Mx5

[jonsey]

Is there a 1.4 engine that will mount to the mk1 mx5 gearbox? My eldest will be 14 in 18 months and for him to start driving in auto tests the car must be 1.4 max. The Mazda is the ideal car so would like to do a transplant. Any of you geniuses know?

[Badger]

Well according to Wikipedia they did a 1.1 and 1.3 version of the engine, getting hold of it may be difficult. The standard Mk1 MX5 1.6 is the B6ZE(RS); you'd be looking for A B1, B3 or BJ engine.

Here's the entry:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_B_engine

[jonsey]

Thanks Badger. That's a good bit of info. Common sense would say all B series would have the same bell housing patten. I just need to find find out what cars had the 1.3 engine

[jnoiles]

Failing that you could MGF/TF? The K series came in 1.4 and would be a pretty straightforward swap. Mid engined as well. Just a thought.

[jonsey]

Dec 10, 2017 21:36:40 GMT jnoiles said:

Failing that you could MGF/TF? The K series came in 1.4 and would be a pretty straightforward swap. Mid engined as well. Just a thought.

Not a bad idea. It's something I'll keep in mind. The thing is the Mx5 is ideal in that there is a class specifically for them in this sport. They are quick, agile, reliable, abundant and cheap. You don't see many MGF's around here but saying that there is 1 rotting in a driveway in the same village

[ChasR]

Ah, the rulings put this in place? Is it done off power or purely on capacity?

They did make a 90BHP NA 1.6 and I think even an NB 1.6.

[jonsey]

It's capacity. For a Junior (14-17 year old without a driving license) to compete that is the maximum cc. I know you could just go out and buy an MGZR, Fiesta, Micra etc but I want him to learn to drive RWD. He can learn FWD with his driving instructor when he's 17. Also as I won't want to take 2 cars to an event I will end up driving it too

[ChasR]

In which case I'd consider an MGTF. It's a shame as the MX-5 is a treat of a car to learn your skills in!

I take it the budget is as cheap as possible? I was going to suggest an MG Midget 1275, albeit a sheddy one. .

[jonsey]

Dec 11, 2017 11:56:54 GMT ChasR said:

In which case I'd consider an MGTF. It's a shame as the MX-5 is a treat of a car to learn your skills in!

I take it the budget is as cheap as possible? I was going to suggest an MG Midget 1275, albeit a sheddy one. .

A midget was my 1st thought, but when I sat in one I realised that either the car would have to grow or I'd need to loose weight. With the former being the more viable option I had to think of an alternative

[jamesd1972]

MG with a blown head gasket scrap money too and plenty of doner 1.4 k series lumps around as well. Bit of thoughtful development a fast car in the making ? Plenty of traction

[jonsey]

Dec 11, 2017 22:05:48 GMT jamesd1972 said:

MG with a blown head gasket scrap money too and plenty of doner 1.4 k series lumps around as well. Bit of thoughtful development a fast car in the making ? Plenty of traction

Food for thought. My worry with the plenty of grip with lower power what be a lack of sideways drivability as it may not have the power to spin the wheels. I'm going to have to have a long think

[steveg]

I had to look it up but the eariler 323's were RWD and were listed as being 1.4 not sure they are the same engine though. Are there any adaptor kits to fit other engines to the MX5 gearbox ?

Reading about the B6 engine on Wikipedia it seems that the B3 engine fitted to Mazda 121's and Kia Prides which had a capacity of 1324cc was a small bore single cam version of the B6. In theory at least you could fit the 16 valve head to the bottom end of one of those but I wonder if the valves would hit something. If the info is correct a kia engine should be fairly cheap. Reading a bit more there are probably lots of others, there are Kia Rios etc but it's a case of finding out if the blocks are the same.

[tommymini]

Check you are allowed to fit a different engine first. Some rules don't allow for this

[jonsey]

Dec 12, 2017 11:52:20 GMT tommymini said:

Check you are allowed to fit a different engine first. Some rules don't allow for this

I don't think so, but I'll check.

Just remembered there was a chevette with a 1.4 nova engine and a 1256 viva ha, so mods are allowed.

[jonsey]

Dec 12, 2017 11:50:15 GMT steveg said:

I had to look it up but the eariler 323's were RWD and were listed as being 1.4 not sure they are the same engine though. Are there any adaptor kits to fit other engines to the MX5 gearbox ?

Reading about the B6 engine on Wikipedia it seems that the B3 engine fitted to Mazda 121's and Kia Prides which had a capacity of 1324cc was a small bore single cam version of the B6. In theory at least you could fit the 16 valve head to the bottom end of one of those but I wonder if the valves would hit something. If the info is correct a kia engine should be fairly cheap. Reading a bit more there are probably lots of others, there are Kia Rios etc but it's a case of finding out if the blocks are the same.

Good info. The single cam would be fine. Just need to check bell housings patterns. Probably not much chance of finding a rwd 323

[mfrv1]

I'm sure I read that the Ford Duratec shared bellhousing pattern with Mazda.

[scimjim]

Rather than an engine change on an MX5, why not buy a RWD 2 seater that comes with a 1.4 Engine and handles well?

Scimitar SS1 with 1300 or 1400 CVH, SST with 1400 CVH or mk2 Sabre with 1400 K series?

[tommymini]

Triumph Spitfire 1300.......

[jonsey]

Dec 12, 2017 23:05:21 GMT mfrv1 said:

I'm sure I read that the Ford Duratec shared bellhousing pattern with Mazda.

I think the Duratec are the larger engines in the ford range. The smaller in are Yamaha derived i think

[jonsey]

Dec 13, 2017 9:20:15 GMT scimjim said:

Rather than an engine change on an MX5, why not buy a RWD 2 seater that comes with a 1.4 Engine and handles well?

Scimitar SS1 with 1300 or 1400 CVH, SST with 1400 CVH or mk2 Sabre with 1400 K series?

A valid idea but finding one would be an issue. Also I'm sure he's going to hit a few objects so a wing or bumper is easy to sort but I have ne fibreglass skillage