Inexpensive Normally Aspirated SB build
 

After sitting and staring at my Miata for more than a year, I've decided that I need to get it running ASAP. No, no turbo just yet; I plan to build a LB much later and do it right. As for now, I just want to get this sucker driving! I have already purchased a 95 Escort S/B with 107K on it for 55.00.

The plan; I want to spend as little as possible, but not sacrifice -too- much longevity. As mentioned, the car will stay N/A with this engine. The engine the car has now has a thrown rod, so I am fairly certain the head is use-able (70K on it). The SB looks okay, there is a little vertical scoring in one of the bores, but nothing a fingernail would snag at all. I haven't taken off the oil pan yet, if the bearings have issues then plans will change accordingly.

The questions; what should I plan to purchase for this cheap build?

The list as I have it-
Head Gasket (the sort that has a plastic coating on it)
New Oil Pump
New Water Pump
New Crank and Main Seals

Is there anything else I should definitely consider?

Since the original car has low mileage, I am hoping everything on it is in use-able condition, except perhaps the fuel pump as it has been sitting for a few years. I should mention this is my first Miata build; I'm not ignorant of cars, just this particular model.

Any advice/friendly abuse is appreciated! :noob:

More boost

:laugh: always

More than 40 lookers, and nothing substantive?


Nicacus, First you must have an engine, then you add boost, unless there is something you know about Miatas that I don't know...




Money is an issue; once I get this running, I will begin to sell off my VW collection, in part to build a LB ready for boost...

this is not an NA forum, fag.

True motherfucker, but this isn't an abuse forum either and yet you hand that shit out like you are Roseanne on the rag.


All I can say is, don't force me to depend on the info at Miata.net, there's good knowledge here. I don't wish to depend on -those- folks for -mechanical- info...


If nothing else, offer the best book on the topic (and yes, I have searched).

yes it is an abuse forum.

I'm guessing he knows that most Miatas came with engines as standard equipment. If yours didn't, you might want to check with RicanRacer. He's got some experience with this sort of thing.

And to be clear, this is a witty, clever, high-end abuse forum. If you want regular abuse, try ClubRoadster.

If they are new, certainly, but mine is used... Engine under the hood? Check, but I see that it has been modified, at high-rev's, so this brings up a semantic or philosophical dilemma.... Do I -truly- have an engine if it is not a functional one? I'll leave the debate to you.



The only wit I have seen in this thread is yours, the rest is rhetoric. As for abuse, I'm not in need. I divorced some 9 years ago.

instead of getting a bunch of stuffz that will last for a while, why don't you just get some decent parts...

m-tuned has h-beam rods for $379/set. get a set of 84mm 8.7:1 supertechs from 949racing ($439). make sure you get a billet oil pump instead of the sintered factory one. then just get all your seals and bearings, and when you want to go turbo you'll be all set. the BP is a non-interference engine so even if your top end is shit, it's just power loss, no explosion danger

I'd love to, but the money for what I -want- to build is not there. Considering my 6'4" ass has been driving a VW Rabbit Pickup for the last 4 years, I -need- to get into a Miata now.


IOW, I hear ya, and I plan to begin a turbo build after I get this car sorted. Unfortunately, I can't do it before...

wait, what the fuck...

ignoring the "dimensional irony" at hand, you said you have a VW collection? just sell something. It just seems like a waste to buy stuff that you are planning to get rid of. If you just want to be able to drive the thing for cheap, find some used low mileage stuff on ebay. I mean it's not a task that requires forum advice to just rebuild an engine. Miatas are pretty simple.

Given your goals of cheap... I think you might be better off to take your chances on a used motor from a junk yard. From a pick-n-pull you could score a short block pretty cheap. I think it would be close to the shopping list you have there, but less work.

I agree with aforementioned idea. I do like the idea of "time is (as) money" here, and since you seem to want this thing driving quick, Highly recommend just going with a junkyard longblock for 300-400ish and roll with it. Can always piss with the old engine you pull out later. Honestly, makes more sense to just drop it in for now if that's what you want. Do it right later if that's what you really want, but I wouldnt.....

Ready, break.

Copy that...


I didn't want to use the Escort head, just in case I decided to go with COPs later.


In the meantime, I had another idea; what about a JDM engine? There is a company 200 miles away that sells a complete engine/transmission and wiring harness for 775. I thought I could sell the transmission and the head from the engine already in the car to supplement this purchase later on, but the question I have now is, is a JDM engine a bolt-in?


As for selling the VWs I have now, nothing is ready for sale. I have an OCD approach about when to sell a vehicle, and I am not at that point. Hard to identify with, I know.

The JDM cars, as well as pretty much all the world's cars, all had compatible engines. A JDM 1.8 is, as far as I know, totally identical to a USEM 1.8. Same heads, cams, etc. The only place you'll run into wierdness is with the '94+ 1.6 cars. The 1.6 NBs in particular seem to have some interesting gotchas, like no provision for driving a CAS, from what I understand.

What's the condition of your current motor, really? How's the crank, for instance?

https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/t36318/

I'm still toying with this idea...or I'm going to buy a big huge diesel and holler at bitches in tha club.

Haahaha fuck good mpg buy a diesel you pussy. good call hustler

Let me know if you want to sell that escort water pump inlet im looking for one so it clears my turbo.

Excellent! That is just what I wanted to hear... I'm seriously thinking about doing that LB and tranny along with FI complete...

There's a hole in the block, but I haven't torn it apart to check the crank. Must assume at least one rod/piston is down for the count... Is the Miata crank more desirable than the Escort?

Teeny Boppers are not keen on Diesels, they 'sound weird'. If you are wanting to get some pussy, and save money, get a Prius. I hear all the Hollywood hunks are driving them.... So says TMZ...