S14...

[MR 325]

In my opinion [although I have no first hand expierence] the S14 is toally reliable 100k and under.

True?

[AdamF 88iS]

And as far as track motors go, I've built my share of 2.5L S14s without any drama. One particular one had around 300 crank hp. It lasted 2.5 seasons, and even then the only reason it died was because it threw the fan belt and overheated. The cause was discovered to be some cheapo brand belt that the guy installed.

[AdamF 88iS]

In my opinion [although I have no first hand expierence] the S14 is toally reliable 100k and under.

True?

See my first post.

A properly maintained stock S14 won't need rod bearings until 150-160k miles. At that time you can put new bearings in the motor by dropping the oil pan and run it well past 200k. I'm speaking from first hand experience on this.

[browntown]

crap I think I just made a mess in my underpants over Ron Checca's car.

[europeanplates]

Ron's car is sweet. I hope to have him redo the motor when it is time. S14 is a great motor. I think a lot of the stories out there are pretty easy to explain. These cars see a lot of track time. Track time is different then putting aroudn the street. Hence the motors will go as will any track car faster then a street car.

Tyler

[AutoM3otives]

I'm currently running 160k miles on mine.

Changed rod bearings, oil pump, installed oil pan baffle per Adam's advice no more than a couple weeks ago.

Rest is stock internals.

Runs like a champ.

[Low Level E30]

They need attentive owners who dont rev the piss out of them on a cold engine

Oh God I hate that!

[blunttech]

DAMN, ive never seen checcas car. thats one serious car.
my s14 has 80k on it. im doing rod bearings and checking timing components while its tore down but its going back together with just new seals.

[jht3]

the S14 isn't an unreliable engine. the problem lies in how it gets driven and by whom. many s14's see high rpms and hard driving more than other engines

also, race built engines are running higher compression and stay longer above 5k rpm than a similar stock street engine. a stock 2.3 will last over 200k before needing a rebuild if it's been maintained. there's no reason a 2.5 can't either but most get built with uprated springs, more aggressive cams, and get driven harder on the track

an S14 in a 2002 is just sweet

[Charlie]

Why is it all I ever hear about s14s is people spinning rod bearings and constant rebuilding of the engine? Are they really that unreliable or has the proper preventive maintenence not been performed?

Let me be a bit more specific. The idea of an M2 is very intriguing to me as a track car, 2000lbs stripped/250hp 2.5L S14, you do the math. But the reliability of the s14 scares me, especially a screaming 2.5L track monster. I know about the costs of building one, so i dont need a lecture on that. But if I have to teardown and rebuild it after every trackday, I'll pass. With only 1 ton to worry about, it wouldnt have to be a balls out motor. Even a stock motor in a full-interior car gives a 12lb/hp ratio.

So basically, can a moderately high performance s14 be reliable on the track?

S14's aren't unreliable. They are high(er) maintence than a "modern" car, and fairly pricey when it comes to components, so a lot of people that buy the cars neglect tons of items. I don't see the S14 a lot differently than a 60's era performance car in terms of needing more work at under 100k, to keep it in top shape, you need to do a lot of little gaskets and other stuff that you would overlook on a more utilitarian motor such as the m20 or the m50.

A neglected m20 isn't hard or particularly expensive to freshen up or rebuild. A neglected S14 is a money pit.

-Charlie

[73mpower]

Just built 2.5 S14 for customer's practice /track car..
He spun rod brngs, due to oil loss. Had stock pan with baffle. Susp caused too much g force, lost oil pick up. Built mild 2.5, engine dyno'd at 265 on pump fuel. Expensive but bullet proof.

[madjurgen]

Just built 2.5 S14 for customer's practice /track car..
He spun rod brngs, due to oil loss. Had stock pan with baffle. Susp caused too much g force, lost oil pick up. Built mild 2.5, engine dyno'd at 265 on pump fuel. Expensive but bullet proof.

I thought the baffle is supposed to prevent exactly that from happening? Is the only fix for that a dry sump system?

Noob question: When you spin a rod bearing, do you have to replace the rod as well or just the bearing?

[Stu]

I agree with Chris and AdamF. They are reliable as long as they're cared for with preventative maitenence, and the pan baffle is a must. The 2.5 S14 engine that won the first CCA club race in '95 is still running, though now in a street car, untouched since '94 and still making 215whp. I'll be pleased if my twin-cam can last that long without needing a rebuild.

[Mot]

See my first post.

A properly maintained stock S14 won't need rod bearings until 150-160k miles. At that time you can put new bearings in the motor by dropping the oil pan and run it well past 200k. I'm speaking from first hand experience on this.

so true, my freinds s14 had 203k miles on it, had perfect compression pulled just as hard as ever. All he did was change the oil every 2500 miles, never ran it cold, and maintaned it with responability.

[madjurgen]

http://www.m2bmw.com/cooper.htm

inspiration