The problem with the Rotary is its power shaft sits higher than a crankshaft, meaning the input shaft of the cogbox sits higher.

You'll have to butcher the tranny tunnel and bulkhead, losing the heater and compromising rigidity.

Otherwise everyone would be at it.

 

Perhaps not.

Taken from "http://www.fastlane.com.au/Custom_Shed/MX5_rotary.htm":

Let

 

you could get a v8 in that fiat!

v12? i looked at that one, it might have quite poor weight distribution. some of the comments are quite funny.

 

conversion - why not?

RX7 transplant - why on earth that engine?

 

Mazda felt it was too refined and expensive for a fun sports car - they tried to engineer the car originall with Dell'Orto style cars, for authenticity.

Not sure a V8 suits an MX-5 either.

Probably the RX-8 Renesis would be a good compromise...

 

Or a 2.3 Duratec - same bellhousing pattern IIRC - almost a straight swap*

Would sound lovely on Throttle bodies, 270bhp from Minister (http://www.minister-power.com/duratec/index.htm) - note the POA prices though.....





*Some or all of this statement may be optimistic

 

I've always been interested in a rotary engine for some perverse reason...

I recall reading about a Kennedy Engineering conversion a few years ago - to fit a Mazda rotary to a VW Beetle transaxle. A quick search of t'internet shows they're still in business.

Check-out the link below for the engine adapters they make - fourth from the bottom of the 4 CYL. ENGINES list - Honda S2000!

http://www.kennedyeng.com/vw_por.htm

 

Someone did it with a Skoda Estelle.

They called it the Spazda

 

I had a Mk1 MX5...fookin' brilliant car...was an Eunos too, so it had leather interior, AC + a few other bits 'n' bobs that don't come standard on UK versions.

Cheap to buy/run/modify, with loads of parts available off the shelf. Second hand spares are freely available and dirt cheap compared to the S.

If you want a rotary engine, get the RX8's...the 7 needs rebuilding all the time and constantly breaks down.

If you want a stock engine, the best one comes in the Mk2 1.8 sport 6 speed package. You can get a turbo/supercharger for these and easily raise power to around 180BHP.

The Mk1 is the lightest though, 1994 onwards models put on a few pounds due to safety features. The earlier MK1s were also rust proofed better, which can be an issue on later models.

It's the best handling car I've ever driven and smiles per pound are through the roof.

 

...fortunately.

I ordered my 1.8 as a true lightweight special, without PAS or gewgaws or shit.

If you drove it with the throttle basically in the 'on' position, it was great!

I'd not like to drive one after the S2000, though! They feel very flimsy and slow by comparison. That's not to say it's not a brilliant car; merely the S2000 is even brilliantester.