Cant decide which Miata to get, 1.6 or 1.8?
 

I have a slight dilemma. I am in the market for a miata but i can not decide in between the 1.6 or the 1.8.

Both of these motor will get me my HP goal with most turbo kits (220hp)

My build plan for 1.6 -
Greddy manifold
T25 motor
1.8 injectors or RX7 injectors
Stipes intercooler kit with ebay intercooler
Custom or Tony's DP
Megasquirt or emanage. likely MS
Clutch
Diff

Pretty much with the 1.8 execpt for the manifold.
- Injectors and Diff - Makes this MUCH MUCH Cheaper.

The Catch, im reside inside the smog nazi state of cali. I should be able to scavange up a Greddy Carb sticker which should trick most smog tester and police. Just point to the sticker then the greddy manifold.

With the 1.8, i dont think ill be able to do this. One of the cars that i looking at has a 1.8 swapped into a 1.6, do you guys think the smog people will be able to tell the difference between the 1.6 and the 1.8?

Thanks....

I dunno if they'll have a way to tell, but FWIW I drove a 94, a 95, and my 93 back-to-back when I was Miata shopping and I liked the 1.6 better.

Does suck that the diff has to be changed though. I'm not looking forward to that.

considering MSpnp, the 1.6 with a torsen rear and brakes is pretty much a perfect car.

Start with the 1.8 car.

Mixed answers, just like in my head!! AHHH

1.6 cars might be easier to find, however, you'll want to consider that if you are boosting....

1.8 brakes,
1.8 diff
MAS instead of the AFM (although the Pnp MS would eleminate that one anyway)

Some people want the bracing, or get aftermarket....

I say, get a 1.8, then you don't have to worry about upgrading the rest of the crap. Also when you want to swap motors you have more choice, since... you've already got a 1.8 based stuff in there.

Dave,

I would start by finding a pre obdII car in good mechanical shape at a good price. I would be more concerned about condition of the body, condition of the drive train, and price than the year of the car.

Total build cost will be similar no matter which platform you start with (newer cars being more expensive to start with, older being less expensive but taking a little more work).

1.8

I'd get a 94.

Get a '94. If you plan to boost it, the diff and the bigger brakes really make all the difference.

diff, brakes, clutch & displacement.

in theory the 1.6 cars go for cheaper than 1.8 cars, offsetting the cost of the rear swap

$200 for 1.8 caliper brackets, rotors, and hawk pads, again the cheaper buy-in offests the cost

neither stock clutch is worth a shit and either would be replaced anyway, the only difference there is the flywheel--$40 for a new "stock" one at advance auto

true. cheaper parts available and more agressive cams in the 1.6 though

Like I said, I'd look for a good condition car (which is getting tough as they're old now) at a right price over other considerations. Unless I was sitting on a pile of disposable income slated for the project. In that case I'd wait for a 95M, go with an overbore and forged rods, 99 head, and BEGi S5.

So 1.8 sounds great as it has all the bs that i must install on the 1.6. But i still have the problem with smog.

Anyone have a FULL Fm kit/ Begi Kit that can help me out? Ill buy your CARB sticker =) PM me if you can! Also, if you can take pics of your install i can send them in to begi/fm and get them to send me a FM, i will of course make the time you spent worth it.



Thanks guys, very helpful forum!

get a monster miata haha

http://monstermiata.com/Monster_V8_Kit.asp

That kit was the main reason i started looking at miatas. Then i figured out its about 8k to get the full kit installed with engine and tranny.

I think Ben forgot the labour. If you do it yourself it still cost you time. If you buy a 1.8 you are ready to go. You can always use a BEGI manifold or a JGS.