Mk 1 Escort - Mazda/Laser B6

I am in the middle of a trial fit of my MX5 B6 and thought I would show you all my progress. I have converted the engine to a Ford (fitted Laser cam cover) and I think it more than looks the part in the engine bay. Had to do a few mods, like belt drive the cam angle sensor, modify the thermostat housing to name a few, but, there was nothing too hard. I've also flipped the heater core around in the heater so that the outlet's are now on the other side of the engine bay so that heater plumbing will now be easier. So I think the work involved is less than I have see with some of the other conversions and as i'm not after a race car the car should perform well with about 20HP more than an original TWINCAM and with a 5 speed as well.

Well done mate that looks like a very professional install !!!
Good Luck and keep us posted!

Did you have to fabricate engine mounts? Modify the sump?

A couple of guys in FFCC have done that install (including Wozzah!)
One with quad throttle bodies claims around 230hp and is faster than his old worked Pinto on 48's....
It is a BP rather than a B6, but the 1800 is quite common and cheap if from a Laser (under $100 an engine compared to the same from an MX5 at $500+ each), but you do need a number of MX5 specific parts like gearbox, sump, waterpump etc to install in an Escort N-S style....

Bonus is it is light and even looks a little like a BDA...

excellent conversion there.........Im contemplating a BP 1.8 ltr turbo conversion/mx5 6 speed maybe?,Ive got the pinto engine out at the moment of my RS2 and the type 9 is fuc ked so instead of spending money on the new g/box I might just sell off some parts and do the conversion.

Does any one know if B6 g/box,sump and water pump etc fit on the bp engines.

quote:

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Originally posted by gmgeeman

Get yourself a later MX5 1800 (BP) and all should be ok. MX5 being a rear wheel drive everything is facing the right way

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yeh I wanted to start with a TX3 1.8ltr turbo engine but yeh,I will go for the 1.8ltr mx5 gear. will need to use the MX5 inlet manifold too so it faces the right way.
Thanks
Dave

hey there guys i was wondering how hard is the wiring and the likes as to run these engine in efi form,is it a hassel to run the standard ecu or do you have to go aftermarket.Im very interested cause im after an engine transplant for my panelvan and i was going to go with the 4agze but after reading this review im liking what im reading with this engine and gearbox combo as the toyota gearbox is getting hard to find and this lot seams be more of them around
cheers steve

Well i've got a bit more done. Made my aircleaner and fitted the airflow meter to the top of it. All fabricated aluminium with the intake through the rad support panel so the opening is behind the grill. Takes a std Subaru element, so readily available, and fits well as you can see in the pics