[KJ AutoSport]

Well I have been looking over all kinds of engine swaps and trying to figure out which I should do and which would be just the right amount of power and weight. I really thought about doing an SR into my Miata but I thought they are only 2 liters and Im looking to get good power on a stock motor, which ever motor I choose. So then I thought about dropping in an LS1 into my car but figured it would cost way more than I bargain for, it would definitely be a nice amount of power but too costly. So thats when it came to me! I was at work today working on a supercharged ecotec motor when I started to look over it and realized it would be a nice little candidate for a motor swap in my MX-5. Its a stock 2.2 L supercharged ecotec, height looks good but width might be pushing it specially with a blower. Its only a thought right now, still would have to figure out a tranny that I could get to work and also wiring might be tough but it looks do-able and the motor would be pretty cheap and I have all the parts I would need here at work so that wouldn't be a problem... If Im not wrong a 2.2 liter supercharged ecotec would put out around 220-240 HP stock. Id be happy with that! Like I said its all just a thought that popped into my cluttered head today. Do-able? Possibly...

 

[1vicissitude]

The ecotecs are great motors. That supercharger isn't the greatest, but if you have access to one and can fabricate I don't see why not.

Don't worry about width, the IM will sit high in the bay like it does now. If an v8 can fit, a RWD format 4 cylinder will not be too wide.

If you can't fabricate, the LSX swap will be easier and probably cheaper. Custom fabrication is expensive. LSX parts will be off the shelf.

Things to consider:
-Oil pan sump location, if its a front sump it may require a custom pan.
-Where the motor mounts are located. Its a fwd engine so this could be a huge issue.
-Transmission mounting. Our cars have no trans mount. You will need a custom hard mount, or hook it to the ppf somehow. Also where will the shifter land?
-Clutch hydraulics, what will work with what?
-Custom header and exhaust, custom fab headers are very pricey ~$1500 last I checked.
-What computer to run it and how will you wire it all together?
-What gauges will you use? The stock will not work with the cobalts ECU.

All this crap adds up fast. Thats why an LSX swap is so nice. You can order everything from V8r and then make 400hp as reliable as the day the LSX came off the assembly line.

 

[Nick7787]

^ What he said, if Cost is a concern you're going to get alot more than you bargained for with that 2.2 liter swap. Your best option is the LS engine in regards to pricing at that point.

 

[TurboTyla]

Look in the ecotec swap thread I did a lot of research on this until I settled on the kl v6

but there is an adapter to mate it to a rwd t5 but it's a little pricey.

It would be cool but for 220 hp. Just go with the klze adapter to your stock transmission and a he'll of an exhaust note.

But by all means if that is what you want do it man.

 

[clos561]

Why dont you just swap in a built 1.8 and boost it?

 

[marcoSTEEZ]

This ^^. There are countless reasons why a BP-T would be a smarter choice than some fwd Chevy motor with a shitty blower. Heck, if you're set on super charged power, get a BP and add some VF Engineering or Jackson Racing in to the mix. That would be probably 1/4 of the price and hassle. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for being crafty and trying new ideas, but I can't see how the Ecotec idea would be worth the stock ~200hp.

 

[brontosaurus]

Don't worry, you'll never do it.

 

[JB 94 Laguna]

The Ecotec Motors also came with a snail, and in a rear drive chassis.

 

[KJ AutoSport]

Why dont you just swap in a built 1.8 and boost it?

Well I wanted to switch it up a bit but Ill probably end up doing that. I have a T-28 lying around, a spare block and also some ARP head studs and main studs. Going to order forged pistons and start building the motor for the turbo I have. Probably be just as happy with that on 7 pounds.

 

[1vicissitude]

Replace the rods, the pistons will hold ~350hp. Rods go around 250ft/lbs.

A stock motor will handle more than 7psi from a gt28. If you put forged rods, pistons, arp bolts and all that stuff you can max that turbo out over 300whp.

Go do some research. It sounds like you are stabbing around in the dark here.

 

[KJ AutoSport]

Replace the rods, the pistons will hold ~350hp. Rods go around 250ft/lbs.

A stock motor will handle more than 7psi from a gt28. If you put forged rods, pistons, arp bolts and all that stuff you can max that turbo out over 300whp.

Go do some research. It sounds like you are stabbing around in the dark here.

I've done plenty of research, not stabbing in the dark Im just not looking for 300 whp. A solid 250 is what I am after. Thank you for the info though.

 

[1vicissitude]

The stock motor will do that all day long with the gt28. You'll be doing lots of work for little gain building an engine for your goals. Better off putting that money into suspension and just turbo what you have if it's in good condition. Chances are the OEM engine will be more reliable as long as it has a good tune and your cooling system is up to the task. New better radiator, coolant reroute, proper sized intercooler and that engine will last for a long time. So many variables come into play when building the engine, we don't really see built motors lasting 100k miles pretty much ever. Who's to know of your machinist got it all right? Why take the gamble if you don't need to?