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Bought a white 1990 na shell for $800. Everything is there and the body looks really good, just missing some paint above the front windshield.
The last owner drove it without oil and spun a bearing and I'm buying it from a guy who bought it for 1k, pulled the engine then decided to move on.

Here's a little library of photos:

http://imgur.com/a/6yKkf

Basically, I'm very nearly broke so I want so I want something cheap I can register and use to get my feet wet at track/motorkhana events in Melbourne where I now live. Planning to rip out everything not necessary from engine bay but otherwise, I'm happy with stock power for now. Mr Bevis is giving me a hand to tow it and even to put the engine in because I'm a bit of a mechanical scrub and I live in a block of flats with no garage, what a top guy.

needs:
- a new engine, probably a 1.6 (trying to source this week)
- passenger side mirror
- some paint on paint flakes
- I'm sure more stuff

long story short, who has an engine in Melbourne? aiming for <=$800 as an absolute maximum.

I like the look of this 1.6 on ebay: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/172576231292 ... EBIDX%3AIT

This a 1.6 from a Japanese half cut, apparently has 100,000kms (this could be wildly different from its actual kms) and old mate said he'd take $900 for it picked up from Melbourne.

I have also enquired with a mazda wrecker who is yet to get back to me: http://www.allmaz.com.au/

If you haven't already join some of the facebook mx5 buy/sell groups, there is a guy on there called Jan who is constantly wrecking NAs and NBs and is based in Melbourne. I've never purchased anything from him but his prices are usually pretty cheap. I'm sure he would have spare 1.6 lying around.

Hen10 wrote:If you haven't already join some of the facebook mx5 buy/sell groups, there is a guy on there called Jan who is constantly wrecking NAs and NBs and is based in Melbourne. I've never purchased anything from him but his prices are usually pretty cheap. I'm sure he would have spare 1.6 lying around.

hot tip, I'll send him a msg

yeah i follow all the groups, haven't seen anything in melbourne yet

Yahn also advertises regularly on Gumtree: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-seller/yahn/1000344312

righto here are my options, the following are all 1.6 engines

Allmaz ~60,000kms $1200
japan halfcut motor ~100,000kms $900
Allmaz ~120,000kms $950
Jan's 1.6 ~215,000kms $350

Going to sleep on it before I decide lol, but leaning towards Jan's engine

If your plan is to keep it low cost Jans seems like the way to go. Do the timing belt and water pump while it's out of the car and easily accessible and enjoy a sub $1500 mx5!

Why not 1.8?
Why are you not driving your turbo NB?

The American wrote:Why not 1.8?
Why are you not driving your turbo NB?

I moved to Melbourne so I left mine in my old mans garage back in NSW. I'd be parked on the street if it was here and as mods ruin the affordability of insurance I'd be very sad if something happened to it plus who can say no to ANOTHER mx5 lol


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matetoogood wrote:Jan's 1.6 ~215,000kms $350

Going to sleep on it before I decide lol, but leaning towards Jan's engine

Take the punt on the $350 one.

So many NA's past that 200k km mark. If it was maintained to any standard it should be good.

I've just added Forced Induction to mine at 237k kms and it doesnt feel or sound like it's going to give up any time soon.


But buy a 1.8 if you can for an *affordable* price

Might want to consider the affect on class the 1.8 might have.

10/10 for price.
I paid $800 (too much in hindsight) for my white NA shell and it was stripped to all buggery.

$1000 is way too much for a 1.6. By from Jan, he's a genuinely good guy.

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I have also been offered a pretty good sounding nb8a engine with ~140,000kms for $1100

How hard is the conversion?




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93_Clubman wrote:Might want to consider the affect on class the 1.8 might have.

is in relation to racing or rego?