Red Miata Is Alive Now!
 

I got my project red miata to fire off the other night. I just need to pump out the old gas and put in fresh.
It wasn't what the guy claimed. I sprayed starting fluid in the intake and it didn't fire. I checked fire and it was good.
So I pulled back the dust covers and angels started singing! The tension pulley on the timing belt was almost missing. Bearings were everywhere.

So a new waterpump and timing belt later. It Ran!

Now for the problem......

The tranny doesn't seem to shift into 5th. I have a complete motor and trans in my floor with a FM turbo attached. I have never heard it run. Would you just swap out everything. Or go with the motor that already runs?

Does anyone know of some markings on factory rods I can look for? I'm going to pull the pan to see if they have built the bottom end of the turbo motor.

congrats on gettig it up

Your question about what to do with the new motor is a pretty big one. If 5th gear is a must for you (and it should be cause 4th sucks for any distance on the freeway), then you only have several choices.

#1: Source another tranny and install, then swap over turbo kit onto current motor.
#2: Remove tranny off spare motor and install, along with all turbo stuff.
#3: Remove current engine/tranny as a unit and install new turbo engine/tranny with the possibility it doesn't run.

Why would you buy a spare motor if you weren't 100% sure it was going to run? If there's doubt, I hope you got a scorchin' good deal on it. What gives you the impression it might not run?

Tell us where you go this turbo'd motor from and everything you know about it, we can help you out more.

What are the compression/leakdown numbers on the current motor... that will tell you if it's a boost candidate not.

Thanks,

I have to buy a compression tester tommorrow. The motor turns free.
I bought the setup off ebay. A guy from Lufkin had it setting in his garage. He bought it from a local guy that had wrecked his miata out. They kept going on of how mean it was.....And how bad the wreck was. There are scars on the side of the block.

Anyways I got it for 1050.00 shipped to my storage. The setup came with a FM turbo kit, down pipe, intercooler, motor, tranny, and RC550 injectors. The turbo is in awesome shape.

The motor was drag raced alot, and set up for two years. The guy didn't have any info on what was done to the motor.
Atleast the pan is drilled. Lol

dude take a closer look at that motor it might be pretty nice. As for the tranny a swap would be in order unless you wanna split the case and investigate. Please be more specific about the fifth gear problem though is it only while you are moving? Or is it at anytime whatsoever ie when not running. Or is it intermitent?

I can't get it into 5 th while it is parked. I haven't driven it yet to see if it grinds. The gas is so bad that it just blows black smoke out the back and dies.
The fuel is the color of an old pee bottle in the sun. Lol.....I'm going to drain it.
The guy I bought it from acted like it was running up to last week. But the inspection sticker is two years old.

But I'm still happy. It starts and has rims for only 985.00.
I need a top, tires, fender put on, and a paint job. :)

Hmm check the linkage obviously this could also be something similiar to the stuck in reverse problem. Look that up and i am sure you will find some info to help you.

That motor is going to run!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

I just started it with clean gas. You just touch the gas and it rev's.:naughty:
It rev's like twice as fast as my white 90. I can't wait till I can punch it.

I have just been letting it idle. My altenator bracket is broke. I'm going to have to swap the bracket.

So no bracket = no working water pump..

The car has almost stopped smoking, and the lifter tap was getting quieter. But I shut it off early to keep it cool.
Now the lifters are even louder! It was so loud at one point I thought it may be a wrist pin. I think I'm going to put some slick 50 in it and drive it couple of days.
I need to check the timing. The guy had been messing with the cam sensor.

I think this motor is going to be ok.