NC Engine replacement

Ok, not sure how it happened, but I've got a 2006 NC just out of warranty with a bent rod in the first cylinder. So, I either need a rebuild or new/used engine replacement. Looking for:

A) Advice on exactly what direction I should take this (I hear used engines are the way to go) and where to buy

B) Looking for a good local mechanic to perform the work

I'd be interested in upgrades while doing this such as forged parts etc..

Please, this has already been a major head/heartache, so I prefer not to discuss all the who/what/where/how etc....I just want to move forward on getting this thing repaired. Thanks!

Check with Gary at TrackDog Racing...he's in the Plano area.

Actually Dallas sammm.


Track Dog Racing Contact Info

I would second Track Dog Racing.

Have you talked to Mazda to see if there is anything they will do to help despite being out of warranty? My Dad once got a transmission replaced for free by Acura 1500 miles out of warranty.

I wouldn't call Gary. He's great with NAs and NBs (especially supercharging them) but he's not working on NCs yet.

Try MER out in Cresson.
They build NC cup cars and know how to do what you want done to yours.
They would also know an engine source. I think it maybe cheaper and easier if you get a new 09 engine instead but it wouldn't have forged rods just crank. They have a facebook page too for more pics and info.

Good luck and keep us posted please. There are a few of us on here with 06's too that have been thrashed pretty good. So we're waiting for that rod 1 time bomb too.

Thanks guys, I think you're right and Gary is not doing NCs yet.

Will CER do basic work? I was thinking slight upgrades, nothing along the lines of what they normally do. I don't have the budget for that.

Edit: Called CER and they can help. Waiting on a quote.

THANKS GUYS!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Geckotek

Thanks guys, I think you're right and Gary is not doing NCs yet.

Will CER do basic work? I was thinking slight upgrades, nothing along the lines of what they normally do. I don't have the budget for that.

---

I don't know. Give 'em a call and see. An engine swap doesn't sound like basic work to me though.

You may want to try MOA corporate with a nice letter and they may still honor warranty or at least split it 50/50 with you. They did that with me after several calls and a certified letter. I lost the clutch awhile back and they said it was a wear item not covered by warranty. I insisted it was metal fatigue or manufacturer error since it exploded into pieces.

They offered half and since I couldn't account for the maintenance of the first 11,000 miles (I'm second owner) I took their offer.

This is the first time I have heard about this problem. I found a good deal on a used '06 the other day. Maybe that is why.
Any links about this issue. :(
Thanks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nails

...There are a few of us on here with 06's too that have been thrashed pretty good. So we're waiting for that rod 1 time bomb too.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by general default

This is the first time I have heard about this problem. I found a good deal on a used '06 the other day. Maybe that is why.
Any links about this issue. :(
Thanks.

---

Agreed, if there truly is a Rod 1 time-bomb w/ the NC, that would be some ammunition to take back to MOA.

Two or three rod failures on miata.net and all were no. 1 and I think all were forced induction. I don't have links but you can search there and on goodwin's forum.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Geckotek

Agreed, if there truly is a Rod 1 time-bomb w/ the NC, that would be some ammunition to take back to MOA.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nails

Two or three rod failures on miata.net and all were no. 1 and I think all were forced induction.

---

I'm thinking ya don't have any ammo.... ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by POS Racing

I'm thinking ya don't have any ammo.... ;)

---

LOL...ditto.

Not like I did with the clutch no. But it can't hurt to ask, especially if you have great maintenance records and no engine mods.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nails

Not like I did with the clutch no. But it can't hurt to ask, especially if you have great maintenance records and no engine mods.

---

Honestly, I have NO records. I'm done messing with it and ready to get my dang car back. Gary is getting it tomorrow morning.

Gary can do - more or More or MORE or WAY MORE while it's there!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by wrx74

Gary can do - more or More or MORE or WAY MORE while it's there!

---

Yeah, will be considering some things. But budget is limited so....

Really want to do suspension while it's there but may not be able to squeeze it in. Still need to get Christmas presents. :(

Not all the Rod failures were on Forced Induction modded cars. Mine let go at around 30K miles and that was before the Cosworth S/C. I was one of the lucky ones. It let go a month before my warranty expired. Mazda covered it since I had kept good records. The first thing the service writer said as the tow truck was backing it in was "I need to see your oil change records" Luckily I kept track in a log of all the oil changes and any other maintenance and fuel stops and all that I did. EnzNow had his fail at around 44K miles if I remember correctly, he was already out of warranty and they refused to help him. Mazda Corporate is not really doing anything above and beyond right now, maybe since sales are down, they need to watch their budget more closely.
As far as an engine swap. I would go with the '09 since it comes with a forged crank and connecting rods and I think it is only $2900 with the racers discount, but, it does not come with forged pistons. Or, you can go with the Cosworth set up and that is going to be available from Goodwin in a few weeks and it is going to cost around $1700 for rods and pistons with special bearings. Not a bad deal for Cosworth parts.

I'd wait for the Cosworth parts then. I'm pretty sure the 09 rods are cast iron not forged but the pistons are full floating now.

If you're not doing FI then I wouldn't worry about forged internals if your budget is tight. It may even be cheaper to get a used engine as many of them are showing up now for around $1700.

Good luck with whatever you decide. I'm sure Gary will do a good job with your car.

I started looking more closely at my budget and it is just too tight to do much else. I'm going to go ahead and have Gary do a standard rebuild for now. Hopefully soon I can afford some coilovers.

Gary is suggesting changing out the header (removing the pre-cat). My buddy says it's not worth the minimal (if any) performance gain I'll see unless I go FI (and I have no plans for FI...maybe CAI). If I did it, mid-pipe and muffler would have to come later as I just don't have the budget for it all right now. And still need to do suspension (which in my mind should be done first.)

Thoughts??