feef

After extending me 'hello' post in the welcome section, I thought I should put a proper build thread up.

I have a 2002 Mazda MX5/Miata which started out as the Sport model with 1.8l engine, with VVT, and 6 speed box. Stock these heavy old iron-blocked lumps are putting out 147bhp.

For the last few years I've been running it with an Eaton M45 supercharger controlled by an Emerald ECU and at the last remap it was putting out around 225bhp.

Fast forward to last month or so when after a spirited drive, I limped home with a nasty misfire which ended up being two holed pistons.

That left me with the option of replacing the engine or doing something else, and me being me, the something else option seemed the most fun.

So here I am with a Toyota 1UZ 4.0V8 out of a Lexus LS400, a Toyota W58 gearbox and a very empty engine bay in an MX5.

Progress so far has been removal of the old engine, tidying up the engine bay, stripping out the wiring loom and tidying up the 'new' engine (including new plugs, gaskets, belts etc)

I've just ordered the 1UZ-W58 adapter kit from Bullet Cars in Australia and have commissioned a tubular subframe from Crapengineering here in the UK.

I'll get some photos up too, but will also be updating my website with more detailed info on work and reasoning behind it. That's at kickingtyres.co.uk

feef

Got the dash out, wiring loom out, subframe off, ARB mouts off (including drilling out the spot welds) and removed some of the fuel pipework which isn't required.

Sourced an air-con HVAC unit so now have an aircon pump (on the engine) and an air con system in the cabin. I'll sort out pipework and a condesor and whatnot once the engine is in place so I can deal with routing.

Cleaned up the new engine, replaced the plugs, removed the EGR kit and have almost finished making the blanking plates. I've got a cambelt and serpentine belt to go on.

Started cutting out the chassis rot on the front arms, and that's where I came unstuck as the cutting disk on the angle grinder broke when snagging some rotten stuff, and bounder the tool out my hands and onto my knee.

13 stitches and 3hrs in A&E later, I suspect progress will be somewhat slower over the next couple of weeks.

A more comprehensive update is at: Engine out, a tidy up and general progress ? kickingtyres

feef

Suddenly, some **** appeared!


Bellhousing, clutch, flywheel, throwout bearing, fork and slave cylinder.

(Oh, and I've ordered a plasma cutter. No more faffing about with fragile spinny things!)