Mazda MX5 Engine & Gearbox

[Ye Ol Ripper]

Re: Mazda MX5 Engine & Gearbox

The actual true story about the Ford Puma was that the car was unusually designed around the 1.7 engine. Ford had previously committed to Yamaha to build iirc 80000 engines , but the car it was originally intended to go into the Ford Lynx had been dropped.

So designer Ian Callum CBE (TWR , Aston Martin & latterly Jaguar's design boss) , his team had already created the Ford RS200 & Escort Cosworth, created the Puma using the Fiesta Mk4 floorpan, as they were under pressure to design the car ASAP.
With the assistance of his special projects team and also valuable consultation with Sir Jackie Stewart ,set about creating what was highly regarded as the best handling front wheel drive car available at the time and it possibly still is today!

Because the demand was so great for the Puma with the 1.7, Yamaha couldn't keep up with the supply and then Ford also slotted in the 1.6 & 1.4 Zetec's.

I recall my when my neighbour bought his 1.7 new he patiently waited 5 months for delivery.

[chris_cussen]

Re: Mazda MX5 Engine & Gearbox

Puma was voted Top Gear Car of the Year in 1997. Not too sure if that was a good thing.

[Ye Ol Ripper]

Re: Mazda MX5 Engine & Gearbox

Surprisingly as its been my daily driver for many years, I think it was a good choice.
It has the best feel/feedback through the steering wheel, of any mass produced car I have driven. The press raved on about the gear change being very good like index gearing ,but I think the Toyota's of the 70's fitted with 2T series (1600)engines 5 Speed gearboxes were just as good and a RWD box.

Adrian had this Toyota setup in his previous roadster and I am sure would confirm this.

The Puma was designed as a proper drivers car and it is.
With regard to the 1.7 engine , when I visited friends in Devon , the Puma's torque is so good that I never noticed I was going up Telegraph Hill and that is a good test for any engine.

My point here is, if you are going to all the trouble of fitting a Ford with wiring loom ecu , you may as well fit the better of the two versus the 1.6 Zetec, as the work is the same.

[listerjp2]

Re: Mazda MX5 Engine & Gearbox

Yep my old Roadster was a joy to drive, mated well with the Marina back end and was a real long distance driver.

I put 100,000 miles on in 7 years, it was my daily driver.

Unfortunately personal circumstances meant I had to sell her.

Believe me, I wouldn't have sold her if not for that.

Regards

Adrian

Surprisingly as its been my daily driver for many years, I think it was a good choice.
It has the best feel/feedback through the steering wheel, of any mass produced car I have driven. The press raved on about the gear change being very good like index gearing ,but I think the Toyota's of the 70's fitted with 2T series (1600)engines 5 Speed gearboxes were just as good and a RWD box.

Adrian had this Toyota setup in his previous roadster and I am sure would confirm this.

The Puma was designed as a proper drivers car and it is.
With regard to the 1.7 engine , when I visited friends in Devon , the Puma's torque is so good that I never noticed I was going up Telegraph Hill and that is a good test for any engine.

My point here is, if you are going to all the trouble of fitting a Ford with wiring loom ecu , you may as well fit the better of the two versus the 1.6 Zetec, as the work is the same.

[dogoncrazy]

Re: Mazda MX5 Engine & Gearbox

A 100,000 in 7 years! That's devotion to the Marque. Credit to you sir!

[listerjp2]

Re: Mazda MX5 Engine & Gearbox

I was implementing a piece of software for schools at that time and had cusomers all over England including the South West and Norfolk, hence the mileage.

Adrian.

A 100,000 in 7 years! That's devotion to the Marque. Credit to you sir!

[meverett]

Re: Mazda MX5 Engine & Gearbox

I was implementing a piece of software for schools at that time and had cusomers all over England including the South West and Norfolk, hence the mileage.

Adrian.

That’s interesting, I work for a local minerals company in the labs and one of my responsibilities since 2003 has been implementation and support for a LIMS system throughout Europe. Technology now means that my support is covered from the comfort (not) from my office and sadly no travel anymore.

[listerjp2]

Re: Mazda MX5 Engine & Gearbox

Yep that's the case now, flying a desk at home. But then........

That’s interesting, I work for a local minerals company in the labs and one of my responsibilities since 2003 has been implementation and support for a LIMS system throughout Europe. Technology now means that my support is covered from the comfort (not) from my office and sadly no travel anymore.