six

Ok so I have a question on K-member. I am attempting a DIY kit. I have a great mechanic that has done some unique motor swaps but was wondering if there is a k-member I can buy and modify like a used out of a truck or car. Or should I just by one via Flyinmiata or martin. I believe we can make the Tranny and rear end braces no problem will by a 7.5 rear end kit from boss frog and roll with that unless anyone has any suggestions. Does anyone know the dimensions on the oil pan for modification. Any other help would be appreciated thanks.

chpmnsws6

Martin is the only popular company promoting the 7.5, and I highly recommend you run his setup if your not planning on a 500+hp fire breathing drag car on 10.5w's

V8R builds a tubular K member which looks to have a bit more room then the BF K-member. FM resells V8R's K-member, and puts them in all the cars they convert (seems like a new car is rolling out of FM daily with an LS based engine).


What do you plan on swapping into the little roadster?

six

I plan on putting a 5.0 trying to do a budget build for as cheap as possible. Is there a website for v8r? I would like to get more info on this.

chpmnsws6

If you are dead set on not using martins swap, look around for the username "Stein". He's a smart cat doing basically what you are talking about (v8r k-member with his own mounts).

V8roadsters.com

six

my mechanic can weld and so most of the stuff in the kits I will buy a few parts to save time but my mechanic has swapped a 2j, sr20det, and CA18 in miata's and is on drift circuit himself so he is really good and builds most of the cages for area racers. Going to buy the K-member probably from V8R and get the 7.5 BF rear axels and go from there. Oh I live in Saint louis btw I see u live in IL.

mx5.7

This is Martin's site www.monstermiata.com . He is the cheapest to buy the 7.5" ford axles from. These axles are comparable to Boss Frogs stage 3 axle kit. Axles with spacers and boots for $450, broached hubs for $150, two piece diff hanger for $350, then you just source your own 7.5 diff and CVs from the salvage yard for $150. So the entire rear can be done for $1100, but I advise adding at least a limited slip. diff for $225. Still coming in at $1325 for the entire rear end setup. He also sells his how to manual for $70 which has wire diagrams and pictures of his kit being installed. I would buy his manual if I was doing a do it yourseld 5.0 swap. I currently run his rear end kit in my 10 second miata.

MRM331

Factory limited slip 7.5 rears can be found pretty easily in junkyards in the more "snowy" portions of the country. My last 7.5 with 3.27 gears and limited slip cost me only $35.

To find one look for a Thunderbird with a "E" listed as the axle type on the door post. Check the tag hanging off the actual diff and if it reads "3L27" it's the rear you need. If it reads "3 27" its open.

For a rear good time try to find a "4L10". That's a 4.10 rear with limited slip. You may need wheelie bars though...

-Jason

rookie

Jason, Are you close to that blast that just happened in Allentown?

Jim D

Hey SIX, I did my 5.0 as DIY and used a Miata rear. I got it running last September. It's not quite a daily driver, but swmbo says I drive it too much! LOL. I've repaired a couple small items and changed a couple of things (nothing major though). It's been a very reliable package. It's geared too low (3.90), uses the PPF (modified to fit). I can still run 70mph (3,000 rpm) on the T-pike. I don't very often though. I could have done the conversion a lot more inexpensively than I did, but at the time I bought what I could afford (over bought?). I made my own mods to the front subframe so I'd have exhaust clearance. I have some pics. Good luck on your quest and enjoy the ride!

Jim D.

MRM331

Yup, about 8 blocks away. My neighbors all felt the blast and stayed up all night to see what it was, I sort of slept through it.

So far 5 are dead and 1 more is still missing. 6 blocks or so of Allentown are shut down and one doesn't exist any more. 6 homes are destroyed, 30 or so are badly damaged and 2 were pretty much vaporized.

None of my students were affected but a few of their families were. They shut down two of our schools and half the city is still without power or gas.

Up until this point I wished my house had city gas as opposed to fuel oil due to the comparative cost. Now I'm feeling a whole lot more secure with a tank of diesel in my basement rather than a natural gas hookup...

-Jason