Page 1 of 1

Where to source used Miata engines ?

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 10:57 am
by Mako Koiwai
Dr. Marcelo C ... who bought Dan Shaws 2000 NB Miata, blew the engine at WSI recently. What are sources for good used engines?

Later in the year WE'LL be looking for a VVT Miata engine ourselves, as a base for our SCCA STL engine build

Re: Where to source used Miata engines ?

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 12:36 pm
by Kurt Rahn
Mr. Berry to the white courtesy phone...

Re: Where to source used Miata engines ?

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 3:42 pm
by Craig Naylor
Hi Mako,

When I was looking for a Trans, and Diff, I started with Tom, but everything he could find had more mileage than my broken parts. I didn't want to chance a rebuild soon after, rather than doing that on my own parts.

However, several people referred me to this guy:

(Cut and pasted from socalm.org vendors page)

SPORT IMPORTS - N. Hollywood
7054 Laurel Canyon Bl.
N. Hollywood Phone: 818.765.3333
Ask for: George Salvaged Miata parts -
Used Miata Parts with up to 50% off
OEM retail prices

The guy has a warehouse full of parts from every Gen. I picked from nearly 20 NA trans. he had in stock. For most products that matter, he has records to show the mileage at time of salvage, matching the vin on the part. My '95 trans has just under 30k miles on it. The diff had ~ 60k. Be prepared to negotiate, he starts high, hoping you don't know what the part goes for. On both parts I got him down to Craigslist / Ebay pricing, with the benefit of knowing the actual mileage.

Re: Where to source used Miata engines ?

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 3:44 pm
by Mako Koiwai
Yeah, I bought a (nice) used rear bumper from him. Didn't realize I was suppose to negotiate ... :-(

Re: Where to source used Miata engines ?

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 3:54 pm
by John Fendel
I have purchased a couple of parts for my wifes 95' from:
Project-G.
http://www.projectgla.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
626-214-5858
The used parts were in good shape and the price was fair.

Re: Where to source used Miata engines ?

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:22 pm
by Max Hayter
I bought a NC gearbox from George. It blew up and we subsequently figured out that it had been opened up previously and not repaired properly. I bought my 2nd NC gearbox from Tom. It has not blown up.

YMMV.

Re: Where to source used Miata engines ?

Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:30 pm
by Bill Schenker
I have heard many horror stories about Sports Imports. Project G guys seem to good guys and are friends of friends - try there first, I'd say.

Re: Where to source used Miata engines ?

Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 8:33 pm
by Steve Lepper
I'm with Max on this one... I will never buy a mechanical part from Sports Imports.

Make a call to Mazdaspeed... last year when I needed a crate engine they had some really great prices on complete, new engines.