How much would it cost for a Mx5 mk1 engine?

wassap · 6 Aug 2009 at 11:56

Hey Folks

I know there are a few MX5 owners here so i thought ask here before an OC forum!, Ive spotted a MX5 on a P Plate with a knackered head, the car is cheap and has decent roof and rot free body, but its the 1.6 variant, im just wondering how much it would cost for a s/h 1.6 lump.

Other question is, how much work would I have to do to drop the 1.8 lump into the car?

Ta

Firestar_3x · 6 Aug 2009 at 11:57

Between £50 and £300, so in other words very very cheap.

Not sure on the 1.8 Conversion, just buy a cheap 1.8 in the first place so you get the LSD etc.

Janesy B · 6 Aug 2009 at 11:57

I see em on ebay for about £250

theNude · 6 Aug 2009 at 12:29

i paid £750 for one to be fitted about 4-5 years ago, i'd buy a 1.8 for about £250 and fit myself if this one was to ever go pop.

wassap · 6 Aug 2009 at 13:17

Duplicate post

wassap · 6 Aug 2009 at 13:20

Firestar_3x said:
Between £50 and £300, so in other words very very cheap.

Not sure on the 1.8 Conversion, just buy a cheap 1.8 in the first place so you get the LSD etc.

Might have a look for a 1.8, this is costing me 500 notes, and worst case scenario im looking at another 300 notes for the engine, i might be able to 'salvage' the head, but I wont know for sure until I get it and strip it down. A 95 plate car still seem s to be fetching £1500 otr at the very least.

Firestar_3x · 6 Aug 2009 at 13:24

Depending what you do you need to watch very cafefully which engine you buy, you might end-up with a 90bhp 1.6, you really really want to make sure this doesn't happen!

I've only ever worked on the 1.8 so can't really comment on the 1.6 electrical systems, my main concern would be the main loom for the 1.6 and 1.8 isn't the same so the updated 1.8 ecu wouldn't fit.

saitrix · 6 Aug 2009 at 19:17

Get the 1.6 engine, the ecu needs to be swapped etc. Whereas a few cheap mods can be done to the 1.6 to get it just about 1.8 power. Is it pre '94?

wassap · 6 Aug 2009 at 21:50

Its a 95 N, I reckon that has the lower power 1.6?

saitrix · 6 Aug 2009 at 22:33

Yep thats when they lowered the compression and changed the cams to lower the power. Unless is it an import?

TC_Overclocker · 7 Aug 2009 at 22:59

There's no need to swap ECU's going from a 1.6 to a 1.8. As long as you use all of the sensors and electrics on the 1.8 engine, all will be well.

I'm currently in the middle of doing the same conversion myself.

saitrix · 8 Aug 2009 at 00:19

You sure? I would be very surprised if both of the ecu's have the same map.

TC_Overclocker · 8 Aug 2009 at 23:09

Yup, it's quite a popular mod on the MX-5 scene... usually for people with earlier 1.6's wanting a bit more power without going down the FI route