Shoot Marc at M-tuned a pm and see if he can get you the group buy on their rods. I believe they were going for $300+ shipping.

 

What happens when the oil pump breaks? Do you hear a kkkkkxxxxxggblblblblbchchunk* or does it run rough or is it just silent, and you have to look at the gauge to know when something is aloof?

 

Ok, now that you ask, I had a Autometer mechanical oil pressure gauge, always always changed he oil at 2,000 miles.

I went to McDonalds boostin it at 15 psi, like always, clear clean roads, and out of the blue (because you will hear it) a grinding noise similar to gears shredding (isn't it fun?).

At the beginning I thought the chinacharger shaft cracked in half and that was the sound, but no the autometer mechanical prssure gauge went to zero and the oil light came ON at the cluster. I said, maybe the sensor is disconnected, BUT the mechanical one is also reading zero.

So to answer the question, the oil light will turn on and a grinding gear noise will be heard, I may sav the engine but it is not worth it, it is better t start with a new one and go from there.

The engine never ever gave low oil pressure readings, the number one reason I installed the Autometer gauge was that something like this never happened to me, so i am more pissed off about it.

Talking about shyt on my Wheaties... I am borderline to go Honda because of this or with a Toyota 86 turbo for driiifffting, LOl!

 

Weren't you the guy running 15 psi on a T3/T4 on an apexi SAFC?

 

Yes, I am.

It never gave me any engine knocking/detonation, never had blown out plugs, etc.

Click here for video, 14/15 psi



Note: although it is not a Miata, the engine is the same, 1.8 DOHC, in fact the pistons are 10@1 from 2001 Miata. Of course it is FWD, but the oil pump if not mistaken is the same for the 96-97 block.