Seized motor, need advice.
 

So I'm coming back from drag racing in El paso, TX last night, and I hit a licence plate in the middle of the road, which appearantly cut a small hole in the oil line to the turbo. The motor siezed on me about 25 miles from home, and I had it towed to my freind's shop in town. I just wanted to know, what do you think my best couse of action is here. Would it be cheaper to source a low mileage 2001 1.8? or would it be a better Idea to rebuild it with a set of weisco pistons and carillo rods. I know the later option would be better for performance, but I'm kinda strapped for cash right now.

belfabracing.com

Should be able to build the entire motor for under $2k if you do the assembly yourself and just outsource the block machining.

I assume you have a vvt 2001+ car...right? I scored a 2000 "core" motor for $150. Belfab rods and pistons were sold for a good deal I shouldn't list online, then like $800 for the machine work and assembly by a pro.

If your motor seized... dont' bother rebuilding it. Simpler to start out with a healthier motor. If truly seized... the head and bottom end are possibly/probably damaged beyond working with.

any ideas on where to source a short block that will work with my 2001? will any 1.8 short block work, or does it have to be one that came with vvt?

I worked in NM for like 6 months. One fucktard I worked with constantly called alamogordo, "alga-borga." What an asshole.

salvage yards. Its not going to be cheap though, probably $700 minimum.

You might need more than a shortblock, I hope you realize this possibility.

Oil starvation that has seized up the bottom end... can also damage the head.

^^^ That's true, I guess I'll just have to wait till I tear it apart to see what is saveable, and what isn't. Think about building it up with some Belfab 9.0:1 pistons and rods (with this being a good time to do so) my questions is, has anyone used these parts and how well do they perform? Any problems with them?

wth, didn't you just buy this car like a week ago?

Yes I did, actually it is officially 15 days now. Yes, I am aware of the lemon laws, but it was still a steal of a deal (considering mileage, body condition, and aftermarket parts) Besides, this is my wife's dream car (yes it is "her" car, but I'm starting to like it more than my WRX) And she, of course, will never let it go. So there's no other choice but to move up my plans to build the block, and set back the plans for suspension, wheels and body mods. It already made a great sleeper, this will make it even more dangerous I feel!:cool:

By any chance - Was the Splash Pan on the bottom of the car? Or, did someone remove it?

If you do go belfab rods... just buy mine btw. Perfectly new, just opened to take the first pictures for the belfab thread here and visually inspected.

Coming from me they'll ship faster... and be packaged nicely too :)

There was no splashpan that I saw. Totally exposed engine.