v8 Miata Forum - Home of the v8 Miata Conversion - 1991 Miata - 1UZFE Lexus Toyota V8 swap, Manual trans, White, Hardtop

I've finally decided to put my car up for sale. This is one of a very small number of Lexus/Toyota 1UZFE V8 swapped Miatas in the US, and I believe the only one with a manual transmission. At the time, this was only the second one in the world, and I haven't seen one as nice since (but I'm biased). This car puts a massive smile on everyone's face who has been in it.

This car was featured on the DRIVE show Tuned, hosted by Matt Farah (The Answer is Always Miata episode). One note about this video, since many have seen it - the audio recording device they used for all the engine/exhaust sound had a problem, and the car sounds awful in the video. It sounds nothing like that in person; I'll get a video clip together this week with some accurate audio. The exhaust note is lovely.

I built this car while living in CA and working for a Mazda factory race team (currently in Austin, TX). It is nicely built, reliable, and a ton of fun. The goal was always "fun street car" not track-weapon, but it would make a good trackday car for the right person. This car was registered, smogged, and went through the entire CA B.A.R. approval process for an engine conversion. It has a State of CA sticker on the doorjamb verifying the VIN and engine legality. Specifics of this will be discussed with buyer. There are VERY few engine swapped cars that have done this, and it was a firm goal from the outset. I did not want to put all the time/money into the car, only to worry constantly about being pulled over.

1991 White base car. Approximately 160k mi on chassis. No wrecks, no rust.
1992 Lexus LS400 V8 engine, ECU, engine harness.
Modified OEM subframe, custom oil pan, modified OEM exhaust manifolds.
Stock ground clearance! Hood has one small section of underside bracing removed to clear EGR valve.
Fresh engine bay paint, excess wiring removed and rerouted.
W58 Toyota gearbox (Non-turbo supra, SC300, etc.)
CRS custom aluminum bellhousing, flywheel, clutch, etc. to mate engine to trans. Works flawlessly. Uses off-the-shelf disc and PP.
Custom Wenco Racing driveshaft
3/4" Toyota clutch master cylinder
Turbo-II RX-7 rear diff, clutch-type LSD, Rare 3.73 gears and short pinion housing.
Turbo-II RX-7 axles
Turbo-II RX-7 rear hubs, modified for Miata wheelbearing and bolt pattern.
3" exhaust, Magnaflow muffler
Accusump oil accumulator with electric valve and pressure switch, mounted in trunk. Zero oil pressure issues even on track with slicks.
Deka race battery
Howe custom aluminum radiator
FAL large fan
255 fuel pump
Stainless braided brake soft lines
Mazdaspeed Miata brakes, Stoptech pads.
Custom stainless brake hardlines
Koni shocks, Ground Control coilovers
Custom 1-1/4" front swaybar and reinforced mounts.
Manual steering rack
949 wheels, Continental slicks. Also comes with a set of Hankook street tires.
Urethane front lip.
Eunos steering wheel
Momo seat
Sabelt harness (stock seat and belts included)
OEM hardtop
Harddog rollbar
Radio headunit deleted, but has amplifier and wiring to use Ipod or phone - works great! (also has bluetooth connection)

The conversion has about 10k street miles on it with no issues. It has seen about 2-3hrs of track time, only for the video shoot and for shakedown/testing purposes. Most of the last 6-7 years it has been stored inside my shop and driven around once every couple of months. It's a great car, but I've not had the time to enjoy it.

A final note - I run a professional race team and fabrication/prep shop. This car is stored inside 100% of the time. If this is the right car for you, but there is something you would like changed, upgraded, etc. please let me know. We have the capability to do absolutely anything you can imagine, and I want this car to go to someone who will properly enjoy it. If you are a serious buyer, let's talk.

Asking $17,500

edit: CONTACT - email is best. alaivins@gmail.com

-Andris