Yup, I couldn’t agree more with that. In 90 percent of cases a turbo 1.6 will be nearly as fun as a 1.8, and then once it blows its worth the upgrade since just getting a manifold isn’t too expensive and you’ll already have the rest of the kit which would only need slight modification
my 1.8 came with the exhaust manifold and downpipe, plus a whole wiring harness and ECU that I didn't use lol when I pulled the valve cover off it, it looked clean as FRICKIN HECK
Nice video! I do feel like you left out a few points on why people might go for a 1.6 over a 1.8. The 1.6 is a lower compression engine, meaning it’s (from what I’ve heard) safer for boost. The 1.6 in the Miata came from the 323 gtx, which was turbocharged. So to some extent the 1.6 is built to be boosted! I think that’s where the argument from the 1.6 comes from. Not necessarily because it’s “more powerful” than the 1.8 (it’s not), but because it’s more reliable
Those are common misconceptions! The 1.6 actually has a higher compression ratio than NA 1.8s. It’s 9.4:1 vs 9:1. Later 1.8s are ever so slightly higher, but not enough to make a difference. The argument for the 1.6 coming from the 323 GTX isn’t a good one because that motor had stronger rods which the Miatas didn’t get, and that’s where it’s advantage comes from. The rest of the reasons that the GTX motor is good for boost (oiling) is carried over to both the 1.6 and the 1.8. I hope this helps and thanks for stopping by!
Both 1.6L and 1.8L engines are great engines. I plan to buy my second NA Miata soon, and I will get whichever NA I find a good example of... I'm not interested in boost! I just like winding it out in the gears!
love your videos, you're very knowledgable and an all around good guy. An na 5 cylinder volvo is 2.4 and turboed is 2.3 volvo made the cylinders smaller ,hense thicker walls. for heat dissipation. So I believe the 1.6 guys say it is better for boost, because of the same theory. thicker walls stronger and so on. but building what you have and all your other reasons you gave are very solid. Keep them coming, those videos heck ya!!! love ya Cash
While I get the logic behind that I'm not sure that it applies to Miatas. The 1.6 and 1.8L have different cylinder spacing and are a completely different block. The 1.8L is known to be safely overbored more than a 1.6 before problems, making me think that it has thicker cylinder walls. I'd love to see some data that backs up that the 1.6L has thicker walls and is better for boost, but I really don't believe it's the case. Once again thanks for your comments!
I'd like to add that if you own a 1.6L in california. You can pass smog with an aftermarket ECU. We have a thing called the sniffer test. A lot of turbo cars have megasquirt which cant use OBD2 so thats an automatic fail for smog test. It really up to the owner. Do you want to pay $200-$300 for an illegal smog pass? or just pay $40 for a normal smog test. In short, if you want to turbo your miata and still pass smog with an aftermarket ECU, get an older miata(1990-1993) these only came with 1.6.
I agree with all you say. I have a standard torquey 1.8 NB and 2 x BBR Turbo 1.6 NA's. 150bhp & 204bhp. I much prefer the 1.6 engine and it's revvy nature. Diffs - yes essential over 170bhp. I blew 2 in my 204bhp car. BBR told me the NA diff is only designed for 170bhp. The car now has 1.8 flywheel & clutch, 6 speed 'box, LSD and 1.8 wheels & brakes. It's too fast for UK driving [and a 76 year old who still thinks he's 18] so it's used for continental trips. I think the NB is a much better 'car' but the NA gives me more smiles per mile.
I 1.8 swapped because my 1.6 blew. it had 289,122 miles on it so it was about time for it to go I must say tho, the swap is not too bad. you can keep your ECU and just use the old throttle body with an adapter plate I don't remember what else I had to do, but I got some of the parts from the Flyin Miata swap kit and it made it all super easy. especially for someone like me who barely even knew anything about cars. I didn't use the crimp connections tho I just twisted the wires together and heat shrinked em, and it hasn't failed me to this day. overall I rate it 10/10 probably the easiest engine swap you can do. but get the most out of your 1.6 before you swap the engine they're both solid built engines that can handle abuse. and that's really all you need
I believe all manual 1.8s were equipped with torsen differentials as well, while no 1.6s came with torsens, only viscious differentials or open differentials
I think people say 1.6 is better than 1.8 for boost because the 1.6 is a sturdy block from ford, and was in the 323 as a turbocharged version. So it's known to handle boost. I'm not sure about the origins of the 1.8...
