aaarrgggh bottom ends just gone on my V1 93 type RA, wasn't even pushing the car hard, just tootling home (maybe it was chasing down that civic type R yesterday) started with a small rattle, sounded like the exhaust heat shield (just had the downpipe off last week to weld it up.. again) then sounded like exhaust was blowing. then noticed the oil pressure was low, low and was only building slowly. got home and my mate had a listen and confirmed what I thought, one (or more) of the big ends has gone the car has top oil every 6 months, belts every 2 years, has had thousands thrown at it, dunno whether to cut my losses, (but doubt I would even get my money back breaking it) my mate reckons, as I can get the engine out myself and strip it, it wouldnt be too dear to have crank ground and new shells, with gaskets maybe 300-500 ? bearing in mind I would decat the up pipe and downpipe whilst I was in there, so have to factor that cost in, as well as an adrew carr remap on top question is, it be worth doing it ??? the cars is prob only worth 2k
not many v1 ra,s about in standerd form i would sort it and keep it hope fully in years 2 come they will go up in price like the escorts 8)
there is a 97 STI engine for sale on Flea bay ? seller claims 60k miles, no knocks or rattles, buy it now £ 250 does that seem too good to be true ? only over west yorkshire however 0 feedback....tempting but is it worth a risk, I dunno ? this has just come at the wrong time, my missus in the final 6 months of her masters degree she is currently on work placement (unpaid) but has to commute to Colne every day, this is costing us £ 200 a month in fuel alone, plus another £ 200 a month in childcare, as we both work till 6. we have a bit of savings, but that's to cover her costs until this course is done and dusted or do I go the other route I see 1500 in parts breaking good wheels and tyres nearly new stage 2 400bhp clutch with only 4k miles on it spoiler lightweight boot and bonnet short ratio box Nurspec Blitz exhaust ECU with mappable daughter board my mates got a £200 fiesta to get me to work for the time being till we are in a better position financially I might even get some of my insurance back est £300 I REALLY don't know what to do.... the car has some sentimentality, as it was my step dads, who we lost to cancer 18 months ago, but I don't think he would be happy if I let the sentimentality screw us up financially.
There is this 97 STi complete motor on Ebay would this have a stronger bottom end than the original closed deck type RA motor, the guy says he just wants it out of the way as he has replaced/upgraded the PS on the STI is lower as 250 PS compared to 278 (for the RA) saying that, how many GeeGees have been lost in my RA engine over the years anyway but it would get me out of a hole at the right money
I wouldn't bother with a £250 eBay engine to be honest, what are the chances it's a good un? Apart from the fact it's from yorkshire, Bradford? As Brian said you don't get much life out of a re-grinded crank, Best bet would be a Newage Sti block and then as and when get the CDB RA engine refurbed would be my advice, I'd say the repair all in is probablly gonna cost what the car is worth as it stands, Time to do some thinking but I'd keep it being a V1 RA personally. Gaz.
