Cortina-MX5 engine conversion

[ShiteRider]

I've been thinking about swapping the old pinto out of my mk5 with something a bit more modern (ie Better than 100bhp/28mpg)

I can get a red top vauxhall motor of a mate of a mate fairly cheap, but i've been wondering about using something like this instead as a donor http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271185570131? ... 97.c0.m619

Apparently their pretty bomb proof, already rear wheel drive and easy to get parts for. What we thinking people, are they a twat to wire up or actually just a crap engine. (Pinto is a rear drop sump....is the mazda engine? or will i be cracking out the mig/tig)

Cheers, Rob.

[oman5]

I think I'd be tempted to try a 2.0 zetec from the older mondeo. It's already a relatively common rwd conversion in mk1/2 escorts and caterhams so theres plenty of knowledge and conversion parts out there. It can also be run quite happily on carburettors to minimize electrical fiddling about. as standard they already produce lots more power than a pinto and respond well to tuning.

having said that, the mx 5 lump is a good reliable engine, but I don't reckon in a cortina with its brick like aerodynamics is going to be much of a ball of fire.

[garethj]

It's only a guess, but the Cortina might need more torque than the MX5 can muster? The 2 litre Pinto was quite good in that respect.

 

Seth converted his Herald with an MX5 engine and it uses carbs, I'd be more tempted to go this route rather than the Zetec because the Zetec adaptor parts are so expensive. I was toying with the idea when I had my Ginetta and the best saving I could find was to use a smaller Zetec, it might have been a 1.8 because that "only" made about 120bhp but prices for the 2 litre from scrapyards were much higher.

[chaseracer]

...but prices for the 2 litre from scrapyards were much higher.

Buy a running car for the engine/loom/whatever, and weigh in the rest...?

[Spiny Norman]

I'm just disappointed that this isn't a thread about putting a Crossflow into an MX5.

[Pete-M]

2.0 Zetec would be better, easier, simpler and it'll fit without much messing about.

[whitevanman]

2.0 Zetec silver tops are getting pretty rare, and unless it is in the scrapyard it would be a shame to 'do a Mini' style engine rape on a working Mk1 Mondy, hardly see early ones now a days, black tops are more difficult to do as a DIY on the cheap conversion

 

The MX5 engine seems a lot of work for little gain

[mk1_4dr]

2.0 Zetec silver tops are getting pretty rare, and unless it is in the scrapyard it would be a shame to 'do a Mini' style engine rape on a working Mk1 Mondy, hardly see early ones now a days, black tops are more difficult to do as a DIY on the cheap conversion

 

The MX5 engine seems a lot of work for little gain

 

How about an 1800 silver top from an Escort? Theres still plenty of late 16v Escorts about, and they seem to be worth buttons. The 1800 is a nice engine in itself, 105bhp from the box and, same as the 2lt, there is potential for more.

[cort16]

At least the mx-5 motor and box are already pointing in the same direction. With the red top or the Zetec you've got to nob around converting a front drive engine to rwd plus you should be able to get a rotted out 1.8 mx-5 for a few hundred quid. You'd need to do some measuring though as the gear stick might be somewhere under the radio in a cortina using the mx-5 engine and box.

 

As said above using the mx5's ecu might be a bit of night mare so carbs or something like mega-jolt might be a better idea but then again with this combo you might end up getting more power out the pinto.

 

What about an e36 318is motor? Similiar idea but good for 140bhp?

[Rocket88]

As above, I was wondering about BMW engines..............If they weren't prone to all sorts of OMG inlet manifold flap ingestion, a diseasel 4 pot would be nice............

[babydriver]

Sorry to jump in but can sombody point me in the direction of Seth's Herald mx5 conversion?

