V8 MX-5 Scotland

[Petrolhead UK]

It begins today...

Just bought this today, for the fantastic.....

Which will be going into this...

I have a lot of research to do, lol.

Dave.

 

[Thermactor]

Too cool. What are you planning to do to get the motor ready for the Miata?

 

[Petrolhead UK]

Plans? No-one told me I had to make plans

As I said, I have a lot of research to do.

Main thing is, it's been done in Oz and in the USA, so it's a feasable project. Don't know if anyone has done it in the UK yet, but I'll find that out as I investigate.

As far as I have seen so far, it's just engine mounts, wiring (that's a bit vague, lol) and prop shaft. Obviously exhausts etc, but the main thing is, it's not a huge ball-ache by all accounts.

I will be posting EVERYTHING on my website www.roadsterrescue.co.uk

and visiting this site on a regular basis for helps and advice.

Dave.

 

[milisakeracing]

Nice looking MX-5. Definitely will be following this with interest.

 

[ruishy1]

your just up the road from me, im in kilmarnock
will be following this with interest as i considered this very swap

 

[Petrolhead UK]

Well if you fancy giving me a hand you're most welcome.

Not sure when I'll be starting. I've been watching for the Lexus coming up for sale at the right price, and on Monday that day came

Best to join my forum as I'll be primarily updating that thread first.

www.roadsterrescue.co.uk

The thread is titled: "Has anyone seen my marbles" but I will change that once I get started proper.

 

[Petrolhead UK]

I'm hoping to get the engine out today, so stay tuned for photos later.

Meanwhile.....

What parts do I need to keep from the Lexus? I'm stripping the car and sticking the parts up on Ebay.

So far I've worked out:

Engine (Duh)
Transmission (for now)
Wiring loom and ECU
Prop shaft

Radiator?
Expansion tank?

Can anyone think of anything crucial I should be holding on to?

Thanks.

 

[cribbj]

There may be a fuel pump ECU hidden back in one of the rear fenders that you might want to keep. All it does is drop the voltage to the fuel pump when you're idling and/or at cruise (low fuel demand). If you can find it, I'd keep it.

I'd also keep the fuel pump and/or replace it with another OEM Lexus pump. Don't know if the Miata pump will deliver enough to feed the UZ.

 

[Petrolhead UK]

I'd also keep the fuel pump and/or replace it with another OEM Lexus pump. Don't know if the Miata pump will deliver enough to feed the UZ.

Good shout, yes, I'll dig out the pump and ecu, thanks.

 

[Petrolhead UK]

Well, this should have been done yesterday, but some KNOB had welded the exhaust at the join I had expected to just come apart when I took the bolts out

Anyway, here it comes...

Full report on my website

 

[milisakeracing]

There may be a fuel pump ECU hidden back in one of the rear fenders that you might want to keep. All it does is drop the voltage to the fuel pump when you're idling and/or at cruise (low fuel demand). If you can find it, I'd keep it.

I'd also keep the fuel pump and/or replace it with another OEM Lexus pump. Don't know if the Miata pump will deliver enough to feed the UZ.

Yeah, the Supra had the same sort of setup, only if I recall correctly, it was done via a relay to switch the voltage from 12v down to 9v. Bad if there was a failure. From what I understood, this was done not to really save gas or anything but to cool the gas. I've seen arguments for just removing the system totally and always applying 12v to the pump.

 

[cribbj]

Yep, and the later Supras had a sort of quasi PWM setup that would drop the pump voltage. Recirculating fuel heats it up and it loses density so the engine will not make as much power.

Getting rid of the pump ECU system will cause the pump to run at full power all the time and recirculate much more fuel during idle/cruise conditions. Not really a good thing to do, although many do it on the early cars for the reliability reasons you mention.

 

[a.Lpha]

DUDE, AWESOME SWAP!

Funny side not is a friend of mine has a newish mazda 6 with a blown motor, not nearly as exciting, but he wants to do a swap, so we'll be checking out what you do, to see if it's possible!

 

[Petrolhead UK]

Of course it's possible, I have an angle grinder and a welder don't I?

Another update on my site today. Nothing much, just seperated the engine from the box and put it on a stand so I can start stripping the crap off it

 

[Petrolhead UK]

Ok folks, here's today's update...

Quite pleased with my trimming

I put a bar accross the back of the sub-frame, and a couple of wooden blocks on the steering rack, and Hey Presto!..

Engine will probably go down another inch..

Might go back a bit, but I need room for where the engine meets the gearbox, so is probably just about right there..

The bonnet will just about close as it is, but there's a couple of things sticking up, like the throttle cable mounting, and the engine lift hook..

Would be cool if I could just re-mount those things lower down, and not have to drop the subframe

Anyway, that's all for today. I'm liking how it looks now

 

[cribbj]

Nice! I'll bet working the exhaust through there is going to be a challenge, though. That subframe area around the engine bay looks really tight.

 

[Petrolhead UK]

Yeah, there will be a certain amount of "massaging" required to the subframe, and the right hand side exhaust manifold will need to be modified so the steering column can get through.

Going well though

 

[rising sun]

This will be a fantastic giant killing piece of machinery when finished. I am considering building one as I have a donor Eunos Roadster to convert, that is after my RA28, RA61 and Surf have been converted!!!
Keep up the good work.

 

[ruishy1]

if i wasnt working down in bristol mate i could give you a hand
i have an AC/DC tig if you need anything fabbed up in ally or the likes

 

[Petrolhead UK]

Awesome, thanks for the offer.

Been having a break from the V8 project, but aiming to get back into it next week