Engine Builders in TO or surrounding area

[Mazda6smtx]

Hey everyone,

I spun bearing at the beginning of the summer after coming home from some autoX in Ohio, so if anyone was wondering why the Mazda6 wasn't at any of the events this year that's the reason.

I have swapped the motor with one I got from a scrap yard but the thing burns oil like crazy about 1 liter a month. So I'm now looking to get the cars original motor rebuilt so I can come back to the tracks and AutoX and not dread something is going to happen with this motor.

So my question to you all is, can you recommend anyone who builds quality motors. My budget is about $5000 which seems is double what most shops are quoting me a straight rebuild. I'm not looking for a miracle motor just one that's reliable, I"m happy with the power of the motor now and don't need anymore.

I'm located at Keele and Rutherford so the closer to home the better but I will drive to the outskirts if need be. I can deliver the motor myself so there is no need to worry about the logistics.

Thanks,
-Paul

[Pete@Marcor]

Hey everyone,

I spun bearing at the beginning of the summer after coming home from some autoX in Ohio, so if anyone was wondering why the Mazda6 wasn't at any of the events this year that's the reason.

I have swapped the motor with one I got from a scrap yard but the thing burns oil like crazy about 1 liter a month. So I'm now looking to get the cars original motor rebuilt so I can come back to the tracks and AutoX and not dread something is going to happen with this motor.

So my question to you all is, can you recommend anyone who builds quality motors. My budget is about $5000 which seems is double what most shops are quoting me a straight rebuild. I'm not looking for a miracle motor just one that's reliable, I"m happy with the power of the motor now and don't need anymore.

I'm located at Keele and Rutherford so the closer to home the better but I will drive to the outskirts if need be. I can deliver the motor myself so there is no need to worry about the logistics.

Thanks,
-Paul

Gord Bush is one of the best guys around, but I have no idea what he would charge. I don't know how to get hold of him, but his shop is in the west end, around Weston, from what I hear.

[Tashko]

Gord Bush:

http://www.gordbushperformance.com/about.htm

$5000 seems like more than enough unless you are doing something to the internals. I assume you're just bringing them the long block. It might save you some money to take the head off yourself and just bring them the short block + head seperated.

[yellowhotshoe]

Just a flyer, but try Al Balinsky at Scarborough Mazda. He should be able to help you.

[Slowpoke]

I assume that you're thinking of rebuilding your original engine and swap it in for the oil burner for the convenience? Depending on what got taken out in the carnage, it might be cheaper to redo your oil burner engine, as that's probably just regular wear and tear.

The cost depends a little bit on how much disassembly work you're willing to do yourself, but mostly on how deep you want to go. Also, did it go at high RPM? How far did you drive once the bearing failed? That will help decide how many parts you need to replace. But then, there's just luck too.

Your heads at least need to be disassembled, inspected and flushed to get any bearing particles out. Might as well change the cam bearings, do the valve seals and reset all the valve clearances. Hope that bearing particles didn't score your cams and that the pistons didn't hit any valves or the heads, or you might want to just look for used heads. Heads ain't cheap.

It might be possible to machine your crank and use oversized bearings, or it might be cheaper/easier to buy a new one / hunt for a used one.

Then, how badly damaged was your block? Probably scored in the least and it will need honing, sleeving, or complete replacement.

$5000 for your spun bearing engine might not be possible depending on carnage. But to rebuild your oil burner, it surely should.

Yoshio at http://www.japanese-auto.com uses Gord for his machining. So does Canjam to the best of my knowledge. Gord is highly recommended.

There's also Cesar at http://www.mississaugaengines.net who is cheaper for a lot of services than Gord. And http://www.scarboroughengine.com But it's important for you to go and talk to the different business owners, tour the facilities, and make sure that you are comfortable with the shop that you choose.


P.S.: If, like you say, you want to have confidence in your motor going back to the track you'll also need someone to try to figure out WHY you spun a bearing in the first place. (If you don't already know.) Oil starvation, crank walk, etc. And address those issues. Upgraded baffled oil pan? Oil cooler? etc.

[Mazda6smtx]

Thanks for the insight Slowpoke.

The motor died from oil starvation, so far as I can tell. I was due for an oil change when I can back from Ohio and the bearing spun on my way home from work the next day.

The engine is the 3L duratec which is known for crank walk at high RPM, I have since purchased a harmonic damper for the oil burner to help relive this issue. There is definitely a difference in driving with it installed.

I drove the engine about 10km at 3000rpm highway and when I got off the highway I could hear the sound of the bearing. I have not taken the motor apart to see exactly what the damage is as of yet. (Mostly because I was in Trade school 6 days a week following the motor change). I have the tools to rebuild an engine at home which I have done before but it was a working motor that I rebuilt not one that required machining.

I think I will take you advice and take apart the motor first then bring it to the shops you mention and see what they say and decide if it's worth it or not.