so-so compression, now what?
#1
so-so compression, now what?
So, I've been driving the '90 for 8 months now with no problems. Went from 193K miles to 196K miles.
My daily driver is now paid off in full so I can spend that cash modding the Miata.
Took her to a trustworthy local shop the other day to get a compression checked and leak down test. Leak down was apparently fine.
Compression was 119, 120, 119, 118
Now, from what I gather 130-150+ psi is ideal. The good thing is that they're all nearly identical. According to the last owner (who was a trustworthy old rocket scientist, literally, who'd owned/sold 20 Miatas) his friend had the engine rebuilt at 160K.
So -- if I'm not looking to have more than 8 psi boost or more then 5K miles a year on the car over the next few years -- does anyone foresee a problem? Oh, and the wear and tear of how many autocrosses I can get to every year. Or, should I try to do a swap (1.8 possibly)? Or, should I sell the car what I paid for it (2 grand) and hunt for another? I'm sure I can get what I paid for it if I'm patient.
Anyway, I'm kinda hoping the answer is: "just boost it -- if the motor goes to hell, buy another." I've gotten kind of attached to the car.
thanks
My daily driver is now paid off in full so I can spend that cash modding the Miata.
Took her to a trustworthy local shop the other day to get a compression checked and leak down test. Leak down was apparently fine.
Compression was 119, 120, 119, 118
Now, from what I gather 130-150+ psi is ideal. The good thing is that they're all nearly identical. According to the last owner (who was a trustworthy old rocket scientist, literally, who'd owned/sold 20 Miatas) his friend had the engine rebuilt at 160K.
So -- if I'm not looking to have more than 8 psi boost or more then 5K miles a year on the car over the next few years -- does anyone foresee a problem? Oh, and the wear and tear of how many autocrosses I can get to every year. Or, should I try to do a swap (1.8 possibly)? Or, should I sell the car what I paid for it (2 grand) and hunt for another? I'm sure I can get what I paid for it if I'm patient.
Anyway, I'm kinda hoping the answer is: "just boost it -- if the motor goes to hell, buy another." I've gotten kind of attached to the car.
thanks
#6
The car really hates cold weather starts in general, but runs great after one minute of warmup. I should have taught myself how to do a proper compression test.
Bottom line is, it's a 2000 dollar car that hasn't let me down in 8 months. (Well, I did replace a bad thermostat myself.) I'm throwing 250 dollars worth of Falken Azenis on it this Saturday. Next is a thousand dollar turbo kit and a few hundred in suspension and catback. Then we'll go from there!
Thanks for the advice, I'll be around.
#8
I weighed the pros and cons. I thought about getting lightweight 15 inchers and 205/50 Azenis but it wasn't going to save much weight if any. The sidewall is already stiff.... couldn't justify the extra cost for the little bit of width. It's not just an autocross tire for me, I want to feel them everytime I drive. I think I've read you can get a lot of miles (relatively) from them anyway.
Maybe one day I'll upgrade to proper wide and light wheels but I'm cool with the sleeper look.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
graexodus
Miata parts for sale/trade
9
10-25-2015 03:34 PM