Mk1 1.6 vs 1.8 ?
Discussion
Am thinking I want the additional power of a 1.8 over the 1.6, even taking into consideration the slight weight penalty, is there actually much difference, I did have a quick look for a thread but coudlnt find one.
Kind of thinking an import 1.8 MK1 as what to look for, is that the way to go ?
Bear in mind am coming from a 250 bhp Saab, thinking the 1.6 might be a little bit too low on power even allowing for the added involvement or am I talking rubbish ?
Kind of thinking an import 1.8 MK1 as what to look for, is that the way to go ?
Bear in mind am coming from a 250 bhp Saab, thinking the 1.6 might be a little bit too low on power even allowing for the added involvement or am I talking rubbish ?
Depends on your ultimate goals.. handling/power modifications etc.
1.8 has bit more low down torque and in my opinion "nicer" to drive round town because of this.. the 1.8 is also better on fuel with having a more modern ECU.
the 1.8 has bigger brakes, extra chassis bracing and a bigger/stronger diff (and the option of a Torsen) that youll end up adding to a 1.6 if you want to perk it up.
conversely if you want to mod for extra power, second hand turbo/SC kits are a bit thin on the ground for the 1.8
I had a 1.8 import s-special, and side by side with a 1.6 car it would walk-away from it on WOT acceleration.
Also the 1.8 cars will be newer as they were only introduced in 94.
1.8 has bit more low down torque and in my opinion "nicer" to drive round town because of this.. the 1.8 is also better on fuel with having a more modern ECU.
the 1.8 has bigger brakes, extra chassis bracing and a bigger/stronger diff (and the option of a Torsen) that youll end up adding to a 1.6 if you want to perk it up.
conversely if you want to mod for extra power, second hand turbo/SC kits are a bit thin on the ground for the 1.8
I had a 1.8 import s-special, and side by side with a 1.6 car it would walk-away from it on WOT acceleration.
Also the 1.8 cars will be newer as they were only introduced in 94.
Oh, additionally, i came from a 315bhp Mazda 3MPS, and once you learn to drive the MX accordingly.. ie kick its head in, youll be quite impressed how fast they can cover ground.. and youll have a big grin on your face.
If you yearn for more power... then get a supercharged one
Ive recently "upgraded" to a Mk2 with a JRSC supercharger on it.. and i rekon in-gear times feel just as fast as the MPS did!.
If you yearn for more power... then get a supercharged one
Ive recently "upgraded" to a Mk2 with a JRSC supercharger on it.. and i rekon in-gear times feel just as fast as the MPS did!.
I like the idea of a forced induction MX5 but really I think after years of FWD turbo's I need to get back into RWD again, jumping into a 200 bhp plus one I think needs some appreciation of the handling of the base car. I know they have a reputation as being quite approachable for a RWD car but I guess by doubling the power some of that goes, plus if I go straight for that I wont appreciate the benefit.
I bet a S/C one makes an excellent sleeper. How well does it cope with the power, more of the same or does it get lairy ?
I bet a S/C one makes an excellent sleeper. How well does it cope with the power, more of the same or does it get lairy ?
NeoVR said:
Depends on your ultimate goals.. handling/power modifications etc.
1.8 has bit more low down torque and in my opinion "nicer" to drive round town because of this.. the 1.8 is also better on fuel with having a more modern ECU.
I've owned the 1.8 and now 1.6, there is extremely minimal difference when driving round town in my opinion, and my mpg on my 1.6 is generally high 20's to low 30's, so I can't see a 1.8 being any better than that realistically. 1.8 has bit more low down torque and in my opinion "nicer" to drive round town because of this.. the 1.8 is also better on fuel with having a more modern ECU.
NeoVR said:
the 1.8 has bigger brakes, extra chassis bracing and a bigger/stronger diff (and the option of a Torsen) that youll end up adding to a 1.6 if you want to perk it up.
True.The 1.6 front underchassis bracing can be added for about £30, same for upper rear bracing if you want to. If you buy good pads I don't see the point in upgrading to 1.8 brakes.
