Engine swap or turbo (Mk1 1.6i)
 

I want to buy a Miata project for drifting and as a sports car for the summer and i've seen a nice example close-by, it's a Mk1 1990 1.6 MX5 (i'm from the UK).

I've driven the 1.8 and it was allot of fun but not quite powerful enough for me, so I was wondering if anyone in the UK produced a complete prefabbed turbo kit or if there was a nice engine swap I could do which would net me between 150-200 ft/lbs torque?

Begi sells a turbo kit that seems to fit with what your looking for, Click here for the link.
Also, your going to want to post here in the "introduction" section, put your cars year, engine & major modifications in your signature and add your location to your details.

Well I havn't bought a Miata yet, i'll post up something in the introduction section in a moment.

What can I do engine swap wise to achieve my goals?

It would be far less work to add power with a turbo then swapping out for a new engine. You could get more power from switching to a 99'+ engine, a small block chevy V8 (think LS1), various Ford V8's (5.0 for instance), people have swapped 2JZ engines from Toyotas and I'm sure there are more options out there. But like I said, they are all going to be a lot more work and probably a lot more expensive then a turbo kit. If the Begi kit in the link doesn't make enough power for you then check out some of the other kits on there sight. Also, FlyinMiata makes some good stuff.

How straight forward would swapping in a 99+ engine be, plug and play with the loom/gearbox/mounts?

The mk3 2.0 seems interesting, is that allot of work?

Can't say that I know for sure, especially since your car will be a Euro version. I believe the hardware would fit together fine, but as far as everything else is concerned (software, A/C, etc.) you may run into problems. I you'll have to use am after market ECU or the ECU that came with the engine in order for the engine to run. Most people here use Megasquirt as their after market ECU. Why so interested in an engine swap though? A turbo would be far easier.

The turbo question is solved, now I need to know what would net me my power gains with an engine swap.

For me the mk3 2.0 engine seems perfect, if it bolts up and all I need to do is megasquirt it then that'd be nearly perfect for my goals?

uh, the mk3 2.0 (NC) engine is not going to bolt up in any shape or form, it's a completely different engine. There are no easy swaps. You either need fabrication skills (i.e. how to weld up engine/transmission mounts) or lots of money (V8 swap)

What about swapping in a rotary engine from an RX-7/RX-8?

I don't like the sound of rotary engines

That's a shame, fabrication is something i'm strong on as i'm lucky enough to have a very large workshop.

What would you recommend to me to achieve my goal of 150+ torque?

I'd recommend a light-pressure turbo.

A basic turbo kit can be installed by a competent mechanic in about 8-10 hours. The most basic of motor swaps would take ~50 hours. An LS swap is around 75-100 hours.

IMO, if you are going to swap the motor, anything other than an LSx is a waste of time. If you want less power or less cost, just put a turbo on the stock motor.

You can achieve that torque with the most basic and simple bolt on turbo kit.

No swaps needed.

A turbo. That's the standard response you'll get here, and theres a reason for that. If your hell bent on an engine swap then you might want to look into a NB (Mk2) engine, an exhaust and some head work. That combined with a megasquirt will easily get you to your goal. Theres a thread about a member here (hustler) tuning a members naturally aspirated car and getting good results, I'd look there. HOWEVER, you will not see any better results then you would on any other 1.8 engine, and its still way more work/$ then a turbo kit.

Most of the time this sight isn't so gentle with noobs asking questions, just fyi. Your lucky.

Seeing that you are in the Uk shipping will probably be a fortune.

Either way I'd rather go with a swap if i had the garage/equipment to do it in.

This is what i'm thinking, by the time shipping/VAT/import tax is applied I could get a VVT engine and probably mega-squirt?

In the UK I wouldn't need a catalytic converter for 1990 car so I could get a nice aftermarket exhaust manifold and system too, i'm thinking that should get me what I want out of the car.

If you're still wanting the 150-200ftlbs from post 1, no it won't. Turbo or go home. Lucky for you it's the easiest option too.

Turbo vvt=baller status.

Is there no turbo kit you can buy locally? You also could buy your components locally and do a DIY turbo kit.

BBR turbo kit was sold as a dealer option in the UK throughout the 90s, not sure if it was for the 1.6 though...

If you have the skills/tools, the 2.0 engine is probably the least difficult conversion seeing as you have a PPF connection at the back of the gearbox. This would mean that you would need a modified PPF, new engine mounts, exhaust, fuel lines, tail shaft, then engine management.

If there was a shop at my disposal, I'd look at an Alfa V6 which would net around the torque you like, sound good too, but would need all the above as well as a gearbox adaptor.

all food for thought, but a turbo would be the easiest option.

Is VAT charged in the UK for imported items? Maybe sourcing them second hand is better?

Dont forget to add cost for dyno tune also and a standalone...

SWAP SWAP SWAP SWAP

I'm a Brit too. Add boost is the answer. Add a little bit, if its not for you then add some more, if thats not for you then add some more, still not enough? build a forged motor and add some more, still not enough? Then look at engine conversion.

The best engine conversion in my oppinon is the totally over looked Saab 9000 engine and Omega gear box. A £150 engine you can take to 500hp on standard internals! I've had two 280hp 365ftlb 9000s now, if I can ever get my Eunos Roadster as quick as them in a straight line I know I've done something right!