Blown 1.8 or tired 2.0? A direct bolt-in 2.5 L5-VE — same MZR family, same mounts, same gearbox, no fabrication. On the stock manifold with my base map: 183hp, 245Nm. Add the 45mm headers: 195hp. Add the Stage 2 cams: 220hp, €4000 ex VAT — measured on our own dyno.
Stock
160hp
188 Nm
Full NA swap
220hp
270 Nm
Last engine ready in Athens · pre-order €1800 for the batch of 16
🛡 90-day start-up guarantee. If it doesn't start because of something I sent you, another engine ships to your door — my cost. A replacement, not a repair.Same 2.5 L5-VE engine in all three. Kit prices ex VAT; fitting in Athens is separate.
01
183hp / 245Nm
measured on our dyno
02
195hp / 250Nm
measured on our dyno
03
220hp / 270Nm
measured on our dyno
Got a 1.8? +€430 for the 2.0 ECU and oil pickup. EU shipping €390 + VAT.
UPDATE · 25 October 2026Last engine in stock: 1 available now in Athens · 16 pre-order slots in the next batch.
IN STOCK · ATHENS
€2000
1 engine available now
From current stock — ships from stock.
PRE-ORDER · IN TRANSIT
€1800
16 in the next shipment
SAVE €200 BY PRE-ORDERING BEFORE ARRIVAL
Slots in the batch go in order of payment. Once the last engine on the shelf is gone, pre-order is the only way to get a 2.5 until the batch lands. Full payment now — locks your engine and the price. If the shipment is delayed, your engine stays reserved at €1800 with no extra cost.
Estimated availability: January 2027, after customs and our checks — book now, drive a 2.5 this spring.
Not sure whether stock or pre-order suits you? Message us and we'll tell you which makes sense.
No WhatsApp on this device? Call or text +30 697 728 8810 or email yiannis@dmstuned.eu.
Same engine, same inclusions. Prices ex VAT 24%, engine only · Europe shipping €390 + VAT or collect in Athens · calibration comes in the swap kit (from €2600). Updated: 25 October 2026.
Only need an engine for a blown 1.8 or 2.0? MX-5 NC replacement engine
Want more? Turbo kit for NC 1.8 / 2.0 / 2.5See it →Developed by DMS
Add them to your swap in one click. Prices ex VAT.
The 2.5 Duratec swap on the dyno — every stage, real numbers.
Same 2.5 L5-VE engine in all three. What changes is the exhaust, the cams and the calibration. Prices ex VAT.
| Quick Swap€2600€3224 incl. VAT | Performance€3150€3906 incl. VAT | Full Power€4000€4960 incl. VAT | |
|---|---|---|---|
| On our dyno | 183hp / 245Nm | 195hp / 250Nm | 220hp / 270Nm |
| Included |
|
|
|
| Not included | Custom / remote calibration (optional extra) · Headers (+€550) · Clutch · Service kit (+€390, optional) · Fitting · Shipping (€390 + VAT) | Custom / remote calibration on your logs (optional extra) · Clutch · Service kit (+€390, optional) · Fitting · Shipping (€390 + VAT) | Clutch · Service kit (+€390, optional) · Fitting · Shipping (€390 + VAT) |
| Configure exact price | Configure exact price | Configure exact price |
DIY lands near the Quick Swap price, but sourcing, fitting and the risk are all yours.
ex VAT · €3224 – €4960 incl. VAT
Inspected 2.5 engine, balance-shaft delete, MazdaEdit kit and map. Headers and cams in the bigger packages. 183 → 220 hp measured on our own dyno. Fitting in Athens +€1000.
parts + remap, UK forum estimate
You source the engine and parts, fit them and sort out whatever comes up. No guarantee, no dyno.
DIY estimate from a UK forum (13/10/2026). The stock clutch is fine for the 2.5.
★ 5.0 · 137 Google reviews of the workshop
★★★★★
“Excellent professionals — reliable, with outstanding after-sales. Well done.”
