Hey guys,
I recently decided I want to build a miata, eventually turbo etc. But i’m stuck on deciding if I want to get a 1.6 or a 1.8.
Currently there are a few super low mileage NA6’s near me for fairly cheap. However, not many NA8’s. I was wondering what your guys opinion is on me just buying a 1.6 or waiting till a 1.8 pops up. I’m kinda a noob with the whole miata thing so any tips help.

 

Wait, unless you budget the extra for a 1.8 engine, a decent clutch, diff and shafts and the bigger brakes etc. If you can get a nice NA6 for a LOT less than a decent 1.8, sure, but you are gonna end up swapping all that stuff out anyways.

 

Yeah that seems like the smarter option. I’ll keep looking around. Thanks man!

 

forget 1.6L.

if you want to upgrade a 1.6L car to 1.8L specs, its a minimum of $2k.

You can buy a decent 1.8L car for 2-3K.

 

As someone who bought an Na6 before reading all the differences, buy an na8. your going to need to change the brakes, the diff, driveshaft, axles, ppf, the engine (if you want a good power platform)
at least my dash doesn't have a passenger airbag

 

Unless you're devoted to the NA6 for some reason, NBs are better to start with. All the easy upgrades you can do to an NA6 involve parts from 1.8 cars; brakes, diff, motor, etc.

 

If you eventually plan to do aftermarket brakes, diff, and build and engine, it doesn't matter whst chassis you start with. If you want to just turbo the car and leave it mostly stock, go with an NA8.