I've Really Killed My MX-5 This Time, So This Is The New Grand Plan
If you’ve been following the popular Project MX-5 series on our YouTube channel, you’ll know that Phil, my trusty, turbocharged steed has had a tough time of it in recent months. After getting turbocharged and gaining almost double the power, a lot of extra strain has been put through the old 1.8-litre BP-ZE engine, which resulted in blown oil seals while at the Nurburgring and general rough running.
After rescuing Phil from the ‘Ring and getting the seals replaced, boost pressure was then upped (see video above) and I drove away (with a very angry-sounding clutch) with over 250bhp at the crank. ‘Great’, I thought, ‘this is now one of the fastest MX-5s in the country’. (Not the fastest by any stretch of the imagination, but still damn quick).
Well, after trying to start little old Phil up the week before last, I heard a loud bang coming from under the bonnet, which sounded as though a heavy piece of metal had fallen to the ground and through my heart like a Hummer-punch that inextricably imploded my world, tied me up and buried me underground with 100kgs of TNT, a lighter and 10 crocodiles that hadn’t eaten for 1000 years…
The engine cut out immediately, and since then, Phil has been in hibernation. Again.
Until my buddy Gareth and I strip the engine and take a look, I won’t know what the damage is, to either the engine or the turbo. But one thing’s for sure: Phil is/was/will be again my daily and I’m all through with him being less than reliable. So there’s only one thing for it…an engine swap!
So then, what are my options? Well, V8 swaps are popular, but I don’t fancy going down that road, partly because of our insane fuel prices (did you know that we pay approximately $9 per gallon in the UK?!), coupled with the fact that the MX-5’s fuel tank is pretty small, meaning more regular fill-ups, and ain’t nobody got time for that!
You guys are also crying out for me to look into a rotary swap, which would keep the car Mazda pure, but again, it’s not something that grabs me because reliability and smooth running is very important to me.
What does really appeal to me is a six cylinder engine. Naturally, a BMW M52 2.8-litre engine is right up my street, but without cutting into the firewall and massive fabrication, it’s not feasible on a budget.
After some digging on the internet and conversations with MX-5 friends, I’ve discovered that a Mazda-sourced V6 would work very nicely indeed. The 2.5-litre KL engine as fitted to the Mazda MX-6 and Ford Probe GT would also keep the car in the Mazda bloodline, and would provide great power (around 200hp), reliability, and an engine and exhaust note sweet enough to do really bad things to.
Here’s a short video of one such car that already has the V6 swap, to give you a little taster of what may be coming to the Project MX-5 series in the next few months…
So to all of you who ask me how Phil is and what the plan is, this is your answer. Obviously, however, it’s very early days, but I’m excited at the prospect of maybe having a V6 MX-5 as a daily.
What are your thoughts, and what other options should I consider?
Comments
I do agree that a v6 would be rather awesome! But theres other 4 bangers that can make some easy horse too! I personally think you should go with a 4g63t, it’s more compact, loves to be under boost(which we all love), it’s a bolt on paradise, and ive seen mustangs (im american) run 5 seconds in a 1/4 mile with them swapped. I know the v6 would keep it in its right mazda blood line, but this would keep it in its true blood line, “WEIGHT REDUCTION BRO”.
If it was to me i would put a v8 in it, not necessarily a ls engine (they are amazing but thirsty), you could go with something german, a miata with a v8 from bmw, mercedes or audi would be quite something or a v8 from japan, toyota, lexus, nissan. If you just don’t want the v8 root you could always go with a v6 or a inline 6, but please don’t try to be a purist and go with a mazda engine just because its from mazda, its just stupid to put a worse engine to please someone who isn’t you. In that department you have the benchmarks, rb’s and jz’s suit yourself rb’s sound better but jz’s usually make more power and are more reliable plus some other stuff …. if you want a v6 there are a lot of choices from a lot of manufacturers ….
Perhaps a 7AGE? Or a Celica GTS engine. Or maybe a legacy gt engine. The 2.5litre ones
Rotary!!! I beg of you!!!
YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!! GO FOR THAT V6!
B204? Saab 2.0T (9-3ng)
You want a reliable engine with power and usable fuel economy? Take an SR20DET. :D
SR20
Or if you want straight 6 then RB20 but it’s a bit harder to find but sounds amazing.
Look at Monky London’s review of a 2.3 turbo Saab engined Mx-5 for inspiration if you still want boost
Vq35 from 350z or g35. I wont start with the goods or bads. Nonetheless the vq series was awarded with Wards top ten engines from 95 to 2008. Back in 2016. Good numbers. Sounds mean.