Z series and Z series hybrid

[Advancedynamix]

I just wanted to start up a discussion about Mazda Z series engines swapped into Festivas.
I built a hybrid ZMde/ b6t engine for my race car and it has been working pretty well. The Z series engines fit pretty well into a Festiva and will bolt to the stock trans. They are more readily available at most salvage yards than the popular B series swaps.

[Advancedynamix]

[william]

Did you do the hybrid to get lower compression with the b6t lower end for boost? I've wondered if swaping a stock zm-de would be a good alternative to the capri b6d. I've got 2 b6ds but there getting really up there in milage 300k+ still run good but burn some oil . Is the 1.5 zl-ve a better alternative with more horse power?
Only thing that has turned me off of these swaps is engine management .

[Advancedynamix]

William,
built the hybrid engine specifically due to the port design of the ZM-de head. Because my goal is to move my TQ curve higher up, I wanted intake ports with less radius. I'm actually using the 1.5L ZV-VE crank in a b6 miata block to acquire a shorter stroke, but allow myself the capacity for 81mm bore under boost. The b6d/t block has more material for overbore than the later Z series (or late b series) blocks. I also prefer the crank vent setup on the b6d/t block. I'm running custom rods and pistons to give my engine a rod ratio of 1.75:1 and a compression ratio of 8.5:1.
Currently, my setup is limited by my cams. I need to have custom cams ground for this engine. It easily makes over 400hp, but still comes on too hard too early and my TQ starts dropping off around 6500rpm. I want this engine to pull hard up to 9k or higher.