Jdmage_mx5 Project Drain Wallet

[jdmage_mx5]

I have slowly come along from when I first bought my 2010 MS3 in October of '09. (Mods are in my signature) but the time has come for me to build a motor. So far we have at least 3 fully built motors in AR and I'm itching to join the club.

My current motor has 61,000 miles and runs great but I recently came across a good deal for a used long block.

Hopefully by the end of the week I will be able to post some photos of the soon to be long block sitting my garage waiting for time to tear down.

[CosmicArkie]

I love a man with a plan....

[jdmage_mx5]

While I am waiting for the long block to arrive I have started looking at hard part upgrades that will benefit me now and with a built motor. Looking at changing out:

- Corksport v1 OCC for JBR stage 2 (The more I think about it, I like the JBR routing better with the check valve)

- CPE TMIC for CPE FMIC with crash bar

- Cobb AP v2 for a v3 (getting jealous of all those with more screen real-estate)

- Corksport down pipe with ebay test pipe with a CNT full long down pipe

[jdmage_mx5]

Just purchased Corksport PMM and RMM with 70 & 80 inserts to accompany my Corksport TMM inserts. I have to keep the wife and kid happy so we shall see how well the NVH are kept at bay.

[jdmage_mx5]

After a lot of stress and what seemed like forever a new to me block is sleeping quietly in my garage tonight. This weekend I'll start the strip down and get it ready for the machine shop. I'm going to pick up an engine stand tomorrow hopefully.

[jdmage_mx5]

Ended up going with a catted CPE downpipe instead of CNT. The quality is amazing. Also for the sake of pictures here is some from the FMIC install. Also changed over to a Synapse SB BPV.

[btstarcher]

Just joining the party, sorry I'm late! Hey Jim, you're green again!

[taf0422]

Looking good so far. Good luck on the build.

[jbmazda6]

Good luck Justin. In for updates

[CosmicArkie]

Originally Posted by btstarcher Just joining the party, sorry I'm late! Hey Jim, you're green again!

I was in a hotel in Armpit, NM so I waited till early am to get on paypal hoping to not get hacked.

[jdmage_mx5]

Finally mounted the block to a stand and started stripping it of components. I'm hoping to have it in a machine shop by next month. After the block is looked over I will decide on which rods/pistons I want to run. Baby steps!

[btstarcher]

High compression?

[jdmage_mx5]

After seeing your luck NO! LOL I haven't decided yet. Honestly I keep looking at CP-E stage3 pistons but I'm not 100% sure yet. Still researching, that's where I spend most of my time instead of wrenching.

Although, give me a good sunny day like yesterday and there is nothing more relaxing then wrenching on an engine with plenty of room to work and no deadline. It was just me, Pandora radio, and the block. It made for a perfect lunch break.

[jdmage_mx5]

Got the head off today. Cyl 1 looks oddly clean at the front and back but everything else seems even. All photos are loaded respectively from cyl1 - cyl4 starting at the timing chain area.

[nojjy]

If you need a hand, let me know.

[jdmage_mx5]

Thanks! I've just been going out and pulling bolts here and there.

[finalspeed]

You have my number if you need anything.

[jdmage_mx5]

So quick question. Are the cams trash or is it normal to have small worn grooves where the oil channels are? You can barely feel them with your fingernail but you can feel them. The head and cam caps look to be in great shape but I'm slightly concerned about the cams.

(Random photos of the intake cam)

[btstarcher]

I remember posting a picture of my cams when I suspected a problem; they were discolored, but smooth. If you can catch a fingernail on it I would say replace them. They're pretty cheap, maybe $100 for both.

[CosmicArkie]

The uniformity of the journals suggests that those are planned. The lobes don't look too bad, do they?

[jdmage_mx5]

The lobes look to be in really good shape. Also as stated the head and Cam caps have a nice smooth polished finish. I do not know the history of this motor so that doesn't help the situation, it was a great deal so I can't complain too much.


Maybe Corksport will get with the game and release their cams this year!

I'll post photos of the lobes and the head tonight for reference.

[btstarcher]

When I got my block from Omar, the donor engine had obviously been abused. The cam caps had metal shavings in them and the cams had those same grooves.

[jdmage_mx5]

Yea I know this one has been abused but the weird part is the head and caps look to be great shape. Like the cams took all the abuse.

[jdmage_mx5]

Well I finally tore down the bottom end. Confirmed the reason the engine was pulled from a car. #1 cylinder the rod bearings were not even in existence. Cylinder walls look really good.

[jdmage_mx5]

Block and components are at the machine shop now. Monday I'll place my order for the Manley Pistons and H beam rods. If I have the money I'll order the stage 3 rebuild kit from edge and L19 head bolts from SpeedPerformance, depending on finances I may have to wait a week to order this stuff.

