An MX5 I like...

[Deleted]

And why do I like this particular MX5?



It was up for sale a year ago, when I was in no position to grab it due to moving house. The spec is still in the old advert:

www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=66972

Wonder where it went...

[Deleted]

It's worth liking.

[elmotheewokking]

Perfect for green laning! ;D

Jokes aside, nice. Equip 03s (I'd put them on EVERYTHING) and down maybe an inch would improve it for me. Though then it wouldn't get out of the lane from my house.

[Deleted]

I'm wishing they'd made a video of it on song - it's not like a stock MX5 engine is a hardship to hear, but near the redline with a 13B...

One day I'll do one - Mk 1 with popup lights, and the innards of an RX8 six-port. That would be my perfect combo, six-speeder included.

[HoTWire]

Nice one

Always like to see these with the Rotary fitted.

[Robinxr4i]

Awesome, bet that sounds epic!

[cianha]

Am I the only one who looked at the engine bay an wonder "How the hell did they get the alternator mounted way up there?"

No?

[elmotheewokking]

Feb 28, 2012 16:31:02 GMT cianha said:

Am I the only one who looked at the engine bay an wonder "How the hell did they get the alternator mounted way up there?"

No?

AFAIK, that's where it's meant to be on a 13B.

[Nathan]

Yeah thats standard for the 13b

[Deleted]

Rotary engines are cool stuff Was passed by a rotaried MX5 a few years ago, had the engine of a FC Turbo2, went like stink! Was almost completely standard looking too, real sleeper Only giveaway was a 1.3 badge on the rear

[Ratdat]

I think it's actually quite a hard swap, hence there not being many about. Seems like a logical choice for the car and AFAIK the next gen MX5 may actually be available with a Rotary.

[HoTWire]

I thought they were binning rotary development ... but then I also heard rumours that Nissan were bringing back the Datsun name.

[goldnrust]

Wow, if there's one car I didn't expect to see when I opened this thread its this one, my old mx5. I do miss her at times.

As Ratdat says it's a relatively tricky swap considering it's not like trying to shoe horn a v8 in. I know of only a couple in the UK. The subframe was modified extensively, the transmission tunnel was lifted in a number of places and a completely custom sump was needed for the 13b. On RHD cars the exhaust also has very little room next to the steering column. Compared to some of the builds on here it's child play though and I managed it as my first major engine swap project on the driveway over about 4 months. I did a complete build thread of the ups and downs here: www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=44328&st=0&p=594235&fromsearch=1&#entry594235

Feb 28, 2012 15:49:38 GMT @richardkc6 said:

I'm wishing they'd made a video of it on song

Your wish is my command.





It's now at the Mx5 specialists / breakers Autolink on the south coast. Think they take it to various owners club meets and stuff.

As for Mazda's future wit hthe rotary, I believe they're working on the '16x' rotary, which is the first re-design of the basica geometry since the 60s, essentially they're fitting a stroker kit to it. The website says they expect better thermal efficiency and better torque.

Still having been in an rx8, and currently driving round an old 12a in my rx7, I doubt it'll have that raw edge of the older engines which I love.

[Deleted]

I looked at the ad several times when it was for sale, but needed deposits/costs for moving, so didn't enquire. I lived in Kidderminster, so wasn't that far away then! It looks awesome, and sounds it too...

I liked my RX8 a lot. Even the sound. Mine was a 192, four port though.

[stealthstylz]

That's awesome, cheers for posting.

[Tim]

Love that loads. Bet its hilarious fun to drive

[goldnrust]

It was really good fun to drive. The engine did sit a bit further back with its weight lower than a normal mx5, and so it was like a slightly livelier mx5, happy to steer from the rear!

The character of the engine suited it well too. It was about 50hp down on the turbo set-up I previously ran in the mx5 but I really never missed the extra power. The revvy nature of the rotary that begs you to never shift up makes for so many smiles.

I do miss it lots, but my rx7 has many of the same rewarding qualities which helps fill the gap in my life!

[loudandproud205]

I love this.

I admit I was one of the lot that really wanted it as it was the perfect combination.

As the only reason I didn't buy an MX5 was the slightly asthmatic feel to the standard engine

[RobinJI]

I remember seeing your updates about this on trials-forum when you were building it and thinking it was a cool idea. Very nice car and I can imagine it being great to drive.

[Davey]

Wow more links back to trials forum i didnt expect at all...