TA-22 converted to MX5 1.8 - ever done???

[Scourge]

I have been thinking about engine options for my TA22 and got to thinking; has anyone ever tried an MX5 1.8 or 1.6 litre engine and 5 speed?

Maybe sounds stupid but I figure the MX5 is a similar weight and size and the 1.8 is a 16 valve RWD injected engine with a short shifting close ratio 5 speed. Nice and compact and at 98 kw it seems like a good option. Looking at the engine at a glance it also looks like a real possibility. I guess one has to ask what the advantage over a 3SGE Beams engine or 4AGE would be but the main thing that makes me ask is I don't want to butcher my trans tunnel for the shifter or anything else for that matter. So what do you guys think? Has it ever been done before?

One advantage is that we are talking about a car that has sold over 600,000 of world wide and there are heaps of performance parts and upgrades available. The Mazda writing on the cam cover could be removed for embarrasement purposes..

Sorry if this has been covered before.

[clubagreenie]

Advantage over beams = less $$$$$ for purchase
Disadvantage over 4A = you're a pioneer so you can't rely on others experience.

Find one in a wrecker and get all critical dimensions, talk to engineer re fitting different mfct engine as it ma be an issue as well (I think it is here in NSW).

You are right about performance parts etc plus it's a bit newer and good stuff is still available.

[oldcorollas]

look at flyin miata supercharger kits

[kremsra28]

i have seen these engines in escorts before so i dont see why they wouldnt fit in a ta22 engine bay, and as you said, there are heaps of performance parts available for them, aswell as the variants in the capri and tx3 lasers,

the turbo variants would prob be the better optionas they would be cheaper, have more power than the na, better performance potential and as far as i know you would only need to bolt up rwd mounts and change the distributer as it comes out the back of the engine and would hit on the firewall, as far as i can remember, the mx5 engine uses a crank angle sensor so maybe try to get hold of 1 of those and run either a piggyback ecu or aftermarket 1,

the B6t pushes out 100kw and depending on the BPt, it ranges from 132-165kw.

i have a tx3 here that im painting wit a BPt, i could take some pics and measurements of the engine for you if ya like?

krem

[BeRad]

Theres an arse load of different engines that fit in a ta22, even 1uz's fit in ... depends greatly on your knowledge, and diy skills, with welders , tools etc or your mates know how .


If your going to transplant a different branded engine, in my eyes the 4g63 is the best small engine out, im not sure on the size of the engine you can put in. but the 2.2 or is it 2.4 prelude vtec engines hammer, easily keep up with boosted 2 litres. They also love the boost if that isnt enough. Although you'll cop the famous toymods "vtec just kicked in yo" its all good.

[kremsra28]

Theres an arse load of different engines that fit in a ta22, even 1uz's fit in ... depends greatly on your knowledge, and diy skills, with welders , tools etc or your mates know how .


If your going to transplant a different branded engine, in my eyes the 4g63 is the best small engine out, im not sure on the size of the engine you can put in. but the 2.2 or is it 2.4 prelude vtec engines hammer, easily keep up with boosted 2 litres. They also love the boost if that isnt enough. Although you'll cop the famous toymods "vtec just kicked in yo" its all good.

i can also get some pics and measurements of a 4g63 too if it will make it easier to make a decision,

they are a much better engine than the B6/t and BP/t, the are alot stronger in factory form and wouldnt be hard to mount upto the standard 5sp n your car, my mate has just put 1 in his cordia, it has a to4z strapped to it and all the other gear to go wit it, they are also putting in a rear diff from a vr4 to make it 4wd shortly too so its gonna be a spastic machine.

krem

[Scourge]

Thanks for the input guys.

I'm just sort of fishing for ideas and info at the moment as to date I haven't actually laid a finger on the car - so the engine side of things is a fair way off yet. Thanks for the offer Krem, I might sit on it for the time being.

I'm really thinking about what type of car I want this to be and whether I'd be happy with a 2TG (if I ever actually found one). I had a look at the Mazda 5 speed gearbox and it occured to me how far forward the Celica gearstick actually sits. I'd say any non standard gearbox is going to sit well back from the standard one, which aside from the cutting, is prolly not a bad thing as the standard one is too far forward IMO. I could get someone to adapt the standard gearbox (it would be out of my abilities) but it's a pretty agricultural piece of gear. I was mainly thinking of the BP engines as a possible solution that was a straight forward swap (yeah right!!).

[BeRad]

Nothings ever straight foward with cars , you could mount the engine foward to overcome that problem but youll sacrafice handling which isnt worth it at the end of the day/

[kremsra28]

if ya worried bout handling and want some decent power, ya really cant go past a rotary, they will fit mostly behind the "front axles", provide plenty of power and are reasonably light,

i am putting my 13bt from my s2rx7 that i wrecked a few yrs ago in my ra28, the motor had 195rwkw on 10psi wit a small fmic and standard but hiflowed turbo, it was pretty bloody quick (had a 4.4:1 diff ratio), when i rebuild it for the 28, will be putting either a gt35/40r or wat ever the new equivilent will be when the time comes (just bought a house and had a new baby so prob not for a while yet)

when it comes to heaps power from a smalll engine, wheter ya like them or not, ya just cant go past the "chook cooker" and they sound awesome to also!!

krem