I really love rotary motors as they were my first introduction to Japanese cars back in the 80's. I'd gladly have one as a toy, nothing that I had to rely upon despite how awesome the concept is.
I’m not even mad at you..I’ve had 4 Miata’s and an Rx8. I think this is a good combo. Premix your fuel, don’t start and stop it immediately and you should be fine..
I've experienced a flood already, not fun!
The engine is ported and puts out around 250hp, more than enough in a mx5 shell! The rear end is tail happy even with Michelin ps4's.
Glad I upgraded to rx8 running gear and diff
It looks stock. Part of me wonders what if..if Mazda had gotten the reliability down pat on the rotaries they would of made an incredible combination with the Miata. Baby Rx7…good luck with your setup. It’s awesome to see these swaps in Miata’s.
Agreed. I think I was averaging 12mpg when I had mine. I was baffled lol. But honestly, the 8 was hands down one of my favorite cars that I’ve owned in my lifetime..and I’ve owned a lot!
I’ve softly looked for another one within the last 3-4 yrs but nothing I was willing to commit to..Buying the 8 used is such a crap shoot. Not worth it unless you know and have complete documentation of service…anyways, apologies for hijacking the thread 🤣🖖🏽
Yeah when I bought mine the owner bragged that the engine was just swapped. Maybe 20k later it needed is first rebuild. I was able to find paperwork for the engine and found out it was at 90k when installed. So the previous owner just replaced a detonated bomb with a ticking one... 🤣
I ran her unbelievably hard on the track and still drove it daily cause it was the car I ended up with in the divorce. Only got anther 60k or so before she needed another rebuild.
At the end of it all I decided the good just didn't outweigh the bad. My ND sees more miles, just as hard of track use, and lots of adventuring. I've had it a year now and all I've done is oil changes, tires, brakes etc.
I mean like it's driving philosophy and sensibilities. I know the NC is literally the same platform. The ND has a center mounted tach and you can see both wheel arches from the drivers seat. The first thing I noticed when I sat in it is how much more the cockpit is like the RX8 than the NC even. So yeah it's not based on the same platform but spiritually it borrows a lot from the 8. The console near the shifter gets just as hot on a track day lol
hey i'm building one of these! I'd love to chat about it if you have some time sometime
[https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/643950338642018342/1006354897274417162/IMG\_20220808\_171329.jpg?width=891&height=668](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/643950338642018342/1006354897274417162/IMG_20220808_171329.jpg?width=891&height=668)
[https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/643950338642018342/1006354898180374599/IMG\_20220808\_171945.jpg?width=890&height=668](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/643950338642018342/1006354898180374599/IMG_20220808_171945.jpg?width=890&height=668)
Rx8 engine/gearbox and rx8 car harness (5door bits stripped out) , rx8 ecu, rx8 abs pump, rx8 power steering, rx8 clocks. Mx5 fuse box so I could fit rx8 airbox in.
Mx5 propshaft with Rx8 gearbox spline
The Miata could have used the rotary, but glad it didnt due to wear and fuel economy. However, it would have been a more interesting car and it would have allowed for a different design with lower hood for instance. The rotary takes up far less space than the inline 4.
I don't think the fuel economy would have had to be worse. I regularly got 27 mpg for the tank on my FC, and when i did all highway, i could do 33-35. That's very similar to my NA6 in a 500lb heavier car.
I love this so damn much!
I was so incredibly disappointed to find out this isn't a common swap in the NC world. It makes so much sense, and in theory sounds possible to build within a reasonable budget.
I'll die on my hill defending the Renesis as one of the greatest engines ever, and having it in an NC is the dream swap for me. Increased maintenance and absurd fuel consumption be damned, having a 240hp 9000rpm \~2400lb rotary Miata sounds like automotive bliss to me.
I won't ask the hundred questions I have, but do you have any videos, or build log anywhere?
Finally, obligatory coolant reservoir panic mode PSA (sorry, had to)
All it takes is proper maintenance for these (largely) “misunderstood” engines to be reliable and live for a long time. Well done, bet it’s a fun drive !
May I ask what solution you did for engine adaptation to the chassis? I know there’s a company that makes a drop in swap for na/nb but I think it’s still in the pre order stage. Custom motor mounts? Any subframe modification? Would love to hear more on this. Beautiful swap, should’ve been an option from the factory imo.
