2 litre engine, any good?

[Evoluzione]

As per title really.
I am looking into buying a Mk3 and wondered if there were any weaknesses with the 2 ltr engine as I figured it would be best to go for the most CC available.
Given the time I would love to turbo it, but that can wait for another day - if ever!

[tr7v8]

Early Mk 3 is weaker than later Mk3.5 on engine, various changes done but stronger rods & crank fundamentally.

[Evoluzione]

tr7v8 said:

Early Mk 3 is weaker than later Mk3.5 on engine, various changes done but stronger rods & crank fundamentally.

Thanks, how would I know which is which?

[eltax91]

Buy a mk2, thensoend what you saved on my full supercharger kit instead.

[roddo]

All mk3's are bullet proof if serviced well and full of oil!

[Evoluzione]

I've set a price of circa £4k, looking around there seem to be some decent ones for that kind of money - well in the pics anyhow!

[tr7v8]

Evoluzione said:

tr7v8 said:

Early Mk 3 is weaker than later Mk3.5 on engine, various changes done but stronger rods & crank fundamentally.

Thanks, how would I know which is which?

Taken from the MX5 OC site:- The raised rev limit & red line is a Mk3.5 to 7200
Engine upgrades - some of the engine internals are forged and a bit lighter. Other than the raised rev limit, on the 2.0L, the engine in the mk3.5 is(feels) stronger. And it really pulls a bit harder. The lighter internals help, but the engine maps are also tweaked. I drove both engines stock and with catless (4-1) manifold and tune and I must say that the stock mk3.5 fells near as good as a remapped mk3. A remapped mk3.5 is a peach, but that is another story. And shifting at 7300-7400 rpm on the mk3.5 is so addictive. Mk3.5 engine for me please...

This is the Wiki https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_MX-5

[Rickyy]

eltax91 said:

Buy a mk2, thensoend what you saved on my full supercharger kit instead.

Supercharger and welding.

[eltax91]

Rickyy said:

eltax91 said:

Buy a mk2, thensoend what you saved on my full supercharger kit instead.

Supercharger and welding.

Can't have it all.

[Evoluzione]

Was anything done to the Mk3 so tall people can drive them?
I've just remembered why I never bought an MX-5.....

[SmilerFTM]

How tall?

[Evoluzione]

That doesn't answer the question.
I'm 6'2 and couldn't fit in a Mk2, I remember people saying you could take padding out of the seats, put a smaller steering wheel on, remove the armrest on the door etc, but I don't really want to be doing all that to a good condition car and the wheel has airbag and switches on it. I'll find one locally and see if I can fit.

[Rickyy]

Evoluzione said:

That doesn't answer the question.
I'm 6'2 and couldn't fit in a Mk2, I remember people saying you could take padding out of the seats, put a smaller steering wheel on, remove the armrest on the door etc, but I don't really want to be doing all that to a good condition car and the wheel has airbag and switches on it. I'll find one locally and see if I can fit.

Try one, I'm 6'4" and fit (just) in a mk1. I have had to change the door handle for a strap though!

[SmilerFTM]

It's a fairly relevant question though. 6' 2" you should fit but it'll be a snug fit

[MX-5 Lazza]

I'm 6'2" and fit in Mk1 & Mk2 fine. I reckon you probably tried a Mk2.5 which have bigger seats and less space as a result.

[Rickyy]

From what I can gather, it depends which part of you is tall. I'm just shy of 6'4", with long legs and I have a two finger gap between my head and the roof, but a little cramped around the wheel.

Where as, I've read of slightly shorter people, with long torsos struggling with headroom.

[Evoluzione]

Well as I tried to shut the door it bounced off my knee which was tight against the steering wheel....

[MX-5 Lazza]

Evoluzione said:

Well as I tried to shut the door it bounced off my knee which was tight against the steering wheel....

But what year car was it? If it was a 2001-05 then I'm not surprised. When mine had the standard heated leather Mk2.5 seats I had to sit with knees apart, seat back all the way and more upright than ideal so I could fit.
I seem to be a long torso, average legs 6'2".

[Evoluzione]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Evoluzione said:

Well as I tried to shut the door it bounced off my knee which was tight against the steering wheel....

But what year car was it? If it was a 2001-05 then I'm not surprised. When mine had the standard heated leather Mk2.5 seats I had to sit with knees apart, seat back all the way and more upright than ideal so I could fit.
I seem to be a long torso, average legs 6'2".

TBH I've no idea as it was ages ago and I wasn't that interested then, it just happened to be in a mates garage and I tried it for size.
Anyhow, it's irrelevant, more to the point is that i've just come back from the dealers and I can definitely fit in a '63 plate 'Venture Edition' (and it was a lovely place to be too) , the salesman had no idea, but i'm guessing that's a Mk3.5?
Way out of my price range, but i'm presuming/hoping an earlier Mk3 will be the same so the search is on

[SmilerFTM]

Evoluzione said:

TBH I've no idea as it was ages ago and I wasn't that interested then, it just happened to be in a mates garage and I tried it for size.
Anyhow, it's irrelevant, more to the point is that i've just come back from the dealers and I can definitely fit in a '63 plate 'Venture Edition' (and it was a lovely place to be too) , the salesman had no idea, but i'm guessing that's a Mk3.5?
Way out of my price range, but i'm presuming/hoping an earlier Mk3 will be the same so the search is on

It'll have been a 3.75 but they are all the same inside