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
Just build the 1.8! Hear me out, you’ve sorted the drive train, you’ve got the ECU and the turbo bits.
If you do an engine swap you have to redo ALL of it.
If you build the engine to take the power everything will be much easier and cheaper in the long run. Clutch? No prob. New transmission? No prob. Also no fiddly fabrication to cram in a different drive train and different motor mounts and relocating steering racks. It’s all a big hassle.
Not to mention all the mods you’re able to do to the engine. Port polish, new cams, new pistons and rods.
Ok did a small amount of research. There are v6 kits for the Miata. But they cost $3250. That’s just the adapter plate and engine cradle. Add the J32a2 engine which can be for 500-850 second hand. That’s not to mention all the modifications needed once the engine is in there. Basically, it’s going to be minimum $5000.
Now if you build the motor this is what you could do. New forged wiesco pistons $500, new Manley rods $350, new valves $250. You’re in for maybe $1500-$2000 including engine work. So we’ll just say half the cost of an engine swap and you’d have sweet turbo power.
Sounds different, I plan on a built V6 in my 98 Mustang because the factory motor is good. The 4.6 V8 is so unreliable.
I really want to see a Volvo B5234T
Am i The only one who wants to see a 1.6l 6A10 V6 in Phil?
3 or 4 rotor would suit it perfectly :]
ALEX KIRSTEN LISTEN UP
i have a genious idea. why not do a 1jz swap. they are cheap and have potensial for a lot of power and you must admit toyota is good at ONE THING to make engines
Get that audi 1.8 4 cyl 20 valve engine. Its already a turbo and easy to modify
Alex,the V6 it’s a great idea than the mainstream LS,Rotary and 2JZ Swaps,man!
Let’s be Original Swap….
Take out the BMW engine and put it in the mx5.
Why not go for a rb26 or a 2jz??