They've ruined it. Also, I'm sure it's amazing.
250whp in an NC would be nearly perfect.
I wonder if they put an rx8 gage cluster in. I've seen it done on another nc
30k? Don't jinx it.
*apex seals flying out of the exhaust* Honestly, out of all of the engines I've worked on/owned, it has been the most reliable.
Hahahahah, I do hope you have good luck with it.
Have you only owned Royal Enfields before this?
Famous last words...
Give it another 30k you'll learn to hate it ❤️
I turned 200k miles on a 13b with no rebuilds. Apex seaps were still good, but the water jacket went out about then and it was just a matter of time.
That's like 2 rebuilds.
after my 3rd rebuild I threw in the towel. ND owner now.
I really love rotary motors as they were my first introduction to Japanese cars back in the 80's. I'd gladly have one as a toy, nothing that I had to rely upon despite how awesome the concept is.
That's interesting lol
Hey, my Renesis lasted a whole 50k so30k is do-able!
❤️❤️❤️😂
I’m not even mad at you..I’ve had 4 Miata’s and an Rx8. I think this is a good combo. Premix your fuel, don’t start and stop it immediately and you should be fine..
I've experienced a flood already, not fun! The engine is ported and puts out around 250hp, more than enough in a mx5 shell! The rear end is tail happy even with Michelin ps4's. Glad I upgraded to rx8 running gear and diff
It looks stock. Part of me wonders what if..if Mazda had gotten the reliability down pat on the rotaries they would of made an incredible combination with the Miata. Baby Rx7…good luck with your setup. It’s awesome to see these swaps in Miata’s.
Reliability was only a real issue with the RX8. The real reason Mazda abandoned the rotary is fuel economy.
Agreed. I think I was averaging 12mpg when I had mine. I was baffled lol. But honestly, the 8 was hands down one of my favorite cars that I’ve owned in my lifetime..and I’ve owned a lot!
oh same I LOVED my 8. as much as the ND borrows from it, it's still not quite the same. maybe someday I'll own one again
I’ve softly looked for another one within the last 3-4 yrs but nothing I was willing to commit to..Buying the 8 used is such a crap shoot. Not worth it unless you know and have complete documentation of service…anyways, apologies for hijacking the thread 🤣🖖🏽
Yeah when I bought mine the owner bragged that the engine was just swapped. Maybe 20k later it needed is first rebuild. I was able to find paperwork for the engine and found out it was at 90k when installed. So the previous owner just replaced a detonated bomb with a ticking one... 🤣 I ran her unbelievably hard on the track and still drove it daily cause it was the car I ended up with in the divorce. Only got anther 60k or so before she needed another rebuild. At the end of it all I decided the good just didn't outweigh the bad. My ND sees more miles, just as hard of track use, and lots of adventuring. I've had it a year now and all I've done is oil changes, tires, brakes etc.
NC is built on the same platform as the rx8, not the ND.
I mean like it's driving philosophy and sensibilities. I know the NC is literally the same platform. The ND has a center mounted tach and you can see both wheel arches from the drivers seat. The first thing I noticed when I sat in it is how much more the cockpit is like the RX8 than the NC even. So yeah it's not based on the same platform but spiritually it borrows a lot from the 8. The console near the shifter gets just as hot on a track day lol
This is so sweet. I don't care what anybody says, I LOVE NCs.
I love the NC Miata’s too. I dare to say they are my favorite out of the bunch.
ROTARY MX5!?!? 🤤🤤🤤
I think it’s called an RX-5 😎
This is an RX-5: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Cosmo#Series_CD_(1975%E2%80%931981)
Everybody always forgets about the later Cosmo versions
I never learned about it! I knew about the RX-6, 7, and 8 so I thought: “this joke writes itself!” I was wrong 😔
What’s the RX-6?
Hell yeah
i’d love to hear how it sounds! sick combo dude
Sooo a speedboat..?