@@CashedOutCars No problem. I am the proud owner of a 1999 NB Miata showroom condition. Still has the working Bose Cassette tape player. I researched them before I bought mine. I think after 2000, the NB 1.8's also had VVT which boosted the HP as well but the first year NB's like mine did not. Keep making the videos!
Awesome, I’m looking for an NB myself right now. I should mention that it looms like solid lifters started with the NB, so not all 1.8s will have them. I also should have mentioned when VVT started in the video. Thanks for pointing that out, enjoy your Miata!
The 1.8L Mazda engineers' featured a forged crankshaft, piston oil squirters, a structural aluminium oil pan with cooling fins. Doesn’t this make the 1.8L stronger than the 1.6L ?
1.6s have oil squirters too! You'll be blowing 5 speeds well before you have crankshaft issues with either car. I'm not sure about oil pans but my 1.6 has small fins on it and is also aluminum
If I could have K swapped it for $1,050 I’d have been all over that! It’s not a realistic budget though. Stay tuned for some potential K swap stuff on the channel in the future👀
good video, thanks. It is legal to put a turbo in your miata where you live? lucky guy. I am looking to know which NB i will take between a 1.8 no-vvt and a 1.8 with vvt. I already have a 1.6 without vvt of course, i find it funny, and love revving it. But i am wondering if a LSD could improve my overall experience (not interested in drift) and if a 1.8 could really improve my feeling in general while driving ? maybe then i could get some modifications on it as cams or others, but nothing big, maybe having 160hp should be better (currently on 110 with mine) what do you think?? keep it up!
@@joel-nr2dw so if i would get a 90hp 1.6 i could change the camshafts and maybe fuel injectors to gain about the same power? Because 90hp are safer with abs and strut bars and stuff, and they are definitely cheaper than the 1.8 in my country
@@playcer8388 absolutely, I'd do my own research, here are a few reddit threads which explain lots more about the topic with a lot more depth. The best course of action I'd say is swapping in a 1.8 but I can imagine that would be more difficult than obtaining a different camshaft
A lot of people think that but there’s really no reason why, I can’t tell if you’re trolling after watching the video though😂they have the same rods, so they can both make about the same amount of power before problems!
@@JavierVillalobos but with a higher compression ratio still comes less power. Plus a higher compression ratio means easier knock with advanced timing or a turbo
is putting on a turbo on a 1.8 liter harder than a 1.6? like say if you get a 1.8 liter miata and you want to turbo it. can you just take off the turbo on your 1.6 liter and just do the same process you did on the 1.8?
Yeah it’ll be the same process! Neither is particularly harder than the other. The difference will be in manifold, a 1.6 manifold won’t fit a 1.8. Also, depending on what you use for a motor, you may need a different wiring harness or ECU setup if you’re doing a swap
There's a small difference in the way you get oil into the turbo because the 1.8 engines don't have a convenient unused high pressure oil feed like the 1.6, but it's a very small difference and it doesn't necessarily make it harder to turbocharge
Looking at a Clean NA 1997 Miata manual with 97k garage kept its whole life new timing belt and oil change service records since bought also new hypergram rims and new tires worth 6k?
@@CashedOutCars In any case, they are all fun to drive, here in Europe we have a lot of mx-5 clubs and the 30th anniversary of those clubs is coming up in the next few years, we wil have meetings throughout Europe. Have fun, drive safe!
They last 300k easy if you change oil on time. 200k Miatas can be bought for cheap and their reliability is still a given. My 200k Miata has 190psi on all 4 cylinders on a compression test
![10 Tips For Buying YOUR Perfect Miata | Mazda MX5 Miata Buying Advice [NA and NB]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/DVCPFd3XxmU/mqdefault.jpg)
1.6L vs 1.8L, which is your choice? I also forgot to mention that the 1.8L cars come with bigger brakes!
Pretty much, Boost your 1.6 until it blows. Then get an 1.8 manifold and 1.8 engine and do it all over again but better.
Yup, I couldn’t agree more with that. In 90 percent of cases a turbo 1.6 will be nearly as fun as a 1.8, and then once it blows its worth the upgrade since just getting a manifold isn’t too expensive and you’ll already have the rest of the kit which would only need slight modification
my 1.8 came with the exhaust manifold and downpipe, plus a whole wiring harness and ECU that I didn't use lol
when I pulled the valve cover off it, it looked clean as FRICKIN HECK
I don't care I love all miata's!
