Hello all,
Im Vinny, and I reside in Central NJ. Years ago my aunt bought a miata with 20k on it. she has driven it almost everywhere including california, florida, and nc a whole bunch of times. i bought it a while back with 124k on it. timing belt was done at 75k. the car was well maintained...the bad, this is her account of it im not sure if this can actually happen...she said she was driving on a hway and ran through what looked like rocks spread across. she tried swerving, but it seems like 1 rock flew right into the oil pan and cracked it. there is no other damage underneath, she sealed the crack and drove it another 5000 before it started leaking through the seal, which is when i took it.

i have since pulled the motor. ordered some replacement fluid resevoirs, hoses, oil pan (obv) and a few other things i felt i should change while engines out. i really keep debating on turboing it. i have a ton of spare universal turbo parts from my speed3. i was just gonna swap the pan but as i pulled things i wanted to clean it all up. especially that theres oil splatter and gunk on a lot of things.

i look foreward to the knowledge i can find here

 

Welcome to the site. What year is the car? Auto or Manual?

 

99 manual, pics soon

 

Welcome to the site!
You really want to weld an oil return bung on it now if you are "thinking" about a turbo and the pn is out.
Worst case is that you just leave it pluged and never use it, you will be happy you did if you do turbo the car.

 

'99 manual with good maintenance, eh? You owe your aunt.

 

yes, she gave it to me dam cheap too lol. i am a little upset i didnt compression test the motor before i pulled it out :-(

hhammerly
im definitely making sure i do whatever i can while the motors out. odds are itll be budget turboed before the motor goes back in.

 

Thanks for joining, myauntsmiata!