Mazda MX5 question.


D

djchocice

New Member
Joined
Jun 21, 2010
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249
Hi everyone,

Bit of a question to those of you in the know, I've always felt that Mazda MX5's are cracking little motors, great handling, brakes and solid, reliable little things. My gripe with them however has always been that the engines are pretty cack, they're not very powerful and they are bloody thirsty for such small engines in such a light car.

My question is, and I'm asking this because my searching hasn't turned up any results, is if anyone has ever put a VTEC lump into an MX5. I would imagine an MX5 with say a B18R would border on absolute perfection as a usable everyday 2 seat sportscar. Never heard of it being done so just wondering has it ever been done?

Cheers,

Dj
 
Sure ive seen a s2000 engine in one, seen skyline engined ones as well

Tbh usually most folk just turbo them and they're pretty quick at that
 
Frodo said:
Sure ive seen a s2000 engine in one, seen skyline engined ones as well

Tbh usually most folk just turbo them and they're pretty quick at that
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Think hes after reliability an economy aswell.

I was thinking this same question just yesterday. A b18cR MX5 would be amazing. There must be someone whos done it, or is it only possible to do an S2000 swap? (not the bigest fan of the f20)
 
I rekcon with them being RWD it would only allow an S2k engine unless you are willing to fork out loads to convert it to FWD for the B18! Turbo is the way to go on these things! You can buy the JDM import miatas for a good price, 1.8s and they are quick! :) great fun little cars but they do seem like a hairdressers car to me! lol
 
You cannot fit a B series as they spin the wrong direction, so mated up to the stock rear end you'd have 1 forward gear and 5 reverse.
 
Kozy said:
You cannot fit a B series as they spin the wrong direction, so mated up to the stock rear end you'd have 1 forward gear and 5 reverse.
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Ah, that would explain it then lol. I imagine though than an F20 in an MX5 would be an absolute weapon, albeit a rather expensive one. I'm amazed someone managed to fit a Skyline engine in, although I have heard about a V8 powered MX5 thats used for autocrossing in the states. :wow:
 
There are a lot of V8 mx5s in america, few V6 ones as well, tbh though turbo is pretty damn reliable if you do it well on the stock engines, so theyre decent at that
 
youd have to be a tiny wee pink man to drive one of these
 
Some of them look hard as nails, I'd have one but it would have to be hard top as I can't bear driving open top cars. Also you can install a rollcage in an afternoon!
 
I can honastly say the only equal if not better car for fun I have ever owned. Out of virtually every hi-performance Jap car ever made that I have imported was a Eunos with a tiny HKS turbo kit fitted. This car was just mental fun. The standard engines are ok and easy to tune to get a bit more out of. Because of the way the cars drive and are set up they don't really feel under powered.
Dunx
 
They are great cars MX5's, I will admit they are more fun to drive than the VTi I currently own but the VTEC puts such a massive grin on my face everytime. That savagery you get with a VTEC lump, especially the older B and H engines is brilliant. The MX5 engines are a bit meh, the 1.8 is quite meh while the 1.6 in the mk.1 was a pretty nice engine but down on power. Hey ho, I was always interested in one day buying an MX5 and plopping a Vtec lump in if it could be done but I guess a F20 conversion would be very expensive, at that point it would be better to B18cR or K20 an Elise in my books.
 
How the **** did they do that? Good work!

I have been having some serious thoughts today about chopping in the Civic and buying an MX5, and really the only problem is with the engine. If I could have my B16B in one I would do it tomorrow.

I think some serious reserach needs to be done, I know a lot of custom parts would be needed but hell, I work in the design business, I'm sure it could be done.

Small matter of either running the stock 5 box backwards, or modding the B16 to spin the opposite direction...
 
I'd love an original mx5. Remember reading an interview with a guy in EVO or similar who had imported a small-turbo'd one. Said it was all the car he'd ever need as the 200 odd brake it generated complimented the chassis perfectly. Bottom line as long as its lowered, had roll hoops and some choice little rims its gonna shed its girly image damn quick. Its a bloody good example of a British sports car. :)
 
Kozy said:
How the **** did they do that? Good work!

I have been having some serious thoughts today about chopping in the Civic and buying an MX5, and really the only problem is with the engine. If I could have my B16B in one I would do it tomorrow.

I think some serious reserach needs to be done, I know a lot of custom parts would be needed but hell, I work in the design business, I'm sure it could be done.

Small matter of either running the stock 5 box backwards, or modding the B16 to spin the opposite direction...
Click to expand...

Having driven a mk.1 MX5 S a few months ago with an LSD and Bilstein suspension. I was very tempted to part ex my EK4 for it but like you the problem is the engine. I would do exactly the same, a B16A2 alone would IMO transform the MX5, a B16B, B18 even more so. I've already started saving up for my next car, god knows what it will be but if a B swap could be done into an MX5 it would be a mouth watering prospect. :drive:
 
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