Agreed, why can’t we all get along??😂
@@CashedOutCars Damn right cash..damn right.
cause your smol guy. review the 740iLs next
Nice video! I do feel like you left out a few points on why people might go for a 1.6 over a 1.8. The 1.6 is a lower compression engine, meaning it’s (from what I’ve heard) safer for boost. The 1.6 in the Miata came from the 323 gtx, which was turbocharged. So to some extent the 1.6 is built to be boosted! I think that’s where the argument from the 1.6 comes from. Not necessarily because it’s “more powerful” than the 1.8 (it’s not), but because it’s more reliable
Those are common misconceptions! The 1.6 actually has a higher compression ratio than NA 1.8s. It’s 9.4:1 vs 9:1. Later 1.8s are ever so slightly higher, but not enough to make a difference. The argument for the 1.6 coming from the 323 GTX isn’t a good one because that motor had stronger rods which the Miatas didn’t get, and that’s where it’s advantage comes from. The rest of the reasons that the GTX motor is good for boost (oiling) is carried over to both the 1.6 and the 1.8. I hope this helps and thanks for stopping by!
I appreciate all the information, I didn’t realize those arguments were misconceptions! Thanks for the reply and enlightenment👍👍
You’re welcome!
Both 1.6L and 1.8L engines are great engines. I plan to buy my second NA Miata soon, and I will get whichever NA I find a good example of... I'm not interested in boost! I just like winding it out in the gears!
Agreed, they're both great! I just picked up a low mileage NB
love your videos, you're very knowledgable and an all around good guy. An na 5 cylinder volvo is 2.4 and turboed is 2.3 volvo made the cylinders smaller ,hense thicker walls. for heat dissipation. So I believe the 1.6 guys say it is better for boost, because of the same theory. thicker walls stronger and so on. but building what you have and all your other reasons you gave are very solid. Keep them coming, those videos heck ya!!! love ya Cash
While I get the logic behind that I'm not sure that it applies to Miatas. The 1.6 and 1.8L have different cylinder spacing and are a completely different block. The 1.8L is known to be safely overbored more than a 1.6 before problems, making me think that it has thicker cylinder walls. I'd love to see some data that backs up that the 1.6L has thicker walls and is better for boost, but I really don't believe it's the case. Once again thanks for your comments!
No replacement for displacement. Gotta love them both tho
Agreed, a 1.8 is better than a 1.6, but a 1.6 is better than no Miata at all!
I'd like to add that if you own a 1.6L in california. You can pass smog with an aftermarket ECU. We have a thing called the sniffer test. A lot of turbo cars have megasquirt which cant use OBD2 so thats an automatic fail for smog test. It really up to the owner. Do you want to pay $200-$300 for an illegal smog pass? or just pay $40 for a normal smog test. In short, if you want to turbo your miata and still pass smog with an aftermarket ECU, get an older miata(1990-1993) these only came with 1.6.
That’s a great point as well. Of course you could get an OBDI 1.8 as well, but they’re a bit harder to come across. Thanks for your comment!
@@CashedOutCars very true! I have a 94 1.8 NA, and it still has an OB1 ECU, so you wouldn’t have to worry about California SMOG
@@rainbowedbelly true I have a 1.8 obd1 1995 in cali :)
@@nickbuchanan9220 yessir, 94 and 95 were the Golden NA Years 💪
Fail CA smog visual, nah that turbo manifold and turbo stock bruh lol
I agree with all you say. I have a standard torquey 1.8 NB and 2 x BBR Turbo 1.6 NA's. 150bhp & 204bhp. I much prefer the 1.6 engine and it's revvy nature. Diffs - yes essential over 170bhp. I blew 2 in my 204bhp car. BBR told me the NA diff is only designed for 170bhp. The car now has 1.8 flywheel & clutch, 6 speed 'box, LSD and 1.8 wheels & brakes. It's too fast for UK driving [and a 76 year old who still thinks he's 18] so it's used for continental trips. I think the NB is a much better 'car' but the NA gives me more smiles per mile.
Haha I hope I am like you in my 70s. I am about to buy a mk1, depending where you are in the uk maybe we can meet up and have a chat!
@@DerKaktusAvant That would be nice. Midlands for me, You?.
How much of a job was it to get the 1.8 stuff onto the 1.6 Peter?
@@benrhysjenkins Easy, it all just bolts in. I went to see the car today, it's had a complete body resto. It should be ready in 2 weeks.
