Hi all,
Over the weekend I was offered a MX5 motor and gearbox. It was removed from a MGA after the guy installing it passed away, the car sold and the new owner wanting the original donk put back in.
Looks quite good size wise, he has fabricated an inlet exhaust manifold, so no EFI to worry about. The box looks small but probably not small enough to fit in the original tunnel (what does!). I have a datsun 5 speed anyway which would probably be OK with an adaptor plate.
Checked wiki with stuff all results.
Pros:
Its RWD, around 100kw depending on year, twin cam, will probably take webers, around the right size.
Anyone done this? If not, why?
Thanks in advance.

Few have done it because few have been given a free engine. Since they buy, Nissan 1.6 (115hp) is a bolt-in to the Datsun 5-speed. Nissan 1.8 makes more power.

The MX5 engine is a good one. You can cut the tunnel down the center, spread it open a bit and rivet a piece of sheet metal over it.

The Mazda 2.0 is swapped into 1200s and can take massive levels of boost when modified.

sub-9 second 1/4 mile runs



626 into 1200



626 engine

is it 1.6 or 1.8?

i would say for the all the effort involved it's not worth it

you can buy the same series 1.8 turbo motor from a mazda familia for $1200, the non-turbo motors are probably worth less than an A15 and wouldn't make much more power

But if the price is free, then it's worth it. To make it easy keep the Mazda 5-speed. Mainly needs a custom tailshaft and some adapters for the motor mounts.

there is nothing free about that!

in an engine conversion like that ..... the cheap part is the engine!

Thanks guys. Interesting. Im seriously contemplating this!

where abouts are you in terms of legalities for pollution requirements?

Good point. If the Datsun 1200 ute is 1972 or newer, under Australia EPA it will require meeting the emission standards for the year of the engine (including catalytic converters, etc.) which carburetors will not meet.

Under CALIFORNIA law, any substitute engine requires meeting emissions of the newer engine.

Hence why the A14 is so popular as a "replacement" (not substitute) engine. Meanwhile in other places we enjoy our 2.4 liter 1200s.

I think you are better off with a supercharged or turbo A series
if you have the 5 speed already then the rest is patience
A series are easy to refresh if need be and plenty of boost options.

You may be right D, just very tempting.......
JD