Miata Engine Swap
 

I have been looking at getting rid of my factory 1.6L for something else, but I love turbo's. I am looking for about 300-400 hp, but I still would like to keep the car light. Factory weight is 2100 lbs, but i don't want to go over 2200 lbs and I will still go with Carbon doors, hood, fenders etc... So I was debating it but what if I went LS1, would that motor/torq be the best for Time Attack. I have seen many Miata's with LS1 swaps but I have never seen one under 2400 Lbs, but there wasn't much in light weight components. So what do you guys think? would it be worth the trouble. I know its in the middle of the season in the northern hemisphere, but I will wait for winter.

Carbon fiber Miata hood is heavier than the stock one.

This thread...

http://www.axispowerracing.com/miata...Miata_Exterior

Stock weight 14
APR weight 7

I know its not a lot but with my hood all ready F--ed up, I'm going to get a new CF one

For time attack you'll need 500wtq or you won't be competitive.

You want 300-400hp and you want to do a swap? I don't understand why. Buy a used VVT head, buy a TSE short block and buy one of the used baller turbo systems that show up on the classifieds. Fit with turbo of your choice and BAM..instant win.

Anything less is just a waste of time. And that 7lbs savings on the hood alone will make the front MUCH lighter and the car should be much faster.

i think this lsx weight thing is a never-mentioned-dirty-little-secret. it looks light but still 2424:

http://www.axwaresystems.com/MX5/buildup.htm

I think a ~2 liter 4cyl with a good flowing head (ala vtec) will get you there.

That's an NC, an NA would lighter I think

built 1.8, vvt head, turbo kitty

I don't want a 1.8, if I'm going to do all that work to throw a 1.8 in there. I might as well go with a S15 SR20 with a dry sump system. I was also thinking of an LS1 for the awesome gas mileage 2002 Camaro 24 mpg, Corvette 28 mpg.

Yeah just "throw" that dry sumped SR in there. Should be easy.

sounds like a crap ton of work for no benefits.

I've thought about the swap when I first got the car and when I saw the swap kit my jaw dropped. A oil pan and mounts cost $3200 AUD...LOL no way, but I could always build the mounts from scratch. The dry oil sump would make it a lot easier to put the engine in and would be better for the oil cooler. A S15 SR20DET makes 250ps and is capable of making 300hp at the wheels. Previous to owning the Miata I had a 240sx(s13), 280z, 240sx(s14) and a 300zx Twin Turbo, so yes I am a big Nissan fan.

You might be a Nissan fan, but there's a reason you're driving a miata. It's a better car.

A built BP can easily handle 300 whp and do it reliably if built correctly (vband, safety wire,coolant reroute, etc.), and it would be much easier and more efficient to do than a SR20.

Im either building the 1.6 or not a 1.8 swap. $8k for the Engine/turbo install or $8k for a LS1 or whatever swap. And how much boost am I looking at to make 300 to 400 hp with 9:1 comp, Kelford 272 with built head.

in my humble opinion the miata is a nice chassis. an aluminum block motor with a variable lift head (sr20 vvl/f20c/etc) is a nice motor. put them together is win.

given a few swap parts (tranny <-> ppf adapter, motor mounts, oil pan) i think a sr20/f20c swap makes sense. without a kit its an awful lot of work.

full disclosure: i'm a fan of both chassis and sr20 motor. in fact, i'm hoarding parts for a sr20ve+t for my miata.

I probably gained 75-100 pounds going from the turbo to the LS swap.

The rest of the weight was gained in creature comforts.

:giggle:

I make 300hp, on a 1.6L with a Rotrex and would likely make more if I actually ran a turbo. As do many others here.

Seriously, if you can't realize we've all been trolling you you are not going to last long here

Just build your 1.6L, slap a turbo on and call it a day.