Chevy Equinox Swapped Miata Review! A Surprisingly Interesting Roadster
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
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The Mazda Miata MX-5 has become the blank canvas of project cars. It has perfect balance and over the years I've learned you can swap just about anything into the Mazda Miata. LS,K series, Honda Odyssey, you name it - it's been done. However a recent discovery is of the Chevy Ecotec swap - an engine typically found in Chevy commuter cars such as the Chevy Equinox. So out of all the swaps in the world, why should you swap in the Ecotec over the other choices? Let's talk about it.
#ecotec #miata #mazda #chevy #engineswap #miataswap
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Proof that any engine can be made exciting, no matter where it comes from.
This engine is very popular overseas. And if I'm not mistaken, the fastest 4 cylinder drag car in the world, uses an Ecotech
GM built the ecotec family with the intent to make it the small block of the four cylinder world like the LS was to V8s.
Here's a video of one that runs low 6's @ almost 230mph
ruclips.net/video/MMs_B1VA7iM/видео.html
@@Turshin where?
Some people may ask: "Why?"
But as someone who has owned an ecotec engine powered car, I just want to say: "WHY?!?!"
Bc Miata
Honestly there's no way a GM motor could be less reliable than a Miata motor. Mazda had Ford make all of their drivetrains in the early 90's to early 00's. I've personally gone through 3 different bottom ends in my Miata over about 70k miles. I beat the fuck out of them, but either way, they shouldn't be blowing up every 20k miles with regular maintenance.
Not to mention, with this swap you can make the same HP as a k series for 1/3 the cost. Also not to mention that you can find ecotec motors at any junkyard. Also not to mention that if you do blow it up, it only cost $200 to replace. Even a bone stock Miata motor goes for 1k minimum. Its just a cheap, reliable enough swap for it to make sense.
My chevy probably only has a timing problem, that I need to check at a mechanics shop, but other than that, no engine or trans problems.
Though, I do have little problems with other things.
Because the ecotec makes more power than the oem engine while only adding 10-20 pounds and maintaing the 50/50 weight distribution. It's also a much more reliable option to a turbo'd oem setup. This is also the best bang for your buck as well because this swap is really cheap compared to a lot of others. There's a million reasons why someone should consider an ecotec for their miata.
At least you don’t have to change the oil. Just keep filling it up as it burns off. Gotta love the old 2.4 eco-burn.
It’s such a pain. I have to add two quarts every two weeks
Probably from the valves.
@@bent3942 Man I must've gotten lucky. My 03 Cav had 300k miles on it before it did the cavalier rear suspension thing, and it would be maybe 1/3qt low every 5000 miles.
My ‘04 Vue 5 speed 2.0l has 211,000 miles and uses zero oil between 5,000 mile changes.
My dad was doing the timing chain guides on his 200k mile equinox, and he still had the air box off while giving it a shakedown. It sounded absolutely gnarly, like I wish my ND sounded like that
Do you have an intake on your ND?
I have the roadstersport muffler from good-win racing and the mishimoto intake on mine. It sounds like my built 1.6 NA. I was so surprised that the ND is architecturally the same as every other generation!
The eco tec sounds like a fun engine in that car. I owned many RX7 in my time. A couple of years ago @ 7-stock a guy showed up with a Miata with a street ported 13B na. and it was nuts. The guy said it was the first miata he’s driven that got 15mpg “L”
I like how the eco tec sounds like a Miata
Woah, it actually sounds like it was meant to be. It has that raspy rally type sound.
That exhaust note takes me back to all the rotted out, mufflerless cobalts I've seen on the road driven.
The eco-tech motor sounded just like how it did for the cobalt in nfs most wanted
If that fits then I wonder if a cobalt ss engine will fit. Imagine a modded 270hp lsj supercharged or a stock 270hp turbo lnf...that would be amazing lol.
P.s. you can supercharge the 2.4......
an LS, LFX, J35 and a Jaguar V6 fits so I would wager it does
what if i buy a miata and LA swap it, not LS but LA, which is the series my Pontiac Grand Am GT has..
