Miata Mailing List: March 1993, Message #76
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   From: (none)
Subject: sorry Tim, MORE POWER not needed...
   Date: (none)

> > >Really? Only +10 hp? That means about 125 hp from 1.8l. Pretty
> > >disappointing. Or am I missing something?
> 
> Kris Eckols writes:
> Only +10 hp, PTHHHHHH! If the power junkies that are
> squeezing in a 5.0 liter into the engine bay of the
> Miata, Mazda could do better. Being a long time
> RX-7 owner it would be neat to see an "RX-5 Miata."

well, it's been done, but a big drawback to making it
a standard item is still the (lack of) fuel efficiency by the
rotary.  (plus, the rotary doesn't "sound" nearly as good...)

the problem is that with more power, you need:
more suspension, more brakes, more clutch, more gas,
more weight, and more money.  all of these things
detract from the design goals of the Miata.

i really think it's great that the Miata is
light weight, fuel efficient and affordable -
it makes it available to a fairly wide market.
for those of us who want more, there are plenty of
options open for increasing performance.

on the other hand, if you want a high power convertible,
either spend the money to do major conversions, or else
buy something else - that's not what Mazda is trying to sell here.
(continuing this thought - i wish Mazda would do a convertible
3rd gen RX7, but they've denied any such plans - oh well...)

personally, i just as happy the car isn't too fast - IMHO, 
every second you cut off the 0-60 time is one second less
worth of enjoyment (well, within reason :-)


> I guess the big hangup with Mazda and the Miata is
> one of the "Automotive Heritage" things. "It's gotta
> be a 4-banger, double overhead cam."

maybe, but i think the main engine goals include:
- sounds great when revving
- fuel efficient
- small and light weight
- performs reasonably well
the miata engines fit all these bills; higher performance engines
such as the V8 or the Wankel fail in one or more other categories.


> Or how about the V-6 from the MX-3.

crankshaft comes out of the wrong side.