Rebuild or Import

[Ansell]

Howsit guys,

I'm saving up to do a bottom end and top end rebuild on my 1800 8v (mp9).
Its done about 300 000ks but just wanted to get a few opinions.
Would you advise a 2.0 8v import or the 1.8 rebuild?
I know 2.0 is 2.0 and 1.8 is 1.8 BUT new is new and import is not.
As far as I know the rebuild is going to cost quite a bit less.
Any advice?

Thanks!

[PapaJo]

You would probably need to go oversize on current block depending if there is a deep ridge in block, else you only need to hone the bores.

Depending on the condition of pistons and wear on the ring lands, possible piston replacement.

If both above conditions are there, consider rebore to oversize and go to 1900 conversion as you would in both cases need new pistons and rebore and price difference would not be much. In this case you keep your block and dies not need to get clearance done on motor.

If you go for import, it is recommended that you do a service on motor and replace cambelt, oil pump and oil service and check condition of crank seals as a minimum. That is on top of the cost for import motor.

I would say do a cost comparisson between the two and see which will be the best option and most cost effective.

[Ansell]

Okay cool, thank you. Ill do a comparison between the two and see how it looks. The 2L would be nice because it would be a little more punchy but if I can save a couple bucks on the rebuild compared to the import route then I would prefer that because student budget etc. I was thinking that if I did decide to do the rebuild that I would consider doing a mild cam like a 268 or 272 with a unichip. I would like to keep my mp9 though because I still want to try and maintain the best fuel consumption as possible but this would be in the future. Thank you bud

[panic-mechanic]

The only way you will save on a rebuild being cheapwr than an import is if you can do all the work yourself.
If you have to pay for labour forget it.