Some drunken clown plowed into my commuter 2014 Focus when it was parked.

[Soup DeVille]

Yes, the 302 Windsor was smaller than every generation of SBC, the only common V8 smaller is the Buick/Rover V8.

I still say they're better than the GM 5 liter OHV engines (with the exception of the hard to find Chevy 302).

[shp4man]

Preservation of front/rear weight ratio would make a turbocharged 4 banger the better choice, I would think.

[MX793]

Preservation of front/rear weight ratio would make a turbocharged 4 banger the better choice, I would think.

Not sure about NC or ND, but NA and NB Miatas had iron block motors that are not much, if any, lighter than an aluminum Windsor or SBC.

[FoMoJo]

Yes, the 302 Windsor was smaller than every generation of SBC, the only common V8 smaller is the Buick/Rover V8.

I still say they're better than the GM 5 liter OHV engines (with the exception of the hard to find Chevy 302).

Something else GM rejected.  Highly modified versions of the GM/Rover engine was used by REPCO/Brabham in a number of racing series, include F!, where it won a championship title for Jack Brabham in 1966(?).

[shp4man]

Not sure about NC or ND, but NA and NB Miatas had iron block motors that are not much, if any, lighter than an aluminum Windsor or SBC.

NC stock motor is the same as a Ford Duratech, same motor as in Fusions. A common swap in NC is replacing the 2.0 with a 2.5L Fusion motor- it's basically a bolt in with a few mods.

[CaminoRacer]

Not sure about NC or ND, but NA and NB Miatas had iron block motors that are not much, if any, lighter than an aluminum Windsor or SBC.

An aluminum block engine swap would probably cost twice as much as a turbo/supercharger kit.

[FoMoJo]

NC stock motor is the same as a Ford Duratech, same motor as in Fusions. A common swap in NC is replacing the 2.0 with a 2.5L Fusion motor- it's basically a bolt in with a few mods.

Would the Focus ST or RS motor fit just as well.  Be a lot more fun that some bland overweight V8.

[FoMoJo]

An aluminum block engine swap would probably cost twice as much as a turbo/supercharger kit.

Likely have to switch out the internals to make it half-way reliable.

[shp4man]

Would the Focus ST or RS motor fit just as well.  Be a lot more fun that some bland overweight V8.

I always thought the 2.3L Ecoboost would be the best, but 310HP may destroy the stock Miata drivetrain. Eventually.

[FoMoJo]

I always thought the 2.3L Ecoboost EcoBeast would be the best, but 310HP may destroy the stock Miata drivetrain. Eventually.

True, the ST version would be a compromise.