Hey.
I read on flyinmiata.com some time ago that the 1.8 out of a kia is the same as the miata 1.8.
I am thinking abot buying a short block and build it.
So does anyone have any clue if it's the same engine?

Thanks

p.s.: THe subaru way didn't come out the way Iwanted so I'm building the miata. The money I would pay for the subaru is almost the same as a built miata engine + rx-7 TII tranny and diff. So I'm going the built miata way.

 

It is- except it's made by Kia. Why bother when the Mazda 1.8s are readily availble from salvage yards? It's not worth any $ saved at the risk of poor casting or inferior metallurgy IMO.

 

what are you trying to say about Koreans?

 

I heard that there is no difference at all. The engine code is the same and they are made by the same factory <- that;s what I read somewhere, but I'm not sure. But for $170 for an engine with 60k miles is a pretty good price I think.

m2cupcar:
If you'll see a 1.8 out of a 99 lmk.

braineack:
I think he's trying to say that koreans make "bad" engines

 

Koreans are great people... except for their metallurgists.

Those BPs are early Kia stuff and you take your chances with it. There's been several reports of Kia FE3 (fe-dohc) blocks cracking. I had one block that was cracked on the outside, and then my 2.3 cracked in the number one cylinder wall. Face with a choice I'd pick Mazda.

Dhaark- if you're doing a 1.8 short block find a 94/95 since they'll most like be cheaper and the lowest compression.

 

ford used the bp in the excort gt in like 1985 and 1986 i think

 

the kia engine I'm looking at is a 2000 and a 2002. so idk maybe they are better?

 

how hard is it to swap an fe3 into a miata? are there any conversion kits available?

 

I don't know when kia stopped using the BP, so make sure it IS a BP before you buy. Either way I'm avoiding Kia engines... at least the short blocks.

Next to swapping a 1.8 for a 1.6, it's probably the easiest swap going. Then again it's the only one I've done. And since there's no "kit" for the swap, a swap with a kit may be easier. Probably depends on what kind of fabricator the installer is.

 

do you have any pics of the swap you did? what was farbicated and all?

 

There's some pics on my cardomain site, linked in my profile. Big ticket fab work is intake manifold, sump and pickup, engine mount adapter plates. The rest is smaller stuff like pipes and brackets. Then getting sensors mounted and connected. And then there's the stuff that I can't list, BUT includes things like figuring out how to get a clutch slave cylinder to work with the B2000 bellhousing, fork, a Miata clutch assmebly and a 626 pressure plate. The kind of stuff where you spend more time thinking about than acutally doing it. I did it all with some basic tools- compressor, air tools, hoist, chop saw, grinders, sawzall, 110v mig...

the escort gt didn't get the BP until it showed up in the protege LX- in the 90s

 

well, I'll look for a 1.8 BP probably the kia motor. I'll be checking tomorrow for sure if it's a BP - the 00 engine. if not I'll try to get a 1.8 miata engine. If anyone has one for sale LMK.

 

actually ford used the 1.8 bp motor in the 91-96 escort gt. i know i had a 93 and now i have a 91 gt they also came in the 91-93 mercury tracer lts

 

are they the same engine as the 1.8 miata? no difference at all? is the head different or the same?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/91-96...QQcmdZViewItem


Can I use the miata 1.8 coil on it or no?

 

To use that motor you would still need to source a miata CAS, coils, and intake manifold. Thats all that I can think of atm.

 

CAS, coils I can do that. My main question is if the block and head is exactly the same. or will it be better to use my 99 head? The intake manifold, exhaust manifold will be made by me, so I don't even have to get them with the engine.

 

im pretty sure fm put like 375hp on that motor after they built it up so im sure the block is alright

 

http://www.flyinmiata.com/projects/O...OTC_engine.jpg

3rd pic from bottom: http://www.flyinmiata.com/projects/O...OTC_engine.jpg

http://www.flyinmiata.com/projects/OTC/2002_dog.asp

 

Not saying a Kia block isn't capable if it's a "good kia block". What I am saying is that you will more than likely run a greater risk of becoming a victim of a QC issue if you do chose a Kia block. Given the end product with FMs block they probably did things like sonic bore testing and continuity/integrity testing on the block pior to building it.

 

there is a car club in dallas called "kia stylez." I bet you could join with the kia motor.