Overhaulin'

Recommended mileage to stop modifing a car's engine?

Alright, we all know that the older a car gets, its usually a funny sounding idea to modify the engine. So do y'all believe there to be a recommended mileage to stop, or not perform any mods to a vehicle's engine? I'm going to be getting a 1993 Mazda Protege LX soon, and I was considering doing a few small mods to the engine, such as air intake. I have a '92 Nissan Sentra right now. All the mods lie on the interior...that's getting a little boring. I decided not to do any mods to the engine due to the Nissan having over 350,000 miles (and the thing is still going strong!). The Mazda has an estimated 250,000 (give or take a few hundred) miles on it. So what do y'all think? Throw a few mods on the Mazda or leave everything alone, and simply mess with the parts that require routine maintenance?

Public Comments

1. It would be cruel and unusual punishment to try and extract more horsepower from an engine with 250,000 miles on it.
2. an engine is never to old to stop moding it. in the process you might make the engine better. but just make sure the car that you buy the engine is in pretty good/fair shape.
3. don't mess with it, other than changing the timing belt and tensioner unless it has been done in the last 60,000 miles. This is not a hot rod or street rod even when it was new.
4. It would depend how the engine was maintained throughout its 250,000 miles. A properly maintained engine wouldn't have any problems coping with some mods. But if you're unsure as to how its been looked after its probably not wise. Alternatively you could always have the engine reconditioned or swap it for a reconditioned one.
5. No does not matter how many miles. Modify it those are new parts just make sure to keep up on all maintenance.
6. it all depends on how its been ''treated'' through out its life...mind you thats some high mileage cars you have there...you must do some travelling....best advise i can give is ''if it ain't broke,don't fix it''..
7. With that many miles, before I would attempt any mods, I would do a tear-down, check the wear on the components, rebuild as necessary. If not,go ahead and put your modifications on, and the engine may just tear itself down !