★★★★★
“A tremendous professional with real passion and love for what he does — flawless work.”
★★★★★
“A true professional — impeccable manner and prompt service, with deep tuning knowledge.”
★★★★★
“Extremely happy — very good at what they do, with a pleasant, friendly atmosphere.”
Reviews cover all our workshop jobs, not only swaps.
Same base engine — you choose how much we do. Send me an engine, a complete bolt-in kit for your workshop, or a turn-key build fitted and dyno-tuned in Athens.
| Engine onlyA prepared 2.5, shipped | Complete kitMost popular | Installed at DMSTurn-key in Athens | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | You or your workshop build it — you just need a sorted engine. | You fit it yourself or at a local shop, with every part the swap needs. | You hand over the keys; we fit, wire and calibrate it. |
| What’s included | 2.5 L5-VE engine, visually inspected and prepared. | Engine + balance-shaft delete + MazdaEdit tuning kit (cable + licence) + 2.5 base map file. | The complete kit + installation + wiring + final dyno calibration. |
| ECU & calibration | Not included — remote MazdaEdit calibration available as a paid extra. | 2.5 base map — not a custom tune (183hp / 245Nm). Custom/remote calibration is an optional extra. | Full in-house dyno calibration, DIN 70020. |
| Power options | Same upgrades available — headers and Stage 2 cams can be added to the engine order. | Base map 183hp / 245Nm (€2600) → + 45mm 4-1 headers 195hp / 250Nm (Performance, €3150) → + headers & DMS Stage 2 cams 220hp / 270Nm (Full Power, €4000). | Same ladder, fitted and dyno-calibrated here: 183 → 195 → 220hp. |
| Installation | You / your workshop. | You / your workshop. | DMS Artemida, Athens — 5–7 working days. |
| Shipping | Quoted per destination. | Europe shipping €390 + VAT. | Car comes to us (or we help arrange transport). |
| 1.8L owner | + €430. Needs a 2.0 ECU (€350) and the 2.0/2.5 oil pickup (€80). We supply the 2.0 ECU ready to go — programmed for the 2.5, immobiliser and VVT handled by us. | + €430. Needs a 2.0 ECU (€350) and the 2.0/2.5 oil pickup (€80). We supply the 2.0 ECU ready to go — programmed for the 2.5, immobiliser and VVT handled by us. | + €430. Needs a 2.0 ECU (€350) and the 2.0/2.5 oil pickup (€80). We supply the 2.0 ECU ready to go — programmed for the 2.5, immobiliser and VVT handled by us. |
| 2.0L owner | Keeps its own ECU (reflashed for the 2.5). Immobiliser / VVT wiring confirmed per car. Exact list confirmed per year/VIN. | Keeps its own ECU (reflashed for the 2.5). Immobiliser / VVT wiring confirmed per car. Exact list confirmed per year/VIN. | Keeps its own ECU (reflashed for the 2.5). Immobiliser / VVT wiring confirmed per car. Exact list confirmed per year/VIN. |
| From (ex VAT) | €1800pre-order · €2000 on arrival | €26002.0L · 1.8L from €3030 | €3600fitting labour from €1000 |
| Engine only — see details | Build & price it | Book a fitted build |
Prices ex VAT, confirmed per car. Power is set by spec — base 183hp / 245Nm, up to 225hp full NA with headers, cams and the FAB9 intake — not by which route you choose. See the dyno figures below.
The MX-5 NC 2.5 swap is the most popular naturally-aspirated engine upgrade for the Mazda MX-5 NC (2005-2015). It involves replacing the factory 2.0L MZR engine (LF-VE, 160hp) with the larger 2.5L L5-VE from the Mazda 3, 5, or 6 — a direct bolt-on conversion within the same MZR engine family.
The result: 183hp and 245Nm of torque — a strong lift in power and torque over stock — with zero turbo lag, factory-level reliability, and a linear power delivery that transforms the MX-5 driving experience. The 2.5L swap is widely recognized across Europe as the single best value-for-money upgrade for the NC platform.
