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Rebuild B6 or replace with Miata 1.6L???

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    Rebuild B6 or replace with Miata 1.6L???

    My '88 323 is currently in the garage with the motor pulled out of it and ready to be rebuilt. I have access to two Miata 1.6L motors. There isn't a thread I can find detailing this type swap. Can anyone shed some light on problems or concerns I need to be aware of? I haven't taken a close look at the Miata blocks but it looks like the coolant routing is an obvious problem. Can that be switched or do I just need to pull the internals out of the Miata blocks and put them in my FWD block?

    #2
    the coolant routing can probably be fixed by using parts from a B6 DOHC mx3, but i am not 100% sure
    Escort GTR -- 11.87 @ 117.6 mph -- 320 HP / 325 Ft. Lbs. @ 23 PSI
    ... The first FWD BG with a Toyota E153 transmission conversion in the USA!
    Looking for BP x Toyota E153 adapter plates? PM me or contact me on Facebook: Riel Performance Parts

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      #3
      I'm comparing both right now. The water pump gasket, inlet gasket, and thermostat gasket are identical. I'm fairly confident that can all be sorted easily. What I can't nail down right now is what would be involved in sealing off the water outlet just above the water pump on the Miata block. It might be simpler to just switch the internals, but I'm not sure my block is in good enough shape.

      I'm also looking at the DOHC swap, but I don't think it's going to be affordable right now since it appears to require a new harness and ECU.

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        #4
        Mercury Capri is the same exact cylinder head, but you have to move the freeze plug.


        The pic with those cross drilled rotors, those look very dangerous.

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          #5
          Originally posted by psiturbo View Post

          The pic with those cross drilled rotors, those look very dangerous.
          The good thing about autocross cars is they only run for around 60 seconds at a time max so you can get a little ridiculous with lightening the brake rotors. The lighter the car, the less brake rotor you really need.

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            #6
            if you take a look at any fwd BP head, behind the timing belt cover there is a freeze plug and two drilled and tapped holes. this is where the thermostat would have been, had the head wound up in a miata
            Escort GTR -- 11.87 @ 117.6 mph -- 320 HP / 325 Ft. Lbs. @ 23 PSI
            ... The first FWD BG with a Toyota E153 transmission conversion in the USA!
            Looking for BP x Toyota E153 adapter plates? PM me or contact me on Facebook: Riel Performance Parts

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              #7
              I'll get a chance to take a closer look at the Miata blocks next week. Hopefully I can find a cheap solution to make it all work.

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                #8
                I might be picking up a Capri motor, harness, ECU next week. I need to get ths car running soon, but it sure could use a few extra HP. I've got a F1 Racing LWT flywheel I'm going to throw in it as well.

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                  #9
                  Not sure if you've already sorted this out but I figure i'll share just so the knowledge is out there.

                  I have a 323 GTX block in my miata right now. Its a very straight-forward swap. I reused my miata head but ended up re-routing my coolant like the 323 anyway so I just threw a freeze plug in that coolant neck where the thermostat housing is in the miata. Very easy. Then you swap oil pans, oil pickups/windage trays, Coolant ports, etc. Its actually very obvious what you'll be swapping over and the last thing you should worry about is that silly freeze plug in the head.

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                    #10
                    Originally posted by Wayne_curr View Post
                    Not sure if you've already sorted this out but I figure i'll share just so the knowledge is out there.

                    I have a 323 GTX block in my miata right now. Its a very straight-forward swap. I reused my miata head but ended up re-routing my coolant like the 323 anyway so I just threw a freeze plug in that coolant neck where the thermostat housing is in the miata. Very easy. Then you swap oil pans, oil pickups/windage trays, Coolant ports, etc. Its actually very obvious what you'll be swapping over and the last thing you should worry about is that silly freeze plug in the head.
                    Hey thanks, for the info. I've got a few options unfolding right now. I've got a possible salvage Capri 1.6L DOHC I'm checking on tomorrow. If getting a whole FWD 1.6L DOHC doesn't pan out I'm going to get just the head and put it on a 1.6L Miata block. I found a decent Capri wiring harness I'm going to pull next week and an ECU should be easy to get.

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