MX5 Engine Swap
Discussion
Just a small, crazy idea.
What would be involved in, say... putting a BMW S54 engine and gearbox in a Mk1 MX5?
Like this one. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-E46-M3-COMPLETE-...
New bonnet, bit of welding in the engine bay, new diff to handle the power...? How much would it cost to get a garage to do it (I'm useless with spanners).
325bhp in ~1100kgs...
What would be involved in, say... putting a BMW S54 engine and gearbox in a Mk1 MX5?
Like this one. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-E46-M3-COMPLETE-...
New bonnet, bit of welding in the engine bay, new diff to handle the power...? How much would it cost to get a garage to do it (I'm useless with spanners).
325bhp in ~1100kgs...
I'd be surprised if it fits length wise. It's got to be at least 1.5 times the length of the standard engine. Assuming it physically fits and the gearbox also fits, you'd then need to worry about the whether the rest of the driveline can cope and I guess if the answer is no, you're into bespoke components. Costs wise, I think it'll be enormous I'm afraid.
Maybe the more tried and tested Chevy V8 would be a better route although maybe slightly less interesting.
Maybe the more tried and tested Chevy V8 would be a better route although maybe slightly less interesting.
Reckon this would be a better idea...
http://www.k-conversions.co.uk/index.php?main_page...
Also WOW that'd be fun.
http://www.k-conversions.co.uk/index.php?main_page...
Also WOW that'd be fun.
Risotto said:
At least one V12 conversion has been carried out, so I'd say anything's possible if you have the skills or the money!
LS V8 engines are reasonably common - there are kits available I think.
Yes, I've thought long and hard about getting a crate LS V8 slotted in. 400bhp and it's only about 50kg heavier. But spending ~£10k on a £1500 car is insane rather than just silly.LS V8 engines are reasonably common - there are kits available I think.
Gizmo! said:
Just a small, crazy idea.
What would be involved in, say... putting a BMW S54 engine and gearbox in a Mk1 MX5?
Like this one. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-E46-M3-COMPLETE-...
New bonnet, bit of welding in the engine bay, new diff to handle the power...? How much would it cost to get a garage to do it (I'm useless with spanners).
325bhp in ~1100kgs...
How much longer is an S54 than a V8?What would be involved in, say... putting a BMW S54 engine and gearbox in a Mk1 MX5?
Like this one. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-E46-M3-COMPLETE-...
New bonnet, bit of welding in the engine bay, new diff to handle the power...? How much would it cost to get a garage to do it (I'm useless with spanners).
325bhp in ~1100kgs...
doogz said:
Austin.J said:
Reckon this would be a better idea...
http://www.k-conversions.co.uk/index.php?main_page...
Also WOW that'd be fun.
Something's not right with that. It comes with an auto, and manual gearbox?http://www.k-conversions.co.uk/index.php?main_page...
Also WOW that'd be fun.
And the SR20DET isn't a twin turbo.
Or do i just hope it's legit?
edo said:
Gizmo! said:
Just a small, crazy idea.
What would be involved in, say... putting a BMW S54 engine and gearbox in a Mk1 MX5?
Like this one. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-E46-M3-COMPLETE-...
New bonnet, bit of welding in the engine bay, new diff to handle the power...? How much would it cost to get a garage to do it (I'm useless with spanners).
325bhp in ~1100kgs...
How much longer is an S54 than a V8?What would be involved in, say... putting a BMW S54 engine and gearbox in a Mk1 MX5?
Like this one. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-E46-M3-COMPLETE-...
New bonnet, bit of welding in the engine bay, new diff to handle the power...? How much would it cost to get a garage to do it (I'm useless with spanners).
325bhp in ~1100kgs...
OP, unless you have practically unlimited funds it's not worth the hassle unless you're doing the fabrication yourself. Even so it's a major undertaking.
As mentioned above there are dozens of V8 conversions, particularly in the States.
I think there are two problems really. Firstly, forced induction is so easy and so effective on the MX5 engine and, secondly, we already have TVRs. Okay, the trim won't fall off and it won't smell of glue, but by the time you've engineered a DIY engine transplant into an MX5 it'll no longer be the comparitively sensible and affordable car that a stock example is, so you might as well sink the money and commitment into a Griffith or V8S.
That said, a screaming flat-plane crank V8 would be rather fun. AJP conversion anyone?
Oh, and I'm also of the school of thought that says 155/156-era Alfa V6s should be transplanted into decent RWD cars wherever and whenever possible.
ETA:
50% longer as a guess. Instead of being 4 cylinders long, it's six.
I think there are two problems really. Firstly, forced induction is so easy and so effective on the MX5 engine and, secondly, we already have TVRs. Okay, the trim won't fall off and it won't smell of glue, but by the time you've engineered a DIY engine transplant into an MX5 it'll no longer be the comparitively sensible and affordable car that a stock example is, so you might as well sink the money and commitment into a Griffith or V8S.
That said, a screaming flat-plane crank V8 would be rather fun. AJP conversion anyone?
