Let's beat a dead horse: 1.6 vs 1.8 Miata

can someone direct me to the cams that will make my 1.8 spunkier?

Web camshafts has some good ones for the 1.6, you might try them. I used to have a few Integral cams for the 1.8 but they're out of business. Someone bought their grinds, though.

SlickDizzy wrote: Basically, all else being equal, if I had a choice between a nice 1.8 for $5k and a nice 1.6 for $3k, would I be stupid to get the 1.6 and have some money for upgrades?

I'd go with the 1.8. You'll spend time and money on those brake and diff upgrades--which you'll probably want since you'll be hitting the HPDE with 200 horsepower.

Not that those upgrades are hard or super expensive to do. But it puts you at a starting point that is much closer to your ultimate goal of a 200-horse track-capable Miata.

belteshazzar wrote: can someone direct me to the cams that will make my 1.8 spunkier?

Web makes a "505" grind for the 1.8. I happen to have a set sitting around unused, if you're interested...

I feel like the state has made your mind up for you because of the plug in test. Gotta do what you can to stay legal unless there is some sort of waiver you can get?

My 1.5L Civic wouldn't pass emissions. Some clever paperwork...work got me an exemption about a month before I started the boosted swap. By the time emissions rolls around again it'll be eligible for historic tags .

I've driven both and seeing that neither are power houses I can't see you having less fun with less displacement in one of those cars.

If it's just a readyness check, you can swap the stock ECU back in for the test. Wire the wastegate open and it will never see boost to be a problem.

Why not go parallel with the 99/00. Let MS control fuel/timing and the stock ecu everything else.

EvoRoadster wrote: Why not go parallel with the 99/00. Let MS control fuel/timing and the stock ecu everything else.

I have been looking into this and it may prove to be the route I go, actually. There is a real nice '99 NB with sport package and hardtop locally for $4500... If only I could sell the Alfa

Or...anybody wanna trade?

peter wrote:

belteshazzar wrote: can someone direct me to the cams that will make my 1.8 spunkier?

Web makes a "505" grind for the 1.8. I happen to have a set sitting around unused, if you're interested...

oh yeah?

I have only driven a 1.6 Miata but if y'all are saying that the 1.8 feels flatter I doubt I want to drive a 1.8.

peter wrote:

belteshazzar wrote: can someone direct me to the cams that will make my 1.8 spunkier?

Web makes a "505" grind for the 1.8. I happen to have a set sitting around unused, if you're interested...

Yup, I have a 505 on my 1.6. Combined with 11:1 compression, that is one hugely fun little engine. Pretty much dead below 4000 rpm, but it suits a stripped out sports car very nicely.

The 1.8 still feels pretty fun. It's shades of grey - the 1.6 NEEDS more revs and has a cam that wakes up at about 4000 rpm. The nature of the 1.8 is more consistent, but they both need to spin to work. That extra 10% helps though.

I haven't tried this, but I'll bet a 1994-97 engine would respond pretty well to a head shave. They're a bit lower compression to start with.

is that cam going to have too much overlap for a turbo?

One, two, three, four.

Javelin wrote: Unless you're swapping for an LSx!

Four posts.

belteshazzar wrote: is that cam going to have too much overlap for a turbo?

Once you install a turbo, "revviness" is not an issue The stock cams work awfully well. Heck, they work better on a turbo car than the cam that Mazda put in the Mazdaspeed.