Yep will have to sort an auto tunnel somehow then Still wating to hear on the duratec forum what the measurements of the box are?? If he replies
Anyway found some pics of the engine out of an NC MX5 05-06
Gives you a good look of what's on the side of the engine etc.

I hope these pictures are good reference for anyone doing a duratec conversion.

Travis

If you went with this engine, that is one from an MX5 you would have to remove the water housing from the back of the motor showen in the last picture, because there is not enough clearance for the one showen. The water rail will fit over the standard exhaust manifold but its restrictive. This motor has VCT which is excellent. You don't need a custom timing chain cover thats a cost saving.

Dont think i would want to keep the standard headers[;^)] Some nice s/s ones would look nicely nicely. As for the water rail . . yep it is quite far back[:u] There are quite a few companys doing them retroford etc so that will be easy.
Cost saving is a priority for me but dont want anything dodge or un-reliable!
Im thinking when i eventually finish the project and install the engine it will need to be as stock looking as possible to pass engineer roadworthy etc. The engine should pass emissions quite easy i hope[:u]

Unfortunately the later the engine the more involved the ECU and emission equipment become which makes it difficult to transplant. Ontop of this the manufacturers also find more ways to restrict the ECU's ability to cope with engine mods etc.

If you're determined to go Mazda have you considered the previous generation MX5's - initially a 1600 and then the 1800. Both are relatively inexpensive to purchase with a box in the RWD configuration? Looking at these engines the manifolding and gearbox is a lot less cumbersome than the current range of engines.

Emission is not an issue with the escort. Just need the charcoal canister connected. Yes you will have to ditch the factory ecu but as I said before its more from the point of auxilary stuff alarming and not allowing the factory ecu to run than emissions. On the back of the block, left to the water outlet is the EGR, this can be removed and blanked off. The crankshaft balance unit can be removed and the oil gallery blanked off. I was running mine today and its quite refined without the balance unit.

Yes paul granted you can get a B6 motor cheaper at the moment. Another twelve months should see a duratec install come done to $6000 with aftermarket ecu. Then another should see it settle into the $4500 to $5000 mark. Do not know much about the B motors but can you get one with factory turbo and VCT.

Good to hear about the emissions bill Hopefully not too much of a drama.
Iv'e been wondering about the engines from the older MX5's too Paul[x2x] Dont have much more info than this pic really.

One jap wrecker had these motors about half the price of the duratecs[B)]

As for ECU's iv'e been informed haltech is the go Had a read through your 2.3 Duratec install today Bill, Good work

Hi guys. Thought I'd mention there is a guy in Adelaide -Carroll Racing, who has just completed a range of locally produced castings for the 2.0 and 2.3l duratec: water rails, oil filter housing mods, dry sumps, bellhousing, EGR blanking kits, etc. very high quality andsig less than the UK derived stuff. Usual disclaimers -No connection, etc. cheers

I have sucessfully converted the Focus 2.0l Duratec into my Mk 1 Escort using a RX7 turbo box with no crossmember mods necessary.
E mail me at jrprmc@bigbutton.com.au for more pics and details.

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Iv'e been wondering about the engines from the older MX5's too Paul[x2x] Dont have much more info than this pic really.

One jap wrecker had these motors about half the price of the duratecs[B)]

As for ECU's iv'e been informed haltech is the go Had a read through your 2.3 Duratec install today Bill, Good work

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The NA series (pop up lights) MX5 had a B6 twin cam engine which is a 1600. GMGEEMAN is currently putting one of these into a MK1 and has put plenty of info and pics on this forum.

The NB series MX5 had a "BP" engine which is an 1800 and basically the same as the KF/KH Laser TX3 and Mazda 323 SP had in them.
WOZZAH has put one of these in his MK1 with great success and he also has plenty of info about it on this forum.

The Laser/323 version of these motors are much cheaper to buy than the MX5 version but you will need an MX5 sump, pick up & water pump for RWD use.

I was recently at the local wreckers and there were an abundance of BP1800's! Unsure of the price but I'm sure they would attract the same "inflated" price. (eg they wanted $1100 for the Zetec whereas I pulled my own for $193).

I wonder if the above supplier is doing Zetec RWD components