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?

[jason 82]

The gearbox itself is not very wide, it's the drive shaft flange on the diff that is the problem. It's off set to the drivers side of the car, narrowing the available room for a seat. I suppose you could always mount the diff centrally & get 2 drive shafts made up as the n/s one will require shortening & the o/s one lengthening. I bought my mark one by total chance really, I was going to build a completely new car with crate engine from kit spares etc, then I came across a quite rusty, but road legal mk1 for £300. I drove it for a few months, and thought that it was a very balanced and quick package, so I opted to use my mk1 instead. I have no regrets at all. No power steering, proper throttle cable & minimal electrical shite, a proper car. Only trouble I have is it has an LSD, & I fancied a little drifting action. Lol

[waynes world]

Hi Jason, the rear diff will not be a problem for me as i have a Dutton Melos.
Also last night i was offered a a cologne 2.8 and gear box for nothing, so going to collect it in a few weeks and going to mock up with that then fit the 2.9i

So it V6 time at last