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Serious miata newbie

Old 08-24-2010, 09:15 PM
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Default Serious miata newbie

Okay i have my wifes 1992 miata, it's auto and the engine is tired. I have an idea of swapping a 2.2l turbo i picked up out of a 1998 ford probe. I have the complete wiring harness to go along with the engine. My questions involve the bell housing, motor mounts, exhaust, and the intake. Tell me what I need to make this job a reality and not end up sleeping in the garage.


thanks in advance.
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Old 08-24-2010, 09:17 PM
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A lot of custom work. I dont think this has been done before so you, my friend, are a pioneer. GL
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Old 08-25-2010, 12:06 AM
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?The Probe was not made in 1998, nor did it have the 2.2 SOHC turbo motor. Perhaps you mean 1988?

You want us to tell you the amount of work needed to make this happen?
Good luck.

Like Buffon01 said, it's going to be alot of work. But, if you have the ambition and the desire, then by all means make it happen
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Old 08-25-2010, 12:16 AM
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Get some real expectations.
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Old 08-25-2010, 12:21 AM
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swap in a 1point8 motor and manual trans, and never look back
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Old 08-25-2010, 12:31 AM
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I'm with bond on this...a 1.8 will fit right in there and it can be sourced for cheap. Then you will have access to the aftermarket world of parts instead of making **** try to fit. If you're gonna put a non miata engine in a miata, it at least should have 8 cylinders. Just my 2 cents.
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Old 08-25-2010, 01:51 AM
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Originally Posted by thirdgen
I'm with bond on this...a 1.8 will fit right in there and it can be sourced for cheap. Then you will have access to the aftermarket world of parts instead of making **** try to fit. If you're gonna put a non miata engine in a miata, it at least should have 8 cylinders. Just my 2 cents.
Or 3 rotors?!?
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Old 08-25-2010, 01:59 AM
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welcome.

I don't understand the point of a probe swap: no real power gains, not easy to do, and not much aftermarket support.
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Old 08-25-2010, 09:03 AM
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Originally Posted by KPLAFIN
Or 3 rotors?!?
Shut up before he asks what it takes to swap a rotary.
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Old 08-25-2010, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by buffon01
Shut up before he asks what it takes to swap a rotary.
Wadayamean? That should be easy. They are both tiny Mazda motors that are RWD. Should be cake, right?
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Old 08-25-2010, 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Stein
Wadayamean? That should be easy. They are both tiny Mazda motors that are RWD. Should be cake, right?
qft
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Old 08-25-2010, 01:24 PM
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Default okay thanks for the feed back

I have 19-88-89 (typo on the first request)2.2l turbo intercooler for and wiring harness for next to nothing. I got the wole car for 100.00. I can't swap to standard as my wife can't drive standard. As for power adders I understand and accept the gains in horse power. I hope to acheive about 175 hp. With respect to rotary.....thanks but no thanks, my buddy at magnus fabrication(who does great work) strongly suggested against these motors due to reliabilty issues... no offense. The ford probe turbo is a mazda motor and the swap hopefully should be similiar to the fe3 swap. Maybe I should ask some specifics. Like the most cost/time effective intake swap as the 2.2l intake is backwards. Thanks for all the feed back, I hope to have this project done by spring.
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Old 08-25-2010, 01:36 PM
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I'm going to give it to you strait.

If you have to ask these types of questions, you aren't capable of doing it. As someone else pointed out, you would be the first person to perform this swap that we know of, and if you aren't capable of taking measurements and figuring out basic stuff like motor mounts, bellhousing patterns, and the intake manifold being backwards, there isn't a whole lot that we can do to help you.
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Old 08-25-2010, 01:40 PM
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All that work for 175hp?
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Old 08-25-2010, 01:44 PM
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You should be buying my built motor and turbo goodies.
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Old 08-25-2010, 01:52 PM
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^^Buy his car. Seriously.
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Old 08-25-2010, 04:22 PM
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ok thanks for offering to sell me a complete miata(which looks awsome) but this is my wife's first car she bought so i am stuck with it. Jeff I have built a few cars over the years... never a mazda so this is why I ask questions. If this has never been done b4.... which is hard to believe as it should be similiar to an fe3 swap, I was hoping to hear some tips from people who have made mistakes, learned from them and are willing to help someone not make the same mistakes... all in all if a 1.8l can produce about 175 hp 220ft lbs for the price I am paying or a little more I will gladly research this but as I don't due mazda's yet... I ask for help thanx
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Old 08-25-2010, 04:38 PM
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Can produce 175hp for the price your paying? really? hmm let's see.

Doing all the fab work to swap an unorthodox engine into a Miata

vs.

Buying a cheap turbo or piecing one together, that at mere `6psi () can deliver more or less the same power as the engine in question.

That's a tough choice, isn't it?
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Old 08-25-2010, 05:57 PM
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Teach her how to drive a five speed. Then follow up with wife pics. Preferably nudes.
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Old 08-25-2010, 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by chicksdigmiatas
Teach her how to drive a five speed. Then follow up with wife pics. Preferably nudes. Squating on the shifter.
This.
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