Late MX5 engine more complex to fit??

[waynes world]

I am still on deciding what engine and box to go for in my car, i was at the start going to go with a MX5 MK1 1.8, but i see that the MK2 and even 3 have much better spec for around the same cost if not a little more.

Are the MK2 and 3 much more different in fitting on the electrical side, i ma ok with the fitting but for that, they are the same size as the MK1 so its just the electrics to deal with.

[PorkChop]

How complex do you want to go with the electronics?

The mark 3 engine (MZR) and box is very different to the mark 1/2/2.5, it's the same basic engine as the Ford Duratec. The bellhousing pattern is different to the earlier BP/B6 engines. In fact, there's not much carryover from the mark 1/2/2.5 to the mark 3, full stop. The mark 3 stuff is also much more expensive. The cheapest MZR engine I could find on sale was still over £1k, and a 5 speed box was nearly £200. I would be extremely suprised if you can find a mark 3 engine for £150 (or a mark 2/2.5 engine unless there was something wrong with it or the seller was desperate to sell), whereas you'll have the pick of mark 1 engines for that.

If you had a mark 2.5 engine and want to keep the VVT, then that dictates what ECU you run (read that as not being the cheap end of the scale).

[waynes world]

Hi Porkchop, so the the MZR are as you say and i agree a lot of money. So they are over spending for me a si have seen also they are over, well over the grand mark.
The early ones are fine, 1.8 NB engines are what i am really looking at then, i am looking at getting the full engine gear box, loom, ECU etc, what ever is needed to run set it up.

You mention the Doratech, what RWD G boxs can bematched with them, i have a Ford Type E i can use, just looking at better performance then the 2.0l Pinto i have now.

[PorkChop]

Originally Posted by waynes world

You mention the Doratech, what RWD G boxs can bematched with them, i have a Ford Type E i can use, just looking at better performance then the 2.0l Pinto i have now.

Pass, I'm afraid. The little bit that I know about Duratecs covers FWD stuff.

[jason 82]

A company called RWD Motorsports make bell housing adaptors , they seem to be between £150 & £200. After putting 6k miles on my 1996 1.8 mx5 donor, I have got to say that it has possibly one of the best gearboxes around, it's a gem. Failing that, if the mx5 mk3 engine is a rebadged Ford unit, give Burton Power a call, as they are Ford specialists. The only down side that I can point to on the mx5 Haynes is the offset prop flange on the diff, the gearbox is a fair bit wider. In a moment of frustration I even considered turning my baby into a left hooker so that I had a bit more room ! Screw the passengers, I spent years crafting my pro type ! Lol

[waynes world]

Originally Posted by jason 82

A company called RWD Motorsports make bell housing adaptors , they seem to be between £150 & £200. After putting 6k miles on my 1996 1.8 mx5 donor, I have got to say that it has possibly one of the best gearboxes around, it's a gem. Failing that, if the mx5 mk3 engine is a rebadged Ford unit, give Burton Power a call, as they are Ford specialists. The only down side that I can point to on the mx5 Haynes is the offset prop flange on the diff, the gearbox is a fair bit wider. In a moment of frustration I even considered turning my baby into a left hooker so that I had a bit more room ! Screw the passengers, I spent years crafting my pro type ! Lol

You say the gear box is a fair bit wider, as in overall width?
i am fitting into a Melos kit car, can is ask why you want with the MK1 not the MK2.5? for better performance but same price for the engine. well near enough

If i was to go with a 1.8 NB engine what of the electrics will i need?