Honda Engine In Miata

[simontibbett]

Anyone ever seen a B series Honda engine swapped into a Miata? I know there is a RWD setup available for B series. It'd be awesome.

[redrumracer]

here is a thread on m.net that someone asked about that conversion, take a looky

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=278653&highlight

[simontibbett]

Cool deal thanks for the link!

[MeFryRice]

One question, why a B18??

[simontibbett]

I always liked B16's and B18's and they are cheap. I mean a K20 would be awesome too but I have never worked on one.

BTW I am not doing this swap, if I DO, it wont be for a LONG time LOL. But I like learning :)

[wildfire0310]

there is a guy on CR selling his F20 swapped miata

[Roadster]

I don't really see the point in Miata engine swaps unless it's a V8. No other 4 cylinder really seems to be worth the gains considering the amount of headaches it would take to make it work. Esp. when you can get over 300hp reliably out of a boosted B6 or BP...

[simontibbett]

There is just something about Honda engines though, they can be made QUICK in a light car, with not much HP.

[silver280zx]

Do a mazda 323 turbo diesel swap. lol

[simontibbett]

They had those.....??

[silver280zx]

ya, actually a good motor is the MZR-CD it came in japanese premecies. It was a 2.0 turbo diesel and had 141hp and 300ftlbs of torque. the 323 motor was a 2.0 supercharged 87hp and like 150 ftbs of torque, lol one day ill have my diesel miata, lol.

[simontibbett]

New Mazda 3's will have turbo diesel. Wait for that engine.

btw there are already some diesel Miatas ;) Someone did Cummins swap.

[silver280zx]

haha ya. I was envious of those who did 240z's with maxima diesels, but i really want a diesel miata. Gotta love torque.

[mustangtomiata]

I'n not the only one who thinks a Diesel Miata is fun and cool?! I was thinking Audi, my cousin has a three door A3 TD(Poland) and I really liked the way that motor ran and it still turned 5700RPM, very impressive for a deisel.

[Doppelgänger]

I dunno, after seeing Top Gear test the diesel 5-series BMW against the diesel version, it'd be hard to convince me that a normal production diesel engine would really be worth it.

[amaff]

there is a guy on CR selling his F20 swapped miata

why do that when you could do a MS + turbo set up for probably about the same amount of money and make even more power? As much as I enjoy the VTEC juice, it's no F/I ;)

[simontibbett]

Cuz it's not about making power (for me anyways)

[thx712517]

It's about the revs, man! In all honesty, an F20C swap would be one of the things I'd love to do if I ever had the money.

[metalman]

I personally dont find that engine that exciting.
No torque = boring for me.

[wonton]

**** it!!!! just put a viper V-10 in it and call it done! hahahaha

[jesseealexander]

I personally dont find that engine that exciting.
No torque = boring for me.

but you drive miatas...? :D

[thx712517]

Wicked burn.

I don't know if I'd enjoy it in the S2000 since no Honda dealer has been insane enough to let me drive. In a car about a thousand pounds lighter? I think I'd ******* love it.

[simontibbett]

The S2000 is fun and all, i've driven a few, but I personally like driving my Miata more. Only thing I like more about the S2K is the cool cluster and the interior feels real sporty and pretty "exotic" for a Honda, unlike a Miata which feels like a...?? Civic or something.

[RotorNutFD3S]

Not so much a burn... The F20C only makes ~20 more ft/lbs of torque than the BP, but at 7500RPM instead of 5500RPM. And if you've ever seen a dyno chart of the engine stock, all of the power and torque is made at the higher RPM range, whereas our cars have a pretty steady power increase throughout. So as well-known, it's just a rev-happy engine (aka the Torqueless Wonder).
If you'd be doing it just to do it, by all means go for it, but from a technical standpoint and considering the cost, it's not worth it.

[metalman]

but you drive miatas...? :D

Yes BUT not with an expensive swapped NO TORQUE engine. ;)
Plus...a Miata is a much lighter car then an S2K. S2K's feel pig heavy by comparison.
I might own an S2K...(for the wife to drive) but I damn sure wouldnt put that engine in a Miata. Too much work/expense for mediocre result. Get it junior??? :D

[metalman]

The S2000 is fun and all, i've driven a few, but I personally like driving my Miata more. Only thing I like more about the S2K is the cool cluster and the interior feels real sporty and pretty "exotic" for a Honda, unlike a Miata which feels like a...?? Civic or something.

I agree...Miata is much more fun...at least to me. Add FI and its not even in the same universe.
The cluster is one thing I absolutely hate about S2ks. Its so early 1980s Chysler! :lol:
The interior is quite cramped too...much intrusion of plastic.

[MeFryRice]

Not so much a burn... The F20C only makes ~20 more ft/lbs of torque than the BP, but at 7500RPM instead of 5500RPM. And if you've ever seen a dyno chart of the engine stock, all of the power and torque is made at the higher RPM range, whereas our cars have a pretty steady power increase throughout. So as well-known, it's just a rev-happy engine (aka the Torqueless Wonder).
If you'd be doing it just to do it, by all means go for it, but from a technical standpoint and considering the cost, it's not worth it.

If you were to implant an F-series motor, I'd recommend the F22 over the F20 as it has a much more usable power-band although you don't get the cool factor of revving to 9k rpm, only 8200 with the F22. If your going to use the car for track use, which I'm sure you will, then you'll be in the upper part of the power-band anyways so the low-end torque shouldn't really be noticed anyways.

I can post a dyno-graph of my first S2K that was an '06 model and had DBW (Drive-by Wire). The car only had 1300 miles on it when it was dyno'd. :)

I have also considered doing this swap although many people on here are against it. If this is something that is of interest of you, then by all means do it. After all, at the end of the day, it's your car.

[MeFryRice]

Yes BUT not with an expensive swapped NO TORQUE engine. ;)
Plus...a Miata is a much lighter car then an S2K. S2K's feel pig heavy by comparison.
I might own an S2K...(for the wife to drive) but I damn sure wouldnt put that engine in a Miata. Too much work/expense for mediocre result. Get it junior??? :D

If you do the work yourself, it's not expensive actually, you'll just need to get a custom driveshaft and have the subframe welded back a few inches. If I could weld, I would do that part which would leave me to having to buy the driveshaft. I'd still use the factory wire-harness for simplicity as well.