- 4,763
- Houston, TX
1.8 swap isn't near that much money. Very little has changed, and what is different will be provided in the FM kit.
Liam's NA Miata - Finally back on the road!!!
- Thread starter LeadFootLiam
- 610 comments
- 34,889 views
- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
That's what's he's charging. The fm kits for it are still out of my price range.
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,319
- United States
I don't know if it's the difference between Canadian and US currency, but where are you finding these mechanics? That's an insane amount of money and a total rip off. Do NOT go to him for the swap. The "electronics" are included in the kit and it's only a few wires. For that price you can get a whole new car...
Either way, get your engine, get some friends together, and have a weekend hanging out and swapping an engine. These cars are like the easiest cars to work on, ever.
Joey D
Premium
- 47,506
- Lakes of the North, MI
- GTP_Joey
- GTP Joey
Look, if I can swap out an engine and a transmission in a car that the engine didn't even remotely belong in, in the middle of February in Michigan, I think you could probably do it.
The price your mechanic is charging is absurd, $5000 CND is about $38000 USD, a simple engine swap shouldn't cost that if you're getting a used engine.
The price your mechanic is charging is absurd, $5000 CND is about $38000 USD, a simple engine swap shouldn't cost that if you're getting a used engine.
- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
I'll get a 1.6. Swap with new clutch and all fluids, everything, for $1300.
I'll be getting the 1.6 all I want is an engine in my car right now. I don't even have an engine hoist.
- 1,604
- Indianapolis,IN
- JrDarknes
Make sure you get a receipt for that engine, or don't even deal with that guy.
I was in the same boat as you 2 years ago. Luckily a old friend stopped on the highway and offered to help me out. Like you I wanted to have my car running as soon as possible. He said he would put a new engine for 200 dollars. As I delivered the engine to him I asked if I could watch for experience.
If I had knew swapping the engine in wasent as difficult as I thought. I would of attempted it myself and from what I assume, I'm pretty sure the Miata/Mx-5 is an easy swap.
Basically I would give a great consideration of what @Joey D said and think about getting some friends and try to attempt it yourself. I feel confident you can do it.
Though, I do understand as to why you decide to choose the mechanic to put it in as I was in the same situation as mentioned above.
I was in the same boat as you 2 years ago. Luckily a old friend stopped on the highway and offered to help me out. Like you I wanted to have my car running as soon as possible. He said he would put a new engine for 200 dollars. As I delivered the engine to him I asked if I could watch for experience.
If I had knew swapping the engine in wasent as difficult as I thought. I would of attempted it myself and from what I assume, I'm pretty sure the Miata/Mx-5 is an easy swap.
Basically I would give a great consideration of what @Joey D said and think about getting some friends and try to attempt it yourself. I feel confident you can do it.
Though, I do understand as to why you decide to choose the mechanic to put it in as I was in the same situation as mentioned above.
- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
Let me make it clear to everyone that this mechanic has 1.6 engines, and it's included in $1300 price. He will sell me an engine and swap it for $1300.
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,319
- United States
If you are staying with the 1.6, make sure you get a long nose crankshaft version.
http://www.miata.net/garage/crankshaft.html
- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
I heard about the long nose but never really knew about it. What are the benefits?
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,319
- United States
Read the link.
- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
Lol, I missed it.Read the link.
CAMAROBOY69
Premium
- 18,567
- Michigan
- CAMAROBOY69
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,319
- United States
It being used and with many miles/km's on it, probably not.
- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
@Ibonibo @R1600Turbo @CAMAROBOY69 I haven't asked him yet, I'll be sure ask him soon.
@Slash Id rather get an engine with lower mileage.
@Slash Id rather get an engine with lower mileage.
- 34,949
- Indian Falls, NY
- slashfan7964
Fair enough.
- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
Have some updates. I have to wait one more month for my engine, my mechanic has gone out of town for all of October. 
Also I found out that my buddy has a paint booth, and will let me use it to paint my car. I got started on the paint removal today.
I used paint remover and a razor to remove the paint.
I then grinder/sanded the primer off.
Still have some small details here and there. My question is can I prime it, and daily drive it? Will that ruin the primer at all with rain and dirt? Or will in not be a problem?
Also I found out that my buddy has a paint booth, and will let me use it to paint my car. I got started on the paint removal today.
I used paint remover and a razor to remove the paint.
I then grinder/sanded the primer off.
Still have some small details here and there. My question is can I prime it, and daily drive it? Will that ruin the primer at all with rain and dirt? Or will in not be a problem?
- 1,604
- Indianapolis,IN
- JrDarknes
Sucks =\, that's 31 days.
I'm not sure about the primer. When I bought my first 240 it was primed and I drove it around for a while til I got it painted and nothing happened to it, but I think it only lasts a certain amount of time.
How hard was it to remove that paint?? Gonna keep the white or get a different color?
I'm not sure about the primer. When I bought my first 240 it was primed and I drove it around for a while til I got it painted and nothing happened to it, but I think it only lasts a certain amount of time.
How hard was it to remove that paint?? Gonna keep the white or get a different color?
- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
- 1,604
- Indianapolis,IN
- JrDarknes
2 months, but it was primed when I bought it so who knows how long it actually was primed before it was painted.
I would assume, it depends on how it's primed to determine how long it will last.
- 1,435
- Mission, British Columbia
- BC_BOYZZ
It better not be sitting bare metal for very long...
- 1,759
- NZ
Primer is porous and absorbs water. It's designed to absorb the base coat layer when doing a proper paint job to help it stick. You see so many cars running around with primered panels or full cars. Everything sticks to it.
You need to dry it out if it gets wet before you go to paint it and use wax and grease remover to remove all the dirt and sand it back.
You need to dry it out if it gets wet before you go to paint it and use wax and grease remover to remove all the dirt and sand it back.
- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
That's good to know, I didn't know that about primer. I plan on having the rear end primed this month. I also ran into a big bondo patch, which I have to fix which sucks. I will post a picture later.
I put some bondo down on some dents on the trunk too and sanded it flat
Thanks for your input guys!
I put some bondo down on some dents on the trunk too and sanded it flat
Thanks for your input guys!
- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
CAMAROBOY69
Premium
- 18,567
- Michigan
- CAMAROBOY69
If you spray can primer the bare metal it will be okay for a little while depending on how many coats you apply. But do not leave it in spray can primer.
If you 2 stage epoxy primer the bare metal, like my 69 Camaro, it can stay that way for MANY years. Mine has been in epoxy primer for about 14 years. And yes it has been driven in the rain many times including the 2004 Power Tour (aka shower tour). Epoxy primer is as close to sealing your metal as paint. Your friend that owns the paint booth should know exactly what I am talking about. You might even be able to have a local paint shop mix you up a can or two so you can get by for now.
One thing is for sure, if that bare metal is left outside even 1 night, it will acquire surface rust from overnight humidity and moisture. It might not be visible, but it will be there within 24 hours. You will need to sand again before priming if you left it outside.
Also VERY correct.
Last edited:
- 2,790
- Vancouver, BC
- liampage123
I have my car in the garage so I don't have to worry about major rust. I will look into some epoxy primer. It will be better than plastidip, because i really don't want to peel it all off when the time comes to paint.
Will the paint adhere better on epoxy primer than regular primer?
Thanks
CodeRedR51
Premium
- 55,319
- United States
I don't think I have ever seen someone remove original paint that way just to repaint the car. Usually you just sand it down and paint over the old paint...
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