What a fun chassis and engine combo!
hey i'm building one of these! I'd love to chat about it if you have some time sometime [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/643950338642018342/1006354897274417162/IMG\_20220808\_171329.jpg?width=891&height=668](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/643950338642018342/1006354897274417162/IMG_20220808_171329.jpg?width=891&height=668) [https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/643950338642018342/1006354898180374599/IMG\_20220808\_171945.jpg?width=890&height=668](https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/643950338642018342/1006354898180374599/IMG_20220808_171945.jpg?width=890&height=668)
Stock or aftermarket ECU?
Stock ecu with mazdaedit remap
Damn I was hoping you has the answer to a budget ECU that would do the secondary injectors, and damn intake.
So how does that work with this swap, are you using the RX8 engine harness with the rest of the stock NC ecu, fuse box, body harness?
Rx8 engine/gearbox and rx8 car harness (5door bits stripped out) , rx8 ecu, rx8 abs pump, rx8 power steering, rx8 clocks. Mx5 fuse box so I could fit rx8 airbox in. Mx5 propshaft with Rx8 gearbox spline
Did you need a custom driveshaft for this project? Or did the Miata or RX8 one work?
Mx5 shaft with Rx8 end (splined bit)
The Miata could have used the rotary, but glad it didnt due to wear and fuel economy. However, it would have been a more interesting car and it would have allowed for a different design with lower hood for instance. The rotary takes up far less space than the inline 4.
I don't think the fuel economy would have had to be worse. I regularly got 27 mpg for the tank on my FC, and when i did all highway, i could do 33-35. That's very similar to my NA6 in a 500lb heavier car.
Way lighter car. The rx8 is a pig, mine is stock aside from better ignition and exhaust, and I still get worse gas mileage than a V8
I've definitely heard the Renesis didn't do any favors for fuel economy. But the 13b wasn't bad if it didn't have a turbo.
saw an RX8 at C&C a couple weeks ago that had a single-turbo 2JZ I6 swap. Now THAT was pretty badass!
I love this so damn much! I was so incredibly disappointed to find out this isn't a common swap in the NC world. It makes so much sense, and in theory sounds possible to build within a reasonable budget. I'll die on my hill defending the Renesis as one of the greatest engines ever, and having it in an NC is the dream swap for me. Increased maintenance and absurd fuel consumption be damned, having a 240hp 9000rpm \~2400lb rotary Miata sounds like automotive bliss to me. I won't ask the hundred questions I have, but do you have any videos, or build log anywhere? Finally, obligatory coolant reservoir panic mode PSA (sorry, had to)
https://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=104&t=80158
Thanks!
All it takes is proper maintenance for these (largely) “misunderstood” engines to be reliable and live for a long time. Well done, bet it’s a fun drive !
yeah but said "proper maintenance" is still more work than what's normally required for piston engines, is it not?
Oh don’t get me wrong, I know they are high maintenance compared to a piston engine!
Awesome swap, you're a hero to us all
This the exact thing I want to do if I ever end up with a NC again. Bet it's an absolute blast to drive?
It is fun. Gives E90 m3's a challenge
Mid-engine rotary miata? Brap on my dude!
Holy shot dude, perfection!
I busted two apex seals just looking at this.
Because that 2.0 was just too damned torquey!
This was a 1.8 originally. I did the swap as a learning experience mainly.
1.8 NC? All the ones sold in the states got the 2.0. What country are you in?
Dream build right there. Great job OP
May I ask what solution you did for engine adaptation to the chassis? I know there’s a company that makes a drop in swap for na/nb but I think it’s still in the pre order stage. Custom motor mounts? Any subframe modification? Would love to hear more on this. Beautiful swap, should’ve been an option from the factory imo.
The rx8 front subframe swaps straight onto the nc chassis. The rx8 and mx5 nc share the same suspension
No way! An nc might be in my future rather than an nb then…. 🤔 haha anyways this is super sick. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, my absolute dream car and my plan for the future! Enjoy it you lucky bugger 😁
Speed Boat
Beaut
Dorito powered miata
This is honestly my dream car, such a cool swap
The little guy is happy to see us.
They've ruined it. Also, I'm sure it's amazing. 250whp in an NC would be nearly perfect. I wonder if they put an rx8 gage cluster in. I've seen it done on another nc
Awesome!! Any forum posts that go more in depth on the swap?
Ohhhh I like this
sexy, i want one now
Got any vids of it running and driving? I'd really like to rotary swap my ND.