I have a plan, I need Help!!!

Well, after thinking about it for 2 days continually, I think I know what I want to do, rebuild with 9:1 stock pistons.


Here is my logic. The cheapest I am seeing motors for is $400-550ish. If I use one of these it is a throw of the dice. JDM's are closer to $1000.

To rebuild a motor with forged parts is $2K-ish... $550- pistons / $700 rods. This is either using Miata specific pistons or Honda pistons and rods machined to work. This would be the bullit proof setup for 250-280 WHP.

My goal has been and remains right now 220-230WHP, a stock bottom end from a 94-97 car takes this without complaining, and you dont have tremendous trany issues at these levels either.

Stock Mazda pistons (oversized .5mm) are like $41/each, stock rods are $50/set from Flyin Miata. That is about a $1000 hardware savings off of aftermarket forged. So the rebuild goes down to sub $1000, assuming nothing is catastrophically hurt. A little more if I have to find a crank or block or have the head reworked.

I would like to pull the motor this weekend and take it apart, can anyone help this weekend?

So what do you all think?

Chris

I might be able to help for part of the day Saturday. Sunday is Equipe Rapide.

I'm so there!!!!!!!

:cheers:

You guys ROCK

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Originally Posted by altiain

I might be able to help for part of the day Saturday. Sunday is Equipe Rapide.

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Ditto.

This just happens to be one of the rare instances these days that I am going to be in town. :cheers: I have a few things to do around the house on Saturday morning, but I should be free in the afternoon and most of the day Sunday.

I don't have any engine stands or a cherry picker, but I am fairly well versed in their use. Let me know if there are any other tools that you could use or need.

I've got a party Saturday night, then ER on Sunday, but I'll try and get by earlier in the day, and I'll bring some tools. PM me your info so I can find you.

The guy in the white miata with the big wheels (at the track this weekend) offered an engine stand, so I am going to call him on that. Worst comes to worse, I can rent the picker for the weekend. I called and it is 30/day, but if you get it on Saturday, you dont have to return until monday if its from one of the big National Rent stores.

I cleaned the garage for 1/2 hour in prep, so it is in good order.

If anyone has an air compressor and an impact wrench that might make getting the back bolts off easier, but I will get a cheater bar and some wobbly extentions...

I will try to pull the radiator tomorrow and start on some of the other stuff.

What kind of soft drinks/beers? If no suggestions, I will have tap water and low fat milk available.... (Majik) Pizza will be served for lunch.

Chris

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Originally Posted by Kags1969

The guy in the white miata with the big wheels (at the track this weekend) offered an engine stand, so I am going to call him on that. Worst comes to worse, I can rent the picker for the weekend. I called and it is 30/day, but if you get it on Saturday, you dont have to return until monday if its from one of the big National Rent stores.

I cleaned the garage for 1/2 hour in prep, so it is in good order.

If anyone has an air compressor and an impact wrench that might make getting the back bolts off easier, but I will get a cheater bar and some wobbly extentions...

I will try to pull the radiator tomorrow and start on some of the other stuff.

What kind of soft drinks/beers? If no suggestions, I will have tap water and low fat milk available.... (Majik) Pizza will be served for lunch.

Chris

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I'd like an address. Dunno if I can swing by on Saturday but I will try. Sorry. No air compressor. It's on my wish list though! :wink: I dig Dr. Pepper but I can supply my own.

I can probably come early Saturday. I have to be back on this side of town by 3 or so though. What time are we going to start?

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Originally Posted by Kags1969

If anyone has an air compressor and an impact wrench that might make getting the back bolts off easier, but I will get a cheater bar and some wobbly extentions...

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I've got a 4 hp, 11 gal. compressor and an impact wrench... and access to a 4Runner this Saturday to bring them out. :mrgreen:

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Originally Posted by Kags1969

What kind of soft drinks/beers? If no suggestions, I will have tap water and low fat milk available....

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Low fat milk? :?

Dr. Pepper and Shiner work for me, but I can supply my own.

I'll be working at TMS on Saturday, ER at MW on Sunday. However, I have an air compressor that works off 110, about a 30 gallon tank, etc. If someone wants to stop by and pick it up, I'll be happy to lend it for the occasion. Let me know...

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Originally Posted by Majik

I can probably come early Saturday. I have to be back on this side of town by 3 or so though. What time are we going to start?

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I am thinking 9. I have to go get the cherry picker in the morning, so I will be back by 9 at the latest.

Thanks for the offer on the compresso Oz, looks like Altiain has one as well, so we are covered there. Sorry your gonna miss it.

Hopefully we can have this thing out and apart on Sat, and I can take it to the builder on Monday.

Chris

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Originally Posted by altiain

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kags1969

If anyone has an air compressor and an impact wrench that might make getting the back bolts off easier, but I will get a cheater bar and some wobbly extentions...

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I've got a 4 hp, 11 gal. compressor and an impact wrench... and access to a 4Runner this Saturday to bring them out. :mrgreen:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kags1969

What kind of soft drinks/beers? If no suggestions, I will have tap water and low fat milk available....

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Low fat milk? :?

Dr. Pepper and Shiner work for me, but I can supply my own.