@@iCarlyfan4534 A 1uz-fe will fit. There's a real absolute madlad that swapped (or still is) a V12 Toyota 1gz-fe. He's got vids of it here on RUclips. The exhaust plumbing alone is a nightmare, and work of art, at the same time.
The 2.0 SC/TC ecotec would fit, same size basically as the 2.4. GM did an "SS" NA using the 2.4 eco
Had a Saturn ion redline before I totaled it. Stage three 1320 supercharger lnf throttle body built head and 2.8 pulley on e85 made 419 hp and 373 tq
I would love to see a Miata with the Ecoboost Mustang engine. No particular reason, just seems like it'd be fun
The one out the truck tho bro 2.7 or 3.5 would be meannnn traction def the factor
That’s not a bad idea at all!
Mazda's 2.3 turbo MZR is pretty similar.
@@apancher I get that. I lied when I said no particular reason. I have a 2.3 mustang. I like the engine 😂
Just finished my 2.4l ecotec swap a couple months ago. Absolutely worth it. Spent a total 9k(that’s including the price of the car, ecotec engine, entire swap kit, specialty tools and the occasional mechanic for the electrical side). Getting turbo power whilst NA. My next swap will either be torsen or a ford 8.8 rear end so I can supercharge her 🤭
The HDC sticker on the windshield is so well designed with the vintage steering wheel. It's one of the few stickers that doesn't really remove from aesthetics and it confuses me because I'm largely anti-sticker.
I’ve heard about these! My 1.6 decided to blow itself to pieces and I’ve been looking through different swaps, this one is definitely tempting
There are tons of Ecotec engines out there, it will be your best bet for a new powerplant. You'll want the newer 2.4l tho
@@jbm0866 Best bet? Even better than a K? They must be cheaaapp. Amirite?
Or a J35 engine
I've never been doing a engine swap and saying ahh yes the good ole equinox swap gonna be crazy . didnt even know they had performance parts available
Chevy equinox swapped?!
*the Car Wizard has entered the chat*
At least pick a somewhat reliable motor.
@@Somtingwongg Cobolt SS would have been a better pick then that turd
As long as they didn’t use the gm trans
It’s the GM 3.6 that’s the problem not the 4cyl ecotec..
@@NewEdgeDesigns 4cyl still sucks. Water pump is on the timing belt, which is a pain to service; and if your water pump seizes for whatever reason, it shreds the belt and bye bye engine.
I'd say the GM 2.4L Ecotec seems like the most sensible engine swap to do for an Miata if you don't want to go psychotic with a K-swap or LS-swap. GM built millions of these engines from 2009-2017. They still service these engines and parts are plentiful for it.
What does this gain you above what you could get taking the swap money and putting it into the stock miata engine?
@@dan.r9220 a lot more power. No replacement for displacement, a 2.4 is capable of more power than a 1.6 or 1.8
@@iDrive4fun93 how much do you think this swap cost??? And how much power do you think this engine will be making at its best in this car?
The GM 2.4 is an oil burner
@@juicedmedia6623 everyone that doesnt get dexos oil changes on time
2.4L was also the engine use in the N/A cobalt ss, I had one with an exhaust jet chip and a cold air I take and I drove the crap out of that car. Wish I still had it
I just bought a Solstice with the 2.4 and it's a blast
@@thomasjohannesen1003 I rode in I e when I was in high school it was in the winter so it sucked lol
Also came in the pontiac G5 GT...
@@rsxfever3230 it came in many base model cars tbh, the 2.0 2.2 and 2.4 were super common for Chevy's
@@thomasjohannesen1003 I had one of those. Was my favorite car I've ever owned. You gotta watch out for the understeer though. Get the alignment tweaked and get good tires so you won't understeer into a pole at 35mph like I did.
This does sound bonkers! The swap I really want to do is the longitudinal Chevy V6! Also used in the Camaro, CTS, ATS, and more. Perfect candidate for a couple head mounted turbos too. ;)
I feel like someone did that swap too
@@Darylrb1983 There is one guy I believe in Italy I know did? With an LFX engine. I don't think anyone has slapped the turbos on yet. Great swap though!
@@Darylrb1983 I think a bunch of people have with less social media presence though.
