destroking engine. any ideas on how to reduce 2.2l down to 1 or 1.5l

[nimblemotors]

Instead of destroking, you could change the camshaft to use a Atkins design, that effectively reduces the engine size by pushing some of the intake charge back out the intake valve. Now finding someone to make such a camshaft for your engine might be very costly, but mechanically it is a much easier modification.

A easier modification is to advance the cam timing so the power band is moved to lower rpm with a reduction in max power. This might be possible with off-the-shelf aftermarket cam sprocket, or you can have one made/modified relatively easy.

[euromodder]

The 626 will be 20 years old next year.
It's not a great design.
Beyond CO2, it's polluting as much as if it was a 5.5 mpg car - if you could buy one today.
The European 2L diesel won't do enough better to warrant a swap, and it's a smoking dog.

Time to let it go and get something more efficient and less polluting.

[nimblemotors]

Just thought of another idea, which is to significantly increase the EGR.
Basically replace the oxygen going into the engine with the exhaust gas,
this would decrease engine power and reduce the fuel used (assuming the EFI would adjust properly). Again, not a trivial effort, but wouldn't be costly if you can DIY.

I do agree that replacing the car is a no-brainer. But these ideas apply to newer cars too.

[Frank Lee]

Re: reducing 2.2 to about 1/2: I've considered such a thing for my car and two answers jump out: pull two of the four pistons out, or do an engine swap.

[Arragonis]

Another vote for the engine swap. What you may find is that the gearbox / clutch design is shared with a smaller engined model or even a smaller Mazda (323 1.6?) so an engine swap may be easier than you think especially if you get the engine from a scrappy and do the spannering yourself. You also get the advantage that your 2.2 gearing may be high for a 1.6.

The Supercharged Diesel engine is better than your Petrol for FE but not a good design - nobody followed Mazda into that dead-end for a reason.

Alternatively go for a smaller (and smaller engined, lighter) car. Unless you need the size its not worth it.

[abently]

Originally Posted by saand

I would love to sell my car and get a new one that is more efficient to start with but i am not sure i would be able to sell it at this point (the front end was crumpled in on one side i bashed it out with a hammer so doesn't look too good) and i am enjoying the idea that i can do whatever i like to the car because if i stuff anything up ill just write the car off and get a new one. I am also interested to see how far i can go with a car that has started off being average for fuel efficiency.

Go to pick a part and get a guard (and other bits n pieces) in the same colour. Then just fit it as best you can and sell the car.