Early 1.6 or 1.8 (in relation to NA cars)

[patmahe]

Would like to see what peoples preferences are and why so please elaborate on your answer if you can.

Thanks

Edited by patmahe on Wednesday 3rd November 15:42

[Don Phil]

1.6 as my 1.8 cost me a fortune and was nothing but trouble. and my 1.6 seems faster (probably because my 1.8 was knackered).

I'm sure people will be along wo tell you their preferences with more mechanical reasons!!

[MX-5 Lazza]

I've voted either. The performance isn't a lot different. 1.8 has more torque and is a better car for cruising but that doesn't matter that much on a sportscar. 1.8 has a bit more power too but MX5s aren't really about power and it's not enough to make a real difference anyway. I'd go for the best condition car I could find, engine size wouldn't bother me.

[Monumental]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I've voted either. The performance isn't a lot different. 1.8 has more torque and is a better car for cruising but that doesn't matter that much on a sportscar. 1.8 has a bit more power too but MX5s aren't really about power and it's not enough to make a real difference anyway. I'd go for the best condition car I could find, engine size wouldn't bother me.

+1.

Although the 1.8 might be considered slightly more suitable for track work due to uprated brakes, chassis bracing etc. But I still voted for 'either'.

[Mazdamender]

Monumental said:

MX-5 Lazza said:

I've voted either. The performance isn't a lot different. 1.8 has more torque and is a better car for cruising but that doesn't matter that much on a sportscar. 1.8 has a bit more power too but MX5s aren't really about power and it's not enough to make a real difference anyway. I'd go for the best condition car I could find, engine size wouldn't bother me.

+1.

Although the 1.8 might be considered slightly more suitable for track work due to uprated brakes, chassis bracing etc. But I still voted for 'either'.

+2 there is not much difference between them,i voted for either also,but i would say i do sway towards the 1.6 for track use.

[jonstable]

Had my 1.6 just over a year now. Two guys at work have 1.8's which i've tried. I just felt mine drove better, but that could just be familiarity and confidence in my car.

[Tomoose85]

When I was looking I considered only 1.8 cars, on grounds of the bigger brakes, chassis bracing, stronger driveshafts etc.

The 1.6 is considered to be free-er revving and sweeter somehow than the 1.8, but the 1.8 is ultimately quicker.

Regardless, avoid the 90bhp 1.6 in later UK cars!!

[Mellow Matt]

Tomoose85 said:

When I was looking I considered only 1.8 cars, on grounds of the bigger brakes, chassis bracing, stronger driveshafts etc.

The 1.6 is considered to be free-er revving and sweeter somehow than the 1.8, but the 1.8 is ultimately quicker.

Regardless, avoid the 90bhp 1.6 in later UK cars!!

Pretty much exactly what I thought, but also you're (much?) more likely to get a TorSen diff with a 1.8.

[WarrenG]

1.8 import '93 - torsen, braced and stiffened and apparently the same weight as the 1.6 before it got lardy in later years.

Edited by WarrenG on Saturday 6th November 16:09

[NeoVR]

WarrenG said:

1.8 import '93 - torsen, braced and stiffened and apparently the same weight as the 1.6 before it got lardy in later years.

Edited by WarrenG on Saturday 6th November 16:09

Not sure if thats true..

the 94-95 1.8 is a bit heavier (still under a tonne though) but the extra torque/power makes it slightly quicker off the line and will walk away from a 1.6 in the higher gears - the post 95 ones start to suffer from various regs regarding safety and enviroment, not to mention the downturn in the quality once ford stuck their nose in.

I think the later models had a different ratio diff too?

Edited by NeoVR on Monday 8th November 00:00

[Gillet]

I've had a 1.6 1990 Eunos for about 4 years now, never serviced, not even so much as an oil change - runs like a dream, passes its MOT every year, starts 1st time every time, saw us through a 3000 mile road trip in the Alps + a few laps of the Nurburgring, we love it!