Help Identifying This MX5 Engine?

Junkee · Postby **Junkee** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 2:20 pm

Hey guys, I am looking at picking up a 1.8L engine for my NA6 but having a little difficulty identifying the engine I am looking at picking up and if it is what I want..

I would like to know if this is definitely a 1.8L as it does not have the raised writing on the rocker cover.. Also would this have VVT?

Any help would be much appreciated ;)

This is the information I have to go by from the car it came from..
I do not know if this is 100% correct.. Hopefully you guys will know haha..

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 2:51 pm

No VVT. Only VICs. It is the same as a NB8A 98-00 engine in Australia.

Junkee · Postby **Junkee** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 3:23 pm

project.r.racing wrote:No VVT. Only VICs. It is the same as a NB8A 98-00 engine in Australia.

Thanks for the details.. Much appreciated ;)

It's has around 70,000km on it and is about $1500-$1600 delivered

Would this be a good option for my NA6 or should I keep trying to hunt down one with VVT ??

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 3:52 pm

Sounds a bit pricey for a non vvt engine.

Having said that your na6 ecu won't make the vics or the vvt work.

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manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 3:59 pm

It's an NB8A engine. Every second country has different terminology for the model numbers. What we call NB8A the Japs call NB8C.

It's a good option for an NA6 but, yes, you will need to do something about the ECU: either a megasquirt or an NB8A(AU)/NB8C(JP) ecu. If it's an NB8A/C ECU then you need to think about getting the NB8A/C engine loom, MAF and maybe swapping the dash to NB8A/C.

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 4:34 pm

Could you just leave the vics locked in one position by not powering it or constant powering it with out major issues?

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manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 4:39 pm

Either that or do something quick and dirty like installing an RPM switch just to cut them in and out at a certain RPM point. Jaycar used to sell a kit.

speed · Postby **speed** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 5:06 pm

Vvt puts out 113kw yeah?

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project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 6:05 pm

sailaholic wrote:Could you just leave the vics locked in one position by not powering it or constant powering it with out major issues?

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Yeah if pressure isn't applied to the actuator, then the VICs butterflys will just stay closed. But that does limit power over 5000rpm.

If say you remove the butterflys, then the midrange torque will be lower, but it will breathe a hell of alot better above 5000rpm. This option is turning it into a NA8 intake manifold so to speak.

Played around with VICs options plenty of times.

SuperMazdaKart · Postby **SuperMazdaKart** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 8:05 pm

Is that the correct ECU for the engine included shown in the photo? Think I remember Flyin Miata having conversion kits to retrofit newer ECU's into the NA6 loom?

If you're only after a standard replacement for a dead NA6 engine, then maybe consider an import NB6 engine. Minimal work to fit it in place of the NA6 engine & it works with the original ECU too. When I had mine done only the intake camshaft had to be machine slotted for the original camshaft angle sensor (MX5 Plus did this for me as I bought it from them), & an alternator/alternator pulley change from other Mazda/Ford B series engines.

More likely to find a lower K NB6 engine then a low K NA6 one, plus the benefit of quiet solid lifters in the NB6

Junkee · Postby **Junkee** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 10:38 am

Thanks for the info guys.. What is the performance differences between the VICs engine and the VVT engine?

I would like to keep it N/A but would like the option for FI later down the track..

Also, if I was to be looking in japan for a VVT engine, what keywords or codes would I need to search for?

Cheers ;)

SuperMazdaKart wrote:Is that the correct ECU for the engine included shown in the photo? Think I remember Flyin Miata having conversion kits to retrofit newer ECU's into the NA6 loom?

Yeh I would assume that it's the correct ECU in the pics.. Ok cheers, I'll have to look into the FM kit..

If you're only after a standard replacement for a dead NA6 engine, then maybe consider an import NB6 engine.

I bought the car with a blown engine with plans to go 1.8L and I also want to work the 1.8L engine.. So wont be stock ;)

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 1:40 pm

speed wrote:VVT puts out 113kw yeah?

That's what Mazda rated it as in late 2000 to 2002, but it was revised to 107kw in 2003 when a different testing method was used. VICS motor was 105kw:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=18937&p=226241&hilit=nb8a+105kw#p226241

Aussie Stig · Postby **Aussie Stig** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 3:11 pm

93_Clubman wrote:
speed wrote:VVT puts out 113kw yeah?

That's what Mazda rated it as in late 2000 to 2002, but it was revised to 107kw in 2003 when a different testing method was used. VICS motor was 105kw:
viewtopic.php?f=18&t=18937&p=226241&hilit=nb8a+105kw#p226241

2kw increase for VVT seems hardly worth the trouble.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 9:35 pm

The VVT is meant to have a slightly better spread of power, rather than a higher peak. The non-VVT engines are easier to mod.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 10:31 am

Without an understanding of what VVT actually does. Yes it can seem like it has limited imporvements. But just looking at max power at a single rpm count isn't showing the whole picture. The torque power band and max torque single rpm count is moved to a much more usable rpm range, while still being able to use a higher rpm range also.

And what manga blue said it true. Non VVT engines are much easier to mod if solely looking for high power outputs.