I 1.8 swapped because my 1.6 blew. it had 289,122 miles on it so it was about time for it to go
I must say tho, the swap is not too bad. you can keep your ECU and just use the old throttle body with an adapter plate
I don't remember what else I had to do, but I got some of the parts from the Flyin Miata swap kit and it made it all super easy. especially for someone like me who barely even knew anything about cars. I didn't use the crimp connections tho I just twisted the wires together and heat shrinked em, and it hasn't failed me to this day.
overall I rate it 10/10 probably the easiest engine swap you can do. but get the most out of your 1.6 before you swap the engine
they're both solid built engines that can handle abuse. and that's really all you need
That's my plan, run the 1.6 till it blows then possibly 1.8 swap or do a built 1.6!
Really well done video, keep it up man
Thanks, will do! I've got lots more Miata content coming as we move towards spring!
I had a mercury XR-2 1.6 turbo and I ran 12psi all day. Now I have a 01 MX-5 1.8 with no boost (yet) and the miata is more fun.
The 1.6L was originally boosted in the 80s Mazda gtx. Why would you not add a turbo?
I believe all manual 1.8s were equipped with torsen differentials as well, while no 1.6s came with torsens, only viscious differentials or open differentials
All manuals 1.8s did not have torsens, but you're correct about the 1.6 diffs
I think people say 1.6 is better than 1.8 for boost because the 1.6 is a sturdy block from ford, and was in the 323 as a turbocharged version. So it's known to handle boost. I'm not sure about the origins of the 1.8...
1.6L vs 1.8L?
**Laughs in 2.4L K series**
I can dream of that, it's not in the budget yet :)
The power differences are next to nothing, the 1.8 car is heavier so the extra .2L is there to compensate that
Great video make more alike.
There’ll be lots more to come, stay tuned!
1.6 all the way baby 🤘🏻
1.6L VIP club!
@@CashedOutCars best club to be in. led strong by our leader zach
Great video. You left out that 1.8L's have solid lifters.
Thanks! That’s something that I didn’t know, thanks for pointing that out. Happy holidays!
@@CashedOutCars No problem. I am the proud owner of a 1999 NB Miata showroom condition. Still has the working Bose Cassette tape player. I researched them before I bought mine. I think after 2000, the NB 1.8's also had VVT which boosted the HP as well but the first year NB's like mine did not. Keep making the videos!
Awesome, I’m looking for an NB myself right now. I should mention that it looms like solid lifters started with the NB, so not all 1.8s will have them. I also should have mentioned when VVT started in the video. Thanks for pointing that out, enjoy your Miata!
@@CashedOutCars I sent you an e-mail.
Only the NB 1.8 Has solid lifters, the NA 1.8 is still on hydraulic lifters.
The 1.8L Mazda engineers' featured a forged crankshaft, piston oil squirters, a structural aluminium oil pan with cooling fins. Doesn’t this make the 1.8L stronger than the 1.6L ?
1.6s have oil squirters too! You'll be blowing 5 speeds well before you have crankshaft issues with either car. I'm not sure about oil pans but my 1.6 has small fins on it and is also aluminum
♥️ from Philippines
❤ Thanks for your support!!
just take that turbo money and swap a k24 into it :D
If I could have K swapped it for $1,050 I’d have been all over that! It’s not a realistic budget though. Stay tuned for some potential K swap stuff on the channel in the future👀
good video, thanks. It is legal to put a turbo in your miata where you live? lucky guy. I am looking to know which NB i will take between a 1.8 no-vvt and a 1.8 with vvt. I already have a 1.6 without vvt of course, i find it funny, and love revving it. But i am wondering if a LSD could improve my overall experience (not interested in drift) and if a 1.8 could really improve my feeling in general while driving ? maybe then i could get some modifications on it as cams or others, but nothing big, maybe having 160hp should be better (currently on 110 with mine) what do you think?? keep it up!
*all the many reasons to own a 1.8l*
“1.6s might be more expensive one day”
😂😭😂😭
(Coming from a 1.8 owner so I’m biased😩)
That’s the only reason🤪and given that there’s 1.6s in Europe, I have a feeling they’ll stay cheaper.
What turbo kit did you get ?
in belgium a 1.8 is rare to find and about 3k more expensive to buy second hand. i could buy a flying miata turbo kit for that money
That's a huge difference!
does that also apply for the 90hp 1.6 or only the 116hp?
This video mostly focuses and on US spec 1990-1993 1.6s, since we don’t get later ones here I’m not too knowledgeable on them!