[Tonka]

I am helping out a mate with his Zetec on carb RWD conversion this weekend, my job is making up the exhaust, I've already had a manifold to downpipe flange machined up, this is the second Zetec conversion into Jago I have witnessed first hand and it has convinced me that removing a running crossflow and using the money to buy a complete MX-5/Eunos donor makes far more sense and will be a lot less painful, a quick chat with one of the most prolific kit car designers next month will pinpoint what I need to keep wiring wise, I really fancy doing this next winter on our gert's Samuri.

[cort16]

This Mk2 with an mx5 motor looks neat

http://bringatrailer.com/2013/03/06/mazda-mx-5-powered-1970-ford-cortina/

[autofive]

i ll just leave this here.....

 

[mk1_4dr]

Infact, you need to talk to Scary about Zetec installs in Cortinas on the cheap

 

 

[jonny69]

You can buy all the bits to use a Zetec off the shelf, but it'll set you back about £1000, which I've always considered a bit steep. It's not quite the straight swap that it looks like, but it's not far off. That said, it is a damn fine engine and wipes the floor with all the older engines in terms of all-out power, torque, driveability, smoothness, fuel consumption and ease of starting.

 

From memory, all the MX5 engines are rear bowl sump, which rules them out in any of the front bowl sump Fords (Anglia, Mk1+2 Cortina - I think, any of the ones with a steering box). It should drop into any of the rack and pinion cars with the rear bowl sumps without too much hassle. It is a nice engine and it's quite powerful and the 5-speed box is good. Unless you're trying to make it look old, I'd always recommend sticking with the fuel injection system on these sorts of engines. Going to carbs will always take away a bit of fuel economy and drop a few horsies.

[dieselnutjob]

Ford Sierra diesel engine. Some were Indenors, others were 1.8 turbo. Wiring will be easy.

[gallondrunk]

If you're looking for something that sups less fuel, MX-5's don't seem to get the best economy:

 

http://www.fuelly.com/car/mazda/mx-5%20miata

 

I imagine partly because of the low gearing. Tough drivetrain, just not a cruiser. I doubt economy would be any better with the bricky aerodynamics of a 'Tina.

 

I have no idea about cost, but it might be worth looking into an EFi setup for the 2.0 Pinto?

[Lacquer Peel]

Ford Sierra diesel engine. Some were Indenors, others were 1.8 turbo. Wiring will be easy.

 

I know someone who's trying to get rid of an Indenor 2.3 turbo.

[garycox]

Sorry to jump in but can sombody point me in the direction of Seth's Herald mx5 conversion?

 

http://retrorides.proboards.com/index.c ... 482&page=1

[dave862]

i dont know if i'm teaching granny to suck eggs here but doing a rwd zetec conversion can be done for pretty much sod all. Before i explain how, i'd like to say the idea of an Mx5 conversion is cracking. I never thought of doing that before. anyhooooo.....in a Blue peter Styleee here is what you'll need. Black top 2 litre mondeo full engine and gearbox (£100?) type 9 gearbox (£50?) starter motor off of an 1800 cvh sierra (£20?), spigot bearing optional (£10) , zetec silver top sump pan and pick up pipe (£15?) an empty fairy liquid bottle and a roll of sticky back plastic. what you do is this, remove the gearbox off the black top engine and optionally instal your spigot bearing. while you're there replace the sump and pickup pipe with that of the silver top variety. leaving the mondeo clutch flywheel and pressure plate as they are add a sprinkle of type 9 gearbox. you will notice that theres not enough space for the starter to quite bolt on so get out the 4 inch grinder and start removing material from the sump until the starter fits. you wont be anywhere near creating a hole in the sump so dont worry about that. in this instance of it being for a cortina your prop will fit, your clutch cable will still work and all you need to work out is if you want it still on injection or on carbs. the basics of a rwd conversion have been done and it hasnt cost the earth or took a week to do. obviously there are "better" or should that read "more expensive" ways to skin this particular cat but thats how i do it and it works....and i make that under £200 assuming youve not already got any of the parts. if you are feeling slightly more adventurous you could fit an 1800 zetec flywheel and clutch as the 18 flywheel is lighter than the 2 litre one.