I can say for first hand experience of swapping in a JDM 1.6L into my car after having crank wobble death and then later putting a 1.8L. Just do the 1.8L swap it is easy and you will be very very happy. It makes the car all around better. Then you will have a better platform to start with the turbo setup. If you are handy with a welder and some metal for making small brackets like the throttle cable bracket. I would suggest buying the FM throttle body adapter and the coil pack adapter and make the rest. Only other thing you will need is the 1.8L block mounts and when you buy one used most of the time they come with the. If no then spend the $200 on the kit it is very very simple swap to do almost to easy.

Well, let me take a stab at this... There are benefits to going with the 1.6, and this is coming from a guy that has a '91 and swapped in a 1.8 out of a 1993 Ford Escort GT.

The main benefit that I can see is the cost of a DIY turbo system. 1.6 turbo system parts seem to be much easier to source, especially on the forums because most people are swapping to 1.8s. There is also a decent cast turbo manifold on eBay for the 1.6 that doesn't cost anything near what a decent manifold runs for a 1.8 (unless you wait for a deal, or course). Well, I guess that's about it... =)

If you do go with option 1 I recommend that you consider the 1993 Ford Escort GT engine. The reasoning is that they are very common, and typically much cheaper than the Miata engine even though they are technically the same. They have the same pulley system as the 1.6, and they also have the ports for turbo oiling and cooling. You will need an intake manifold from a 94-97 Miata, a throttle body adapter from FM, engine mount bosses from a 94-97 Miata, etc. All minor shit. All sensors swap onto the new motor. Another benefit is that the coolant exit on the head is already setup for a coolant re-route...

-Ryan

Plus, look at how badass the Ford Escort GT engine looks in the bay. Not to mention you can freak idiots out with the Ford valve cover...

http://s14.postimage.org/ykbauec1d/2...10583065_o.jpg

Who allowed the thread title to be changed?

That is a travistee...

Ryan L., I've known that the Escort GT engine is almost identical to the PB from miatas and I was considering getting one if my stock 1.8 blew. It just hasn't happened yet so I haven't looked into it. How much is a "Ford" 1.8 vs. a "Mazda" 1.8 and is it bolt-in on a 1.8 car save for the motor mounts you mentioned? (I guess if it was N/A you wouldn't need to worry about intake mani and maybe the throttle body?)

I'm not sure it's worth worrying about. local bp's motors all day for 400-800 bucks. Not sure if it's just cause i live in a good convertible state or not but they seem to be that around the country when i look at car-parts.

If you're replacing a 1.8 motor w/ a 1.8: kia sephia is a dime a dozen and I can pick those up for 100-300 a pop if I feel like transplanting some parts. Not sure if it's like that in other parts of the country... You can look super cool then cause you put a kia motor in your fag car :giggle:

I needed the following from a Miata 94-97 BP:

Intake manifold
Motor mount brackets
Oil pan and oil pickup tube
Exhaust manifold (I used an eBay header)

I bought a new oil pump as well because the Escort pump had a provision for a dipstick and I didn't wanna mess with removing it and plugging the hole it would have left.

Once I had those parts I bought the throttle body adapter and throttle cable bracket from FM and used my 1.6 throttle body. The CAS mounts directly where the distributor is, and I used the thermostat cover from the 1.6 and moved it to the back of my new engine so I could re-use the sensors. You can also use your 1.6 flywheel and clutch without issue. I would also suggest getting rid of the stock coil and switching to COPs or GM LSx series coils.

While you're in there a timing belt and water pump wouldn't hurt and would be cheap.

This should apply to any of the other FWD BP-equipped cars. (Kia, Protege LX, Escort GT, etc.)

-Ryan

It's basically bolt in for a 1.8 car, but you'd have to re-use some of your existing 1.8 parts.

this is not a benefit, nor the truth. Cobbling together a kit from a 1.6L or a 1.8L setup makes no difference. 1.6L parts may be cheaper since the parts are old, worn, and worthless to the seller.

untrue. Honestly, 1.6L turbo parts are harder to find.

decent in this cas is subjective.

The Begi or FM cast manifolds for a 1.6L or a 1.8L are identical in price.


Swapping in a 1.8L from a miata is all minor shit and you're not left with the shitty as hell v-notch belts and the horrible 1.6L alternator. The only benefit I see is having the rear water outlet...the rest seems like more effort than with a regular 1.8L miata swap since you dont have to source additional the IM, mounts, oil pan/pickup, and exhaust. So in the end, it sounds like extra effort/cost...

buy a miata motor, buy the FM kit, install it in a few hours and go about your business...


Honestly, your post is the worst advice I've ever seen given on this forum; I need to start banning people who suggest the 1.6L has benefits. :party:

option 2, i guess i have seen an ad somewhere on miata.net for a 1.6l engine with 199,xxx miles but supposably running good for only $250

I'll sell you a good running 1.6 for $250. Lots of them sitting around our various shops and garages with no purpose.