Considering it makes peak power at 6800 rpm it's perfect it never stops making more power until redline it's insane for a stock v6. Love to see what e85 and no cats would do to that bugger
It's a common swap over seas, I found them looking at stuff to LFX swap my Lacrosse
An Ecoboost engine would fit like a glove in a miata!!
In NCs they may even bolt directly to the transmission because they're based off the Mazda L block
This thing is very neat ! I think the harmonics of this engine are weird yet cool just like the Miata!
Love the stance on this Miata looks amazing
that 2.4L engine is very reliable .
i had that in my chevy malibu . the engine and transmission out lasted the body for sure
I just have a hard time believing anything in a later model GM commuter car could be reliable
You had a good one that didn’t burn a quart of oil
@@IStealXboxes not a drop
@@tinyhotopicbitch a youtuber try to kill that engine by putting stuff that doesn't belong in there..(sand, rock, metal pieces) it ran and ran and ran.. it just won't die
My mom has a 2011 2.4 equinox and i absolutely love the intake sound and raspinnes, its just so nice
This is why I love the Miata so much. It’s a blank canvas for how you want to express your automotive ideas. This engine should be weird, but it isn’t. In fact, it works in ways the 1.6 or 1.8 don’t. I like it.
Considering the old Ford/Mazda partnership, I wanna see a 2.3 Ecoboost swapped Miata
And with a 600+ hp ecoboost engine from Parker Performance, heck yeah
my girlfriend recently bought a gen 2 mazdaspeed 3 - it now has me looking for a 2.3 out of them to throw in my miata
@@nickybarry4703 my buddy has one, fastest car I've been in yet because it has a big turbo, catless downpipe, Cobb exhaust, maybe a built motor, and a Cobb tuner. And letting off in second it sounds like gun shots
2.0 Ecoboost out of a Focus ST is the way to go. Closed deck block is way stronger than the 2.3💪🏿
You should get a bunch of miatas together and do a knock out session to see who’s got the best
Im just saying, as a tech from gm for about 3 years, ive had to work on 2.4’s from the equinox’s and terrains all the time whether it was timing chains, whole motor replacements, rear main seals getting blown out bc of water getting in the pcv port and freezing, to the downright replacement of camshafts on many of them. Theyre okay engines but i would not call them extremely reliable
Yeah the le5 isn't the best ecotec
Well I can't argue this lol, but im gonna, I own multiple ecotec powered vehicles as well as also work for a GM dealer. They are very reliable motors. They do have their faults, but with proper maintenance, they will easily do a couple hundred thousand. Timing chain issues are common but generally happen after 100k, but no different than others. Believe it or not, my Fiat calls for a timing belt at 50k. The job cost more than an ecotec timing chain job and needs done in "half the miles". I have to split the case on my Grom to do a proper oil change. Manufacturers all the way around are just making things difficult.
Dont forget cam actuators
@@luisgonzalezEcotec I own a Saturn Ion with a LE5 and never had a issue I'm now at 182000+ miles I also own a Saturn ion redline so I'm pretty knowledgeable on these motor and they are reliable just gotta do maintenance on it like any other car
@@irlredline7965 im thinking abt swapping an chevrolet/opel vectra A with a equinox 2.0 turbo LTG ecotec, the same one in the eco camaro i think, do you recon it would work ?
Ecotec- the engine that's so bad none are available for warranty replacement. No joke, they are failing so much that there are none available
Fr my grandmas ecotec regal has bad piston rings and no engines available and the only one that’s available is going for 5k+
@@tylerf6528 I've seen recently where shops cannot get them. Warranty, customer replacement...all SOL. Even the "Car Wizard" has broached the subject on his channel
Exactly, there are so many Equinox/Malibus out there just sitting in the back of used car lots, shops, and auction lots after getting repossessed through 10 different buy here pay here's because nobody had the lack of brain cells to pay off one of these rolling piles of fecal matter
This is my buddy Tommy's car! He has multiple Miatas and is a beast of a driver in multiple disciplines as well
Tell him it’s junk and he should totally sell it to me for $1000 because it’s useless
@@henrystephens1683
I’ll be sure to pass the word along 😂😂😂
This is making me miss my Cobalt. And now I have an NA Miata. I've been thinking about this swap
The popular swap in the UK now is the Rocketeer kit - a Jaguar V6. Absolutely mental. That’s the one I’d go for if I had the cash…
When the spirit of the old family car hits you. This is sick!
