Miata motor swap options

[alexB]

I tried a search and didnt find much. But I am wanting to pick up a miata for a winter project. I have a very modded MSP and am tired of fixing it. So this well be my fun car. First off I dont know alot about theese cars but am trying to learn.

1.What kind of miata should I look for? (years,models,and all that)

I am wondering what kind of motor swaps have been done. Not wanting to spend a s*** ton of money. Put I am wanting to have something that not everyone has and be able to have fun with it. I will be focusing on getting it running over the winter and all the body work will come in the spring.

 

[R2s99zoom]

I tried a search and didnt find much. But I am wanting to pick up a miata for a winter project. I have a very modded MSP and am tired of fixing it. So this well be my fun car. First off I dont know alot about theese cars but am trying to learn.

1.What kind of miata should I look for? (years,models,and all that)

I am wondering what kind of motor swaps have been done. Not wanting to spend a s*** ton of money. Put I am wanting to have something that not everyone has and be able to have fun with it. I will be focusing on getting it running over the winter and all the body work will come in the spring.

any miata before the 2006 model, and just add a turbo (like flyin miata or begi).

a motor swap itself is pretty much replacing the entire drivetrain, and lots of custom fabbing... expensive.

 

[alexB]

any miata before the 2006 model, and just add a turbo (like flyin miata or begi).

a motor swap itself is pretty much replacing the entire drivetrain, and lots of custom fabbing... expensive.

Well are theese motors better than the MSP motor with added power? Sorry for my ignorance here. I am just wanting to have my route with this project planned before I even buy the car. I want it go as smooth as possible. Tired of problems

 

[gr?]

Most swaps will cost about $11,000-14,000 depending which set up you go with. Some of the ones I've seen recently have been the S2000 swap, LS1, SR20DET and 13B.

This S2000 swap write up is an interesting read: http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=417646&st=350

 

[94mx6-ls]

Or the KL-Miata...
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=193437&page=1&pp=25

 

[nate0123]

why do you ask about motor swaps? at ~2200 lbs, the miata doesn't need a ton of power to move it around

 

[alexB]

why do you ask about motor swaps? at ~2200 lbs, the miata doesn't need a ton of power to move it around

I just had a friend who is planning on doing a ford 302 swap and I was really kinda liking the idea. Something about a small car with alot of rumble would be pretty unique. I like things that are uncommon But I also like things that are done very tastefully and clean. Not too much but Just enough.

 

[z00mer]

Well are theese motors better than the MSP motor with added power? Sorry for my ignorance here. I am just wanting to have my route with this project planned before I even buy the car. I want it go as smooth as possible. Tired of problems

If you're wondering about the abilities of the BP engines in the miata, check out www.flyingmiata.com

 

[kcbhiw]

Stick with the original engine. A ton of power can be made from it without touching the internals, unlike the Protege. The following combination works well with the Miata: early chassis (90-93) + later model engine (99+) + turbo = 2200 lb car with ~250WHP at your command.

 

[SlowPro98]

KLZE powered miata

rotary in a miata

kick ass v8 swap

the original monster miata

all motor miata

turbo miata

supercharged miata

turbo 1.6 miata engine

 

[MiaTurbo]

Stick with the original engine. A ton of power can be made from it without touching the internals, unlike the Protege. The following combination works well with the Miata: early chassis (90-93) + later model engine (99+) + turbo = 2200 lb car with ~250WHP at your command.

yes, this is the easiest, cost efficient, reliable way to do it. The motor/trans/rear bolt in in an afternoon. Well, a long weekend

90-93 Miata with busted engine: <$1000
1.8l motor/trans/rear: ~$1000-$1500 (the 1.6l trans will bolt to the 1.8, but later ones are improved internals. the smaller rear in the earlier cars will blow up with real power)
bolt in 12psi turbo/electronics: ~$4000 (diy turbo setup/electronics: <$2000)

Kevin (kcbhiw) built his for less than $2k, but fabbed a lot of stuff on his own. Your results may vary pending your skillz