Used 2001 Miata SE purchase help

Moderator please place this thread accordingly.

Im new here and all advise would be happily welcome.

So I' picked up a used completely stock down to the tape player! 2001 Miata SE, It has a bunch of miles on it (179k) to be exact. It does not smoke,knock and other than a lifter tick that goes away right after start up, it drives very well.

Being as paranoid as possible I immediately pulled it into the garage for a compression test and this is what I got.

dry test engine warm, plugs,coils and fuel pump relay removed.

#1 150lb
#2 140lb
#3 145lb
#4 150lb

Wet test with half a tablespoon of oil.

#1 195lb
#2 190lb
#3 185lb
#4 195lb

my question is does the bottom end need to be rebuilt or just the top end?

Welcome to MazdaRoadster.net. Moved Thread. If it were me and it runs good, then I would just do a full service and enjoy!

So those numbers are OK even if I want to supercharge later?

Drive it until you are ready to supercharge it, then you could go with forged pistons and rods, what are your power goals? No, forged internals are not necessary for 250whp. JM2C........

I was thinking 300hp at the wheels will put me where I want to be

Great, new problem today 😡, I started her up no problems. I pull out of the driveway. Get 25 ft, turn on the AC and boom engine light. Code (P0012)

Some discussion about that code here: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....ght-code-p0012

And here: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....ll=1#post94268

Those compression numbers are really pretty good for 179k. Drive it til it pops.

Ok Ill change the oil to a 5w30 synthetic and go from there. Thanks for the heads up.

I cleared the code by pulling the ground wire from the battery a few days ago, and so far the light has stayed off.

Thanks to all on this thread for taking the time to share the good advise!