Aren’t equinox engines some of the worst?
My girlfriends took a crap a 97k and my coworkers at 83k
Timing chains are as good as noodles being wrapped around
Earlier ecotech engines had a known fault with the timing chain tensioner. It's a quick fix and they'll run well over 200,000 miles
They’re oil drinkers, I’m sure. Nearly every check engine diagnosis on an Equinox ends in timing chain service or VVT solenoid replacement. But people around here really don’t maintain their vehicles
Your gf probably never got oil changes if she's anything like most girls
Yes lol
Yes they're junk poorly made and poorly designed
I want to swap a 2ZZ into a miata and get the Celica we should have always had.
i have similar dirty thoughts my guy. yamaha puttin out headwork like WHY cant manufacturers get down with enthusiasts and cross pollinate more options?
2ZZ MR2 Spyder has been the greatest track rat I've ever driven. Highly underrated engine
@@ryanbrown918 I don’t think the 2zz is underrated. It’s just put in not very approachable platforms
I heard this engines have tons of issues. Surprised they are considered reliable all of a sudden. Friend works at a mechanic shop and equinoxs come in all the time with total engine failure with the 2.4L
Agreed, these things are trash. My dad had one and after about 5 years it started idling rough. Turns out that the poorly made timing chain guides fail quickly and destroy the chains and take the cam sprockets/valvetrain with it. It was nearly a $5000 engine out repair - thankfully still under warranty.
They do, had one in an Equinox and they're total garbage. They drink oil like it's water. This guy just made a Miata unreliable.
Yep, burned more oil than an old farm tractor. Junk.
Exactly, i work at a buy here pay here and every equinox iv'e crossed paths with is a basically rolling pile of trash
The 2.4 Ecotech is a fun engine. We have one in our Buick Verano
That EcoTec sounds like a small displacement V6 or an inline 3 superbike motor, it just has this gnarly rasp to it despite it being pretty throaty for a 4-cylinder
Looking forward to that 1997 Nissan Stagea review in the background shot.
I love how they mixed the NA and NB dash
All they did was swap the steering wheel. I did the same thing on my NA. I also did NB2 seats.
They'll regret it. Those 2.4L's are a major headache.
Very major headache***
That 2.4 really needs a supercharger out of a Cobalt ss. By the way you should really review a Cobalt SS. Or something like my supercharged HHR panel van.
Remembering the time we had to drive the Equinox that barely ran from the buy here pay here repo pen to the shop across town, stalled at a red light as it turned green and held up rush hour traffic behind us, we waited on the side of the road for an hour before it decided to start again, lovely cars
The 3.6 LLT/LFX swap is popular as well :)
another question that miata is the answer to is when uhaul asks what you're towing when you get the car trailer.
First
🤣🤣
Now you really need to drive a LS swapped Miata. That would be amazing to see a review on.
The 2.7t Silverado/Sierra motor would be a whole new experience in that thing. 345hp 420fpt
I always thought a 2.4 turbo from the neon SRT-4 would be a fantastic swap into a Miata lol
Sounds unique. I didn’t know I’d like this!
Once the timing chain, bottom end, and the piston rings are replaced; yea it's a great engine 🤣
🤡
Thats for the 3.6L although GM is kinda garbage nowadays
I owned a Miata for a few months. However, I'm 6'3" and my head stuck over the windshield. I looked like Mr Potato Head driving down the roadway. So, I sold it and bought a Porsche 911. Very happy now..
I would like to own both lol luckily I’m only 5’8 so I’ll enjoy it for you my fellow human
The sound reminds me of some tuned cars in NFSU2 tbh. It sounds great!
The look of the Ecotec engine looks much like the original engine from a short distance.
I have a friend who is planning on throwing the 3.6 out of the 5th gen camaro v6 in one of these ..gonna be a torquey car he's building it for drift
I've noticed my 2.4 has a "deadpedal" too. It's got commuter area and AHHHHH area. You're either doing 1800 rpms or you're gonna downshift and hit 4500 rpms within a centimeter of pedal press.