Same MZR engine family — identical mounting points, bellhousing pattern, and wiring. No custom fabrication, no cutting, no welding. Factory-level fitment.
The L5-VE's 2.5L displacement delivers 245Nm vs 188Nm stock — a 30% increase that transforms mid-range response and eliminates the NC's well-known torque deficit.
The L5-VE is a production Mazda engine with millions of units worldwide. Proven in the Mazda 3, 5, 6, and CX-7. No experimental builds — just a larger, stronger factory engine.
On our 2.5 base map via MazdaEdit, the 2.5L produces ~183hp NA. Add 45mm headers for 195hp, Stage 2 cams for 220hp. Or add a turbo later for 350–380hp — the 2.5L block handles it.
At DMS Tuned, we have supplied 200 engines to clients across Greece and Europe. Every build follows our strict DMS Engineering Standards — new seals and bearings and final dyno verification on our in-house 2WD dynamometer in Athens. We offer both in-house turn-key installations at our Artemida workshop and engine shipping with remote ECU calibration for DIY builders across Europe.
Whether you're a weekend canyon carver, a track-day enthusiast, or simply want the MX-5 NC to finally have the power it deserves, the 2.5L swap is the answer. No turbo maintenance, no boost threshold — up to 225hp of naturally-aspirated Mazda engineering, verified on our dyno.
More torque, factory reliability, zero lag — here's why owners choose the 2.5L over every other option.
The stock MX-5 NC 2.0L produces 188Nm — modest torque for the chassis. The 2.5L L5-VE delivers 245Nm, a 30% increase that completely transforms mid-range response.
This isn't peak-only power like a turbo setup. The torque curve is fat and linear from 3000 to 7000rpm — exactly where you use it on road and track. The MX-5 finally pulls like it should.
Stock MX-5 NC 2.0
160hp
188Nm
DMS 2.5 Swap
180hp +8%
245Nm +30%
A turbo kit adds complexity: intercooler, piping, oil lines, boost control, and heat management. More parts mean more failure points. The 2.5L swap adds zero extra components — it's a factory Mazda engine in a factory Mazda car.
No boost leaks. No turbo bearing failures. No heat soak. No wastegate issues. The L5-VE has millions of units running worldwide in Mazda 3s, 5s, and 6s. It's a proven production engine and requires nothing beyond standard maintenance.
The 2.5L swap makes the MX-5 NC a better daily driver. More low-end torque means less downshifting in traffic. Smoother highway cruising at lower RPM. No turbo lag when merging or overtaking.
It idles the same. It starts the same. It passes emissions the same. The only difference you'll feel is more power everywhere — without any compromise in fuel economy, drivability, or refinement. It's the upgrade Mazda should have built from the factory.
The 2.5 swap is the NA answer — but if you want boost, our MX-5 NC turbo kit fits the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.5, dyno-developed in-house from daily-friendly power to full-build.
The 2.0 and 2.5 MZR share the same architecture, but a clean swap needs specific new hardware. Use this checklist to plan the parts needed for your swap. Included hardware and calibration vary by DMS package — check your selected package’s contents before ordering.
| Part | Note |
|---|---|
| Crankshaft bolt | Not reusable — new every time |
| Crank diamond washers ×2 | Torque-to-yield, replace |
| Camshaft bolts ×2 | Not reusable — new every time |
| Cam diamond washers ×2 | Replace |
| Pilot bearing (manual box) | Only needed for manual — see below |
| VVT solenoid pigtail | Carried over from the 2.5 |
| Balance-shaft delete kit | Plugs the oil feed — see trap #2 |
| Serpentine belt | Length differs with / without A/C |
| Oil pick-up tube O-ring | |
| Oil pick-up tube | |
| Timing tool kit | Required to re-time the engine |
Oil sump, oil-filter mount, intake manifold, cam cover, crankshaft pulley, ancillaries (power steering, water pump, alternator, A/C), fuel rail, water outlet, engine mounts, oil-pressure switch, crank position sensor, coil packs, thermostat housing.
