Adding power to the 1.6 DOHC

[ventoura]

I would like to know what's the best way to get more power out of the 4L 1.6 DOHC? What can I do to get much power beside a swap?<P>Secondly is bypassing 2 of the 3 catalyst make a big difference on the power?<P>Thanks!

[ventoura]

I have an other question. What is the best Cold Air Intake between a PRM Pro Kit and a Weapon-R Ram Air Cold Intake? <P>Thanks again!

[xeffex]

I have heard the best things about the PRM... but I don't know from experience. That is what Steve (TEKGUY) has... and he has the best set-up on a MX-3 i've seen yet.<P>Just my two cents.<P>Jordan

[94mx3rsr]

As you probably have found out there are no real ways to safely and inexpensively get high or relatively high hp out of the 1.6L DOHC. Of course when you really think about our engine is the miata's 1.6L mounted transversly so jackson racing (superchargers) would certainly be able to adapt something pretty easily to fit an mx3....miata parts are everywhere...not mx3 parts unfortunately!!! But when you really think about it, its not really worth it unless you've basically got like a brand new 1.6L......I hate to say this but an engine swap is the solution to making you're mx3 FAST!!! The 323 GTX turbo engine would be the safest bet and you can fairly easily and inexpensively bring it up to 200hp...PRETTY IMPRESSIVE!<P>Intake and exhaust systems make the 4-cyl dohc mx3 somewhat more fun to drive but it certainly does not make it much faster(i've got p-flow = complete 2' 1/4 exhaust line w/free flow cat)....the prm is said to make a difference but it doesn't work miracles! Internal work such as port & polish and 3 angle valve jobs can bring fairly good results but are far too expensive!<P>I surely do not recomend nitro so i say that the swap is the way to go......and for less than a grand you can get yourself a nice GTX engine( an easy fit) without to many miles on it(save your money instead of buying p-flows and exhausts)....you could also check out japanese versions which would probably produce more hp........anyhow, i hope i helped you out....GOOD LUCK in your projects!<P>jean-Michel Basque<BR>Quebec, Canada<P>