Alberto...
I'll give the reasoning behind it if I can under each of your bullets.
My reasons:
1. I can get a 1.6 for $500 off craigslist or a JDM importer (Atarco for example).
What do you do when the bore on your supposed 30k Japanese engine or salvage or street car engine that you just bought for $500.00 is too large for a decent rebuild That is the case in 75% of all the 1.6 blocks over 100k. I would bet 95% are over 100k at this point, despite what they "say" they are. get a car fax and match vin plate on oil pan and see for yourself.
2. I have seen absolutely no evidence of lack of 1.6 motors or parts. Prove it if you can.
Ask most of the engine builders, I know we see as many Miatas, probably more than anyone in the country and rarely do we get 1.6 engines in less than 125k. The problem is not as bad i the 1.8 or 99's, but it is absolutely problem with the oldest cars that happen to be 1.6's
3. $3,500 for a crate motor ain't bad and I'm sure the quality is excellent. In my brief time in SM, I've seen and read of more than a few "PRO" motors blow up w/ not much use.
Do a little research on crate motors, you will find many of them blow up as well. All these engines can and will blow up, we stress the heck out of them. More often than not it is a tuning or assembly issue.
4. I suspect that building the motor would cost about as much as a crate motor. I remember reading ad nauseum on the old site about how building a motor was much more expensive than buying a crate.
It is.
If they want to make engine rules changes, they should switch to a spec sealed engine package like other spec series IMO. IT is a builder's class. SM is a Spec class.
Sm is spec, not sealed. take a look at the SF thread on sealed engines from a month ago where one car had like 8-10 hp on the field and no one knew how or why. In a sealed engine class ( which the ship has long sailed in SM by the way) Those who prep cars will have the same advantage or more IMO. This has been discussed for years as well
Jim
Jim,
I appreciate your comments and insight.
A few more points and counterpoints:
1. I will accept the fact that most of the unrebuilt, non-crate motors have 100k+ miles on them and could show some hone wear and that this wear could cause the block to be un-usable. However, there are plenty of competitive, high mileage, un-opened motors out there making good power. A fellow competitor dyon'ed 115 HP on his 100K mile motor yesterday. My 89k mile motor feels strong as well.
2. If one does need to get a new motor, why not just get a crate at that point? They are $3,100 from Mazda Motorsports (just got off the phone w/ Scott). Why would having one of the vendors overbore an old motor be better than an all new motor? Especially given the past conversations on how expensive it is to rebuild a motor vs. a crate.
Regarding longevity/reliability, My research on crate motors is that they last longer than Pro motors. My past experience racing karts and speaking with people in SM that have Pro motors says that Pro motors don't last as long as crate motors. If the price is the same and longevity of a crate is better, and all the brain trust on the old forum say to get a crate instead of rebuilding, then I don't understand how all that changed...
Regarding Spec series, the Spec series that I've raced in the past all had sealed motors from a few pre-approved vendors. Heck, SCCA's Spec Racer Ford has one source for their motors and they are all sealed and SPEC. "Formula", Production and Improved classes are the ones that usually have race built engines w/ overbores and head work and such - not a Spec class. I wish they had done that from the start in this series.
By the way, I'm really NOT trying to be argumentative. I just don't understand the benefits.