Oh, and I'm also of the school of thought that says 155/156-era Alfa V6s should be transplanted into decent RWD cars wherever and whenever possible.
ETA:
edo said:
Gizmo! said:
Just a small, crazy idea.
What would be involved in, say... putting a BMW S54 engine and gearbox in a Mk1 MX5?
Like this one. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-E46-M3-COMPLETE-...
New bonnet, bit of welding in the engine bay, new diff to handle the power...? How much would it cost to get a garage to do it (I'm useless with spanners).
325bhp in ~1100kgs...
How much longer is an S54 than a V8?What would be involved in, say... putting a BMW S54 engine and gearbox in a Mk1 MX5?
Like this one. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-E46-M3-COMPLETE-...
New bonnet, bit of welding in the engine bay, new diff to handle the power...? How much would it cost to get a garage to do it (I'm useless with spanners).
325bhp in ~1100kgs...
Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 21st September 17:00
Chris71 said:
As mentioned above there are dozens of V8 conversions, particularly in the States.
I think there are two problems really. Firstly, forced induction is so easy and so effective on the MX5 engine and, secondly, we already have TVRs. Okay, the trim won't fall off and it won't smell of glue, but by the time you've engineered a DIY engine transplant into an MX5 it'll no longer be the comparitively sensible and affordable car that a stock example is, so you might as well sink the money and commitment into a Griffith or V8S.
That said, a screaming flat-plane crank V8 would be rather fun. AJP conversion anyone?
Oh, and I'm also of the school of thought that says 155/156-era Alfa V6s should be transplanted into decent RWD cars wherever and whenever possible.
You speak perfect sense.I think there are two problems really. Firstly, forced induction is so easy and so effective on the MX5 engine and, secondly, we already have TVRs. Okay, the trim won't fall off and it won't smell of glue, but by the time you've engineered a DIY engine transplant into an MX5 it'll no longer be the comparitively sensible and affordable car that a stock example is, so you might as well sink the money and commitment into a Griffith or V8S.
That said, a screaming flat-plane crank V8 would be rather fun. AJP conversion anyone?
Oh, and I'm also of the school of thought that says 155/156-era Alfa V6s should be transplanted into decent RWD cars wherever and whenever possible.
Since when was any engine swap 'sensible'?
Gizmo! said:
Just a small, crazy idea.
What would be involved in, say... putting a BMW S54 engine and gearbox in a Mk1 MX5?
Like this one. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-E46-M3-COMPLETE-...
New bonnet, bit of welding in the engine bay, new diff to handle the power...? How much would it cost to get a garage to do it (I'm useless with spanners).
325bhp in ~1100kgs...
The blokes feed back is dreadfull.What would be involved in, say... putting a BMW S54 engine and gearbox in a Mk1 MX5?
Like this one. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-BMW-E46-M3-COMPLETE-...
New bonnet, bit of welding in the engine bay, new diff to handle the power...? How much would it cost to get a garage to do it (I'm useless with spanners).
325bhp in ~1100kgs...
Gizmo! said:
Chris71 said:
As mentioned above there are dozens of V8 conversions, particularly in the States.
I think there are two problems really. Firstly, forced induction is so easy and so effective on the MX5 engine and, secondly, we already have TVRs. Okay, the trim won't fall off and it won't smell of glue, but by the time you've engineered a DIY engine transplant into an MX5 it'll no longer be the comparitively sensible and affordable car that a stock example is, so you might as well sink the money and commitment into a Griffith or V8S.
That said, a screaming flat-plane crank V8 would be rather fun. AJP conversion anyone?
Oh, and I'm also of the school of thought that says 155/156-era Alfa V6s should be transplanted into decent RWD cars wherever and whenever possible.
You speak perfect sense.I think there are two problems really. Firstly, forced induction is so easy and so effective on the MX5 engine and, secondly, we already have TVRs. Okay, the trim won't fall off and it won't smell of glue, but by the time you've engineered a DIY engine transplant into an MX5 it'll no longer be the comparitively sensible and affordable car that a stock example is, so you might as well sink the money and commitment into a Griffith or V8S.
That said, a screaming flat-plane crank V8 would be rather fun. AJP conversion anyone?
Oh, and I'm also of the school of thought that says 155/156-era Alfa V6s should be transplanted into decent RWD cars wherever and whenever possible.
Since when was any engine swap 'sensible'?
20V Turbo into Mk 2 golf GTI: Sensible.
M30/M50/M52 into E30 325I: Sensible.
Jaguar V12 into Miata/MX5: Not sensible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZLnrOeu0KE
I would term any engine conversion 'sensible' if no/minimal adjustments to the chassis are required, and standard parts car be used for the vast majority of the work. They are especially sensible if someone has done them before.
Excessive fabrication, especially of engine mounts and gearbox mounts, bellhousings, driveshafts and suspension pick up points is not sensible, unless you know what you're doing and/or are extremely wealthy.
An S54 into an MX5 will likely require many of the above things!
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