preparing for thread derailment in 5 4 3 2 1 .......
I totally understand and this could possibly end up being what happens. I fully realize how ass about face it seems to be what I am doing but in my defense I do take things slowly and cautiously and thankfully I don't have to make snap decisions as I have a fully working car right now but I have slowly over the past 2 years been slowly ferreting away the bits and pieces needed for this job.
If worst comes to worst and I go another route, well, I will be down some cash and have some spare junk parts but I will have learned something from the exercise (even if it is theory instead of practical (I read, research and ask a lot of questions)) and if it ends up being cost effective compared to an engine swap then I will have a true project car. It is worth noting that from my research, a swap of this nature is beyond my abilities, experience and available facilities so I would be looking at paying someone to do this for me that has the experience to do it and do it right. I spoke with 2low2c almost a year ago and have recently pm'ed him about potential labour costs and time (and if he would still have the available time in his schedule to undertake this task) and i would have to factor all the variables before I made a decision (amusingly, I am normally very quick to decide but because this job means a lot to me, I am taking my time and remaining open minded)
sorry for the long winded waffle, I just wanted to show that I do have a reasonable idea of the task at hand.
I saw Ross at mx5mart had a 1.8l manual engine and transmission for sale for about $2800, so something like that could be another alternative but that would also require installation which would be another cost plus both jobs would incur extra costs for unforeseen breakages and required parts.
You mention the lack of 10hp the auto has but I plan on turboing it (a modest 160 to 225 hp on a dyno would be more than adequate for my desires (200 to 225 is my goal but even as low as 160hp would still be fun)) which kind of negates that and I have repeatedly read that 1.6's are better to turbo than the 1.8's because of the nature of how they perform (eg 1.6's being a bit revvier and the lower compression of the 1.6 auto suits a turbo setup better than a standard compression mx5 engine (although standard mx5 engines are more than fine). Another factor that has not been lost on me is that if I did end up buying another engine & transmission, I could get a majority of the turbo work prefabricated and sorted prior to engine installation.... so many variables! so many considerations!
I fully understand if I seem mad or foolish but I guess I am just passionate about my little midlife crisis car and I would love for it to be all it can be and I like having goals and a project to focus on
I welcome anyone who disagrees with me to post their comments, or maybe I have gotten the wrong end of the stick and misunderstood something or maybe someone has a suggestion on what to do or what to look into (bear in mind that I know I am delving into costly territory but at the end of the day I do have to be realistic with the costs of things and keep things in perspective without going overboard)
but hey, its all fun and games until someone skins a knuckle and drops a nut in the engine bay
see this pic?
its an auto transmission removed and the sight of it and its Cthulhu tentacles scare the crap out of me....
TL:DR herp a derp hurr durr
