1990 MK1 MX5 (Eunos Import) 1.6 - Engine BHP?

[mentalmechanic]

Hi all. New to forum as you can probably see!

Well chuffed at the moment because yesterday her indoors and I picked up the above, and are loving it!

Brilliant little car, even for its age it feels nice and tight still, the car that is!

Anyway, I've been digging around a bit and see that there maybe a couple of different power outputs for this engine, 80 or 115 BHP?

Would much appreciate it if anyone could tell me how to check this for definate. I realise some guys may say the 80 brake is slow or whatever, but have not driven any other models to gauge this against. Am a mechanic by trade (Vauxhall) but don't think I have driven one before, if I have I can't remember. And I'm pretty sure I would of had one before now if I did!

All help much appreciated.

[Howard-]

The mk1 1.6 engines up to about 1994 are all circa 115bhp. They detuned it from about 1994 onwards

[Murdoc]

Howard- said:

The mk1 1.6 engines up to about 1994 are all circa 115bhp. They detuned it from about 1994 onwards

Only the UK cars were detuned, all the japenese 1.6s are 115bhp.

[Oldandslow]

Post 94 it was a different engine, not just a detuned version of the original 1.6. Pretty much only sold in the UK and a couple of European countries plus the Philipines to take advantage of local tax and insurance regs

[franv8]

I'm not sure it was an entirely different engine - I think it had different cams and pistons (lower comp) - talking to a helpful Mazda tech - he said all 1.6 head castings are the same regardless of year and mark (1-2) - and I have a 2004 that fits my 1990.

[mentalmechanic]

Thanks for the info guys..

Just returned from a smashing sunny afternoon out in it. Good little motors..

One more little thing, under the front number plate sitting in the rad air intake are a couple of original looking projector type lights. Can anyone tell me if they are supposed to be there and when are they supposed to come on because they don't work at all, plus there doesn't seem to be any switch in the cabin for them.

Cheers

[NiceCupOfTea]

They're a common aftermarket accessory - only way you can find out what's going on is by tracing back the wiring I think. Are you sure there are no extra switches in the cabin?