Mazda Repair: Mazda Miata Mx-5 1995 Repair, mazda miata mx, mazda engines

Question
Hello Mp2, I have a question I hope you can help me with.  I have a 1995 Miata MX-5.  Did they put this same motor in any other vehicles? If not, did this motor come in any other Miata's and what years?  One last question.  Are the coils interchangeable in any other vehicles? Thank-You!

Answer
1994 and 1995 Miata engines are the same, 1996 and 1997 are interchangeable however the latter ones use a magnetic pickup as part of the ignition system.  The upper engine configuration on the Miata engine is different than that of other 1.8 liter Mazda engines however the lower ends are interchangeable with some variations.  There are no other direct fit engines in the Mazda line.

Ignition coils are interchangeable from 1994 to 1995, though the same by design and fit an additional signal wire does not exist on 1996 to 2000 model coil units.  I do not know of any interchangeability with the coils from other Mazda vehicles.   Mazda did have a standardization of many primary parts before the Ford influence that began to take place in 1997.  Since then many things have changed.  Not all Mazdas are built by and to Mazda standards.