Another build thread

[PorkChop]

Originally Posted by Davidbolam

Sounds like a good plan. Have a look at the mx5s running in the ma5da cup. They manage 250bhp reliably from their 1600s

Eh?

Both Ma5da (when it was still running) and the BRSCC equivalent run near standard 1600s.

The torque equivalent of 250bhp would be about the limit for both the gearbox and the conrods. Plus I wouldn't want that much torque going through a 90-93 1600 diff, it will, more likely than not, break.

Personally, I'd rebuild rather than replace. The youngest 115bhp 1600 will be 21 years old after all. The chances of finding another engine needing some form of rebuild will be more likely.

[skov]

Originally Posted by PorkChop

Eh?

Both Ma5da (when it was still running) and the BRSCC equivalent run near standard 1600s.

That's what I thought
I seem to recall they're only allowed a head skim and a bit of porting, and have to run on the standard ECU.
I'd be surprised if they got 150bhp, let alone 250!

Originally Posted by PorkChop

Personally, I'd rebuild rather than replace. The youngest 115bhp 1600 will be 21 years old after all. The chances of finding another engine needing some form of rebuild will be more likely.

My thoughts exactly! I can pick up a 1.6 for less than £100, but chances are it's going to need a load of work too.

The other option I was thinking of was sticking a 1.8l Mk2.5 lump in there (~150bhp standard).
That's going to be a fair bit of work though, and even those are 10 years old and starting to go bang now...

[Davidbolam]

Originally Posted by skov

That's what I thought
I seem to recall they're only allowed a head skim and a bit of porting, and have to run on the standard ECU.
I'd be surprised if they got 150bhp, let alone 250!



My thoughts exactly! I can pick up a 1.6 for less than £100, but chances are it's going to need a load of work too.

The other option I was thinking of was sticking a 1.8l Mk2.5 lump in there (~150bhp standard).
That's going to be a fair bit of work though, and even those are 10 years old and starting to go bang now...

Got the races mixed up. I know a company caled AK Automotive who ran a 1.6 in the Northern Sports and Saloon Car Championship that had been tubocharged to 250 bhp. they have now put in a 2.0 turbocharged engine and it has 350bhp. the car they run in the Ma5da races car no 90 which is a different car.

[james3004]

I would say 250bhp out of a 1.6 would make it fairly unreliable!

Go for a 1.8 john

[skov]

Originally Posted by james3004

I would say 250bhp out of a 1.6 would make it fairly unreliable!

I would have thought so too, but lots of people seem to manage to get that sort of power out of the 1.6 (or at least claim they do!).

I think I'm just going to rebuild the 1.6, then possibly think about adding a small turbo. I won't be trying to get anything like 250bhp out of it though!

Almost ready to get the engine out by the way James. Just need to undo the gearbox and engine mount bolts, so the sooner I can borrow your crane the better

[james3004]

Are to going to decompress the engine or just run really low boost?

I best get a wriggle on.....

[skov]

Originally Posted by james3004

Are to going to decompress the engine or just run really low boost?

I best get a wriggle on.....

There's no need to decompress unless you're going for silly boost.
Mazda used a slightly modified engine from the 323 turbo for the early MX5's, so they're already fairly low compression, and ideal for bolting a blower on

Don't worry about rushing, I've got plenty of other things to be getting on with!