Miata Mailing List: May 1993, Message #100
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   From: (none)
Subject: Re: Redesigned Miata (yet again)
   Date: (none)

> >Hmmmmm. . . My understanding (from Michael Butler, I think) was that
> >the new mill would be a totally redesigned 1.8l, as the current 1.6l
> >design came from the 323 and hence is about 10 years old.
>
>   The Miata shares an engine with the 323?  I feel cheated!  :-)
> Seriously...  I assume you mean the _block_ is the same, or at least
> related.  Is this the case?  Surely the 323 wasn't released with a
> DOHC version???  On a related note, how similar is the Miata engine
> to the newer MX-3?

Yes the blocks are related, but there are differences, most
notably RWD vs FWD.  I believe the 323 GTX featured a DOHC
4valve/cylinder turbo engine (and AWD!), and the Miata block most
closely resembles that incarnation of the 1.6.

> any cheesy modifications to the current model will probably increase
> the value of my car (all of ours, in fact!) in years to come.  (Cup
> holders and the new silver badge are relatively minor, right? :-)

I still remember driving my Miata around for the first few months,
just being amazed that someone understood the lightweight sports
car well enough to create a version as undiluted as the Miata.  To
me, the car was obviously the product of a very few individuals
who had a deep passion for small roadsters.  Apparently, the car
is now being updated by committee.  Have you seen the silver
face of the high end stereo?  A chrome hood and wheel ornaments
and door sill panels?  Who is doing these mods, Cadillac?  What
is next, a stand-up hood ornament and electric seats?  Make mine
a '90-'92.

-- 
Dennis Ordiway                 Systems Engineer     Silicon Graphics   
18201 Von Karman, Irvine, CA   djo@sgi.com          Vmail: 8537

"...if sports car to you means wiring the tire contact patches directly
to your brain synapses - then we call your attention to the top platform
of the winners podium."   Car&Driver, May 1993, re: Mazda Miata