Engine swap???

Technical Area Engine, Transmission, Exhaust etc
2

Hi guys, first post here. 

A friend of a friend races mx5 and has a 2.5 m52 bmw engine in his, its stupidly quick and he can do the same for me for 300/400 labour he saids, good deal although id probably go for the 2.0 seems like i dont need that much power in a my NA. His does sound lovely but i dont know if it would be a mistake will i miss that 1.8 twin cam noise, it doesnt really shift but sounds so theatrical. The gearbox is another thing i love the NA gearbox so much better than The NC gearbox, feels spot on. 

Anyone done an engine swap here? Did it ruin that simplicity and smiles per miles feel that makes the mx5 great? Or did you never look back? Just cant decide…

3

I’d say stick with what you know, you really cannot fault the MX5 engines.

4

never seen a bmw swop but quite a few folk shoehorn a V8 in. sounds great & quite fast apparently but easier fo fit a turbo or supercharger (can produce more power too)

5

Yeah a v8 would be lovely but i dunno if it would be too much power, and too heavy at the wheels could ruin that handling. The guy saids the m52 pretty much is a perfect fit and it just takes off, its such a cheap option for power about a grand for engine and all labour including bmw diff. Id prefer to turbo it but cant find a kit for less than 2 grand:( ever seen any cheaper kits around? Im not looking for 200bhp but id like 150/160.

6

Why no do what I did and fit late type MX5 VVT engine ,6 sp box, LSD and its still Mazda bits .I converted my one in about 3 days incl full loom etc.

7

 

Well, I’m fascinated for various reasons, one of which is this is the first time I’ve heard of someone actually completing an M52 conversion. 

Also this is the first time I’ve heard of anyone who’s actually done any engine swap and reckons they could do it again for hundreds of pounds rather than thousands.  Note too that the BMW M52 engine is more than 6 inches longer than a Mazda BP engine, so I can’t see its fitting without modifying the firewall/transmission tunnel to sit it back in the engine bay.

Basically, if your mate’s mate reckons you can give him an MX-5 and an M52 engine and he can put them together for a few hundred pounds instead of a more realistic, say, ten grand, then he has the makings of a steady business and a queue will soon form at his door.

In short, I think somewhere along the line someone is pulling your leg, or at least making unrealistic claims on someone else’s behalf.

8

I can see your a rookie at sarcasm and A graduate of bellend academy but FYI its as a favour, you can search the mx5 with the m52 engine on youtube you’ll see his. He said it was easy enough to get his to fit so he said hes do me a favour If i wanted to swap mine.

9

If you’re going to take that kind of approach then you won’t get a lot of help on here I’m afraid.

10

Nice.  It’s a pity if I put your nose out of joint but I really don’t believe a budget in the hundreds of pounds will mate a BMW straight six to an MX-5.  If you have someone who will do it for you, bite their hand off before they change their mind.  I was perfectly serious about engine swap projects always tending to run far into the thousands.  I will certainly take a look for it on YouTube.  In fact I’d appreciate a link.  I’ve often wondered if it was a practicable swap as it’s an engine particularly noted for its smoothness.  I wasn’t being remotely sarcastic about that.

 

I found this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhvxfzgT-g0  Is that the right car?

11

I want to come back to this thread because it’s been bothering me.

 

Jonny, I apologise.

I only intended to say that I’m genuinely excited that someone has an M52 conversion up and running, but I wanted to be sure you were aware of the considerable extra costs involved beyond the car, engine and labour - things like modifying the subframe and/or sump for instance - since so many people who start conversion projects get caught out that way.  But it all came out a bit dickish, and I’m sorry about that.