Miata 1.6 vs 1.8

W

wepsbee

New member
Would a 1.6 Miata be totally out of the question in ITA when there are 1.8's out there.
A 1.6 might be coming available real cheap so I was wondering. However if it is wholly
underpowered for that class then I will forget it. I dont think a 1.8 was available in that year so I assume I cannot switch engines.
 
jimalley said:
The 1.6 is not competitive. Been there done that! A fully built 1.6 to ITA specs dyno's out at 115 HP.
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one of two things;

1) the dyno you were on reads very low
2) your engine builder is shit

a nationally competitive 1.6 SM motor is ~120. a fully built ITA 1.6 motor should be right around 130 i think.

a 1.6 ITA miata would be great at certain tracks, and competitive anywhere.
 
tnord said:
one of two things;

1) the dyno you were on reads very low
2) your engine builder is shit

a nationally competitive 1.6 SM motor is ~120. a fully built ITA 1.6 motor should be right around 130 i think.

a 1.6 ITA miata would be great at certain tracks, and competitive anywhere.
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Spot on.
~128/130.
To the OP, I think a 1.6 makes a great upper midpack car on all tracks, and in with a shot at it on some tracks, as long you can make weight.
I have an ITA 1.6 that is for sale ish, if you are interested. shoot me an email.. marcustmiller at gmail
 
I wouldn't build a 1.6 myself. One thing I don't like the dif. options especially since I heard the mazdaspeed lsd will no longer be available. Then again ask Mike at ISC they have a very fast 1.6.
 
Yes, the ISC 1.6 is VERY fast, especialy at Roebling but that is a Miata friendly track.

I've owned two 1.6 SMs had a a stock motored, 200k mile example with an intake and a Springfield Dyno exhaust make 113 whp. Had another 1.6, stock motor but far less mileage, same setup, make 115 whp. Have to believe a good ITA 1.6 would make 10-15 more than that.

pitbull113 said:
I wouldn't build a 1.6 myself. One thing I don't like the dif. options especially since I heard the mazdaspeed lsd will no longer be available. Then again ask Mike at ISC they have a very fast 1.6.
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I wouldn't do it as a long-term competitive car. However, if you can get it at a value price where you could flip it later, I think it would be a hella-fun car to drive (and more competitive than your Escort, IMO). it would also make a good enduro car.

But I think with the better torque and not much more weight, the 1.8L car is a much stronger package for ITA.

Again, if you can get it at a great price, you'll have an absolute blast driving it. But if you're looking for a relatively-better ITA car, the 1.8 is a better choice. -GA
 
i agree that on the whole the 1.8 is probably a better option. i was faced with that decision a few years ago. i had most of the parts needed to do another 1.6 after my old car was wrecked, but decided to sell everything off and start over with a 1.8....mainly because i didn't want to deal with the diff.

jesse prather had a fully-built 1.6 that was running around our division the last couple years, and it was plenty capable. there's no doubt in my mind that it is a workable option, but depending on what the tracks you run are like, the 1.8 might be a little bit better.
 
If the 1.6 donor is cheap and straight,make it a 1.8. There is way more than just a motor swap but can be done over time. Meaning ,do the 16 now,save parts at the U Pull It Scrap Yard. cruise by once a week and bring donuts on saturday morning. Pretty soon they start calling you saying stuff like "a lite hit 97 just rolled in,want me to save it for you"

I know what your saying but the vin rule is different now and it is an option.

Or buy a first gen 7 and really have fun on the cheap.

Dan
 
Dano77 said:
If the 1.6 donor is cheap and straight,make it a 1.8. There is way more than just a motor swap but can be done over time. Meaning ,do the 16 now,save parts at the U Pull It Scrap Yard. cruise by once a week and bring donuts on saturday morning. Pretty soon they start calling you saying stuff like "a lite hit 97 just rolled in,want me to save it for you"

I know what your saying but the vin rule is different now and it is an option.

Or buy a first gen 7 and really have fun on the cheap.

Dan
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Ok, is there any one miata year better than another.
 
Take your time and wait for a 1994 1.8. Cheapest and decent. The 1.6 has plenty of potential (as has been proven in the south and would be an animal at LRP IMHO) but just wait for the right car. A conversion will cost you a crap load in money and/or time. Think all electronics, dashboard, etc.
 
Andy Bettencourt said:
Take your time and wait for a 1994 1.8. Cheapest and decent. The 1.6 has plenty of potential (as has been proven in the south and would be an animal at LRP IMHO) but just wait for the right car. A conversion will cost you a crap load in money and/or time. Think all electronics, dashboard, etc.
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Sounds like a plan, thanks all!!
 
I'm probably one of the newest 1.6 ITAs out there, just got licensed in Feb @ Roebling and have done 1 weekend, VIR, in March. I found one real simple way to cut over 2 seconds off my laps times...let my son drive it.:blink:
 
Andy Bettencourt said:
Take your time and wait for a 1994 1.8. Cheapest and decent. The 1.6 has plenty of potential (as has been proven in the south and would be an animal at LRP IMHO) but just wait for the right car. A conversion will cost you a crap load in money and/or time. Think all electronics, dashboard, etc.
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Andy is absolutley correct. I did the full swap to the 1.8. The 1.8 is a much stronger car than the 1.6 but the work and the cost was excessive. Would hve been much better to start with the 1.8 car.
 
Mseiler said:
I'm probably one of the newest 1.6 ITAs out there, just got licensed in Feb @ Roebling and have done 1 weekend, VIR, in March. I found one real simple way to cut over 2 seconds off my laps times...let my son drive it.:blink:
Click to expand...

So much for old age and wisdom Mark.:D You will get faster.
 
NASA has a better rules set for the SM classes/ The 1.6 is still very good there. New for 2011 is a 99 restrictor plate and less weight, closer matching the HP to weight of the 1.6. Now the cars do the same things on the track.

SCCA is too slow to correct the '99 and for now you have to have one to see the front of the group. Maybe the SCCA, 1.6 cars with all go to SSM, or get their own class.
MM
 
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