I've got a spare block and head, what should I do with it?
 

I've got a spare block and head that many years ago I acquired to harvest the exhaust cam from to do the ex-intake for my '94. So, I've got a spare block, head, and two intake cams. I forget the exact part numbers, but they're from an NA 1.8L. I don't know what to do with them... sell or build... My 1994 1.8L has 165k miles on it now, and it's naturally aspirated but previously MP62 supercharged, so all but the engine is pretty much ready for boost.

I'm looking for recommendations on what to do with the spare engine parts I have. What would you do?

Are you going to boost, or do you foresee an atmo engine rebuild in your future? In either case I'd keep the spare, rebuild at leisure while enjoying your car, and just do an engine swap when the build is complete, and the timing is right. That way you minimise the time lost driving your car. I have a spare block for that purpose, but no head unfortunately, so my downtime will be a bit longer.

Murphy's law states: Any car part that you store for years and then sell off will be needed shortly after you sell it.
Murphy's law also states: Any spare part that you have on hand guarantees the original part will not fail as long as you have access to the spare.

Personally, I'd keep the block and rotating assembly and sell the head. I'd hunt for a 99 or later head to mate with the NA short block.

These engines are getting rarer quickly. 10 years from now they will be far harder to find.

so fucking true!!!

also, every part you keep kicking around, one day will disappear and you'll need it all over again!

Put it on an actual go-kart! :naughty:

Keeping this in mind; sell the head, buy a VVT head, build a killer forged bottom end, put together a sick turbo setup and then wait for your 94 engine to grenade...which it never will (because of Murphy). That way you have a drop-in motor ready to go and have future-proofed your build.

How many times has this happened to me?!

Just going to hoard all the parts until I have to move houses/run out of space.

This is what I am doing in my unfinished basement. My wife doesn't know yet :laugh:

:bigtu: