Engine died...Please help!

[templar75]

okay guys, here's my problem. I was on my way to work and my car(92 5spd RS w/ roughly 80k on the clock) started to make a loud ticking noise, and I mean loud. It stalled out in neutral a couple of times, but I was able to start it again. The engine kept making the loud ticking noise, getting progressively worse. The noise got louder and quicker when I would accelerate or when the rpm's would go up. As soon as I got off worked, I limped the car to the mechanic and had them take a look. They told me my valves were possibly bad (I checked, they seem alright) and that my crank was ''all cranked out'' and that it would be 2k to replace the motor. To make things worse, on the way home from the mechanic (I didnt have 2k to spend on the car, especially since I only paid 1800 for it) the car made the same LOUD ticking noise and then a *pop* sound and shut off. Now it wont start, wont turn over, it wont even try and crank to start. I'm hoping to swap out the motor, but if there is anything I can check/repair to get the car back on the road I'd love to be able to do so. ANY help would be greatly appreciated; I know there are a ton of you guys on here that know alot about mx-3s. thanks!

[OsoSlo z28]

sounds like you lost a rod

[templar75]

lost a rod eh? so I'd have to open it up and tear down the block to replace that, right? I'm not worried about how long it will take to fix it, I'm just concerned about how much its going to cost. Do you think it would be worth it to try and repair the current motor or just save for a while and drop in something else instead? I'd like to have the car running if the only thing wrong with it is a bad rod.

[OsoSlo z28]

"if" that is what happened, you'd be better off just buying another motor unless you plan to build up the motor for performance anyway. you can find used motors around the $400 range.

[templar75]

400 range eh? Im trying to locate a b6t for cheap, but hey who isn't lol. what kind of motor were you referring to for 400? I'd like to at least upgrade to a dohc..I don't see the point in spending 400 dollars just to have another 88 hp 'beast' under the hood.