use of different engine on mx5 gearbox

[RonnieH]

can any advise me on swopping my mx5 engine for a ford pinto or duratec can it be done ?? if so do I need many modifications?

[garyt]

are you planning changing the engine box prop diff and driveshafts ?
If it is a major rebuild then at very least it will involve new engine mounts / mounting plates on the chassis, new gearbox mount, new prop, new diff mounts, is the diff mounted on its original arms if so then to keep from re building the diff frames then you would need a bespoke set of uprights .
I guess you could keep the diff/rear end as is and get a hybrid prop shaft made up.
If going type 9 on ford engine then there should be enough room in the tunnel
if trying to put a ford engine onto a mazda gearbox then I'm sorry I don't know although this site may help http://www.p9cyoplates.co.uk/products

Do you mind me asking why you are going mx5 to ford?
I have a mk2.5 vvt 1.8 mx5 supercharged engine and to be honest I am really happy with it
good luck Gary

[RonnieH]

I know more about pinto engines (and have rebuilt a few in the past) than I do about mx5 engines. I hav not got my donor car yet but was toying with idea of pinto to mx5 but I think will stay with mx5 engine box and diff. thanks again for your reply.

[garyt]

no problem at all, and don't be shy if you have any questions , there are quite a few mx5 based cars on the go or in the process of being built.
Even if you feel daft about asking something.... DON'T we have all been there and the only daft question is the one you did not ask !!!!!!
Read the threads quite importantly the tear down of the donor, label everything even if you think its obvious or I don't need that, and take as many pictures as possible of parts in situ as well.
Good luck with the build its a lot of work but enjoyable and the end result really is a great big smile every time you drive her
all the best

[Ianr]

I have an MX5 engine linked to MX5 gearbox and a propshaft linking to a Sierra diff. The prop did not cost that much to have made up (about £100). If you are concerned about the Mazda engine it is really well made and is easy to work on - and - if you choose correctly give more power than a Pinto.

Early 1.6 MX5's gave 115bhp then when emissions regulation took over in 1995 they dropped the power to 88bhp upping it again to 110bhp with the Mk 2. The 1.8 engines have always run at about 140 bhp while the 1.6 imports were always 115bhp.
Simples

[johnl63]

bugger my 1989 1.6 mk1 had only 83hp on the dyno, where did the rest go?