Out loud musing: 1.6i VTEC engine into MX5 Mk1

[neil_bolton]

Just popped into my head this idea:

Will an earlier 160bhp Honda VTEC engine fit in an MX5 I wonder?

VTEC Yo y'all!

[Crusoe]

If they can make a v12 fit I don't see why not. Probably a lot of effort if it isn't longitudinal though, S2000 engine might be a better bet for vtec thrills.

[Munter]

Think you might have a significant drivetrain problem here. Don't Honda engines spin t'other way...

[neil_bolton]

Crusoe said:

If they can make a v12 fit I don't see why not. Probably a lot of effort if it isn't longitudinal though, S2000 engine might be a better bet for vtec thrills.

I'm just thinking about how to retain the characteristics of the Mazda reviness, lightness and without resorting to FI.

If it were cheap and easy, I'm sure somebody would have done so...

Would the Mazda V6 out of the MX3 work?

[Vidal Baboon]

neil_bolton said:

Crusoe said:

If they can make a v12 fit I don't see why not. Probably a lot of effort if it isn't longitudinal though, S2000 engine might be a better bet for vtec thrills.

I'm just thinking about how to retain the characteristics of the Mazda reviness, lightness and without resorting to FI.

If it were cheap and easy, I'm sure somebody would have done so...

Would the Mazda V6 out of the MX3 work?

NA RX7 engine & drivetrain?

Edited by Vidal Baboon on Tuesday 16th March 16:12

[snotrag]

neil_bolton said:

Just popped into my head this idea:

Will an earlier 160bhp Honda VTEC engine fit in an MX5 I wonder?

VTEC Yo y'all!

Old Honda engines spin the unusual way, dont they?

Even if they did go the right way - you've still got the problem of transmission - has the engine ever been fitted in a RWD car? You would need a gearbox or at least a custom bellhousing.


And at the ned of the day, its just a 4cylinder. The later model JDM Mk2.5 MX5's put out about 150bhp as stock anyway, and that would just slot right in.

If I were to do a engine swap I'd be putting a 12V Alfa Romeo Arese V6 in - as far I know never been done.

[Mr Darcy]

IF it was possible I am sure someone would have done it by now. Just slap a big fking turbo on there.

[snotrag]

Neil

Swaps I know have been done are -

Later model MX% engines
Mazda V6 (not a very good engine apparently, bit limp)
Nissan RB20, SR20
Chevy or Ford V8's
Rover V8
RX7 twin Rotor
RX8 Renesis Twin Rotor


IN my opinion it is a smooth, beautiful sounding V6 that would be the best 'ideal' option rather than some of the gruffer V8's.

[Marf]

A better option may be the 3SGE BEAMS engine as found in the IS200 as thats a RWD platform already. Plus its ~200hp instead of 160

[snotrag]

Marf said:

A better option may be the 3SGE BEAMS engine as found in the IS200 as thats a RWD platform already. Plus its ~200hp instead of 160

Still a 4 cylinder engine though.

I see absolutely ZERO point in swapping another 4cyl in, when you can run the existing engine (as in, existing short block and everything, not even uprated internals) at 250bhp+ just by bolting on some boost and good management.

If your going to swap something in, it needs to have character.

Think - Goes and sounds like a TVR S-series, Waterproof, practical and built well like an MX5. Perfect.

[neil_bolton]

snotrag said:

Neil

Swaps I know have been done are -

Later model MX% engines
Mazda V6 (not a very good engine apparently, bit limp)
Nissan RB20, SR20
Chevy or Ford V8's
Rover V8
RX7 twin Rotor
RX8 Renesis Twin Rotor


IN my opinion it is a smooth, beautiful sounding V6 that would be the best 'ideal' option rather than some of the gruffer V8's.

I'm there with you all the way on a V6, but having heard one or two V8 conversions (let's park the V12 ideas for mo), they do sound rather cool.

I understand now on the Honda thing - that'll be a fairly fundamental issue then

[neil_bolton]

snotrag said:

Marf said:

A better option may be the 3SGE BEAMS engine as found in the IS200 as thats a RWD platform already. Plus its ~200hp instead of 160

Think - Goes and sounds like a TVR S-series, Waterproof, practical and built well like an MX5. Perfect.

If I could have the noise and mental overrun of the V6 2.9 S3 I drove for a while, in an MX5, I'd be in heaven.

Hang on.

Would the Cologne engine work?

[sleep envy]

RX8

light and compact

go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan

[neil_bolton]

sleep envy said:

RX8

light and compact

go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan

You can keep quiet over there.

I want noise to go with my tyre bills.

ps isnt it funny how this always happens to anyone who does VMax?

Edited by neil_bolton on Tuesday 16th March 16:26

[pbirkett]

neil_bolton said:

snotrag said:

Marf said:

A better option may be the 3SGE BEAMS engine as found in the IS200 as thats a RWD platform already. Plus its ~200hp instead of 160

Think - Goes and sounds like a TVR S-series, Waterproof, practical and built well like an MX5. Perfect.

If I could have the noise and mental overrun of the V6 2.9 S3 I drove for a while, in an MX5, I'd be in heaven.

Hang on.

Would the Cologne engine work?

Why not just get said TVR S-series then? Pretty similar to an MX-5 in most other ways, non?

[sleep envy]

iPod with a V12 soundtrack

job's a good'un

[LHD]

sleep envy said:

RX8

light and compact

go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan

Wouldn't pull you out of bed though.

I loved my RX-8, just needed a nice big V6 under the bonnet.

[snotrag]

pbirkett said:

Why not just get said TVR S-series then? Pretty similar to an MX-5 in most other ways, non?

They are, yes. After this summer has passed (two years is enough in any car at my age) I might look at moving on from ther MX5. And the TVR S is the car I keep comign back to.

however - it could only be a second car.

They sound wonderful, and drive nice, and are relatively inexpensive to run compared to more 'typical' TVR's. However...

They need a lot more TLC, less waterproof, MAJOR rust/chassis issues - if you buy one it will either have been rebuilt, or needs it.

Comparable in many ways, yes, but in many way very very different. The MX5 is very 'mainstream', anyone could run one, any grage can service them, they dont really blow up or fall apart.

I'm not slating the S, I love them, but there a little more 'specialist'. Cologne V6 sounds great and lvoely and torquey, but a bit 'old school' and quite big IIRC.

Obvious V6 options would be a later Duratec V6 (190bhp out the box?) , Alfa V6, Mazda V6 (related to the duratec I guess)

Theres also the feint possibility that a 6cyl in line (bmw, really) may squeeeze in there? Theres a fair gap 'twixt front of block and the rad/slam panel on a stock MX5.

Edited by snotrag on Tuesday 16th March 16:36

[LHD]

doogz said:

LHD said:

sleep envy said:

RX8

light and compact

go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan, go'wan

Wouldn't pull you out of bed though.

I loved my RX-8, just needed a nice big V6 under the bonnet.

A RX-8 has a considerably higher torque output than a 1600 MX-5 though, albeit higher up the rev range. I think it might be a good combo, MX-5 chassis with a lightweight, rev-happy engine.

I'm sure it's been done.

Must have been, however i'd be trying to find a Mazda3 MPS that's had a rear shunt.

[OlberJ]

Alfa 3.0 V6 is the one i'd go for myself. Gearbox should be up to the job, with an adapter plate added.

Other options are the Toyota V6's we use in the Mr2's 200-300bhp out the box, again adapter plate or possibly IS200 frankenstein drivetrain in there.

1UZ V8, auto bellhousing and supra box as in the Australian conversions.

Quite happy to build one for somebody too