The 90hp 1.6 has a different camshaft and less compression compared to the 1.6 116hp. The 26 hp difference is mostly caused by the different cams
@@joel-nr2dw so if i would get a 90hp 1.6 i could change the camshafts and maybe fuel injectors to gain about the same power? Because 90hp are safer with abs and strut bars and stuff, and they are definitely cheaper than the 1.8 in my country
@@playcer8388 absolutely, I'd do my own research, here are a few reddit threads which explain lots more about the topic with a lot more depth. The best course of action I'd say is swapping in a 1.8 but I can imagine that would be more difficult than obtaining a different camshaft
Ayo first(probably) and ima watch this later since school
You were 2nd by exactly 4 seconds👀enjoy the video!
@@CashedOutCars oof but okay! 😁
also 1.6 has a oil feed unlike 1.8
I heard 1.6 handles boost better
A lot of people think that but there’s really no reason why, I can’t tell if you’re trolling after watching the video though😂they have the same rods, so they can both make about the same amount of power before problems!
@@CashedOutCars not trolling! I have a 1.6 but that’s just what I’ve heard from other Miata owners I have two homie with Miata that think that
Gotcha! Yeah it’s a common misconception with these cars. I haven’t been able to find any reason why the 1.6L is better other than cost reasons
@@CashedOutCars compression ratio. 1.6>
@@JavierVillalobos but with a higher compression ratio still comes less power. Plus a higher compression ratio means easier knock with advanced timing or a turbo
I like the wheels/tires set up, what are you running?
Thanks! Both cars now have 15X7 Kosei K1s, and I had TSW invaders on the red car in this video!
I got a 1.6 1993 so that is what my son will be Boosting 😅
Honestly doesn’t matter both have pros and cons and there isn’t at all a big difference in driving
I agree that both are good engines. If I had to pick , 1.8 is the better choice for me, coming from a 1.6 owner.
I’ve owned an NB2 and a NA6, I love both nearly the same and honestly I didn’t feel a huge power difference but the NA is very VERY rev happy
is putting on a turbo on a 1.8 liter harder than a 1.6? like say if you get a 1.8 liter miata and you want to turbo it. can you just take off the turbo on your 1.6 liter and just do the same process you did on the 1.8?
Yeah it’ll be the same process! Neither is particularly harder than the other. The difference will be in manifold, a 1.6 manifold won’t fit a 1.8. Also, depending on what you use for a motor, you may need a different wiring harness or ECU setup if you’re doing a swap
There's a small difference in the way you get oil into the turbo because the 1.8 engines don't have a convenient unused high pressure oil feed like the 1.6, but it's a very small difference and it doesn't necessarily make it harder to turbocharge
Looking at a Clean NA 1997 Miata manual with 97k garage kept its whole life new timing belt and oil change service records since bought also new hypergram rims and new tires worth 6k?
That sounds like a pretty good deal to me!
1.6 is better
1.6 gang😤
which is better if you want to run itb/twin dcoe carbs?
That's something I haven't looked into! But I'd assume there's no replacement for displacement!
1.6 Master race
Is a 1991 Miata na 1.6 mint condition no rust 98k miles hardtop worth 8k? All stock
Yes, easily
A hardtop alone will sell for 2000-2500
Was the 1.6 sold in USA?
Yes it was, in early NAs 1990-1993! Mine is a 1.6
@@CashedOutCars Only those first ones.... no NB?
Yeah we didn’t get a 1.6 NB here
@@CashedOutCars In any case, they are all fun to drive, here in Europe we have a lot of mx-5 clubs and the 30th anniversary of those clubs is coming up in the next few years, we wil have meetings throughout Europe. Have fun, drive safe!
1.6
What’s considered low mileage for Miata’s
Or like what’s a good mileage to buy one for $8,000
Around 8k you should be able to get a 40-70k, very clean Miata
They last 300k easy if you change oil on time. 200k Miatas can be bought for cheap and their reliability is still a given. My 200k Miata has 190psi on all 4 cylinders on a compression test
Nice DR350
Thanks, that bike is a blast!
I have a 1997 Miata 1.8l with lsd who want to buy it from me I’m in North Carolina I took really great care of it only 111k miles
How much 😂
5k
What's the color?
Neither! The NC is a way better option
my dream car is in this video
its the passat b6
Nunca mostro los motores solo hablo
timing chain
Neither have timing chains, both are timing belts
Gonna be honest, this engine is amazingly weak... If you're aim is POWER, this ain't your platform
@ the guy who made 1,000 horsepower out of the 1.8 ;)
lmao you can make 600hp with the 1,6 check out 1.6 turtle miata on youtube
So is the 1.6 better than the 1.8.?.