I've decided to try and sell my recently restored X1/9, but fancy something a little different to fill the hole left in the garage.

There's some nice and cheap MX5s around - and plenty of the them appear to be Japanese imports in excellent condition. I quite fancy the idea of pulling the four-banger out and slotting in an RX7 Turbo motor - could be a wonderful sleeper, especially if the usual MX5 tat was fitted - boot-rack, mud flaps etc..

The swap should be relatively easy.

I've never owned a rotary-engined car (although I used a MK2 RX7 for a few days) - there's something strangely appealing...

 

Didnt know you could do that to a MX5, it'd be amazing!

 

why not put a V8 in it?
then slap a turbo on that.

I know the v8 bit has been done

 

raise you a v12

http://jalopnik.com/398671/miata-owner-get...s-in-jaguar-v12

 

Wouldn't the normally aspirated RX8 engine be more suited? I would imagine the old-school shove of the RX7 turbo would overwhelm the rear tyres on the MX5 a bit too readily.

Not to mention the more modern materials used in the later engine, rotor tip replacement is a PITA I'm told, the 8's are supposed to last longer.

If I had more garage space, I'd have that X1/9 off you in a heartbeat, I loved mine.

 

There was a turbo conversion sold with the Mk1 Mx5 in its day. It even got a full Mazda warranty.

It would be a lot easier to get hold of one of those.

 

[quote name='MarkB' date='Jan 21 2009, 11:21 AM'] Wouldn't the normally aspirated RX8 engine be more suited?

 

I can't remember the last time I saw one that wasn't covered in rust!

That's lovely.

Shows the difference in size between the X1/9 and the S2000 - the S looks huge in comparison.

 

Ive been thinking about this for my MX5

http://www.mx5mad.com/product_info.php?cPa...products_id=349

Would be cheaper than an engine swap and 200bhp is more than enough.

 

Just don't do this.....