Injectors and the VVT solenoid with its gasket. Everything else that touches the swap is either kept from your 2.0 or replaced new from the list above.
The balance shafts. The 2.0 sump can't house them, so they come out and the oil feed is plugged with a delete kit. A standard, reliable part of every NC 2.5 swap.
The donor 2.5 almost always comes out of an automatic. That means the engine has to be re-timed with a timing tool, and it needs a pilot bearing to support the input shaft of your manual gearbox — the automatic never had one because it never saw the same shock loads. Miss this and the gearbox input shaft has nothing to run in. Check that both are listed in your package's contents, or add them before you start.
Measured on our in-house 2WD dynamometer. No estimates — real numbers from real builds.
| Stage | HP | Torque |
|---|---|---|
| Stock NC 2.0L | 160hp | 188Nm |
| 2.5L Swap | 183hp | 245Nm |
| Stage 2 | 220hp | 270Nm |
| Stage 3 | 240hp | 280Nm |
| 2.5L Turbo | 250–380hp | 300-490Nm |
All figures corrected engine (crank) power, DIN 70020, from our in-house 2WD dynamometer — DMS Tuned, Artemida, Athens
Interested in 250hp+? View our Turbo KitFROM THE WORKSHOP
A high-compression 2.5 Duratec built by Lefkaditis Motorsport, with DMS Stage 2 cams, a Ramair intake, 45 mm headers and a 100 CPI sports cat. Calibrated on our dyno: 236 hp and 290 Nm, the highest naturally aspirated figure we have measured. The compression and cams are work on top of the swap itself.
Two ways to get your 2.5L build: fitted at our workshop in Athens, or shipped anywhere in Europe.
Turn-key · 5-7 days · Artemida, Greece
Drop off your MX-5 at our Artemida workshop. We handle everything: engine sourcing, preparation, installation, ECU calibration, and dyno verification. You pick up a finished, verified build.
from €3600
Engine shipping · Remote tuning · DIY support
We ship swap-ready 2.5L L5-VE engines and component kits across Europe. Install at your local shop or DIY, then get your ECU calibrated remotely via our DMShub platform — the same DMS tune, wherever you are.
from €2000 + shipping
If your workshop isn’t ready or the package isn’t right for your car, we sort that first. You approve everything before any money moves, and you see the exact engine before it ships.
You approve the spec for your exact NC, what’s included, the total with VAT and shipping, and the terms — in writing, before anything is charged.
You get the details of the specific engine you’re getting: photos, its mileage verified against the donor paperwork, and an inside-the-engine inspection on camera.
A 90-day start-up guarantee. If a confirmed fault is covered by our written terms, we replace the engine and cover the shipping — we don’t do money-back. Any tune from another shop, or any boost, ends it.
Tell us whether your NC is a 1.8 or a 2.0 and we tell you what your car keeps, what can wait, and where not to spend — before you pay anything.
Provenance is what we can prove: every engine is inspected inside on camera and its mileage verified against the donor paperwork. We don’t claim a compression test — a crated engine won’t turn.
Straight answers we’d rather give up front: local install labour isn’t included · a quoted power figure is for that exact setup · an estimated arrival can change — we’ll tell you · some things we can’t confirm without a photo of your car.
“Send me your NC’s year, engine and what you want from it. I’ll explain what you need, what you can keep, and what it’ll cost — before you decide.”
— Yiannis, DMS Tuned · Artemida, Athens
The 2.5L L5-VE swap bolts into every MX-5 NC (2005-2015). It belongs to the same MZR family as the stock 2.0L, so it uses the same mounts and gearbox with no custom fabrication. NB models can also take the swap with additional modifications.
