I am looking to do an engine swap in my 87 N/A MR2 this summer. I really wanted to do something that nobody has ever done. So I looked into Honda and Mazda engines. Obviously the cheaper and easier route is the Honda engine, but I really like the idea of a rotary engine.

Anyways, I would really like to know if there is a FWD transmission that will bolt on to maybe like a 13B engine,
and if there is anybody out there who knows enough about MR2s and mazda engines, how well would this fit in the engine bay of an MR2

oh yeah, how reasonable of a swap is this in your opinion.

 

You seriously should rethink this.....

You will end up having MAJOR overheating problems as the
MK1 MR2 has very little air passing through the rear and it
will eventually cause some serious problems. If you can
figure how to get a good amount of air flow through the rear
I'd say go for it.

The only trouble you should end up having is the transmission,
and you can probably get ahold of the guy who did the Cadillac
Northstar in his MR2 and see how he rigged his tranny. Good
luck!

 

**** YES!!! I've seen the way the MR2's pull off the line due to the engine weight on the wheels and I myself have always wanted to put a 13b in an MR2. Lightweight, mid-engine, RWD. I say go for it, but think ahead and think hard because like ehime said cooling is a problem as well as I'm sure many other problems will arise.

I hope you have the funding for this...

 

Do you guys that are responding even know where the radiator is on that car??

 

Idk where it is stock, might be the front because I have a friend with one and his is in the front... His works fine...

But to get good air flow you just need fans on the hood above the engine that draws air out of the engine bay. By creating a vacuum in the engine bay from the top, you promote airflow into the side vents and from the bottom of the car.

But for intercooling you may want to find a way to get 2 small intercoolers (one on each side) because the space on each side is really small...

I would spend a LOT of time thinking through everything that would need to happen before you attempt it...

 

Get side vents and a crazy roof scoop and you can keep the heat off. Also, massive radiator in the back in my opinion.

 

Dont worry about the motor being in the back, the VW guys do it and there is a 3 rotor DeLorean around at one time. Find out how the VW guys get a FWD style tranny on the 13b, I believe there is an adapter plate for it.

 

I hope so, I have a 89 S/C

On MK1MR2 we did a bunch of aero simulations of the MK1's and found out that
there is very little air that passes through the bay. We also found out that pushing
and pulling air with fans ended up leading to strange circulation problems. I'll try to
find some links and forward it on. The best way I can think of is to relocate the rad
and get a FMIC, then cut a reverse cowl for the hood.

The best air flow simulation we could come up with was to plate the bottom and
redirect air with a small 'scoop' placed just aft of the engine, this increased bay
circulation about 145% or so. Unfortunetly the air coming over the roof of the MK1's
created a recirculating 'dead spot' right above the engine bay and there wasn't a
lot of wicking for heated air.

If I can answer anymore questions, lemme know, I know a lot more about MR2's
than these little spinning triangle things... lol

 

They're not spinning triangles!!! They're spinning Doritos

 

I have seen these simulations, although I haven't been back to the thread in about a month. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

I didn't realize how many issues there would be. I'm graduating from HS in June and then heading to college in the fall, so this might be a little over my head. Not to mention it's supposed to be a graduation gift from my parents and they will only give me so much money. I also don't need an engine that is going to give me more issues than my 21 y/o engine. I suppose I will just go with the 20v 4A-GE for now and maybe later try something new and different.

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

I wouldn't go with a 4AGE either. Get the 3SGTE. It's the best thing for an MR2. If you already have one, keep it and upgrade it.