The cheap 1.8 swap solution for 1.6 Miata's?

I read some threads on various forums awhile back about snagging (Maybe an Escort GT motor?) or something else, that you can get for cheap (vs the 1.8 Miata motor) for a swap.

My google-fu is failing me now, anyone know of what I speak?

Escort GT engine from '91-'96 is the droid you're looking for, but from what I recall reading that particular walkthrough, it involved getting the Miata-specific intake manifold, oil pan and oil pickup tube, along with some other miscellany.

Here's a walkthrough: http://www.miata.net/garage/escort1.8.html

And this website notes the other possible donor cars: Mazda Protege from the early '90s (be careful with trim lines, the engines varied); BG-chassis Kia Sephia; and variants of the Escort, like the Escort LX-E (sedan) and Mercury Tracer LTS.

91-94 Protege LX.

I suspect that by the time you've sourced the correct pan, gaskets, manifold, etc it's not the cheap option anymore. If you had a 1.8 already, the math would work out differently.

^What he said...

What i've always been curious of, though.... Can you slap a 1.6 head on a 1.8 bottom end?

Yes, if you also change the block, oil pan, pistons and crank The bore spacing is different and the 1.6 block can't handle the 1.8 bore. But the rods are the same.

Keith wrote: Yes, if you also change the block, oil pan, pistons and crank The bore spacing is different and the 1.6 block can't handle the 1.8 bore. But the rods are the same.

Hrmmm... bummer.

But i suppose i can't be the first one in the world to have that idea, so i guess i'm not surprised.

Wasn't there 2.0 version of this swap? like a 2.0 Sportage block with a 1.8 head? Or is that some old acid coming back to say 'Hello? Remember me?'

Curmudgeon wrote: Wasn't there 2.0 version of this swap? like a 2.0 Sportage block with a 1.8 head? Or is that some old acid coming back to say 'Hello? Remember me?'

Now that, i know the 1.8 head doesn't go on the 2.0 bottom end.

That said... yes. The swap has been done. The 2.0 Sportage motor is a somewhat watered down version of the Mazda FE-DOHC. (or FE3, FE3N whatever you want to say.)

The FE3 is crazy overbuilt, and will take ludicrous amounts of boost without being opened up.

If you use a Kia motor, i'd at least suggest throwing some forged pistons in it, ARP headstuds/bolts, and the FE3 cams.

I thought 1.8 miata engines were cheap. I've got two of them in my garage that I'd sell for less than $500 each.

mw wrote: I thought 1.8 miata engines were cheap. I've got two of them in my garage that I'd sell for less than $500 each.

I wish you were closer!

I kind of want to go the other direction, stripped-out Miata with a Festiva 1.3L in it. Cut down half the windshield, toneau cover the passenger's side, and make a tiny single person "bubble" top for aero and see just how high I can get for mpg...

Let me know if you want a festiva 1.3. We've got one here. I was proposing something similar for Yolk, our yellow 1992. Instead, we accidentally installed a high-compression 2.0 with throttle bodies.

z31maniac wrote: I read some threads on various forums awhile back about snagging (Maybe an Escort GT motor?) or something else, that you can get for cheap (vs the 1.8 Miata motor) for a swap. My google-fu is failing me now, anyone know of what I speak?

Even cheaper? Sell the 1.6 car and buy a 1.8...

Keith wrote: Let me know if you want a festiva 1.3. We've got one here. I was proposing something similar for Yolk, our yellow 1992. Instead, we accidentally installed a high-compression 2.0 with throttle bodies.

Whoops! I made an awesome!

Javelin wrote:

z31maniac wrote: I read some threads on various forums awhile back about snagging (Maybe an Escort GT motor?) or something else, that you can get for cheap (vs the 1.8 Miata motor) for a swap. My google-fu is failing me now, anyone know of what I speak?

Even cheaper? Sell the 1.6 car and buy a 1.8...

Nah, I was just curious about the swap, since I remembered reading about a "cheap" way, which doesn't seem to be all that cheap.

Eventually I think I'll turbo the car using something like FM Hydra kit..........only a 30hp difference between the two.

Probably be smarter to just do a stock 1.6 rebuild, add the cooling stuff, do the Hydra kit and call it good. I have to imagine more than double stock HP in a Miata is a blast.

DaveEstey wrote:

Keith wrote: Let me know if you want a festiva 1.3. We've got one here. I was proposing something similar for Yolk, our yellow 1992. Instead, we accidentally installed a high-compression 2.0 with throttle bodies.

Whoops! I made an awesome!

GUISE I ALMOST THE WHO- AWESOME!!!

Keith wrote: Instead, we accidentally installed a high-compression 2.0 with throttle bodies.

I hate when that happens.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote:

That just gives me evil thoughts.....

Keith wrote: Let me know if you want a festiva 1.3. We've got one here. I was proposing something similar for Yolk, our yellow 1992. Instead, we accidentally installed a high-compression 2.0 with throttle bodies.

Care to propagate any rumors about the availability of such throttle bodies in the FM catalogue?

I'm in no rush to go that route, but I'd be happy to move the schedule forward a bit...

If they work out and we can assemble a workable kit out of them, they'll be available. But honestly, throttle bodies have been 6 months away since I did the first catalog for FM in 1997 or so. Fun to play with, not really a serious development effort due to the size of the naturally aspirated market.

Not to cut out fm's business, but if you want itbs right meow, they're already fairly easy to find.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Not to cut out fm's business, but if you want itbs right meow, they're already fairly easy to find.

Meow I understand what you're saying, and I try not to buy in too much into the Miata world's rabid FM worship, but I just don't have faith that a site with 10,000 pieces of JDM Miata bling will stand behind their IRTB product, or has the technical know-how to back it up. I might go that route eventually, but an FM product would make the decision much easier.

Thanks for the short threadjack, you can meow go back to your regularly scheduled programming.