Engine Transplant

General Discussion Forums MX-5 Chat
2

I bought my Laguna Blue '94 1.8 S Special in 2012 144kms.  With 194kms now showing I thought

it might be time to enhance its performance.  It did not need  an engine transplant but whilst

Anthony at CBS Autos was servicing my Sport Tech Recaro Carl happened to mention he

had a 1.8VVT engine from a 2005 MK2.5 that had succumbed to horrendous rusting through out.

The engine; 35k miles ultra clean & seemingly well serviced.

Laguna got the 1.8VVT engine; of course cam belt, water pump, thermostat, all fluids, all hoses,

both belts, ignition leads, plugs, plus a stage 2 clutch & ME221 ECU.  For good measure brake &

clutch fluid changes.

I am not a fan of the MK2.5 original ECU & its temperamental immobiliser, plus the ME221 ECU has

plenty of extra scope for tuning.  Laguna is running well on a base map but is booked in for

enhanced mapping at ADE Tuning Lower Darwin BB3 0PR.

I will be creating an article on the transplant for STHT in 2019.

For immediate info on the transplant give Carl a call 01282 697413

CBS Autos Ecroyd Street Nelson BB9 7BJ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

Normal usage of an NBFL engine usually means blanking off the VVT part, which means it can run on an NA PCM. (ECU) No idea what an ME221 ECU is, but mapping any NBFL PCM is not on the cards AFAIK, earliest PCM that was came out with the Mk3. Unless proof of the pudding is supplied, an NBFL is a read only memory,(ROM) not R/W (Read/Write) Only exception is a few parameters which are automatically selected to match your driving style, and these are also Read Only. So, unless the PCM (ECU to you) mentioned is off a Mk3, any claims to allow remapping are pie in the sky.

My comment would be “approach with caution”.

Otherwise, enjoy the power!

4

To get the best out of it you need to control the VVT solenoid but some feel that it is Ok without that control. Carl knows his stuff so it is suck it and see what is possible.

5

We run a ME221 on our MK1 with a VVi engine. You will be fine, but don’t expect massive gains unless you are going cams and other stuff.