Sourcing engines - best approaches
Discussion
Not for the Libra (it's served me well but time to move on), but for my next daily toy - mk2 MX5...
Have a power and drivability goal, and having explored the options, have decided an engine swap is the best way forward. Have been reading this thread http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?s=5d8b8fc99... and now want a Jag 3l V6 in my roadster!
What would you suggest is the best way to source such a lump. Doner car, then weigh in? Breakers yard? Second hand engine supplier? Or suck it up and buy a brand new lump from the chaps in Holland selling them?
Not fussed about keeping power steering or AC, the ecu will be a new ME standalone, so not sure whether there's benefit in getting a full doner or just getting the bare block and fitting new ancilliaries. It's a well used daily, so am aiming for OEM reliability as well as a chunk of extra power!
Cheers,
Sam
Have a power and drivability goal, and having explored the options, have decided an engine swap is the best way forward. Have been reading this thread http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?s=5d8b8fc99... and now want a Jag 3l V6 in my roadster!
What would you suggest is the best way to source such a lump. Doner car, then weigh in? Breakers yard? Second hand engine supplier? Or suck it up and buy a brand new lump from the chaps in Holland selling them?
Not fussed about keeping power steering or AC, the ecu will be a new ME standalone, so not sure whether there's benefit in getting a full doner or just getting the bare block and fitting new ancilliaries. It's a well used daily, so am aiming for OEM reliability as well as a chunk of extra power!
Cheers,
Sam
I'd say it depends. If you intend doing a full rebuild, then maybe buy new. If you are doing a more budget job then perhaps the best bet would be to source a good running donor so you can assess the engine first. There's a lot to be said to having the entire car to go at for parts, and being able to run it.
I've done 3 builds where I bought a bare engine or engine parts, 2 where I got donor cars and currently embarking on yet another build and again, I've gone down the donor route. This time though my goal is to do it as LoCost as possible, so having a known-good donor engine and gearbox was important to me, as well as being able to use the OEM management etc. as I intend using it as-is, no messing or rebuilding this time round. I even went as far as picking up an MX-5 donor for just a few suspension parts and the seats. Didn't fancy ending up with odd parts from all over. Hopefully I can recover half the purchase cost of that one by selling the roof. The rest of the car is scrap.
Speaking of scrap....steel prices have tanked, so don't expect to get much, if anything back on the shell. So far I bought a cheap reciprocating saw and have cut up one donor and taken the bits to the local tip. Will do the same with the MX-5 as well. I have a Jeep so can put fairly big chunks of dead car in the back, and the tip is only a small detour on the way to work so it didn't cost me much in time nor money to get shot of it. Plus, I finish up with a nice reciprocating saw at the end. Local tatters weren't interested in the bare shell and I can understand why. If you are able to transport the entire thing yourself to a local recycling place them expect about £30 for it.
I've done 3 builds where I bought a bare engine or engine parts, 2 where I got donor cars and currently embarking on yet another build and again, I've gone down the donor route. This time though my goal is to do it as LoCost as possible, so having a known-good donor engine and gearbox was important to me, as well as being able to use the OEM management etc. as I intend using it as-is, no messing or rebuilding this time round. I even went as far as picking up an MX-5 donor for just a few suspension parts and the seats. Didn't fancy ending up with odd parts from all over. Hopefully I can recover half the purchase cost of that one by selling the roof. The rest of the car is scrap.
Speaking of scrap....steel prices have tanked, so don't expect to get much, if anything back on the shell. So far I bought a cheap reciprocating saw and have cut up one donor and taken the bits to the local tip. Will do the same with the MX-5 as well. I have a Jeep so can put fairly big chunks of dead car in the back, and the tip is only a small detour on the way to work so it didn't cost me much in time nor money to get shot of it. Plus, I finish up with a nice reciprocating saw at the end. Local tatters weren't interested in the bare shell and I can understand why. If you are able to transport the entire thing yourself to a local recycling place them expect about £30 for it.
annodomini2 said:
If you have the time (and the space), accident damaged vehicle, this gives you evidence of the source and you can break the rest of the car recovering some of the cost.
+1https://auctions.motorhog.co.uk/vehicle-list/?type...
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