mx5cartalk.com

ok here is the run down (and these are only ideas which have poped into my head)

my current engine has bad oil leaks... something like having to replace most of the seals to fix the problem
so i figure (FORCED UPGRADES )

i want to buy this engine to swap with my current one once i have done all the work i want to do to it.

ive decided to keep it completely N/A
race pistions (high compression)
enlarged intake plenium
(thinking about changing the inlet valves to bigger ones)
bigger exhaust outlets
semi-race cams
(keep in mind i want this to be road leagal and still road friendly to a certian extent!)

pretty much just a project for now to rebuild the entire engine (new seals and everything) & to make it fast as possible keeping it N/A though
obviously a piggy back or totally new ecu will be needed if i upgrade cams & inlet plenium

but i was thinking about using (havent done any research yet) using 1.8 valves in the 1.6 engine (no i dont want a 1.8 thanks)

let me know what u think of this idea

this is also in the for sale section too...
so if u have a spare 1.6 engine u wanna sell let me know =)

To get NA power that's worth it, I reckon you will really need to go 1.8. Why, because a warm 1.8 will get close to 100rwkw. A full house, big cammed race engine 1.6 might hit 105rwkw but will have less torque and be highly stressed. Warm means slight head work, ~260deg cams, 10-1 comp pistons with stock rods and still use HLAs. On optimax or similar, this engine will be cammy but drivable and have plenty of punch. 100rwkw in an NA race car is a punchy beast to drive - good fun. Anymore, and you'll need forgies, lighter rods, big overbore, full balance, heavily modded head, quad throttles and big cams. It will be a pig to drive on the button clutch and you will wonder why you bothered. Talk to Babalouie - his 1.8 is a sensibly strong road engine that will go forever and be good fun the whole time while in the high 90s rwkw. And it didn't cost thousands of dollars. Or, just stick a greddy kit on a rebuilt 1.6 and smoke the NA cars for lunch.

hmm ok
not really intrested in the 1.8 transplant though..

however i'm already planning to run forged pistons, bigger cams & new throttle bodies...

basically i want to stear clear of the 1.8 engine because i always have REALLY bad luck with engine conversions.
and i figure if i keep the same engine and just work it then i wont have any problems...

how hard is it to do the conversion?
what parts are different and whats the cost difference?

1.8 conversion is really easy...

If you are not going to Turbo forget the forged pistons...

Just shave head and light port job.

Fit some mild cams and gears.

Good set of extractors.

Fit computer and get rid of the Air flow meter...

Quite a few people have done this and it is a good,reliable,pretty cheap mod.

Throttle bodies are an option if you can afford it but then you will be spending around the same(or more) with all the other mods. as a good turbo conversion that you can bolt on to a stock engine and get more power.

Don't forget to factor in a 1.8 diff conversion and LSD.

if people are going to do the 1.8L conversion i think it would be more sensible to sell the current NA6 they have and buy an NA8, no messing around with engines, ECU's, brakes and suspension.

Chris, i think you would be better off going turbo... greater power gains can be made from alot less money and would prob be alot less stress full. Not to mention the car could still be a daily driver.

top
has anyone else got ideas????

Get the 1.8.

Yes, the NA6 is a revvy little motor, but thats more to do with the reduced capacity than anything magical (less mass to throw around). The trade off is torque, which the 1.8 has plenty of. You make it sound like you want a street legal race car (who doesnt!) but if you want sensible, affordable and user friendly power, i'd look at the 1.8.

Or as everyone says, bite the bullet and turbo it!