190+ miles, new head, same block?

[Wherestheboost]

In the process of purchasing a fresh 420a head from concept illusions, stock w/ a purchase of mild cams, p&p and angle job. I'm mainly going to do it cause I wish to get the head gasket replaced and also the timing belt replaced. I plan to keep the block where it's at, 190k+ miles on it, smart or dumb move? I'm having a shop ( If i can find a decent one in the MD area ) to do it, as I'm always on the go.

I'm mechanically declined, have a tad $$ to spend, but obviously just trying to not spend too much while just keeping my car alive.

 

[RWKustoms]

190k on the stock motor wouldn't be a problem, I've seen a couple 420a's way over 200k back when I had my N/T. If you have the money to rebuild the motor then do it, but people say if it's not broken then don't fix it. I mean, what are your goals for the car? Are you planning on going turbo in the future? Are you planning on keeping the car around for a while?

 

[Wherestheboost]

190k on the stock motor wouldn't be a problem, I've seen a couple 420a's way over 200k back when I had my N/T. If you have the money to rebuild the motor then do it, but people say if it's not broken then don't fix it. I mean, what are your goals for the car? Are you planning on going turbo in the future? Are you planning on keeping the car around for a while?

I WANT to turbo it in the future, but I just recently bought a 2000 325i and it's my leisure car. This talon is mainly my daily commute to work 60+ miles a day. I just wish to really get the water pump, timing belt, head gasket and intake manifold gasket replaced, just so I'm not stranded one day on the highway. I have a few $$ saved up to just get it running nicely, but I figured if I have the head off, why not just swap it with a fresh cammed one? I figured to find a junked evenly compressed running motor is around 1500, to have someone put it in will put me over the 2500$ over all amount.

With a built head around 700 plus installation including timing, water, headgasket, should also put me near that mark, but with this I get a little bit of performance.

I'm not head over heels for go fast in the talon, but I'm bitter when I get walked away by a civic and im always like "Damn i wish I had my bimmer".

If not for slight N/A performance, that all in all just to keep it running. I love my lil 420a and I hate to buy another car, but this rebuild is an option im considering.

 

[RWKustoms]

Ok, I see what you're saying. I don't know how long your bottom end will continue to perform normally after seeing boost especially with that many miles. Now, you dont have to upgrade if you're going to just run low boost (6,7 or 8 lbs) but I would at least rebuild because of the mileage if money isn't an issue. I've actually seen 420A motors selling for cheaper than $1500, they're usually between $500-$1000 depending on location. I mean, turboing the car with the means of just "getting a little more kick" should be fine on the stock bottom end w/ low boost but with that many miles I would at least look to replace most major components...pistons, rings etc... This is obviously if time and money permits.

 

[Wherestheboost]

Ok, I see what you're saying. I don't know how long your bottom end will continue to perform normally after seeing boost especially with that many miles. Now, you dont have to upgrade if you're going to just run low boost (6,7 or 8 lbs) but I would at least rebuild because of the mileage if money isn't an issue. I've actually seen 420A motors selling for cheaper than $1500, they're usually between $500-$1000 depending on location. I mean, turboing the car with the means of just "getting a little more kick" should be fine on the stock bottom end w/ low boost but with that many miles I would at least look to replace most major components...pistons, rings etc... This is obviously if time and money permits.

If you know of any links/sites that sell 420A motor cheaper than 1000$ it would be helpful.

I guess turbo is outta the question. As far as N/A, cam'd head, intake manifold, normal bolt -on's, well be okay with the stock bottom?

If i can get a 420a long block cheap than I can dump $$ into a turbo kit, if not, i'll just do the head swap and invest $$ into a 1g a little later.

 

[RWKustoms]

I wouldn't say turbo is outta the question, I was just suggesting that I would at least rebuild with that many miles. How's your car running with that many miles? Has the motor been regularly maintained? Have you done a compression test lately? I know there's a lot of guys on here and on www.2gnt.com that are turbo'ed with over 150k miles. In my neck of the woods, 420A motors can be had for about $600-$700. Anything online I would recommend for that price would be Ebay, but most people on this site don't like going that route. Check with local salvage yards first or people who part out cars often. In Miami, there's a couple of guys that specifically part out only 2G Eclipses and they usually have really good prices so check locally first.

 

[Wherestheboost]

I wouldn't say turbo is outta the question, I was just suggesting that I would at least rebuild with that many miles. How's your car running with that many miles? Has the motor been regularly maintained? Have you done a compression test lately? I know there's a lot of guys on here and on www.2gnt.com that are turbo'ed with over 150k miles. In my neck of the woods, 420A motors can be had for about $600-$700. Anything online I would recommend for that price would be Ebay, but most people on this site don't like going that route. Check with local salvage yards first or people who part out cars often. In Miami, there's a couple of guys that specifically part out only 2G Eclipses and they usually have really good prices so check locally first.

Yeah locally the pricing starts around 1200+ at the salvage yards and for long blocks with 100k+ mileage. I do often check out 2gnt, but honestly I don't even like their forum set-up or the typical, "It's so easy, pick up a manual" responses, seeing as how I don't have a garage, tools nor the know how, free time, nor 420a' dsmer associates to assist me. I thought about the ebay route, but quality is definatly an issue in the back of my head when purchasing something so major off of that site.

It runs good, suprisingly strong, just rough idle due to i believe an intake gasket leak ( loud whistle, during heavy acceleration ) also the fact the idle varies, rougher in cold weather, minor in warm.

 

[RWKustoms]

You never know man, a motor with less mileage than yours might have been abused more than yours...that's the thing with buying used motors. You can turbo that thing if you want, assuming you've done your research already. As for normal bolt ons, the usual would be headers, intake, bored TB or Jeed mod, Hi Flow Cat and Catback exhaust. All these would be fine with the stock bottom end though. With that many miles though, when and if you go turbo just keep the boost low..... a lot of people say that the stock motor can handle up to 8 lbs but IMO I would stay a 6lbs. Do a compression test first to see how the motor is doing. Your new headset should include the IM to head gasket so make sure to change that. What mild cams did you buy?

 

[Wherestheboost]

You never know man, a motor with less mileage than yours might have been abused more than yours...that's the thing with buying used motors. You can turbo that thing if you want, assuming you've done your research already. As for normal bolt ons, the usual would be headers, intake, bored TB or Jeed mod, Hi Flow Cat and Catback exhaust. All these would be fine with the stock bottom end though. With that many miles though, when and if you go turbo just keep the boost low..... a lot of people say that the stock motor can handle up to 8 lbs but IMO I would stay a 6lbs. Do a compression test first to see how the motor is doing. Your new headset should include the IM to head gasket so make sure to change that. What mild cams did you buy?

I didnt actually buy them yet, but looking at the crower stage 1 cams. With a p&p head, intake manifold, exhaust manifold and an oem gst catback. I figured with that put together, I'm hoping at least to break into the high 15 sec range.

 

[link16]

You two seemed so happy discussing back and forth, but I am bored and decided to poke my head in. I am going to a VERY good machine shop later today and I will give you some price figures, I am looking to have my jasper engine with 2k miles on it equipped with eagle rods and wiseco pistons and reman the head again (givin I have the cash). I will let you know the shop name too, it has slipped my mind. Go to a junk yard and find a wrecked Talon Esi, Eclipse RS/GS drop the engine and keep the block. that way you still have a daily driver and can work on an engine, my flawless strategy. Sorry for the long read but its what I did/doing and it is working well.

P.S. I got the jasper engine out of a totaled eclipse GS for $450 with broken cam gears and an auto pressure plate.