The Mazda MX-5 Miata often garners polarized opinions: enthusiasts celebrate its essence, while critics dismiss it as underpowered, diminutive, and unremarkable. This perspective might feel extreme, yet it’s hard to spot anyone in the neutral zone. Those who adore the vehicle, including fans and racers, clearly belong to the first camp; they reject the notion of limits.
A notable example is YouTuber ReedMakeCar, who has replaced his Miata’s original engine with one from a 2008 Honda CBR1000RR motorcycle.
Reports from when the superbike was first released indicate it produced between 175 to 180 horsepower, with Reed also noting 180 hp. This power comes from a 1.0-liter four-cylinder engine that revs up to an impressive 13,000 rpm—almost double the original redline of the Miata.
For comparison, the NB Miata, equipped with a 1.8-liter engine, has a redline of 7,000 rpm, generating 140 hp and 119 lb-ft of torque. The car typically accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 8 seconds, although the sensation feels quicker with the top down.
Once the Honda engine was fitted into the Miata, Reed took it to the dynamometer, revealing performance figures of 160 hp at 11,500 rpm and 80 lb-ft of peak torque at 9,200 rpm. While these numbers are promising, the modified MX-5 still weighs more than the 439-pound motorcycle, thus enhancing the driving experience is the primary gain so far.
In this POV video, Reed sports earplugs, but he might consider investing in something more substantial for extended driving sessions. Nonetheless, his three-minute ride is a delightful auditory experience, and my modest laptop speakers help me avoid any risk of temporary hearing loss.
The MX-5 appears capable of hitting 60 mph in first gear, which is quite impressive. The exact time it takes to achieve this speed may be buried in the comments section of the video, but it will soon be outdated, as Reed has plans to continue evolving this engine-swap project.
“It definitely feels faster than one might expect, given the small engine powering a relatively large car,” he stated. “That being noted, the next time we hit the dyno, the car will be equipped with a turbocharger.”
Bless your heart.
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