Cost of rebuild

[93_Clubman]

I have two questions. First what sort of milage could I expect to get out of a NA before the engine requires a major rebuild (i appreciate that circumstances differ depending on use and service history. Secondly what sort of price could I expect to pay for a full engine rebuild (approx only).

Pamex's NA6 has 394k kms on the odo & there are other NA6s over 300k kms & many over 200k kms. Many NA8s with over 200k kms & may be one or two with >300k kms.

Rebuild cost is of course dependent upon what needs replacing & consequent labour, but recall sweep77's rebuild cost $4-$5k a few years ago by a very good mechanic.

Btw, remember your red NA8 - are you after an NA6 or an NA8, or either? If you're after an NA8, but could live with an NB8A, then lower km examples are more common & only a bit more expensive than a lower km NA8.

[Okibi]

You may also find it cheaper to upgrade to a low km NB engine than rebuilding the older engine.

[Pamex]

Yup, I have 395 odd k on the clock now, and quickly approaching 400k (this weekend's adventure is Mt Gambier ).

As others have said, it might be more cost efficient to get a new engine. MX5 engines are comparatively cheap.

When it comes time for me to replace mine I'm planning to stick another good condition high mileage engine in and then re-build mine as time and garage space allows.

[NitroDann]

Doing the work yourself, you could throw 600 at the head sending that to the machine shop, then vrs kit bearings and rings, along with a hone would come to a few hundred more. Of course at a shop the labour would be close to 2K.

Dann