[Dickson]

1. Do you think that I could acquire an Alfa MiTo Turbo engine and tranny from Europe?

2. Do you think I could transplant it into a Spider?

Random daydreams. Dickson

 

[bianchi2]

about the same power....why???

 

[bianchi2]

sorry which motor, 4-5 turbo motors?

 

[Dickson]

Upgrade

Actually, it's sizable upgrade.

The MiTo turbo engine is a 1.4L and produces 155 hp.

That's about 50% more than what I estimate my spider to currently have....

 

[Greg Gordon]

The transmission will be a bit of a problem. I haven't seen the engine yet, but I am betting it would be a huge undertaking to get that in there. It's going to have all the usual issues when putting a transverse engine into an inline drivetrain, oilpan, manifolding, etc. I think there will be a lot of fabrication needed.

Greg,
Silicone Hose Kits

 

[75evo]

You can do it, but takes a lot of work, and you need the whole electronics because of the keycode thing. Some people are already putting in the 159/Brera engine in the GTV6 chassis.

 

[Yeti]

What MiTo engine do you have in mind? The "classic" 1.4 or the new Multiair engine?

I haven't seen the Mito drivetrian without the plastic covers, but it seems pretty compact.

Biggest problem I see is connecting the Spider gearbox to the MiTo engine, then comes the wirering issues, but if you can get engine and from a damaged car then it only requires patience and dollars

good luck

 

[bianchi2]

for a lot less money,, you could build a 165-175 hp motor, and not worry to much about the 1,000.00 $ or more dollars it would take to do that kind of work

 

[Dickson]

I did not realize it was transverse...Option rejected, though the Alfa to Alfa transplant does keep the purists' blood from boiling!

Back to a turbo Miata or rotary perhaps...

 

[Hamish]

If you want a turbo spider, I think it would be much easier to turbocharge the engine that is already in it. It could be made to give as much power as you could want, and you wouldn't have to go through the immense hassle of adapting a contemporary transverse engine to the car.

 

[bianchi2]

I did not realize it was transverse...Option rejected, though the Alfa to Alfa transplant does keep the purists' blood from boiling!

Back to a turbo Miata or rotary perhaps...

you can install a sidewinder engine in a rear drive car..i did, it just take the bellhousing set up to work

 

[PocketAce]

Turbo the Nord! Run a stand-alone ECU and get it tuned, it’s been done before and there are a couple of people on the forums with some good build threads rolling.

If you insist on a swap, in a world where the Miata swap of choice became a Honda K20/24 hybrid with a turbo, a swap for a Mazda BP is a waste of time and money.

Also remember, the Spider drivetrain is not really that heavy, even when compared to modern counterparts. Weight should not be a factor unless you are swapping a bike engine or something crazy.

 

[bianchi2]

were would you get a rear drive tranny for the honda engine.. mazda it very workable... ecotec with a sky trany is a easy fit.. and ecotecs are a better engine, than the other 2

 

[PocketAce]

Wherever the Miata people get their adapter plates from. It’s also been done before.

I know you like your Ecotecs, but I beg to differ. A K20/24 hybrid is a 300hp engine... naturally aspirated.

 

[bianchi2]

miata folks are stuffing ecotecs in there cars..... k20/24 300 hp n/a.... show me

 

[bianchi2]

just went to a site.. lots and lots of work to do that...went to 8th civic...engine swaps, mounts pulleys...how can i make 300 hp on a k20?......post 25.. this is back in 2011........got compression.. they are using 13.7/1 compression

 

[PocketAce]

It’s not easy but the pontential is enormous and all the work has been done by dozens if not hundreds of people, the parts, knowledge, and aftermarket support is there. Front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, all wheel drive, turbo, all motor, supercharged, nitromethane... It’s all been done before.

Don’t get me wrong, the Ecotec is a great engine platform and probably a simpler swap. But If they want the best of the best, the K20/24 is a modern monster and in a whole different league. Boost it, and the sky is the limit.

 

[bianchi2]

300 hp in a spider..is overkill.... what transmission are you going to use? how much tire on the road to get the traction that you need to launch the car? brakes..etc.. i thought about turbo my ecotec.. but decided that that much power is not needed.. my engine is 217 hp and 187 tq.. this will get my car 0-60 in 5.2-5.5 secs.. fast enough for me.. and the engine will be very trackable.. not peaky

 

[bianchi2]

check out this... ecotec..import killer...google it......

 

[PocketAce]

I am glad you are happy with your swap, and hope the OP is happy with whatever he comes up with. I’m sure he will enjoy an Ecotec if that’s what he decides, with that kind of performance I know I would.