go with. Mostly because you will be stuck using the stock NA CAS no matter what head you go with.

I would buy the 99 motor. Throw in cheap eBay rods and re-ring the stock pistons. You should then be good for a long while.

the 99 head is a lot better than the 95. a whole lot

Given the two choices, I'd take my chances on the '99 engine.