swap late model 1.8 into early Miata

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Walt Barnes - 31 Jan 2006 02:48 GMT

I've got a complete late model doner car that got rear ended and totaled.
I'd like to swap the 1.8 engine, 6 speed tranny, and computer into my 92.

First, am I correct that using the mounts from the doner, the engine and
tranny will just bolt in?

Second, does anyone know how much trouble the wiring will be? I've got to
use the computer and engine wiring harness from the late model to control
all the fancy variable cam timing stuff.

Thanks,
Walt walt@real-net.com

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XS11E - 31 Jan 2006 03:22 GMT

> I've got a complete late model doner car that got rear ended and
> totaled. I'd like to swap the 1.8 engine, 6 speed tranny, and
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> I've got to use the computer and engine wiring harness from the
> late model to control all the fancy variable cam timing stuff.

Don't know if such a swap is possible for someone who can't use Google!
<G>

http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=4535&parentid=67

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Walt Barnes - 31 Jan 2006 08:43 GMT

I think that info contemplates an early model 1.8 without variable cam
timing and just reuses the 1.6 computer. That works since the 1.8 cylinder
volume is close enough to that of the 1.6 that at WOT when the computer goes
open loop it will only run a little leaner than Mazda programmed. Since the
stock computer is built with a big safety margin to run rich at WOT, it
porobably actually improves performance.

However, I beleive the late model 1.8 engines are a somewhat different beast
when it comes to their computer controls. I'm sure I've got to use the 1.8
computer and 1.8 engine wiring harness. If I'm wrong, please tell me, but
locking the cam timing in either position seems like a poor idea.

Walt

>> I've got a complete late model doner car that got rear ended and
>> totaled. I'd like to swap the 1.8 engine, 6 speed tranny, and
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=4535&parentid=67

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Lanny Chambers - 31 Jan 2006 16:23 GMT

> However, I beleive the late model 1.8 engines are a somewhat different beast
> when it comes to their computer controls. I'm sure I've got to use the 1.8
> computer and 1.8 engine wiring harness. If I'm wrong, please tell me, but
> locking the cam timing in either position seems like a poor idea.

Why not call FM and take advantage of their experience?

Signature

Lanny Chambers
'94C, St. Louis
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

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