I have a 1.6L 1990 Miata. It is a manual (5 speed, of course). Defect of the car was a crankshaft wobble. Had a piece fashioned to stabilize it, but the pulley finally fell off - I got 250k miles out of it, so I can't complain.

At any rate, I would like to swap the engine, possibly to the 1.8L manual. What I would like to know is:
1. How much modding would be involved? ie, engine mounts, fire wall, wiring etc.
2. How much of an issue is going from 5 speed to 6, or will I have to replace both the tranny and ECU?
3. I would eventually like to turbo or supercharge it, so the 94-97 1.8L might be ideal since I understand the rods to be stronger and they can handle up to about 15 psi. And it has the benefit of being pre-OBDII. However, can this hook up to the 1st gen 5 speed tranny without much trouble? Or will this also require the tranny/ecu switch, even without going to the 6 speed engine?
4. If I was able to find the BPT engine, how would that swap go, since it wasn't applied in the US?
5. How would a BP-4W (Mazdaspeed stock turbo engine) swap go? Anyone done it? Or would it just be easier to turbo charge after the fact?

Sorry about the long list. Anyone can just answer any one part. I am grateful for ANY and ALL help.

Kind Regards,
Lisa

 

i havent messed with the new bps but i know the older bps are fairly easy to swap. i had one in my festy. and the turbo kits are insane for them. you might have better luck with an older one imo.

 

Have you looked at the FAQ on miata.net?

 

Flyin Miata has a kinda overpriced kit that gives you everything you need to put a 1.8 in a 1.6 car.

I'd take a look at that, and the write-ups on miata.net and clubroadster.net

It's really not that hard to do.

-meaty

 

Lisa,

After re-reading your pevious post, here's the easiest way to go.

Get yourself a used or rebuilt 1.6 motor. It may have slightly less displacement, but you can get turbo kits for this motor all day long. Check out Miataturbo.net . You can get a used, but in good condition and UPGRADED Greddy kit for less than $1k. The 1.6 motor is a little more free-revving, and people have been squeezing out over 200whp on those motors no problem. The only weakness in that car is the differential. The 1.6 or 1.8 transmission is fine, though the 1.6 tranny is geared a little more "sportier" than the 1.8.

Unfortunatly the 1.6 diffs are a little weak. Best option is to source out a used 1.8 Torsen differential. You'll need the driveshaft, axles, and the differential hub/carrier. Best bang for the buck, and it'll cost you around $600-700. It's completely bolt-in, no major modifications are needed at all. Much cheaper than a 6-speed transmission, which you'd need to mate with the 6-speed differential due to a difference gear ration in the diff to take advantage of the final drive on the 6-speed.

When you finally decide to go on to turbo your car, look at the megasquirt plug and play ECU. It'll cost around $800, but is completely flexible, and you can program it with your laptop computer. www.diyautotune.com

If you need any help, I'm located in Sarasota. Feel free to hit me up if you have any questions.


-meaty

 

as deadmeat said theres no need to be concerned abot the tranny, the 1.6tranny will hold up up to 250HP, with a good clutch/press plate flywheel combo no problemo my friend
my personal opinion, save enough to get the megasquirt together with a nice turbo, and I/C package, lastly but not the least turn everything to synthetic fluids, including the tranny's gear oil, temperature control is critical when increasing power on any engine, go as big as you can on the radiator!

 

Most miata owners upgrade to the 3 row radiator found in an automatic miata. When you order your radiator (which, if you haven't had to replace yet, you will soon enough if you have the plastic end tank one), ask for one for your year miata, though for the automatic transmission. Otherwise, the Koyo's and things like that are pretty big $$$.

Also, Somestone, www.sarasotamiatas.com We have meets every Tuesday night off Clark Rd. in Sarasota at Buffalo Wild Wings. Starts at 8pm Hope t see you there sometime.

-meaty

 

OOOO I will check it out.....
Buffalo wings..... my favorite.....

 

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Yeah he's been having some trouble with the forums I guess. Had to restart from scratch from the looks of it.

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