Rebuilding engine, tips on where to buy kits

chrons_rotary · Postby **chrons_rotary** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 6:26 pm

I'm planning on rebuilding an NB8B engine for my NA8, and was wondering where people buy their rebuild parts from (pistons, rods, gaskets, etc)?
Also an approximate price for them.

Cheers,
Ken.

Postby **Okibi** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 8:02 pm

On this forum!

From the forum sponsors at the top and bottom of each page.

There may also be some unused parts on ebay occasionally.

(note to self, put spare pistons on ebay for Ken to buy)

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 8:27 pm

If you are rebuilding an engine- any engine then it's condition needs to be assessed. An extensive engine rebuild can be an expensive proposition for a professional to do the work and even more problematic for an amateur to assess what needs to be replaced. Sourcing anything is always the same answer ie go to sources that carry the parts.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 8:31 pm

Remember that half the parts cannot be ordered until the engine has been dissassembled and tolerences checked.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 9:14 pm

X2. It's a luxury to have one engine in the car while you can get the one on the bench built right.

Assess the condition of everything you've got first before you source parts. If you're doing a fairly standard rebuild then:
- MX5parts.co.uk for the Victor Reinz head gasket, better made and much cheaper than Mazda's, also thinner if you're staying n/a, probably worth getting the whole MX5parts head or engine gasket set at the same time, though CNS on ebay US are pretty good too
- OEM Mazda for crank bolt and key, front and rear crank seals, cam cover gasket and cam seals, even if you buy them over the top of a cheaper full gasket set
- can you still get ACL Race bearings?
- Gates belts
- NPR rings
- GMB water pump
- Repco steel PCV
- Ryco oil filter
- Precision Shims in Melbourne for valve shims
- test your valve springs against factory specs, replace with new OEM (from US Mazda dealers) up to 7200 rpm or fork out for Supertechs above that
- pistons and rods to taste
- ARP head studs and bearing bolts are an option

Take your time to source them. Google and ebay US are your friends. Be very certain that each part is precisely specified for your BP4W motor.

chrons_rotary · Postby **chrons_rotary** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 11:30 pm

Thanks for the quick replies guys.
Car is currently T28 turbo'd with roughly 240whp, with plans of keeping it that way. I dont need any more than 250hp, would be pointless trying for more with only 205 tyres.
Engine apparently only has 110,000kms on it, but will most likely be pulling it all down to check all wear/tolerances.
I'm running a MSPNP2 for a 94-95 NA8, and will obviously need a VVTuner box to run the VVT, for which i've budgeted, and also may need to do some wiring changes.
IIRC the CR of the NB8B engine is 10:1, so will probably need low comp pistons aswell.
Theres no rush to pull the current engine out as its running fine, but blowing a bit of smoke when cold, possibly due to leaking stem seals.

Thanks guys,
Ken.

Pamex · Postby **Pamex** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 12:22 am

ACL now have very limited stock (obviously). You may still be able to get some stuff. I've bought some ACL supplies recently. Sadly... it may be a no on them though. Depends what you're after and what's left.

Every time I stumble across an ACL packet I sigh a little.

Before you tear it down, I'd recommend a compression test. I'd definitely hold off ordering anything until you've torn it down though. Just in case you find a nice little fracture or the like. You may end up going with a different head/ block/ engine and then will need to purchase to suit.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 11:28 am

ACL is a tragedy for Tassie. Still some left in the States for us: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ACL-Race-Mai ... 58&vxp=mtr

Stupid that they were always far, far cheaper there than where they were made.

A.Chen89 · Postby **A.Chen89** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 1:32 pm

Rosenthal Arlington mazda from the US for gaskets seals etc

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 2:59 pm

A.Chen89 wrote:Rosenthal Arlington mazda from the US for gaskets seals etc

Thanks for that. I'd been trying to think of their name for a while.

noobee · Postby **noobee** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 8:12 pm

manga_blue wrote:ACL is a tragedy for Tassie. Still some left in the States for us: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ACL-Race-Mai ... 58&vxp=mtr

Stupid that they were always far, far cheaper there than where they were made.

what happened to ACL?

Pamex · Postby **Pamex** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 8:17 pm

They are no more.

taminga16 · Postby **taminga16** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 10:02 pm

Go and have a talk with Dann, he is not far from you.
Greg.

noobee · Postby **noobee** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 10:55 pm

yeah,we talk to Dann a bit,he's only about 2 k's east of me.(I am Ken's father)he did Ken's turbo setup and he'll be doing mine if I actually get round to it.he did a nice exhaust and a very neat set of toyota cops on a previous na6 I had.Ken's engine will probably just need a freshen up(or Ken might have bigger ideas).
we just need plenty of ideas on where other people buy stuff.(for instance I didn't know ACL is gone)
I've been a machinist by trade for 30+years and reasonably experienced at rebuilding engines over the years(got no small machines at work anymore though to do this sort of work if he needs it).
Mick