Maybe that's just me desperately needing a TPS or something, but my cobalt is a hoot to drive currently.
I've got a buttload of ZZP influence in my build, and find myself getting carried away too
It's also fun to just blip the throttle because all you hear is that growl over and over, it's like a popcorn tune without making your neighbors want to cut your head off
Is just me or this 2.4L engine sounds really like a 240SX from old Need For Speed game?
That would be because both engines are twin cam 2.4 Liter engines. One is Chevy direct inj, the other is ported injection.
Always the answer! Wanna go 190 mph? Miata... with an LS6.
ecotec was in the cavalier , cobalt ss, sky redline, opels, cadillacs, buicks etc. Not just the equinox like you said for clickbait. Lots of versions of ecotecs like LS's
Brett youre wrong, the 2.0s are still ecotecs. "The GM Ecotec engine, also known by its codename L850, is a family of all-aluminium inline-four engines, displacing between 1.4 and 2.5 litres."
"LK9 is a turbocharged 2.0 L (1,998 cc) version of the L850 (86 mm bore) series Ecotec
The LSJ is a supercharged version of the LK9 Ecotec 2.0 L
The Ecotec 2.2, model L61 first appeared in the 2000 Saturn LS1;
2.0 LNF (Z20NHH Opel)
Ecotec LNF in a Pontiac Solstice
A turbocharged direct injected (redubbed Spark Ignition Direct Injection) Ecotec
The LE5 is a larger 2.4 L (2,384 cc) version of the Ecotec."
Even more just a quick google would've told you.
correct
K motor VTEC doesn't have to be "violent" as David suggests. My tuner smoothed out the transition when the second cam engages. You can hear and feel it slightly when it happens, but it isn't violent.
4:50 hitting it off the limiter made it sound like an blobeye impreza with equal length headers.
Back in the day you were considered gay if you drove a Miata. Then drifting/racing became popular.
honestly I didn't expect it to sound that good but I love how this motor sounds
Wish I wasn’t too tall for a Miata. Thank god for 86/BRZs
I was thinking of getting a miata and putting the drive train from a v6 mustang booth cars have gone up in price like crazy so this is no longer a cheap swap
“The eco-tec is a very reliable engine” bahahahahahahhahaha good one bro 😂 gave me and the guys at the shop a good laugh. Our local salvage yard won’t even sell us a used 2.4 eco junk because they know they’ll have to pull 4-5 before we get a good one.
No kidding eh 😂 Death by interference at 120k miles
I think the 275hp 2.0 ecotec LTG turbo would have been really cool
When I saw the 2018+ Equinox in the thumbnail, that's what I thought it was going to be. Disappointed to see it was a 2.4 N/A.
I want to swap a 1UZ into my Gbody Regal so bad
🤢
Hey! He’s been to msr in cresson tx. I recognize the track sticker. Lol I used to work there at a shop Called Gspeed. Love that track!
I'm a GM guy and even I think this was a downgrade...
These also came in Malibus, these engines are super abundant
Been waiting to see the potential of newer 4 pots swapped into good platforms
I'd love to see you find a 1.9L VW TDI swapped Miata...
Timing chain guides don't like to be driven that hard, but not to bad to change, at least on the malibu, but it really sounds good on the miata.
I thought the equinox 2.4 was only 182 hp...
direct inject is a great power add over older gen fuel systems
I would like to see dyno sheets as well. 215 whp is quite a bit
@@sleeper.simulant7327 Right! You think it would make 150 to 160 whp. I wanna know where this extra 70 ish HP is from, certainly a Hot air intake & exhaust..
David probably just slipped on that one
One Miata that I thought that had a cool swap was Phil...Car Throttle's ITB Jag V6 swapped NA Miata. That's something that I have ALWAYS wanted to do. Yeah, a LS swapped Miata would be alot of fun, but something that you can throw into a corner on the cusp of spinning and just peg the throttle and it grips, that's my dream Miata.
That jag V6 is actually a Ford 3.0 Duratec, and those are absolutely fantastic engines.
