<![CDATA[Engine for a Mazda Miata]]>I found a wrecked 1990 Mazda Miata that I'm thinking about trying to buy for cheap and was wondering if anyone had any oppinions or advice on an engine to put in it (four or six cylinder). I was thinking about a rotory engine but I don't think I'm every familiar with them. If you could leave a short reason for why you think any particular engine would be best I'd appreciate it. Or any other advice would be good too.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/topic/2833/engine-for-a-mazda-miataRSS for NodeThu, 28 May 2026 08:24:21 GMTSat, 28 May 2005 01:18:49 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Wed, 01 Jun 2005 09:39:53 GMT]]>A new LS1 longblock can be acquired fairly economically. I think I saw a GM dealership selling LS6 crate engines for about $5,000. If you wanted a cheaper one, you could get one from a wrecked F-body. Check out ls1.com and ls1tech.com to see if there are any sales. I'd get the Painless wiring kit, too.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/50296https://fargostreet.com/post/50296Wed, 01 Jun 2005 09:39:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Wed, 01 Jun 2005 06:09:56 GMT]]>

adrenalinejunkie002 wrote:
LS1? Isn't that a corvette engine? That little car would book with that in it. What kind of cost would I be looking at with the LS1 or the EJ20T. And I can only i magine how much work is in volved in putting all wheel drive in it. But I guess if its gona be a show car its already gona be alot of work.

For prices on EJ20T's and 5/6 spd tranny's do a search on www.nasioc.com in the classified section. Cost to install it might not be as bad as you'd think since the miata is RWD to begin with so you'd only have to fab the front which I imagine is easier than building a tunnel to the back and all the work involved w/ back halfing a car, etc... For engine mgmt you might as well get the Hydra from element tuning.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/50271https://fargostreet.com/post/50271Wed, 01 Jun 2005 06:09:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Wed, 01 Jun 2005 01:18:48 GMT]]>LS1 is a 350 camaro/ta motor too

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/50215https://fargostreet.com/post/50215Wed, 01 Jun 2005 01:18:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:48:36 GMT]]>LS1? Isn't that a corvette engine? That little car would book with that in it. What kind of cost would I be looking at with the LS1 or the EJ20T. And I can only i magine how much work is in volved in putting all wheel drive in it. But I guess if its gona be a show car its already gona be alot of work.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/50208https://fargostreet.com/post/50208Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:48:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Mon, 30 May 2005 01:06:15 GMT]]>Well, I own a Miata and I already know I'm doing the 1.8/turbo swap. Wouldn't even consider a V8 or rotary swap. The only reason I (PERSONALLY) could see why anyone would do either is because they had it readily available or to be different. This again is just my $.02.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49912https://fargostreet.com/post/49912Mon, 30 May 2005 01:06:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Mon, 30 May 2005 00:37:59 GMT]]>

theflatlander wrote:
Yes but the LS1 is a longer and taller motor so it can have the same weight ratio but the center of gravity will be different.
that's a good point, i imagine it's something that could not well explained without an example on hand. to ebay and the garage!!

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49907https://fargostreet.com/post/49907Mon, 30 May 2005 00:37:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sun, 29 May 2005 09:58:30 GMT]]>

out there wrote:
i've seen pictures and measurings of a 3g rx7 with an ls1 swapped into it; the weight and balance were barely changed because the ls1 is so light
Yes but the LS1 is a longer and taller motor so it can have the same weight ratio but the center of gravity will be different.
And with the Miata get the 1.8 put some ITBS, cams etc and it'll be one fun ride

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49862https://fargostreet.com/post/49862Sun, 29 May 2005 09:58:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sun, 29 May 2005 08:17:19 GMT]]>how bad ass would a miata be with a cammed V8 shaking back and forth at a stoplight?

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49856https://fargostreet.com/post/49856Sun, 29 May 2005 08:17:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sun, 29 May 2005 06:36:57 GMT]]>1.8 and turbo.. hands down.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49848https://fargostreet.com/post/49848Sun, 29 May 2005 06:36:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sun, 29 May 2005 00:37:00 GMT]]>i've seen pictures and measurings of a 3g rx7 with an ls1 swapped into it; the weight and balance were barely changed because the ls1 is so light

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49813https://fargostreet.com/post/49813Sun, 29 May 2005 00:37:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sat, 28 May 2005 22:49:09 GMT]]>I would go with the larger displacement 1.8 and turbo the crap out of it... I have a magazine from quite a while back of a purple Miata with that motor running some pretty crazh hp numbers.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49805https://fargostreet.com/post/49805Sat, 28 May 2005 22:49:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sat, 28 May 2005 21:39:41 GMT]]>I agree with Blake on this one. But the BEST engine they have to offer can mean sooooo many different things to different people. A rotary seems like alot of messing around to me for what you will get (for the $$). Not that the rotory is a bad engine mind you, but it's not too feasible for someone that isn't so well versed in rotary engines. You have to admit they are a bit more sensitive to improper tuning and for a newbie it's like lighting a bomb.
The 1.6/1.8L engines have alot to offer if you were to spend a little time with them. And again, I say BOOST IT!

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49801https://fargostreet.com/post/49801Sat, 28 May 2005 21:39:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sat, 28 May 2005 21:10:03 GMT]]>i don't know why I have such strong opinions on this, but I this it's gay when people put motors from a different manufacturer all together into a car. a mazda miata was not meant to have a v8 ls1 or anything of the sorts.... imo... get the best motor mazda has to offer, and go from there.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49800https://fargostreet.com/post/49800Sat, 28 May 2005 21:10:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sat, 28 May 2005 15:24:45 GMT]]>I'm a rotary fan. 1.3 wankel dude. Go for it.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49785https://fargostreet.com/post/49785Sat, 28 May 2005 15:24:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sat, 28 May 2005 06:55:49 GMT]]>http://www.monstermiata.com/

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49769https://fargostreet.com/post/49769Sat, 28 May 2005 06:55:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sat, 28 May 2005 06:51:22 GMT]]>Really, the aluminum block V8's aren't as heavy as you'd think; the handling probably would'nt take too much of a hit. But, I'm a little partial to the LS1.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49768https://fargostreet.com/post/49768Sat, 28 May 2005 06:51:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sat, 28 May 2005 05:25:41 GMT]]>I am saying going you should go with an LS1 but since you don't want an 8 cylinder just go with the 1.8 Liter.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49762https://fargostreet.com/post/49762Sat, 28 May 2005 05:25:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sat, 28 May 2005 03:21:48 GMT]]>really bastardize it....ej20t wrx motor....make it AWD while you're at it 😃

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49746https://fargostreet.com/post/49746Sat, 28 May 2005 03:21:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sat, 28 May 2005 03:13:04 GMT]]>4 or 6 cyl?

302 Ford nods

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49742https://fargostreet.com/post/49742Sat, 28 May 2005 03:13:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sat, 28 May 2005 01:57:55 GMT]]>By the way, Hi Austin.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49736https://fargostreet.com/post/49736Sat, 28 May 2005 01:57:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Engine for a Mazda Miata on Sat, 28 May 2005 01:53:40 GMT]]>A newer Miata 1.8 liter engine along with turbocharging would be the most SANE way to go. Probably alot more feasable to do both technically and financially. You could go with either a rotary engine or even a V8 swap but they would have more drawbacks than the 1.8 swap if you ask me. the rotary would be cost and the v8 would be handling.

]]>https://fargostreet.com/post/49735https://fargostreet.com/post/49735Sat, 28 May 2005 01:53:40 GMT