We receive emails every day dealing with the subject of engine construction. How much power can which of our engines handle? Which engine configuration is right for my project? We will go into these questions in detail in today's blog.
What do I get as an engine at SPS?
Our engines are very popular products for customers who already have a major increase in performance or who want to convert directly to a forged engine with the corresponding additional components. We treat the engine itself as a replacement product. So we need your engine from us when building the new engine. If your engine is still usable for your desired conversion, we can process exactly your engine accordingly.
The package of the engine then includes the complete base engine without attachments such as alternator, servo pump, etc. The engine is completely refurbished, stored and re-sealed by us. So the engine is like new afterwards!
Depending on the selected stage and intended use, a large number of components inside the engine are renewed. Basically, the stages can be divided as follows:
Stage 1:
- Engine block drilled, finely honed and completely re-sealed
- Cylinder head dismantled, cleaned and leveled
- Valves ground in again, seats milled, valves fitted and valve clearance adjusted
- Valve cover ventilation converted (only NA/NB/NBFL)
- Connecting rod renewed
- New bearings for crankshaft and connecting rod
- timing belt / timing chain and water pump renewed
- Studs used for cylinder head (only for turbo engines)
- Spark plugs renewed
- Oil pump renewed
- Piston kit installed
- Coolant Reroute installed (only NA/NB/NBFL)
- Crankshaft pulley replaced with Fluidampr (only NA/NB/NBFL)
- Cylinder head gasket and all required seals renewed
- Timing belt covers renewed (only NA / NB / NBFL)
Stage 2:
- All modifications from Stage 1
- Studs used for main bearings (turbo engines only)
- Camshafts / if necessary camshaft set installed
- Adjustable camshaft gears installed and camshafts calibrated
- Different head studs so that the engine can withstand more boost pressure (only NA/NB/NBFL turbo engines)
Stage 3:
- All modifications from Stage 2
- Full cylinder head machining
- Cylinder head studs specially made for us installed (only NA/NB/NBFL turbo engines)
- Upgrade piston kit installed
- Compared to Stage 2, a sharper camshaft set with adjustable camshaft gears installed and camshafts calibrated
The individual parts of these motors can also be ordered as a engine parts package for conversion at home. But which of these stages is the right one for my project?
Basically, the engines can be pre-structured after use. Stage 1 engines are absolutely great for road use. Due to the OEM or (for naturally aspirated engines) relatively tame camshafts, a clean idling and good starting behavior is guaranteed at all times. This motor can definitely be used on occasional track days in its specified performance range.
The Stage 2 series is a bit more racetrack-oriented with 70% use on the road and 30% racetrack use. So if you like to drive to the racetrack, you should settle here. With naturally aspirated engines of the series MX-5 NA/NB/NBFL you should definitely use a ITB system, which we offer for the respective models in our shop.
Stage 3 represents the last stage of our complete engines. Accordingly, the absolute focus here is on 100% racetrack. Due to the extreme camshaft sets and the cylinder head machining, the engines run a little more irregularly in idle, but develop all the more power in the rev-range for which they were designed. This stage is no longer designed for road traffic.
In addition to the engines and their parts packages, we also offer engine overhauls and associated parts packages. The engine revision parts package is also intended for self-installation at home. The motor goes through the same processing steps as with the complete engines. Accordingly, the engine block is re-drilled, finely honed and completely re-sealed. The cylinder head is getting dismantled, cleaned, leveled and completed. In addition, all bearings and seals inside the engine are replaced. The timing belt, water pump and all timing belt covers will also be renewed and a new thermostat will be installed.
Do you have any questions about engine construction? Then just write us an email or comment on this blog post, we will be happy to help you!
Your SPS Motorsport Team