[jdmage_mx5]

Just heard back from the machinist. The two inside cylinders were distorted more than the outer two so a bore to 88mm is needed which I suspected would be the case anyways.

He also recommended a full valve/head job which is another thing I was going to do anyways. Basically replace seals, clean the head, check all valves for straightness. There is some very slight scoring on a couple of journals so naturally they will see if these are repairable before doing any other work on the head.

So far the total is about $450ish for the head to be completely reworked, and $250ish for the block work. The head was a little more than I expected but this will give me piece of mind in the future.

[HawkeyeGeoff]

Originally Posted by jdmage_mx5 Just heard back from the machinist. The two inside cylinders were distorted more than the outer two so a bore to 88mm is needed which I suspected would be the case anyways. He also recommended a full valve/head job which is another thing I was going to do anyways. Basically replace seals, clean the head, check all valves for straightness. There is some very slight scoring on a couple of journals so naturally they will see if these are repairable before doing any other work on the head. So far the total is about $450ish for the head to be completely reworked, and $250ish for the block work. The head was a little more than I expected but this will give me piece of mind in the future.

Looking good so far man! @maisonvi; is working on this as well!

[jdmage_mx5]

Well, the block is ready to go (need to arrange to pick it up this weekend), head is getting cleaned up and worked on.

Manley H beam rods, Manley 88mm Pistons, EdgeAutosport stage 3 build kit, kings bearings rod and main, perm plate, NGK spark plugs, L19 head studs, and specialty timing tools have all been ordered.

I have a set of Tokay v2 seals sitting on the workbench ready to go.

Time to start saving for a clutch and researching the possibilities.

I have a feeling the man cave is about to be occupied with OCD joy.

Assembly will take the longest. I'm looking forward to creeping along doing it bit by bit. Torque wrench in one hand and a nice IPA beer in the other.

[jdmage_mx5]

Little update for those who are following.

I pretty much have everything I need for the build although I have not even come close to finishing the assembly. I am documenting all of my measurement as I go including the ring gap, pwc, plastigauge results from crank and camshaft journals, etc.

In the mean time I have ordered a CPE exhaust manifold, Tial 44mm EWG, Kozmic dump tube, 4" HTP intake, HTP underside hot pipe..............and best of all a new HTA3076! I think between these upgrades, built motor, and hopeful purchase in the near future of a JMF manifold and 5th/6th port kit I will reach my 500+hp goal. I guess only time will tell.

PS. I picked up another short block (block, girdle, crank, rods, pistons, oil pan) that was pulled from a running CX-7 for $200. Im pretty sure I wont need it but you can never have to many short blocks laying around right?

[btstarcher]

Well I can't.....

[jdmage_mx5]

Another non motor update:

Thursday I will be swapping out the following:
GTX3071 > HTA 3076
CPE catted DP > CPE non cat DP
HTP 3.5" intake > HTP 4" intake
CPE FMIC hotpipe > HTP FMIC under mount hot pipe

as well as installing a Tial MV-R EWG, CPE exhaust manifold, Kozmic Dumptube
and porting my IM with VCTS delete, ignition wire harness tuck/clean up.

[jdmage_mx5]

This came in today.

[jdmage_mx5]

Had a pretty productive weekend. Installed the HTA3076, HTP under mount hotpipe, swapped out for a non catted dp, cpe manifold with 44mm EWG and Kozmic dump tube, HTP 4" intake and ported my IM (still need to install it).

PS I don't know what the hell CPE was thinking with the o2 sensor placement on the downpipe but just as many have read, the CPE downpipe and manifold DO NOT play well together.

[btstarcher]

So, you're slow again too? Ran into @nojjy; this morning at Starbucks. He's also slow.

[Vansquish]

So...if you're looking to offload that 3.5" HTP, I could be interested . . .

[jdmage_mx5]

I would totally give you a deal on the 3.5" intake but @nojjy; purchased it and my old turbo already.

Originally Posted by btstarcher So, you're slow again too? Ran into @nojjy; this morning at Starbucks. He's also slow.

Yea for now. Ill be send Freek some logs early this week.

[Vansquish]

Wah wah...

[jdmage_mx5]

Everything is together and running pretty good on the base map provided by Freek. Hopefully I can get some time to take a few logs for him later this week.

[nojjy]

Yep, I'm enjoying the BT slows, also. Thanks a ton to @jdmage_mx5; and Greg ( can't remember his screen name). Had a great weekend, all my knuckles are intact and wallet is completely empty. Mission accomplished.

[NCspecV81]

Originally Posted by jdmage_mx5 Everything is together and running pretty good on the base map provided by Freek. Hopefully I can get some time to take a few logs for him later this week.

hows that spool sound?