Engine swaps - V6?
Discussion
I was idly contemplating the possibilities of power upgrades for an MX5 today - not because I'm planning anything (not soon anyway) but because I'm bored at work - and got to thinking 
, I'm not a fan of rotaries and a V8 lump would royally screw the balance of an MX5, forced induction is obviously the easiest option but has anyone transplanted one of the Mazda V6s into an MX5?
The KL-ZE 2.5 V6 out of the 626/Telstar/Eunos 800 puts out 200hp/224Nm in standard jap spec, presumably a bit more could be freed up with some breathing mods. Thats a good (and reliable) step up from 120hp/137Nm with the bonus of NA power delivery and a tasty V6 engine note to go with it.
Then I discovered another interesting motor the Eunos 800 came out with - the KJ-ZEM 2.3 supercharged miller-cycle V6 - 220hp/290Nm with 275Nm from 2000-5500 rpm and apparently silky smooth to boot. How would that go for effortless grunt in an MX5?
The KJ-ZEM is less revvy than the KL-ZE so would perhaps be less fun in an MX5 from that angle - peak power and torque at 5500/3500 compared to 6500/5500.
Any ideas how the V6's would fit into an MX5 engine bay? If they can get an LS1 in there then surely someone must have tried it...
, I'm not a fan of rotaries and a V8 lump would royally screw the balance of an MX5, forced induction is obviously the easiest option but has anyone transplanted one of the Mazda V6s into an MX5?The KL-ZE 2.5 V6 out of the 626/Telstar/Eunos 800 puts out 200hp/224Nm in standard jap spec, presumably a bit more could be freed up with some breathing mods. Thats a good (and reliable) step up from 120hp/137Nm with the bonus of NA power delivery and a tasty V6 engine note to go with it.
Then I discovered another interesting motor the Eunos 800 came out with - the KJ-ZEM 2.3 supercharged miller-cycle V6 - 220hp/290Nm with 275Nm from 2000-5500 rpm and apparently silky smooth to boot. How would that go for effortless grunt in an MX5?
The KJ-ZEM is less revvy than the KL-ZE so would perhaps be less fun in an MX5 from that angle - peak power and torque at 5500/3500 compared to 6500/5500.
Any ideas how the V6's would fit into an MX5 engine bay? If they can get an LS1 in there then surely someone must have tried it...
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 6th March 04:05
Good thinking.
I'm new to the whole MX5 game, but am buying one with the intention of upgrading the power at some point. I too would be interested in the fitment of a different engine as an alternative to traditional forced induction routes.
Do you have any specs as to how much the V6 engine weighs in comparison to the standard 1.8 lump?
I'm new to the whole MX5 game, but am buying one with the intention of upgrading the power at some point. I too would be interested in the fitment of a different engine as an alternative to traditional forced induction routes.
Do you have any specs as to how much the V6 engine weighs in comparison to the standard 1.8 lump?
Its all been discussed at length on Miata Net there is even a specific engine swap forum.
The Rover V8 and box is actually LIGHTER than the std engine and box IIRC.
However best V6 swap is 3ltr from the Jag as its a RWD duratec, Mazda actually trialled it in a MK2 - write ups on M Net too.
BUT FI on an MX5 is so easy and cheap its not really worth the hassle.
HTH
The Rover V8 and box is actually LIGHTER than the std engine and box IIRC.
However best V6 swap is 3ltr from the Jag as its a RWD duratec, Mazda actually trialled it in a MK2 - write ups on M Net too.
BUT FI on an MX5 is so easy and cheap its not really worth the hassle.
HTH
Rover V8s or Jag V6s etc are pretty rare and expensive over here (NZ) AFAIK whereas you can pick up a V6 from a wrecked 626/Telstar/MX6 etc for a few hundred $. I guess being a transverse mount in those would make things more difficult. How about the Suzuki Vitara V6? shared some development with the earlier Mazda V6's so could have some commonality.
Theres a few have been done with Lexus V8s as well, another engine thats fairly cheap and readily available here.
Will have a browse on miata.net and see whats what.
Theres a few have been done with Lexus V8s as well, another engine thats fairly cheap and readily available here.
Will have a browse on miata.net and see whats what.
So its been done with the KL-ZE http://majica.net/JNR/jnr.htm but sounds like a fair bit of work. The Suzuki version of the V6 is designed for longitudinal mounting so may be easier?
ETA: The Suzuki V6 is only 160bhp so wouldn't be worth the effort unless you could use Mazda bits in it to bump the power up, which some people seem to think is possible.
ETA: The Suzuki V6 is only 160bhp so wouldn't be worth the effort unless you could use Mazda bits in it to bump the power up, which some people seem to think is possible.
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 6th March 21:22
Honda K20A?
Thats the 2 litre Vtec donk from the likes of the integra and civic type r.
IIRC these engines rotate the right way...I think it was the earlier 1.6 and 1.8 units that went the other way...dont hold me to it though
220BHP in Jap Spec but not much in the way of torques...in a light weight car though it wouldnt be much of a problem.
Thats the 2 litre Vtec donk from the likes of the integra and civic type r.
IIRC these engines rotate the right way...I think it was the earlier 1.6 and 1.8 units that went the other way...dont hold me to it though
220BHP in Jap Spec but not much in the way of torques...in a light weight car though it wouldnt be much of a problem.
I'd be more inclined towards the F20C S2000 motor for Honda power as its already longitudinal. Or how about the NSX V6 
. Good luck finding either of those cheap though!
I do like the sound of a nice revvy V6, IMO if sticking with 4 cylinder may as well just turbo or supercharge the lump in it. The thought was just that the Mazda ones might have been an easy conversion. The posts about it having been done on miata.net are a couple of years old, I wonder if anyone has made a kit for it yet?
. Good luck finding either of those cheap though!I do like the sound of a nice revvy V6, IMO if sticking with 4 cylinder may as well just turbo or supercharge the lump in it. The thought was just that the Mazda ones might have been an easy conversion. The posts about it having been done on miata.net are a couple of years old, I wonder if anyone has made a kit for it yet?
Edited by GravelBen on Thursday 6th March 23:24
I've been thinking of an engine swap for a while. I seem to remember watching a youtube clip of a silver miata with a Lexus V6 that sounded great and clearly worked properly. But surely if you're going to all that trouble you want the V8 sound track (and maybe 11.8 sec standing quarters! ie LS1)
Could be sacrilege to suggest it, but what about an Escort/Sierra cosworth lump? It's mounted in the same way as the MX-5 unit, and can be easily breathed on. It's as heavy as the V8, and wouldn't spine tingle like the V6, but might be easier than either to install.
Just a thought.
Matt
Just a thought.
Matt
SR20DET probably be the best bet for nutter big power 4-cyl turboness. Fits easily enough apparently, theres a couple in NZ I've heard of running 400+ bhp.MattOz said:
Could be sacrilege to suggest it, but what about an Escort/Sierra cosworth lump? It's mounted in the same way as the MX-5 unit, and can be easily breathed on. It's as heavy as the V8, and wouldn't spine tingle like the V6, but might be easier than either to install.
Just a thought.
Matt
There was a Cosworth engined '5 for sale at Supercarclassics not long ago, it looked a really tidy job (and the price reflected it).Just a thought.
Matt
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