Broken - but on with fixing it...

[MX-5 Lazza]

It often costs no more to buy a complete engine than it does to buy a head. You could then just swap the head and sell the block on.

[franv8]

Lazza - what do you think the prices should be then? So far the places I have looked it looks like the head is half/ one third the price of the whole motor.

[redgriff500]

Engine £50 - 350 depending where you go / luck.

Head £30 - £200 as above.

[MX-5 Lazza]

redgriff500 said:

Engine £50 - 350 depending where you go / luck.

Head £30 - £200 as above.

Wot he said

I've never actually changed an engine on an MX-5 so I haven't had to delve into the 2nd hand engine market myself but from what I've seen there is a good market for full engines, heads & bottom ends. If you could get a full working engine cheap enough you could probably split it, use the head for yourself and sell on the bottom end for not much less than you paid for the full engine

[philmar]

Any suggestions as to where to look for these replacement engines? my searching hasnt been too successful shall we say, especilly on the price side of things...

What mileage would you say is safe/sensible to go for in a used engine

[Munter]

Another supplier for engines I've heard good about when my MR2 blew up is http://www.apiengines.com/

[MX-5 Lazza]

I'd go to the MX-5 breakers first like MX5 Heaven & Autolink...

[franv8]

Head sorted - just got to put it back together when I get it!

Anyone know if a normal OHC valve spring compressor will work - I think it's probably a 30mm extansion on the spring side (or it'll get modified by application of the welder...)

[philmar]

Got prices from the places you guys suggested, ranging between £400 & £500 + VAT.

Do we think this is a little expensive? On the other side of things they are better prices than i've had from anywhere else...

[Munter]

philmar said:

Got prices from the places you guys suggested, ranging between £400 & £500 + VAT.

Do we think this is a little expensive? On the other side of things they are better prices than i've had from anywhere else...

You want a 1.8 engine. Ali-Cat wants a 1.8 ECU. It might be tricky to organise but you could club together and buy a 1.8 off e-bay and break it taking the parts you guys need and flogging the rest. (P.s. I could do with a offside front wing...and door possibly)

[franv8]

Phil - I've heard of people getting engines for as little as £150.

Valve spring compressor, sorted! Saved £36 on the 'right' one by using some old shelf brackets and the welder to customise my existing one...

I am Mcgiver!

[DennisTheMenace]

Just fitted my £100 ebay engine
Runs a treat

[franv8]

DennisTheMenace said:

Just fitted my £100 ebay engine
Runs a treat

Nice one!

[philmar]

Am no further with the cheap engine but still on the hunt.

Mx5 now totally off the road as i had a bit of a moment...



New set of alloys now required me thinks

[DennisTheMenace]

oops , what happened ?

[philmar]

DennisTheMenace said:

oops , what happened ?

Thought i'd put the rubbish tyres (anyone heard of Fulruns ...)on the back as i was understeering and already knocked my tracking out on a kerb.

On the way home late night, nothing about, gave my broken engine a bit too much right foot on a roundabout, ended up facing the wrong way, hit kerb flush with the wheel and took out the bollard and a chunk of grass for good measure. And it was dry. My wishing i'd left my BF Goodrich on the back now No damage to bodywork or suspension from what i could tell getting it home, fingers crossed.

[MX-5 Lazza]

So now you see why the advice is always to fit the best tyres to the rear! A bit of understeer may be annoying but it's relatively safe.
You will need to get an alignment done once you have new alloys fitted as I can guarantee 100% that it will have been knocked out of alignment.

[philmar]

I do now see why the good tyres should go on the back (or buy 4 good ones in the first place!!!). My servicing bill is increasing rapidly. Thinking of getting used BBS ones to tide me over until i can afford to splash out on some new ones.

As for now, just fitted the spacesaver, looks highly amusing, not fun to drive though, emergancy trips only for the time being.

[Greg_D]

Try PH Sportscars on 01332 799 298 - they are pretty cheap for replacement bits (i paid £200 for a mk2.5 engine complete off them and £150 for a replacement Diff)

Greg