I know this is an MX-5 forum, but does anyone have any idea as to whether a Mk7 Ford Fiesta ST engine, with turbo, will fit my 2001 (Mk2.5) MX-5 Sport? I have the opportunity to buy one very cheaply with only 15000 careful miles on it!
No expert on these by any means but that is a transverse mounted engine isn’t it?
On that basis I would say no way it could be used.
Ford used to design many of their engines to have the same bolt pattern as many of their gearboxes. For example, the earlier Fiestas used the cross flow engine from the RWD Escorts. Even the later FWD Escort Diesel engines would bolt onto their earlier RWD gearboxes. You would be better to ask on a Ford Forum if this particular Fiesta engine will fit a gearbox from a RWD Ford car, such as the Sierra.
If not, you might be able to get an adapter plate made up to couple the engine to the Mazda one. However, the job involves more than that, such as finding a suitable clutch to suit the input shaft and the flywheel.
One other problem with fitting a FWD engine to a RWD car is finding suitable mounting points on the block. Having said that, nothing is impossible if you’re prepared to put enough time, effort and money into the job.
I built my road legal trials competition car using a Suzuki 3 cylinder G10A engine (from an early FWD Swift hatchback) coupled to a Suzuki Jimny RWD gearbox. A lucky coincidence is that the engine has mounting points on the block that can be easily utilised to locate the engine 90 degrees out from its original orientation, as well as each component having the same bolt pattern. I did need to get the flywheel modified to get the significantly larger Jimny clutch to fit, rather than use the original Swift one, which wasn’t really up to the job it was going to have to do, especially as I designed a supercharger setup for the car.
Good luck, whatever route you take.
Isn’t the Mondeo FWD, in which case, bang goes the theory about fitting a transverse engine in a rear wheel drive.
The NC for instance utilises the Mondeo engine.
If you have the time, inclination, expertise patience and enough money, then the engine would probably work.
Don’t expect it to be a straight swap or easy though.
It would be interesting to learn if you achieve this goal and the end results.
I think the theory is still up for debate
Nothing around on the internet about using this engine for an MX5 but likely could be done if mods made to engine/car/gearbox to facilitate.
I would get in touch with someone like Rodders(Paul Roddison) who probably can advise from experience rather than theory.
Isn’t the Fiesta engine an EcoBoost and therefore a derivative of the Mazda L engine? If so, it should fit an NC, not sure and an NB (does assume that everything turns in the same direction too and that the bell housing lines up)
In answer of the Op’s original question, I’d probably say that “we don’t know”, would be a sensible answer, unless anyone has actually done this.
However, if he wants to take up the project, then a few simple measurements, height, width, length, location of engine mounts etc would be a fair place to start.
The rest would be fabricate to order.
I’ve seen RW drive projects with Zetec engines and Vauxhall RedTops fitted, and these are also transverse engines.
I helped with an engine swap on a Triumph Stag about 25 years ago.
Took out the Triumph engine and fitted a Rover V8.
The clutch consisted of a Triumph friction plate (to fit the gearbox mainshaft), and a rover pressure plate (to fit the fly wheel)
An adaptor plate to join the engine to gearbox, and an extended release bearing carrier.
I don’t recall what happened regards the spigot shaft though.
About right Keat or more accurately "I definitely don’t know "