The 2.0l Engine of the Mazda MX-5 NC Generation NC2/NC3 Facelift

The engines used in the Mazda MX-5 NC (1.8l & 2.0l) are part of the Mazda developed MZR L-Series engine range. The aluminium block L-Series is the evolution of it’s predecessor the cast-iron block F-Series. The MZR L-Series family has also been built and used by the Ford Motor Company marketed as the ‘Duratec’ engines.

2.0l Engine Specification MX-5 NC Generation NC2/NC3 Facelift

The first MX-5 NC facelift with model-year 2009 (NC2) introduced some substantial improvements to the engine tackling some reliability issues:

• New forged steel crankshaft (minimizes vibrations at high engine revs)
• Forged steel connecting rods with floating wrist pins
• Revised fully floating pistons with stronger wrist pin bosses
• Stiffer valve springs to suppress valve bounce at high revs
• Higher-durability materials for the connecting-rod bearings
• Engine oil cooler added (US market only)

As a result the engine produces it’s maximum output of 160 PS at 7000 RPM (predecessor at 6700 RPM) and the rev limit by fuel cut-off has been raised +500 RPM to 7500 RPM. Maximum torque remains 188 Nm at 5000 RPM.