Toothbob Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 So we have been running a 1.6L Miata in that other race series. Its dead reliable but just achingly slow. We have decided we want to move into Chump and are at a crossroads. The ecotec swap on these cars seems awfully appealing in that we can use our existing car and get a nice performance bump. But most of us are BMW guys and the E46 is such a great platform that we have outside experience with it seems like a real option. Of course we could just run it as is and use all the points the 1.6 gets and make it more competitive that way. Any thoughts or opinions that might help us make a decision? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wink Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 Just depends on how much you're looking to spend. Another ground up build vs building on what you've got. Pull the 1.6 BP swap will be more cost efficient Dont know much on the ecotec but I know our chassis development has allowed us to start hanging with them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbogrill Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 Or the KA swap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDChristianson Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 Running an NB 1.8 is a very appealing and good way to make your car competitive. Easy and fast. Ecotech is also a good option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyKid Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 RWHP numbers from the E46 aren't very impressive. E46 Dyno Thread https://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=768715 There are better RWHP/LB numbers in the Miata with an ecotec, but 2hrs is not going to happen and I've heard bad things about a fuel cell in the Miata. I'm considering moving from JDM BP to cam'ed 2.2L ecotec. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toothbob Posted September 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 So how does the economics of an ecotec swap work with a $1500 limit? The kit is a grand, you can find a motor for $500ish. Doesn't leave you much room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technical Advisory Committee Ray Franck Posted September 25, 2019 Technical Advisory Committee Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 20 minutes ago, Toothbob said: So how does the economics of an ecotec swap work with a $1500 limit? The kit is a grand, you can find a motor for $500ish. Doesn't leave you much room. For 2020 the price cap has been raised to $2,500 . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jer Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, Toothbob said: So how does the economics of an ecotec swap work with a $1500 limit? The kit is a grand, you can find a motor for $500ish. Doesn't leave you much room. If you can do your own harness, the only other real costs is the exhaust manifold. Like you, I campaigned a 1.8 Miata for years and years. It was dead nuts reliable and our best finish ever was a 5th in its first race. Since then, we did have a bunch of top tens but never approached the podium. After doing the swap with our 1.6 parts car, it's been a lot of work to get the car to finish a race...but the car is fast. Last weekend was our first good one, our 6th weekend with the swap. Seems like more but when you only race 3 times a year, you don't run that many races. If someone had given me the information I can give you, your teething pains will be a lot less. Ping me privately if you go forward with an Ecotec swap. Edited September 25, 2019 by Jer 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmi11er Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, Toothbob said: find a motor for $500ish buy a cheaper engine. you can get them for $300. but also yes, the limit is $2500 now Edited September 25, 2019 by cmi11er 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.