Hey everyone, just signed up, was wondering if I could get a little advice...

Long story short my dad bought an 2004 8 back in '03 and was one of the first people on the island to get one... he's driven the crap out of it and blown the engine after 117k miles, lol. He owes me a lot of money and doesn't have the cash to fix it or the know-how and I've been thinking about asking him for it for christmas in exchange for the money he owes me. The car's in close to perfect condition, minus the blown engine, minor detail, lol.

I have a 2005 3 hatch as my car but have been looking for a project car and really think that I can do an engine swap in the spring... but if I need some help... are there any good shops you guys can recommend in the area (long island).

I've done the basics (oil change, brakes, etc.) but never anything like this but I have confidence... I hope, heh. I've kind of been toying with the idea of getting a new engine from Mazda (installed by them because of the warranty it will come with) then doing mods myself, but I'd really like to swap the engine myself.

I guess I'm asking if there have been any minor changes (improvements) in the engine since the original year and if I should go about attempting this myself... and with what year engine... or just any year I can find with reasonable mileage?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and I hope whoever got snow this weekend got to get out and do some drifting

Oh, I'm Lauren btw, and I autocross my 3, any autocross clubs on LI?

 

enzo tuning and function 7 is popular on the island, but if you don't mind driving to pennsylvania, i would HIGHLY recommend dave at KDR. he's my tuner, and he's one of the best in the business. He did SSA's 13brew swap into his 8, and the install was so perfect. Dave's prices are very fair as well, and his personality is amazing. If you have any questions, i'm in nassau.. so let me know. the meets start up again around march-april

 

you will learn a lot by installing the engine. Its not complex, but it is work.
You just must make the committment.
Many helpful things have been discovered to help with the engine.
If you need a rebuilt call Paul at Mazmart--he's also carries a warranty and his is better than Mazdas!
OD

 

Mazda made a lot of update since the original engine launched in 2003

Some parts inside the engine has gone thru 10+ revisions.

as suggested by OD above, Get a Rebuild engine from Paul @ Mazmart. One of the best in the industry. then do it yourself.

Just remember, you will need a lot of time and tools and money to do it. but its fun (I find it fun)

 

It would be an honor to build your engine and to provide the autopsy as well (For which we have become famous). I don't recommend most people attempting their own install though. There are many things that can go wrong or be forgotten; it's nice to avoid such things and keep everyone smiling .

Paul.

 

Well I don't have the car yet, I'm just finding out if it will be worth my while to propose the idea to my dad or actually get the $6k he owes me... I would love to work on it myself but I would also love a working 8 Lol. Mazmart, you're located in GA and I'm in NY, if I would take apart the engine myself and send it down there you would be able to rebuild it or would it be better to just purchase another rebuilt one? If I install it myself I assume you wouldn't provide a warranty...

Just looking at all my options and hoping I can have an awesome project car instead of just seeing it sadly sitting in my dad's driveway... currently under 28" of snow...

 

Well, if your dad can't afford to replace the motor himself I doubt he will pay you the 6k he owes you. Just get the car, swap in a new motor from Mazmart and roll.