mx5cartalk.com

So after yesterday @ OP GP, the car just doesnt seem to be running as well as it should.
Same happened last weekend with MRA.

After 2 seasons of racing (1 with TCR) and this year with myself with I think 14 days @ the track this year (maybe more??) I think the stock engine needs a refreshen...

So...
If it were an RB25DET motor Id know what to do (had one for 4 years before!) but with these motors, I have no knowledge!

Really all I want to do...
is want it to be reliable - rev hard (dont really want to rev to 8k, happy with 7k) , bit more power, but still not cost an arm and a leg. (contradiction right there!) and can last a few years by doing motorsport.

So what do I need?

And who in sydney is a good builder for it all?

Cheers,
Chris

What exactly is the problem with it? Might be worth replacing the plug leads before doing anything drastic/expensive, and see if that helps. Worked miracles for me!

Darn. Beaten again to the plug leads fix! (I'm a bit like the dad in a Big Fat Greek Wedding with his windex cure-all).

well...few issues!

rough idle, doesnt seem to have as much poke as before, slight leak of oil, the lifter issue comes and goes, after a couple of sessions yesterday it seemed to be quite rough too.

Yeah I think I might take it somewhere, get it on the hoist, look over it all and see what needs to be done from there, but check all basics first.

Unfort mania close soon and open after iRace in Jan which I plan on entering..well...wanted to enter!

edit - oh, apparantly the plugs and sparks were replaced not too long ago. Ive got a receipt from a service - think it was about 4 months back!
I'll check the plugs anyway now, see if they are foulled up

but yeah,
If I were to go a freshen up - what would be required parts wise? I dont want to go the whole hog with building big motor, its never going to be boosted either.

Cost and part will depend on how many K's and the condition of the bores, valves that need replacing
head work , balancing ,porting the list goes on and on

$ wise $3000 to how deep your pockets are

These engines are pretty tough.
I'm not saying your engine doesn't need refreshing. However the engine in Patchy did several seasons in Production sports. over 10k km of pure racing km's.
It did 30k in a car in japan & 50k since its been transplanted into patchy. & still going strong.

I guess it just all depends how it gets taken care of.

but a re-build.....a good one is going to cost a fortune.

Russellb wrote:Cost and part will depend on how many K's and the condition of the bores, valves that need replacing
head work , balancing ,porting the list goes on and on

$ wise $3000 to how deep your pockets are

Or about $5k for what i have though, thats a damn grunty motor though

Or spend $2k + shipping from Melb on a 20k kms rebuilt one by Tony from Ful-tech at Burwood:
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=38181
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=38181&start=45

Bin's also got an NA8 engine for sale at $1.2k in Syd:
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=39854&start=0

Does the E-Go courier service transport engines?? I don't know... but it would certainly be worth enquiring because they are an efficient company with very reasonable rates. Only accessable via the Internet tho'. www.e-go.com.au

I believe so, but you'd have to put it on a pallet or in a crate - a very rough calculation based on door to door Berwick to Lane Cove for 75kgs @ 100x100x100cm is just over $100!

Hey Chris,

Quick freshen up on the 1600,
Rings $100
bearings ACL Race $150
Gasket Kit $60
Head gasket $160
Timing belt kit Gates race $160
Injector seals etc and test and service injectors $100
Hoses $120
Water pump $40.00
ARP bolts rods, mains, head $450
plus $200 seals o rings etc.

Machining
Service cyl head $400 + guides+valves if required
Balance $500 approx
Rods $200, magnacheck, close hone resize linish check for straightness etc.
Clean, measure and deck block to true up to crank $200
Plus pistons if required $400 up plus boring.
Total approx $2850
Thats probably a bit OTT, but when I build an engine it stays built.The last thing I want or need is for me to start doing the 1 hour series and blow a motor!!! Also being in the trade helps with pricing but that said, buying from the states is still cheaper than buying Aussie made bearings etc in Australia.

Now, with your motor some bits and pieces will be cheaper.
Before you decide to rebuild your donk, have you checked what plugs your running, these cars are sensitive to types and heat ranges when pushed to the limit, has the timing belt been done, it will streach throwing out your valve timing, not enough to notice in daily driving but remember that on the track your pushing the boundaries!! Have you changed the fuel filter and had the system checked. There are lots of things that can and will seem to affect the car but will be magnified 10 times on the track, fuel brand and type is another area to look into.
OR, it could be that your getting use to the car or even pushing too hard and your times are suffering, (ask me how I know that one)
Sit down and thing about what you want to achieve and how much your willing to spend. I think you'll find some people around here with racing experience will be willing to help and point you in the right direction.

Terry

Chris, I'll PM u with the number for the guy who built the engine in my old NA (ie the turbo one not the one that lasted 114kms...) That engine never missed a beat for the 15k kms of hard driving I put it through, plus its still going strong now in someone elses car

Terry,
Awesome post mate! that is awesomr to know what I'd need for when I go to do it, gives me a great idea and some idea of a budget!
awesome post!

the car is booked in @ unigroup in western sydney - they looked after my old r33 for 3 years and I could never ever fault their work or tuning. its booked in on the 11th of Jan, so they have a few days to find and hopefully fix issues so I can race @ iRace on the 15/16 jan!!!!!!
I hope its nothing major - however if it is I'll be using your list for my build/refresh and will be done from jan - may. Its good because I'll be getting married in March and away in April so my next race is in May so I think thats plenty of time

(Now...how do I get the money from our wishing well from our wedding to put to the mx5...??thoughts?? :p )

Pete,
cheers for the PM dude! I have saved your pm hehe

Everyone else, thanks for the tips and pm's with it all - its good to see a forum willing to give help and advice to other members - I really good forum to be apart of!

Cheers,
Chris

Have you actually tried the standard engine condition tests first? Compression test? Manifold vacuum gauge? Good oil pressure gauge?

Good compression + good vacuum + good oil pressure = no internal work needed - just cleaning, testing and tuning for the externals (coilpacks, sensors, etc).

Just freshening up the stock engine won't make much difference, don't waste your money just doing that....you need at least to do cams,porting,compression,ECU....