I remember there being some old forums where dudes were swapping 2 liter FE3 engines from 1st gen kia sportages into Mazda B2000s and NA miatas due to the similar architecture Kia was borrowing from Mazda at the time(I believe). It's cool to see a more modern direct injection engine with H.O. being used that people can probably buy relatively cheap at a junkyard.
I think they put a version of ecotec in those 3 wheel slingshot motorcycle thingys
We've seen almost go everything in Miatas. I only hope someone would swap a Cummins 4/6-Cylinder or a Mercedes OM605/606 in a Miata. Some Diesel power would be awsome!
Those engines are way too heavy for a small car. They are heavier than an LS engine.
@@atx-cvpi_99 well then the 1.9 or 2.0 TDI
Gm had a turbo inline 4 crate motor that they pulled from the atsv, (idk if its still available) surprised people arent jumping on that for this
The brake fluid was pretty dark and the spongebob was on point.
I was kinda hoping for a DI 3.6 swap however I am not disappointed.
interesting but if I'm going 2.4 still going with K24
K swaps are great, but you'll spend about twice as much. 3-5k vs 7-10, according to real people who have done both.
Yeah to build properly going to be up there, would still choose it though. Beast motor with a k20 head.
@@xturboexpress Nah you're not factoring in the cost of the ecotec swap after you have to put a 3rd engine in because that one shat itself
the sound of this reminded me of NFSU2
I love these miata reviews, there just so many unique things to do to them
The next miata I want to see you in is a rocketeer Miata. Those things look so dope and it would give you a lot to talk about.
Yeah, cool build. As a person that's owned a couple eco techs. I find that they are nothing but a list of complications with a
HUGE thirst for oil. Reliable is probably the last word I would use, but, cool build
3.6 Chevy swapped Rx8 was cool too
I owned one of the original Eco Techs a 2.2 liter in a Cavalier. They are notorious for burning oil. Because the piston rings wear out. The PCV valve is also a weak point. When you do the timing chains. MAKE SURE you go ahead and replace the piston rings. And change your oil every 3,000 to 4,000 miles.
My old cobalts timing system would beg to differ 😂 As long as you fix it before inevitable interference they really aren’t the worst engines, but they definitely aren’t the best engine I’ve owned
I'm hoping to swap a supercharged 3.8 into the wife's Miata, found most of what I need, just gotta get the space for the work.
With this swap, it got me thinking. What about the 4cyl ecoboost mustang engine?
That would have been a much better option than this period to be honest with you out of all the options out there I have no idea why they chose this engine
@@kspec6131 no turbo on the ecotec is more simple and the ecoboost has more electronics
@@kspec6131 That Miata was built to be driven hard and beat on. There is no shortage of GM shitboxes waiting to donate their ecotec for cheap when Mr Miata starts drinking oil. Cost and availability is what usually has the final say on how much fun you can have while thrashing a car.
Min 3:14, peek the stagea 🤤
my mom had a 04 saab 9-3 with a turbo ecotec, 205 hp and 235 lbs it was fast and fun to drive i would love to feel that motor in a rwd car, the fwd saab spun whenever the traction control was off
I had a 2007 Pontiac G5 for about a year and a half , and that car had plenty of power . In fact I didn't really enjoy driving in a front-wheel drive with that much power . But the same engine going to the rear end of a Miata sounds like a absolute hoot to me .
I'm planning on doing a VR6 Turbo swap on a miata.
I have been considering this swap for a while now. Seems like this video has convinced me. 🤔
Just know they burn oil like a motherfucker. You have to check oil levels almost every week
@@bent3942 thank you, definitely will do a bunch of research before I begin. Appreciate the info 👍
I like how David’s beard constantly changes with each video
The throttle issue can be resolved by tuning and if needed, more sensitive electronic gas pedal
I think the only thing I don't like about this particular Miata build is the exhaust note. I don't know if it's the exhaust that's on the vehicle or if it's just the way the mic is picking it up. But for some reason listening through my headphones the exhaust seems extremely tinny. Other than that this seems like something that I would do. Like, if you're going for a budget track car to hone your skills. I'd imagine that this thing is absolutely perfect for that.
The 1.6 is a boat anchor? A BOAT ANCHOR? I have no words 😭