I apologize if this has already been asked/answered--but I'm new to the platform. My 16 year old son saved up for a 2004 MSM with 60k miles. He inadvertently ran low on oil and spun some rod bearings. After the teardown in looks like the big issue is gonna be pistons which I'm unable to source (OEM). As he's funding MOST of this rebuild forged may not be an option. Is there another OE Mazda piston that will work in that motor? Thanks in advance.

 

It's a BP - they are everywhere. I could steer you in Australia, but that's likely not going to help much.

Are you asking for 'MSM pistons'? I'd suggest using 'Mazda BP' instead - Ford used BPs here not sure about Murica, they are in Mazda 323s I know, and I think some Kia models?

If he ran rod bearings, what is wrong with the stock pistons that requires replacing them?

Forged pistons would be nice, and recommended, bur please put forged rods in it - they are the weak(est) link in a turboed BP - how many times do you/he want to rebuild this engine? I got away with bent rods in my rebuild, but break a rod and all sorts of grief will follow, you do not want to learn about that the hard way.

 

New OE pistons will likely be as much as a set of SuperTech's...