1.6L vs. 1.8L Miata

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I know all the differences between the cars, but I'm trying to pick between them. Ideally I'd like a 1.8L for the power and brakes, and I'd like to find one with a Torsen. I'm really comprimising with a 1.6L, but I can get a beaten-up long-nose car for $1000-$1500 any day of the week. If I ever find the right 1.8L in my area it should be around the same price, but finding one is proving to be tough!

So, how does a 1.6L feel in a Locost? I'd like to go FI eventually, should I worry about the rear end being smaller? How nice is the torsen to have? The bigger brakes? I know I can upgrade individual parts, but I really want to yank everything off the same car to get it running sooner.

[Scott]

Knowing that you want to go FI in the future, the 1.6 will be cheaper to do "out of the box with new parts". As Greddy makes a turbo kit for the 1.6, but not the 1.8. Jackson Racing offers superchargers for both, around $2200 to get things started. Flying Miata probably has the best all inclusive turbo kits, but the average cost seems to be near $5000.

Now, if you build it yourself, your milage may vary. The saying there's no replacement for displacement always stands true, but at .2 liters.....
I have the bigger brakes on my miata now (I have a 91), and there isn't that big of a difference, it was just good timing on my part. The torsen, however, seems to be a good thing to have, but with a viscus(sp?) LSD, and a well balanced car, you won't notice. Not to mention that the 1.8 rear does weigh a bit more if you're building for ultralightweightness.

Intake setup would be easier with the 1.8 however, using a MAF, versus the flapper door AFM found on the 1.6's (I hate it). If you can score an early 1.8, say 94-96, then do so. Then, use the head from a 99 (the intake ports are at a better flowing angle).

All in all, either will be fine. Maybe you need to drive two examples (miatas, as stock as possible) to know the difference.

[KB58]

It's true that 0.2 liters isn't that much, but if you look at it as 0.2 liters / 1.6 liters, that's 12.5%, a big number!

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I daily drive a '97 Miata with Torsen. I love the LSD for the sheer hooligan-ness of it, although I don't know if it really makes it that much faster. I've driven plenty of 1.6L cars and while mine is slow, they are dogs. That 15hp is very palpable. Now, the difference between a 5.0 second 0-60 and a 5.4 seconds 0-60 may be less pronounced.


I think I know what I have to do: wait for a screaming deal on either, and snag it when it comes. If it's crunch time and I haven't found anything, then pick up one of the many early cars out there. The 1.8L stuff is better all-around, but the 1.6L will work in a pinch. After all, I'd be using a Duratec 30 or an M50 if this was a dream car build.

Any more feedback would be great, though, especially from people that have driven Miata locosts or gutted Miata racecars.

[Dave]

What about a 1.6L Miata and buy a 1.8L Escort GT motor? The 1.6L 5spd and starter bolt up I believe - you'd just need to source a 1.8L oil pan.

[kreb]

Doesn't the 1.6 have a weaker rear-end? If you plan on FI that might be an issue. Unless you are on an incredibly tight budget I'd do the requisite homework to find a 1.8. Also figure that you'll probably want to sell it some day, and the 1.8 with associated brakes carries more cachet which will be reflected in the sell price.