Sorry to hear about your rod bearing but upgrading to the 2.5L has to make you feel just a little good about it.  How many miles were on your old engine?  My 2008 had 181K when it was totaled but if I always said that if I had engine issues, I wouldn't hesitate to drop a 2.5L in.

Enjoy the Dragon!

Funny. Just like Sue Lobb showing up with the first RF that I ever saw.... cost me 34k. I have the feeling your swap is going to cost me exactly what yours did!!

@ctt3mx5

Only like 73k miles. Took it to redline 1st and 2nd gear on that “bad” day and then the noise started.

Ouch, that was a "bad" day.  Silver lining is that you get to enjoy that 2.5L now.  Looking forward to seeing what other mods/upgrades you may have done, if any, along with the swap.

@ctt3mx5 I am looking forward to a ride in it. In 2011, I test drove a 2.0L Mazda 3, and a 2.5L. Both stick. The 2.5 was noticeably better. It was actually pretty quick and fast, whereas the 2.0 was neither for that heavy of a car. 

Louie

@miata-mike I bounce off of the limiter all of the time. I have not had that terrible experience. By the way, did you get your exhaust done yet? If so, did you notice any difference?

@livetodrive

many times off the rev limiter. Not sure what was different that time.  It did pave the way for the 2.5L so not complaining anymore at this point.

Goodwin header and midpipe put on during the swap. Goodwin muffler was on back order but is to arrive next week!

@livetodrive we had a 2010 3 sedan with the 2.0.  It was Tam's DD and plenty of enough power for her.  Never rode in one with the 2.5.  Had I any say it would have been a hatch with the 2.5.

@miata-mike. Nice choice of exhaust upgrades, can't wait to hear it!  Which mid-pipe and muffler did you choose?

@ctt3mx5

Went with Max 1.8 header which is recommended for the 2.5L and then a Helmholtz midpipe. Muffler went with SuperQ which has removable baffles. I listened to a lot of different combinations and all together should be good.

Can't wait for the muffler to arrive next week.

Also very interested in going for a quick ride. Any idea why kind of whp this motor makes?

@stormnd2club yes. It was placed on a dyno. It is 190 whp and 167 torque.  To put that into perspective,  most threads that I have read have 06-08 Miatas making 110 hp with an automatic,  and 117 with a manual.  Torque is less than that. The 167 hp that my NC is rated for must be at the crank. 

@stormnd2club

Of course. Happy to help people decide if the 2.5L is worth it for them.  There are a couple a head of you with President Louie having the first spot since him and I have been discussing this for close to a year now since my engine went boom.

Hope to get my exhaust finished after I get back which I’m excited for to get the full experience.

Currently in Kentucky driving back from the Tail of the Dragon. Top down manual driving is just so much fun!  Family is following in the Tesla and look bored compared to me. 😀 

Posted by: @miata-mike

@stormnd2club

Of course. Happy to help people decide if the 2.5L is worth it for them.  There are a couple a head of you with President Louie having the first spot since him and I have been discussing this for close to a year now since my engine went boom.

Hope to get my exhaust finished after I get back which I’m excited for to get the full experience.

Currently in Kentucky driving back from the Tail of the Dragon. Top down manual driving is just so much fun!  Family is following in the Tesla and look bored compared to me. 😀 

Not a Miata but here is my motor swapped 1992 Sentra SE-R on the dyno. it usually made between 198 - 210whp depending on the type of dyno. Had this about 7 years ago, sold when I moved. The list of mods would take me 20 min to write down. But it had a grey top SR20VE motor (from Australia -187 crank HP) big cams, valve springs, all the bolt ons and a good tune. Nice suspension too but it was mainly a drag strip type. 13.4 @ 106 MPH was my best ever and I was up against a Vette and he was just passing me as we crossed the 1/4 mile mark:  

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=db6ibQUW68E

I know it’s not a Miata but besides the FWD, the B13 was very light. motor trends Top 10 car list all 4 years of its production (1991-1994)

here’s another, it’s a overview and ride along:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8MJTV-p4gVI

🙂

I can attest to how much of a difference a cammed 2.5L makes in a Miata. Mike's car is so strong and sorted when you step on it. Compared to my NC with a tune, it is night and day. At 3000 to 4000, I can mash the throttle and build some momentum.  Mike's car creates momentum.  It really makes the car a higher level sportscar. With no added weight or complexity, it just works. Mazda should have offered this as an option. I would have checked that box so hard...