Discussion
With a huge heap of money I'm sure it's possible, after all you can stuff V8s in them. It would require a lot of custom work as there are no RWD diesel Mazdas which you could hope would share mounting points and/or electrics. A non-Mazda longitudinally mounted engine would probably be easiest, like a BMW, but you would need custom engine and gearbox mounts, and a lot of electrical work. Plus custom suspension to cope with the heavier engine, and it would probably still handle like a dog because the weight distribution would have been shifted forward.
A lot of expense and hassle to make a car a lot less fun.
A lot of expense and hassle to make a car a lot less fun.
Yes of course it's possible. Given enough time, money and skill pretty much any transplant is possible (I have a '36 Austin with a Jag' engine and various mates have V8s in unlikely cars). The bigger question would be, "why?". If it needs a new motor then there are plenty of rusty MX5s that could donate a good one. If it is purely for economy then you must be wanting to own one just for its looks? The best aspects of the MX5 are about how it drives - the luggage capacity, build quality, interior and comfort are nothing special. Fit a diesel in place of that lovely old fashioned "twink" and you will no longer be able to balance the car on the throttle etc., chances are that any diesel could be substantially heavier further destroying any driving enjoyment.
Eminently possible but exceedingly pointless.
If it's just about economy learn to drive in the car's most efficient zone and you'll get forty on a run - this still allows you to enjoy it when you want to.
Eminently possible but exceedingly pointless.
If it's just about economy learn to drive in the car's most efficient zone and you'll get forty on a run - this still allows you to enjoy it when you want to.
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