Mazda's New Inline Six- Pretty Sweet

[Chapap]

My wife's Mazda is in the shop to get a mirror with failing paint replaced. They gave her a loaner CX90 while they work. It's surprisingly roomy inside but a bit cramped in the back compared to some actual body on frame SUVs. The back seat is nicer compared to the explorer if I recall correctly though.

Anyway that's not what this post is about. I know just about nothing about the new inline six, but initial impressions are very good. Her current 4- banger, NA 2.5L gets 186 lb-ft @ 4k (187hp @ 6k) and lacks anything under 2500-3000 (understandable). The new turbo 3.3L inline six gets 332 lb-ft @ 2-3.5k (280hp @ 5-6k) and seems to do well at 2000. Plenty of sporty power to have fun. Of course it probably seems more better than it really is cause I really let it rev (I'm much more conservative on the owned car). It's also a half ton heavier (3,700 vs 4,700) and has two more gears. The sound is the amazing part! It still sounds like a tiny engine, but it has a very pleasing grumble. I wonder if they pipe any noise into the cabin.

That'd be an amazing engine in the Mazda6. A few years ago, Mazda pulled the Mazda6 from the linup. The pontificaters pontificated that it'd return with an inline 6 and be a very expensive sport sedan. It won't happen, but the Miata would be a force to reckon with if it got the L6.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Seems the I6 has gotten some attention lately. Mopar has a 3.something liter I6 with twin turbos they are attempting to replace the hemi with. Atleast the 5.7L

 

[Roert42]

I always said the Miata needs a 6 cylinder option. Something like the ford 3.8 power wise. 200/ 250hp. Nice Torque.

 

[Chapap]

I always said the Miata needs a 6 cylinder option. Something like the ford 3.8 power wise. 200/ 250hp. Nice Torque.

Many people have. I think that's never going to happen though. Just getting more power won't even happen. I can understand it though. As is, you can use 100% of the engine. It's a different kind of fun than having wheel spinning power on comand.

i think it was Monster Miata that used to put a 5.0 Ford V8 of some variety in one or two of the generations. They had a kit and turn-key (relatively) instructions. They said that the Miata frame seemed like it was built for that much power and needed to do very little reinforcing. I read an article where some Mazda big-wigs visited their shop and "approved" the mod.

 

[Roert42]

I've seen a ton of instances where people have stuck V8s in Miatas. Seems fun, but maybe much for such a tiny car. I feel like 250hp would be right on the line of almost too much power, but still reasonable for a daily driver.


When I realized my mustang was too rusty to drive anymore I looked to find a Miata or Mg roller I could use to install the mustang drivetrain in. Couldn't find anything in the price range I was looking for unfortunately.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Many people have. I think that's never going to happen though. Just getting more power won't even happen. I can understand it though. As is, you can use 100% of the engine. It's a different kind of fun than having wheel spinning power on comand.

i think it was Monster Miata that used to put a 5.0 Ford V8 of some variety in one or two of the generations. They had a kit and turn-key (relatively) instructions. They said that the Miata frame seemed like it was built for that much power and needed to do very little reinforcing. I read an article where some Mazda big-wigs visited their shop and "approved" the mod.

Really? Foxbodies were known to crack under 302's. Cant imagine a miata would be stouter then a fox

 

[Chapap]

Really? Foxbodies were known to crack under 302's. Cant imagine a miata would be stouter then a fox

There's allot of good written about these. No idea about how they age though.

Archive Road Test: 1993 Monster Motorsports Mazda Miata

In which we find that the transplantation of a Ford V-8 much enlivens the Miata.

www.caranddriver.com

 

[bilbo]

Many people have. I think that's never going to happen though. Just getting more power won't even happen. I can understand it though. As is, you can use 100% of the engine. It's a different kind of fun than having wheel spinning power on comand.

While I love big power cars as much as anyone I think I'd rather own something like this. Even if I wanted to, I cannot devote the time and effort to gaining the skills necessary to really wring out a 500+HP car. Plus doing so is expensive. One of my coworkers has a Giulia Quadrifoglio and brought it to the track for a day. He said beating on that car was very cathartic, but apparently the bill for new brakes and tires was something like $3k.

Miata probably isn't my car though. I don't see my 6'-3" frame fitting in it comfortably. My Mom had a Fiesta with a 5spd, and while that car wasn't particularly sporty it sure was fun to drive around the twisty roads of lakes country MN. It was like driving a go-kart with a radio, and never really got going fast enough to get into 4-digit fine territory. I would think a Fiesta STi would be a riot to drive. Or a Subaru BRZ/whatever Toyota's equivalent is called.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Seems the I6 has gotten some attention lately. Mopar has a 3.something liter I6 with twin turbos they are attempting to replace the hemi with. Atleast the 5.7L

You will take my 6.4l from my cold, dead hands.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

You will take my 6.4l from my cold, dead hands.

The 2024 wrangler just got unveiled with a 6.4 option....not going to lie i drooled a bit. But i dont think the 6.4 is going anywhere

 

[Chapap]

While I love big power cars as much as anyone I think I'd rather own something like this. Even if I wanted to, I cannot devote the time and effort to gaining the skills necessary to really wring out a 500+HP car. Plus doing so is expensive. One of my coworkers has a Giulia Quadrifoglio and brought it to the track for a day. He said beating on that car was very cathartic, but apparently the bill for new brakes and tires was something like $3k.

Miata probably isn't my car though. I don't see my 6'-3" frame fitting in it comfortably. My Mom had a Fiesta with a 5spd, and while that car wasn't particularly sporty it sure was fun to drive around the twisty roads of lakes country MN. It was like driving a go-kart with a radio, and never really got going fast enough to get into 4-digit fine territory. I would think a Fiesta STi would be a riot to drive. Or a Subaru BRZ/whatever Toyota's equivalent is called.

I’m 6-2 and want a 1st gen. Every time they get a facelift, they get smaller. I can’t even get my legs into the current generation. The 3rd Gen is about the newest I can do. I drove a friends and it was a blast. Couldn’t do it for long though.

 

[superj]

i wonder if they are going to have manifold and head cracking issues on that inline 6 like the turbo inline 4s have? on mazda 3 revolution, someone has pics of where the turbo manifold and turbo, which is unsupported, caused stress cracks and their engine required replacement. and it sounds like its happening so much mazda is pulling the turbo 2.5 option from the line up.

you would think it would be better to just design a support bracket

 

[Roert42]

i wonder if they are going to have manifold and head cracking issues on that inline 6 like the turbo inline 4s have? on mazda 3 revolution, someone has pics of where the turbo manifold and turbo, which is unsupported, caused stress cracks and their engine required replacement. and it sounds like its happening so much mazda is pulling the turbo 2.5 option from the line up.

you would think it would be better to just design a support bracket

The ole' Zoom Zoom Boom. Classic Mazda.

 

[racsan]

Wow, I didn’t think any inline 6’s were in production anymore.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Wow, I didn’t think any inline 6’s were in production anymore.

Figured this was a good place for this