if iwas going to swap in a 1.8, it would have to be a 99-00 motor or a '94 with a 99-00 head or it wouldn't be worth it to me.

every year that passes, there is less support for the 1.6. i love the 1.6 because it's smoother than the 1.8.

i am not afraid to track mine at 107K now besides the dif. i should get atleast 200K if not oh well atleast 50K how many miles do you put on the car a year 15-20K that is along time.

I was thinking about scoring an NB from a salvage auction, stealing the entire drive train, then scrapping whatever is left. Is the swap pretty simple?

I'd say yes. It's the most simple swap going for the Miata (sans installing another 1.6) and it's heavily documented - and even supported with some aftermarket parts to simplify the install. Essentially nothing to figure out or fabricate. Ideally you want an NB head (non-variable valve) and na 1.8 bottom end- the earlier the better.

I like my 1.8 and it revs to redline just fine. I would go with a 1.8 over 1.6 anyday.

does the higher compression in the 1.6 counter the larger displacment of the 1.8 when it comes to spool?

They have different compression? The only differences i'm aware of are between the auto and the manual.

Also, higher compression does not help spool. Higher compression will help off-boost performance, and will help your engine get to the spool point faster, because it will be stronger off boost. Spool itself won't be affected

1.8 will spool faster.

There's no replacement for displacement.

thats not true.

well my points were just added to my insurance policy and looks like i wont have enough for the 1.8 anyways :( looks like ill have to squeeze what i can out of the 1.6. Why do i keep hearing there is no replacement for displacement, on a 4 cylinder turbo board, shouldn't we be bashing that phrase?

turbochargers the replacement for displacement since 1905.........:bigtu:

The term holds tru for any engine/size/na/turbo/sc/etc. An engine is just a heat pump and the larger the displacement of the "pump" the more power it makes. We can't compair a 4 cylinder running 20psi against a stock 350 small block and say there both making 350hp. (even though thry are) Put that 20psi on the 350ci and what happens? and don't tell me "it'll blow up" -lol- because my comment was refering to the laws of physics not the reality of engine designs. :bigtu:

-LAZ

Oh I got one. The 1.6 to the 1.8 is like the 305sb to the 350sb. Everyone would want the 350 right? Who wants that 305ci Camaro when there's 350ci Camaros out there? Or a v6 mustang when there's a v8? I personally, I don't want any Camaros. In fact, I sold my '85 Firebird with 67k garage kept miles in order to buy my Miata! =) Though I did buy my g/f a v6 Mustang. Hey it was a good deal. Shhhhh!