1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Miata engine in a FB?

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Old 10-25-14, 08:09 AM
  #26  
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Where I grew up, I knew a guy with a 3.5 liter rover v8 swap project for a beat up SA.

He never finished it, but I think it would have been awesome.
Old 10-28-14, 12:29 AM
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The Nissan 4 bangers (sr20) are a popular swap here on the east coast...they even already have a turbo charged version if you want to go that route. Miata engines are well known for hla failure resulting in tons of clatter under the hood. The bottom ends spin bearing and knock. Either way I would enjoy reading about it so if you do it please post it up here!
Old 10-28-14, 01:08 PM
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Originally Posted by j9fd3s
the miata engines don't really blow, but you can expect it to wear out really fast @200hp.
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What a 200hp Mazdaspeed 1.8 that didn't really blow may look like. (This happened a couple days ago)

It went from light upper end rattle to picking the chunks of engine off of the course in no time flat.
Old 10-28-14, 01:36 PM
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since its a piston engine, we will just pretend that didn't happen, as we all know the piston is more reliable than the rotary, and there is a santa!
Old 10-28-14, 04:16 PM
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Originally Posted by peejay
It went from light upper end rattle to picking the chunks of engine off of the course in no time flat.
lest we forget ... he also said, they would wear out real fast.
Old 10-28-14, 04:45 PM
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The good part is that he won Mod Rear at the national championship (Mazda 1-2-3 finish!) and the engine blew 15 seconds into his first run after getting home. So, it lasted exactly long enough, we figure.
Old 10-28-14, 05:21 PM
  #32  
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Interesting, but still, how does it affect the average FB owner?

I still think a 12A is the way to go.
Old 10-28-14, 06:14 PM
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Yes, a less than perfect 12a is still an excellent and reliable engine.
Old 10-28-14, 08:49 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by FB_road-machine
Won't be too bad since my brother already has a turbo kit that fits it that he doesn't want.

From what I read I can pull 265 from a 14 psi blow dryer, and a mild cam change.
My dads miata isnt even quite at 300whp and he has a fully built motor with 20psi on a garrett gt2560r. The miata engine is not an inexpensive build. Less expensive than some other engines, but nothing will be dirt cheap if you want that power in a 7
Old 10-29-14, 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by j9fd3s
since its a piston engine, we will just pretend that didn't happen, as we all know the piston is more reliable than the rotary, and there is a santa!
Adding "Santa" to that made me laugh so hard! Ah, that made my day for sure - thanks for that
Old 04-06-23, 10:10 AM
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All about the transmission

Originally Posted by FB_road-machine
Okay didn't know I where to post this so I posted it here.
Would it be possible to use a 2.0/1.6 liter miata engine in a FB?
My 85 GS has a 12a in it. But it hasn't run in years. I'm hoping to put a 13BT in it at some point. But if I can't go Dorito, I Might consider going to a piston engine.
I don't really want to do a V8 (considered it)
I would like to run a 4G63 but it's a little too custom.
K20 is too expensive.
So that brings me to they miata motor. How hard would it be to put one in a RX7, and has it been done?

Please no scorn. Just brainstorming.
hey so from my understanding is that the transmissions from the first gen (fb) the second gen (fc) and the na miata are the same internally with just different bell housing and tail housing the middle is literally identical with different gear rarios. So in theory if you have a miata engine and transmission all you'd have to do is take the fb tail housing off and put it on the miata trans then just get custom engine mounts made and should be straight forward. Here's a link with some info

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Old 04-06-23, 12:21 PM
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Fc subfra

Originally Posted by FB_road-machine
Okay didn't know I where to post this so I posted it here.
Would it be possible to use a 2.0/1.6 liter miata engine in a FB?
My 85 GS has a 12a in it. But it hasn't run in years. I'm hoping to put a 13BT in it at some point. But if I can't go Dorito, I Might consider going to a piston engine.
I don't really want to do a V8 (considered it)
I would like to run a 4G63 but it's a little too custom.
K20 is too expensive.
So that brings me to they miata motor. How hard would it be to put one in a RX7, and has it been done?

Please no scorn. Just brainstorming.
Also your going to need a fc subframe otherwise you'll have issues with the oil pan a d the steering rack.

https://buildraceparty.com/thefcsubframeinanfbrx7/
Old 04-06-23, 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Just a thought
So in theory if you have a miata engine and transmission all you'd have to do is take the fb tail housing off and put it on the miata trans then just get custom engine mounts made and should be straight forward. Here's a link with some info
from post # 4
Originally Posted by j9fd3s
i think the miata swap is a little easier than most, you put the FB tailhousing on the miata trans and it bolts right up.
for the record, i am breaking *****, but just not maliciously. you made a good post.

and just my post is not completely useless, and it fits in the topic ... check this out: https://www.rx7club.com/general-rota...guide-1153243/

Last edited by diabolical1; 04-06-23 at 02:52 PM. Reason: added link to j9fd3s' tranny guide thread
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