ok, that's the feeling I got.

Thanks for the recommendation.

What about engine swaps, or engine rebuilds?

 

John can do anything, so long as it isn't body work. He builds cages, rebuilt engines, head work, and maintenance.

 

Yep, Jeff doesn't tune Megasquirts. But he can diagnose a bad engine component and fix it, no problem. Or put dual valve springs on your engine without removing the head.

He's sharp, honest, and reasonable...and a credentialed master beer judge

 

I recommended Jeff, before you did. I've known Jeff since 2001, when I bought my first NA Miata, and for as long as I've known him, he has never being a fan of aftermarket parts, components or deviations from factory settings.

If he wasn't honest, I would have not recommended him.

 

I'd try AR auto service or CSTG...

 

Update, moved in, boxes unloaded, car is washed and in garage now.







As of now I've made contact with Miata's and More and have been exchanging messages with Jace Micklos. Any thoughts on him as a trust worthy mechanic?
I've also made contact with Goumba fab as well.

I also found Sunshine State JDM has a imported VVT motor with 60k miles and compression tests for sale. Is it correct that these motors have 10.5:1 compression, is this not a good match for Rotrex? Too high of compression? They also have some NB1 engines for sale.

Would you guys recommend running a stock motor for rotrex? Again, with current pulley setup, the motor made 234/184. It's probably the cheaper route over rebuilding my current engine, although we don't know the status of the internals.

 

Isn't there e85 everywhere down there?

I think a stock JDM VVT motor with e85 and that rotrex would be an epic setup. Probably could get some more torque out of it down low.

 

That garage tho...

When does the lift get installed?

 

E85 is very uncommon here.

What town are you in, again? Odessa?

Humid enough for you, yet?

 

Yeah Odessa.

I see there's a couple 15-18 minutes from my house. Just not sure I want to commit that lifestyle. What happens if you put pump gas in, in an emergency?

 

You find someone that knows how to tune flex fuel.

 

I've been researching the local Tampa and central Florida Miata scene a bit, got some recommendations from miataturbo guys and talked to a handful of shops. So far all the shops I've talked with have been really chill and helpful, and offered plenty of advice. Good vibes.

After speaking with a few shops who do plenty of turbo builds with way more power than I make, I think I've narrowed it down to buying a 99,00 non VVT 1.8 from a local JDM engine importer. 50-60k mile, compression tested, 90 warranty for well below a grand. No reason to go big built motor for my power levels, and most likely the reason why my motor failed wasn't because I was supercharged.
I made a deposit on the motor today.



I'm not completely decided on who's going to do the swap but John Lambert from GoumbaFab is hopefully coming by maybe next week to discuss plans and look over the car, he even offered to trailer it to his shop. He does fab work, cages, engine builds, tuning, and owns a stage rally Miata.

So that's where we stand now.

Even though it's pretty hot during the days here right now, the mornings and evenings would still be great for driving, so I'm missing this right now.



Curly, wondering if I should make this into build thread, I used to have one on here, but I don't see it.

 

^Definitely.

 

AAAANNNNDDDD, the NB motor I found is a NB 1.6, lol. Back to the drawing board.

 

I would also probably shy away from the Importer that tried to sell you that motor as a 1.8

 

This. Nearly 15 years ago, Jeff did a rebuild for me that lasted > 10 years at 18 psi. I do my own rebuilds now, but I still take the wife's car in. He's great and reasonably priced.

 

Well after receiving a **** motor from the JDM importer, which they took back fairly easily, I'm having John at Goumba Fab take apart my current engine's bottom and and hopefully just rebuild it.

Here's what he found so far and his thoughts. The number two rod bearing was bad. Since it wasn't number four, that most likely means that oil starvation wasn't an issue. There was much more bearing material in the oil than just one cylinder worth I think. I'm going to look into that tomorrow. I think the cause of death may have been not enough bearing clearance. The number two bearing was definitely spun. The other bearings have excessive scoring on them.
More to follow.

 

Video of crankshaft.
https://youtu.be/Gn8V_t6g-pc