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I will get DP, Coke and Ginger ale as well as Shiner and coors light. Majik just had milk and water for us when we swapped the head, although his GF did go and get us some coke...hehehe

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Originally Posted by Kags1969

Majik just had milk and water for us when we swapped the head, although his GF did go and get us some coke...hehehe

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I never did get that tuna sandwich!

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Originally Posted by sammm

I never did get that tuna sandwich!

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Yea where was that Tuna Sandwich!

Sunday is my Anniversary, and since I will be in Mineral Wells on Sunday, I'm thinking it would be smart for me to stay home Saturday.

One of these days I will have the dang house finished so I can help ya'll out. I've done just about everything you can imagine on Miatas, have a lift, tranny jack, compressor, bunches of tools, AND shop manuals.......in a 50x50 barn! I miss tech days.....used to do several a year, back in the early days (1991-1999).
Merv

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Originally Posted by MadMerv

One of these days I will have the dang house finished so I can help ya'll out. I've done just about everything you can imagine on Miatas, have a lift, tranny jack, compressor, bunches of tools, AND shop manuals.......in a 50x50 barn! I miss tech days.....used to do several a year, back in the early days (1991-1999).
Merv

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You'd find several of us who would take you up on that offer! <drool> a lift... </drool>

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Originally Posted by sammm

You'd find several of us who would take you up on that offer! <drool> a lift... </drool>

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Yeah, no kidding!!

So get to it man! Need a hand? :tongue:

Merv,

Is this some Huck Finn ploy to get us to white wash your fense?

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Originally Posted by Screamin'Screw

Merv,

Is this some Huck Finn ploy to get us to white wash your fense?

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How'd you guess! Really, it is just so frustrating that i don't have time to do Miata stuff anymore.......sigh!

Hey Majik can you bring your nifty Fender Drapes w/ all of the pockets???


Chris

Sure will do, BTW I tried to PM you but your inbox is full.

I cleaned out my PM box... back in the old days we had more room to store messages....

I bought a 12 pack of Shiner, and will go and get some dp/coke later tonight... I also need to go by Harbor Freight and get some long wobbly extentions....

Chris

So what time are we getting started tomorrow? The wife has plans for me in the afternoon, so I'll have to leave early. :?

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Originally Posted by Kags1969

I cleaned out my PM box... back in the old days we had more room to store messages....

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PM storage limits have been adjusted for paid members... Sorry about that!

ahhhh. membership has its priviledges.

Anyone coming over tomorrow is welcome to bring tools.

I have a meager collection, enough to keep one or two people working, so extras would be great.

Mick brought a folding chair last time, and it was a fine idea.

I pulled the cross over turbo tube, and drained the radiator tonight. The weather looks like it is going to be agreeable as well. Good top down driving to help swap an engine weather.....

Starting at 9am


Chris

See you in the AM...I'm looking forward to this, I've always wanted to pull an engine :rambo:

I'll be there in the late AM / Early PM. :drive:

I slept in. I'm leaving in a few minutes. :mrgreen:

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Originally Posted by altiain

I slept in. I'm leaving in a few minutes. :mrgreen:

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Ditto

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Originally Posted by tailchaser

Ditto

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me too.

Well hell. I just got a much better tour of Irving than I wanted. All I had was Chris' home number. I didnt see that you gave me a cell. So I drove around looking for a bunch of miatas. After about an hour I decided to head back home. Sorry I said Id be there.

Dude! We've been waiting for you before we started!

Thank Guys!!!! I think we had it out in about 3 hours. I had lots of help come over and really appreciate it. It is very nice to be in a community that takes care of each other.

The highlight of the day was when my cute neighbor showed us her restored 1953 MG. Beautiful car.

The engine is on the floor in the garage and I am still trying to figure out what to do. I will start pulling it apart tomorrow and go from there....

Chris

No worries Majik, we missed you but managed.

FYI - If you pull an M2 engine. There is a special tool to pull the high pressure fuel lines, it is the red anodized tool and they sell them at autozone/napa.

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Originally Posted by Kags1969

The highlight of the day was when my cute neighbor showed us her restored 1953 MG. Beautiful car.

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Don't forget, her name is Elisa.

Oh, and by the wya, she was born in Springfield, CT, June 12, 1969. She's 5'6", 115lbs, very athletic, brown eyes, brown hair. She's had an appendectomy and her wisdom teeth pulled. She likes classic cars, chocolate, romantic dates, and good mystery novels. Her dislikes are pushy sales people, BO, bad drivers, and over-cooked steaks.

You gotta love the internet. :-D ;)

By the way, I'm kidding about that whole paragraph... but her name was Elisa... or Elise... or Ellie... damn... I don't remember now.

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Originally Posted by Kags1969

FYI - If you pull an M2 engine. There is a special tool to pull the high pressure fuel lines, it is the red anodized tool and they sell them at autozone/napa.

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And it's also a pre-requisite to drive all over creation looking for it. :joker:

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Originally Posted by Kags1969

The highlight of the day was when my cute neighbor showed us her restored 1953 MG. Beautiful car.

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That was a highlight! The car was cool too. ;)

Please check your oil tonight.....

http://www.automotiveexpression.com/motor1.jpg

http://www.automotiveexpression.com/motor2.jpg

http://www.automotiveexpression.com/motor3.jpg