logo
logo
Sign in

How NA Miata Engine was Upgraded Over the Years to Provide the Best Performance

avatar
Good-Win Racing
How NA Miata Engine was Upgraded Over the Years to Provide the Best Performance

The first Miata car was introduced in 1990, with 1.6-liter I4 engine producing 116 horsepower and 110 pound-feet of torque under the hood. A five-speed manual transmission delivered power to the back wheels, and you had to wind the car out in each gear to get the most out of it. The first-generation NA Miata engine had a top speed of 116 mph. Those are not very impressive when compared to today’s standards, but they were adequate at the time, especially considering the car’s 2100-pound curb weight. The first Miata was a very basic car as it was made in simplistic manner. A viscous-type limited-slip differential and a removable hardtop were available as options.The Miata was relatively an affordable little vehicle, with a starting price of $13,800, and Mazda sold numerous Miata cars in its first year of manufacture.There were a few special editions available then, as well as the option of a four-speed automatic transmission.


The removable hardtop palette now includes more colours, as well as anti-lock brakes. The Miata did not get its first big upgrade in the early 90s, when Mazda installed a 1.8liters engine that increased power to 128 horsepower. The following generations enhanced Miata to gain some weight due to new safety regulations, that pushing the scales around 2300 pounds.


The larger-diameter front discs improved stopping power, and a new Torsen limited-slip diff was added to the options list later on. As few updated pedestrians crashed safety rules, the second-generation Miata brought famous pop-up headlights from its predecessor. The NB Miata was considerably broader than the car it replaced, and in the late90s, it received an increment in price.The NB Miata used the same 1.8liters engine as its predecessor, but with a higher compression ratio that has been increased to 140 horsepower and torque to 116 pound-feet. The new Miata was also slightly heavier than its predecessor, weighing roughly as 2350 pounds.


The Miata was able to take a rapid sprint in few seconds when it was equipped with the five-speed manual transmission, but a newly available six-speed manual gearbox knocked at that time.The previous-generation soft top’s zip-out plastic window was replaced with actual rear glass and a defogger. When the top went down, the Miata even had a retractable wind deflector to keep things a little less blustery in the cabin. It gained a considerable boost in power, with a 2liters engine producing 170 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque, but it was also a little bigger and heavier than its predecessor, weighing around 2,400 pounds.


A five-speed manual transmission was standard, while a six-speed manual transmission was available as an option. Additionally, the purchasers have the option of selecting a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The updated Miata went for revolution rather than evolution, with a completely new design that took the car back to its roots.The 2liters engine in the ND Miata produced less power than its predecessor but it did so in a car that was lighter than the previous version, weighing around 2300 pounds. A six-speed manual transmission was standard, with a six-speed automatic transmission that was available as an option.


The conversion from hydraulic to electric power-assisted steering was a significant adjustment for the upgraded Miata car. While there was aperception that the new Miata's steering arrangement was excellent, some purists have expressed their pleasure and satisfaction with the introduction of this modern technology.


The Mazda introduced the MX-5 Miata RF recently, which included the Miata motor mounts along with a power-retractable top panel that folded neatly beneath the rear pillars. The folding top system added 113 pounds to the car’s weight, which undoubtedly makes Miata RF the best-looking version of all time.

collect
0
avatar
Good-Win Racing
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more