The Mazda MX-5 Miata is quite a legendary roadster. It’s inexpensive and yet, it’s a legit, master-class sports car with huge credentials. But even Miata’s iconic status couldn’t prevent this Wauconda, Illinois-based company to swap its Mazda engine with a screaming 550 hp Honda mill. Let's check it out.
From Honda To Mazda
This 2001 Miata is a second-generation roadster (NB) model with a 1.8-liter engine that delivers up to 143 hp of max output for the US version. This power is already considerable since the Miata is a lightweight road machine.
But KMiata, a company that specializes in engine swaps, thinks that the Mazda Miata (any older generation) deserves more power. For this, the company is offering a certain solution – shoehorning a Honda K series mill into the engine bay of the open-top sports car. This is basically why the company is called KMiata.
A K Series-Powered Miata
The Honda K Series is a line of naturally aspirated four-cylinder four-stroke engine. It started powering Honda’s vehicles in 2001 until it was phased out in 2011. KMiata believes that the K Series is the ultimate naturally aspirated four-cylinder mill that could be stuffed in a Miata. According KMiata, most of its customers get over 220 wheel horsepower from a stock K24A2, with some making over 300 whp by employing off-the-shelf parts.
For this 2001 Mazda Miata, KMiata opted to use a 2.0-liter turbocharged K20Z1 inline-four engine. This engine was used in the 2005-2006 Acura RSX Type S and the 2005-2006 Honda Integra Type S. It is pretty powerful too, delivering 210 hp of max output and 143 lb.-ft. But of course, KMiata won't just settle for this much power.
More Power To Use
The K20Z1 installed inside the Miata is mostly stock, but it features 1,650-cc injectors, a Garrett GTX3076R Gen 2 turbocharger and KMiata’s intake and exhaust manifolds. It has been tuned to deliver 575 hp and 410 lb.-ft. of torque on 24 psi of boost and E85 fuel. Power is sent to the rear axle (from a Cadillac CTS with a LSD and 3.42 gears) via a six-speed manual transmission derived from a BMW E46. A pretty impressive swap, isn't it?
Source: Engine Swap Depot, KMiata via Facebook