Would you buy an extra motor for $200?
 

A 1.6 just came up for sale locally. Guy says he bought it from planet miata, never swapped it in, the sold the car and is left with the motor. $200 obo.

I haven't tested my motor but it seems pretty healthy, good oil pressure, good power, no oil consumption or leaks other than a minor CAS leak I haven't dealt with yet....so I don't really need an extra motor.

Still, would I be stupid not to show up with $100 in cash and see if I can take it home?

I'd snag it. Just because everything works great now, doesn't mean that you might not *eventually* need another motor. Plus, if you decide to build a motor, it would be great to have a good core to start with.

Huh...just noticed he listed it as a 1990 1.6. Does planet miata sell the shortnose crank motor? I wonder if he just listed the year of his previous car...

Just pick it up in case something happens. All else fails you can always get rid of it for $200 easy.

Two months ago you would have thought I was crazy...

spare 5spd
completely assembled running spare motor
motor on engine stand being rebuilt with head on workbench being ported, planned install 6 months out
extra CAS
extra alternator
extra set of injectors
extra set of stock coilpacks


I have since used, installed, sold or donated every one of those save the alternator.

-Motor bit the bullet, installed spare, stepping up build.
-Sold spare injectors, and the ones on the car, can't get new 550s in fast enough.
-Swapped in spare tranny with motor two weekends ago to ensure it worked, trading the (spare) that came out with someone in need.
-Mailed coilpacks to a forum member when he was having tuning/running probs and had dyno time scheduled.
-CAS shit the bed, was damn glad I had one sitting on the shelf and didn't have to scour eBay or pay full price.

-I actually wish I had a spare starter now (only big thing I didn't have), as mine won't crank faster than 150rpm right now.

I also have a spare timing belt, and a 1yr old water pump....with good reason considering I've done that job twice in past year, and this very morning had to reset timing on mine since intake cam apparently jumped forward a tooth when the CAS decided to go while at 4000+ rpm and target boost.


MOTS...you can't have too many spares.

A "running" $200 1.6L is a deal, and worth having around. These things go forever, but when they die you don't want to be heading to your local yard to pay $600, or to rebuilders to pay 60% of a built motor price for a freshened stocker.

The guy just agreed to $100. Not getting a clear answer from him on whether it's a shortnose or bignose crank. The m.net article indicates the shortnose pulley has 4 slots, and the bignose has 8 slots. Is that reliable?

Do it! I stock up on parts whenever possible. I have 4 transmissions in my garage :)

Been reliable with every one I've ever checked.

For $100 you can fix the shortnose problem, and it's MUCH easier out of car to work on.

I also recently heard a rumor that the shortnose had GTX rods, but have yet to verify.

Yeah, I guess it's worth $100 either way...hope it's a bignose though.

Now I've got to figure out how to secure it in the back of my truck...don't have any compression straps with me or anything. Might have to scrounge around the store for some rope.

I layed down the last one I picked up, on some wood with another peice between it and front of bed, one strapped pressing it forward.

Most G forces during braking, and you can go easy on acceleration.

Just sit it in an old tire.

It's hard for me to sit on a lot of parts, the jew in me sells them when they sit too long. Which sucks cause I need a new tranny and I sold my spare for $100 to a local miata guy.

Grab it! I haven't even seen bottom ends or tops ends by themselves for that price.

depends really. Do you plan on sticking with the 1.6, or swapping in a 1.8 once your motor dies?

Nah, no plans to switch. I know the 1.8's better, but my car is street only for the foreseeable future, and I'm not really interested in selling my 1.6 turbo stuff and repurchasing 1.8 stuff.

the short nose has 3 lines (4 slots) long nose has more 7+ i think.

Im running a short nose and ive been fine :)

Bingo.

Transported an engine 900 miles this way, with rope securing it to all 4 corner tie downs in the bed of my truck. No issues at all and some of it was somewhat curvy mountain roads at 65 MPH.

Umm SNC is not a problem if the motors been properly maintained.

Id get it either way.

I really really doubt this, but someone verify please.