No, the 1.8 ECU can't run the 2.5 properly (it can't control its variable cam timing). Needs a 2.0 ECU (€350) and the 2.0/2.5 oil pickup (€80). We supply the 2.0 ECU ready to go — programmed for the 2.5, immobiliser and VVT handled by us. Everything else (mounts, gearbox, ancillaries) transfers just as on a 2.0, so the Quick Swap for a 1.8 comes to €3030 ex VAT.
Measured on our dyno: the base swap makes 183hp / 245Nm, with our 45mm 4-1 headers 195hp / 250Nm, and with headers plus our Stage 2 cams 220hp / 270Nm. All on the factory ECU with VVT active. The stock 2.0 is rated 160hp / 188Nm.
All our figures are at the crank, corrected to DIN 70020 and measured on our own DynoRevolt dyno, with ambient temperature, pressure and humidity printed on every sheet. They are not wheel (whp) figures. Ask us and we'll send you the sheet. We publish real dyno sheets only, never virtual-dyno calculations.
We keep 2.5 L5-VE engines in Greece, each inspected before shipping: €2000 for an engine in stock, or €1800 on pre-order from the next batch, ex VAT. Shipping across Europe is €390 + VAT, or collect from Athens.
Every engine we supply comes with a 90-day start-up guarantee — replacement only, no refund. If it turns out faulty, we replace it. The terms are in writing before you pay.
The Quick Swap ships with a 2.5 base map: a proven starting calibration that runs the engine properly, not a custom tune for your car. A custom tune (on our dyno or remote) is optional. If you add headers or cams later, the map is adapted for them, and if you are already a DMS client a bigger upgrade later (cams, turbo) gets a new tune at a discounted price, so you are not paying full price twice.
Yes. You fit the engine, send us your stock ECU read and a datalog, and we build the map on your car's data with MazdaEdit on the factory ECU. You send more logs and we refine it: unlimited revisions until the tune is finished. Small changes after delivery are free. Bigger upgrades later (cams, turbo) get a new tune at a discounted price if you're already a DMS client. We also give you a DMS spec list so the build meets our standards before we tune it.
No. Every custom map is built from your own ECU read and logs, or on our dyno in Athens. No generic file is passed from car to car.
The Quick Swap is €2600 ex VAT for 2.0L owners: engine, balance-shaft delete kit, MazdaEdit kit and a 2.5 base map (not a custom tune). 1.8L owners pay €3030 ex VAT, which adds the 2.0 ECU and the oil pickup. The Performance Swap (Quick Swap + 45mm 4-1 headers + the map adapted for them) is €3150. The Full Power Build (Performance + DMS Stage 2 cams + custom VVT calibration, 220hp) is €4000. Service kit, custom tune and fitting are separate. Europe shipping €390 + VAT, or collect from Athens.
Yes. The L5-VE is a production Mazda engine used in the Mazda 3, 5 and 6. Every calibration is checked for knock, AFR and intake temperature on our dyno, and cold starts, idle and closed loop stay factory-like. We fit new friction washers, seals and pilot bearing. The stock clutch in good condition handles the 2.5 fine; a new clutch is optional.
A complete turn-key swap takes 5-7 working days at our Artemida (Athens) workshop: engine preparation, installation, wiring, ECU calibration on our in-house dyno and final checks. You pick up a finished, dyno-verified car.
The 2.5 swap gives linear, naturally aspirated power with no lag and factory-like reliability, ideal for the road. Our NC turbo kit goes up to 380hp but needs more supporting mods and maintenance. Many clients start with the 2.5 and add a turbo later; the 2.5 makes the most torque at lower boost.
Yes. We ship 2.5L L5-VE engines and complete swap kits throughout Europe, including the UK, Switzerland and Norway, for €390 + VAT, and support DIY builders with remote ECU calibration. Clients have completed builds in Germany, the Netherlands, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, Austria and more.
At 183hp in an NC of roughly 1,100kg, that is about 166hp per tonne. With headers and Stage 2 cams (220hp) it rises to about 200hp per tonne.
YOUR BUILD STARTS HERE
200 engines so far, dyno-verified. Your MX-5 NC deserves the 2.5L treatment.