NeoVR said:
I had a 1.8 import s-special, and side by side with a 1.6 car it would walk-away from it on WOT acceleration.
Also the 1.8 cars will be newer as they were only introduced in 94.
With a few little mods/extras, my 1.6 has a proven 119bhp at a recent rolling road, a standard 1.8 on the same day had 126bhp, which would be a heavier car, so I can't see much in out and out performance, I've not noticed a difference between the two i've owned. The 1.6 supposedly has a revvier more enjoyable engine.Also the 1.8 cars will be newer as they were only introduced in 94.
Age of the car doesn't matter, just watch out for rust, make sure everything works, check when cambelt has been changed as thats expensive if you're paying for labour. Go and see whats out there, some are good, some are not so good, try drive a 1.6 and a 1.8 and see if you think there's any difference, I doubt you'd be disappointed with a 1.6 over a 1.8.
Intend to do all my own spannering, would prefer to avoid having to change arches, am sure I could do it but not sure what it would look like. Cam Belt doesn't look too hard and I believe its a non interference design anyway, not as critical but still a risk as don't want standing oa broekn belt to cock anything else up.
I suppose at that age with wear, mods, rebuilds, weight, maintenance differences it isn't going to make that much difference performance wise, a good 1.6 will be better than a bad 1.8, I guess any car needs to be looked at as a package as there are it seems, some utter heaps out there.
I suppose at that age with wear, mods, rebuilds, weight, maintenance differences it isn't going to make that much difference performance wise, a good 1.6 will be better than a bad 1.8, I guess any car needs to be looked at as a package as there are it seems, some utter heaps out there.
J4CKO said:
I suppose at that age with wear, mods, rebuilds, weight, maintenance differences it isn't going to make that much difference performance wise, a good 1.6 will be better than a bad 1.8, I guess any car needs to be looked at as a package as there are it seems, some utter heaps out there.
Thats pretty much it. There are some heaps, but there are some bargains to be had if you're willing to put in a bit of spannering time yourself. As long as the engine/gearbox are ok and there's no rust (or it's already been fixed) then anything else be fixed/upgraded with the money you save from not buying one already done.Get whichever one you can find in better condition. 1.6 is a stronger block for mods, but low down torque is available in the 1.8 so you don't have to hit 5000RPM for the power. Rag the nuts off them both and I doubt you'll find a difference, had both and prefer my 1.6 but its down to the rest of the car to be honest, engines have minimal difference.
Personally I went from a c250bhp vx220 Turbo to a 1.8 mk1 and it was hugely different with regards to power. You can still surprise a lot of people with fast cornering, but straight line speed to be honest isn't mind blowing. We have now added a supercharger and it's much much more fun, and plan to change pulley's and injectors and engine management etc etc to get it up to c200bhp over winter which will be good 
I absolutely love the mk1, and smiles per pound, including mods in my opinion are second to none. I would recommend the 1.8 but I am biased ....
I absolutely love the mk1, and smiles per pound, including mods in my opinion are second to none. I would recommend the 1.8 but I am biased ....
MX-5 Lazza said:
The 1.8 block is just as strong as the 1.6. They are pretty much the same block! The max power available through FI is the same with both engines. It's easier to get to with the 1.8 though. Both also have oil cooling sprays for the pistons (except the 88bhp 1.6).
This. Anyone saying the 1.6 is better than a 1.8 is only trying to justify it to themselves.However; every time a second hand turbo kit comes up on ebay (which isn't that often) that has all the parts ready to go, they are ALWAYS for the 1.6..
Riknos said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
The 1.8 block is just as strong as the 1.6. They are pretty much the same block! The max power available through FI is the same with both engines. It's easier to get to with the 1.8 though. Both also have oil cooling sprays for the pistons (except the 88bhp 1.6).
This. Anyone saying the 1.6 is better than a 1.8 is only trying to justify it to themselves.However; every time a second hand turbo kit comes up on ebay (which isn't that often) that has all the parts ready to go, they are ALWAYS for the 1.6..
Same reason Mazda thought there wasn't much difference and they de-tuned the 94 onward 1.6's so people would buy the 1.8...
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