Miata head?

[projectmx]

Ok i think i've figured out the miata head definantly fits but there is only a small amount of gain... but i may be able to pick a used one in really good condition with cams and lifters from the miata for only 125 plus shipping. If i got it cleaned up ported and shaved would that be worthwhile money spent?

[Ehpl]

As far as I know the miata head is the same as the mx head, the only differance is where the distributor is located,the stock miata cams are hotter than the mx cams though.these cams can be used in the mx head with mods.one bonus of using a miata head is the availibility of different drop in cams an not having to modify them to fit the mx head. A port an polish job does wonders no matter what head you use.

Eugene L
1.6DOHC
canada
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/552384

[projectmx]

so the head will for sure work? and is it worth the $125?

[MX-3RR]

what kind of MODS do you mean on the miata cams so that you can apply them to the 1.6mx3DOHC???

[Gro Harlem]

It would probably swap, but why? First off, the Miata's engine is longitudinally mounted as opposed to the MX-3's tranversally mounted motor.

This means the water coolant location & thermostat locations are going to be way different. But thats not too big of a deal, as you should be able to just swapt he thermostat housing, but there could be other major differences as a result of the different mounting position including bolt-hole locations, etc.

I never read anything about the Miata head being better in any way. I doubt it flows better. The numbers stamped on the head are the same on both motors last time I checked at my JY. The camshafts are what gives the miata the 11hp edge over the MX-3 motor.

Swapping those cams into your engine is easy, Just unbolt your old & bolt in the new. This of course will mean you need to change the timing belt too, but that isn't too hard

[OsoSlo z28]

the biggest gains from miata head swaps is with the bpt guys.

[Josh]

yah their is NO MODS when swapping in miata cams. the cams are pretty much drop rite in. you just have to mess with the timming a little. other than that there is no difference. it would be east to swap over a miata head. bolt pattern is the same, BUT the miata might not have the oil passages that pertrude from the exaust side of the block. this is where i had my problem with my new motor. i had a miata copper head gasked but it was missing one of the flaps to cover one of the ports so oil went everywhere when i first started it up.
so it would be alot easer to just swap in the ZE cams, but their might be an issue do to you having to swap the cams from intake to exaust so the seat duration would be off. intake is 246deg, and exaust is 248deg so their would be a problem swapping them cause now your motor would be taking in more air than its putting out. so it might be better to try to swap over the miata head. just make sure you use an MX head gasket.

and yes you get good hp gaind on a BP when you swap to a newer miata head, because of the valve train. iv heard paople reaching gains as much as 50hp on boosted moters.

[projectmx]

the reason i was interested in the head was cause i want to buy a head that is already out of the car and do some work to it and then replace my stock one and $125 sounded like a good price plus it had the miata cams and lifters with it.. but i guess i'll look around for a mx-3 one

[MX-3RR]

JOSH if I replace the cams from the miata to my 1.6DOHC (I mean stock miata cams not high lift) do I need afermarket camgears( if there are any for the 1.6DOHC?) or can I use stock camgears??

[MX3-Freak]

if you replace our cams for the OEM miata ones, how will fuel economy be effected? And will high octane been needed instead of regular?

[MX-3RR]

dont worry about that, IM using as always,100 octane unleaded fuel, but if its needed I can get some octane boost.

[MX-3RR]

IM not worried wih fuel economy, if I was I would have bought a diesel car, here in PORTUGAL the cars to beat are citroen saxo cup, peugeot GTi, and of course CIVICS, and thats my goal, because guys that own these cars, especilly the saxos, make me sick and they talk too much. but first of all our mazdas have to look DAMN GOOD. and most important IM also against streetracing, my car only runs hard at meetings or at the track or some times at late hours when thers no traffic. safety first.