So... Depending on what Groove Mazda tells me today, I may be in the market for a reputable shop to rebuild my engine and/or replace my turbo.

Had a bit of a catastrophic failure last night going down I-25, and while I don't know the extent of it, I'm hopeful that I just detonated the turbo and my block is still sound.

Anyhow... I'm really only looking for recommendations of shops that you have first-hand experience with (or maybe work at). Chances are I'll pass on OEM stuff, and just use this situation as my opportunity to get a brawnier turbo. If Groove says that they are okay with me buying aftermarket parts for them to put humpty dumpty back together with, then my decision may already be made. If they stipulate OEM though, I'll have some thinking to do.

Thanks in advance, if you have some leads for me. I'm looking for real pros here.

I wish you luck. I anticipate you will be looking for shop services elsewhere after seeing their quote, based upon my own experience. If it's covered by warranty, that's another thing entirely.

That sucks Brandon Hope you get it back up and running,
Let me know if you need anything, (a ride, stress-relieving-herbals... )

Thanks Alain. I got my service estimate from them, and it's about what I expected for a W.C.S. (read: blown up engine).

Turns out I did window the block, so I'm looking at about $7000 out the door, but that's reusing the turbo that I have now. Not something that I think I want to do, considering... But on the upside it's for a complete oil pan -to- valve cover engine. Pistons, rods, crank will all be included.

Time to do some deep thinking and see what I want to do with this car. I like the idea of a full on built motor, but we'll see how the math stacks up.

Best of luck to you Brandon. It's nice to see you taking this in stride.

Alain, I'm gonna need some of that smoke...

I'd talk to one of the tuner shops. $7k buys a lot of engine. Even if you hold off on the turbo for now, a stout bottom end would be a bunch of fun. Do you have few enough miles to re-use the head, or did that go too?

So, part of the engine is now missing. That means you have a tremendous amount of metal in the engine. Everything that had engine oil running through it is now trash: Turbo, block, head, oil cooler, associated oil lines, oil pump, etc.
Basically everything.
Sorry I have to put it like this but, if you were to reuse anything from that list there will be residual metal shavings that will put you back in the same boat again.

Best of luck on the new build and future mods

-Pat

Never really thought of it like that Pat. I'll keep that in mind.

Sorry, man. Wish I knew of a shop up there, but I won't be much help. Makes me worry all over again. Any idea why it happened?

No real idea why it happened to be honest. I actually didn't even have any tune on the car when it occured, since I had just uninstalled my Cobb.

It was just one of those flash-bang (literally) things.

I have seen a couple motors on MSF for WAY less than that. and if you want to go HUGE power, pick up a cheap used motor, and send it to Pablo over in NJ.

best of luck to you man, if you need any wrench turners, let me know.

Talbot was also mentioning Pablo's association with the Speed Forums. Not sure I want to turn this ordeal into a trans-country ordeal, but if I have my druthers, I definitely would like a "built" engine over one that brand new from the Mazda. Especially if the $$$ is similar.

~Barn~ wrote:Talbot was also mentioning Pablo's association with the Speed Forums. Not sure I want to turn this ordeal into a trans-country ordeal, but if I have my druthers, I definitely would like a "built" engine over one that brand new from the Mazda. Especially if the $$$ is similar.

so, is your head still salvageable?

According to Pat's comment (see above) nothing is able to be saved (?).

You can still clean out the head and reuse it. Knowing these engines with their DI, you'd want to get head work done and have the valves all gone over, cleaned and everything. I ended up spending about $800 in headwork as 3 valves didn't seal plus had it ported and polished...Alan from Edge was saying you can get a short block from Mazda for about $1400...and then have it rebuilt.

On topic with shops, call Bob and Thompson Automotive. They're on Santa Fe and Union, ironically right next door to Edge. The rebuilt my motor as well as did the turbo swap for COspeed6. He can give you some honest, straight forward answers to some of your questions. Dude knows what he's talking about as well, has built the fastest DSM in CO as well as a 9 second Supra. He is a good good guy to talk and deal with.


Edit: a guy is selling a fully built long block on MSF that was built by Pablo for $5k...hop on that shit NOW!!!